We recently had the chance to connect with Chip Thomas and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chip, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me, it’s standing behind the lens with my boots in the dirt and my heart in the wild. The moment I step into nature with my camera—whether I’m chasing alpenglow over the San Juan Mountains, waiting for stars to emerge above Maroon Bells, or capturing the quiet dance of aspen leaves in the fall—I lose track of time entirely. Hours slip by as light shifts and shadows stretch. I’m not checking the clock; I’m listening to the wind, watching the clouds roll, and waiting for nature to offer that fleeting, perfect shot.
Photography isn’t just a job—it’s how I reconnect to who I am. It’s how I find stillness in the chaos, clarity in the silence, and creativity when the world feels routine. I may begin a shoot with a plan, but somewhere along the trail, that fades. What remains is instinct, curiosity, and a deep sense of awe.
Every photo I take for Colorful Colorado Photography is a piece of that rediscovery. Each print isn’t just an image—it’s a moment I lived fully, breathed deeply, and gave myself over to the magic of this place I call home. That’s when I lose track of time… and somehow find myself again.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there, I’m Chip Thomas, the photographer behind Colorful Colorado Photography. I’m a Colorado-based fine art landscape and nature photographer with a deep passion for capturing the wild, quiet, and awe-inspiring moments that happen when you pause and truly look around. My work is rooted in a love for the outdoors and a desire to share the kind of beauty that stops you in your tracks—sunsets that set the sky on fire, mountain ranges kissed by alpenglow, the stillness of snow-covered meadows, and star-filled night skies that remind us how small we really are.
Colorful Colorado Photography isn’t just about pretty pictures—it’s about storytelling through light, landscape, and emotion. Every image I create carries the spirit of the place and the moment it was taken. My brand is built on authenticity, patience, and a sense of wonder. I shoot with a Pentax K1 Mark II, and I take pride in creating work that’s bold, honest, and print-worthy—pieces that people can hang in their homes or offices and feel something every time they look at them.
Right now, I’m expanding my offerings to include digital downloads and licensing options, so people and businesses alike can bring Colorado’s magic into their lives—whether for personal use, as collector’s items, or for commercial storytelling. I’m also working on a new book project that focuses on the Maroon Bells, blending photography, regional history, and cultural significance into one compelling visual journey. On the blog, I’ve launched a new series called the Creative Comeback, where I dive into the gritty, honest process of staying inspired and building a photography business in today’s fast-moving world.
This isn’t just about selling prints. It’s about creating connection—between people and places, between art and experience, between the viewer and the wild. That’s what makes Colorful Colorado Photography unique, and I’m just getting started.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the most defining moments for me happened at Maroon Bells, just before dawn. I had arrived in the dark—like I’ve done many times before—gear loaded, tea in hand, and anticipation building. The place was quiet, almost sacred, with just the sound of distant water and the rustle of trees. Then, as the first light began to creep over the peaks, the entire valley transformed. The bells lit up in alpenglow, the lake turned into a mirror, and I remember just standing there—completely still—watching the light paint the landscape like a slow-moving brushstroke.
That moment didn’t just shape how I see the world—it anchored my purpose as a photographer. Maroon Bells is iconic, yes, but when you’re there in that early silence, you realize why. It’s not just about the mountains—it’s about how they make you feel. That morning reminded me that photography is about reverence and patience. It’s about capturing the emotion of a place, not just the scene.
Since then, I’ve returned countless times, not just to photograph, but to reflect. It’s a place that continually teaches me about timing, light, and humility. And it’s one of the main reasons I’m currently working on a book dedicated to the Maroon Bells—a project that combines my photography with the deep cultural, historical, and environmental story of this remarkable place.
That experience helped me realize that I’m not just chasing beautiful images—I’m capturing moments that reconnect people to the wild, to stillness, and to themselves.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yeah—there was a stretch where I nearly packed it all in. Not because I stopped loving photography, but because life got heavy. The business side of things felt overwhelming. Social media was noisy, sales slowed, and I found myself second-guessing if any of it really mattered. I was still going out to shoot, but it felt like I was going through the motions. I wasn’t seeing anymore—I was just snapping.
There was one night, after hiking out of a spot in the San Juans, that I sat in my car, exhausted and honestly kind of defeated. I looked at my gear in the passenger seat and thought, Is this still worth it? That was a tough question.
But here’s the thing—photography has never let me go. It’s how I breathe. So I gave myself space. I stepped back from the pressure to produce, and instead started shooting just for the feeling again. No expectations. Just reconnecting with what drew me in to begin with: the silence, the wildness, the beauty of light on a mountain ridge.
That’s actually what inspired the Creative Comeback series I’m working on now. Because the truth is, all creatives hit that wall. We all have seasons of doubt. But if you sit with it, get quiet, and return to the why—you’ll find your way back. And when you do, your work becomes more honest, more powerful. That was my turning point—and I’m glad I didn’t give up.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One project I’m fully committed to—no matter how long it takes—is my upcoming book on the Maroon Bells. This isn’t just a photo book. It’s a deep dive into one of Colorado’s most iconic and sacred landscapes—a place I’ve returned to again and again, season after season, year after year. The Bells have given me some of the most unforgettable moments in my career, and I want to honor that with something timeless.
This book will weave together my photography with the cultural, historical, and environmental significance of the region. I want readers to feel like they’re walking those trails with me—feeling the crisp air, hearing the stillness, learning about the Ute people who originally called these lands home, and understanding why this place continues to draw people in from all over the world.
I know it’s going to take time. I’m not in a rush because I want to get it right. I’m committed to telling this story with the depth and care it deserves. For me, this is legacy work. It’s about preserving the spirit of a place that has shaped not just my photography, but my life. Whether it takes one year or five, this book will happen—and when it does, I hope it inspires people to see the world with more wonder and respect.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I helped them see again. That I made them pause, breathe, and really look at the world around them. Not just at the landscapes, but at the emotion inside a quiet moment—at the stillness before sunrise, the poetry of snowfall, the glow of alpenglow on a peak. I hope they say I captured the heart of Colorado in a way that felt honest, personal, and unforgettable.
More than just a guy with a camera, I want to be remembered as someone who paid attention. Who honored the land through his lens. Who didn’t just chase epic shots, but chased connection—with nature, with people, with meaning. I want my work to outlive me and serve as a reminder that beauty is everywhere if you’re willing to slow down long enough to find it.
And if I’ve done that—if someone hangs one of my prints on their wall and it brings them peace, or they flip through my book and feel like they’ve been somewhere sacred—then I’ll have done what I came here to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colorfulcoloradophotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorfulcoloradophotography/
- Twitter: https://x.com/coloradoartwork
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colorfulcoloradophotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chipthomasphotos
Image Credits
All photos are mine: Chip Thomas
