The best photographers around Vail Valley

Photography in Vail Valley is as much about storytelling as it is about scenery. The mountain light, shifting seasons, and energy of outdoor life inspire local photographers to frame the region’s character through their lenses. The Best of Vail Valley contest honors the artists who capture those fleeting moments—transforming landscapes, portraits, and events into lasting visual art. This year’s winners and finalists show the wide range of vision and style that defines Vail Valley’s creative community.

EJ Dilley || EJ Dilley Photography: Based in Eagle, EJ Dilley specializes in fine-art portraiture, weddings, and adventure photography that celebrates human connection and natural beauty. Her website emphasizes an approach that balances authenticity and artistry, often using outdoor backdrops to highlight genuine emotion. Dilley’s work blends technical precision with warmth and spontaneity, giving her images both narrative depth and a sense of place.

Kristin Kohl || Kristin Kohl Photography: Working primarily in Vail, Kristin Kohl is known for evocative lifestyle photography that captures families, children, and everyday joy. Her website highlights an emphasis on natural light and candid expression, allowing her subjects’ personalities to shine through. Whether documenting playful family moments or elegant mountain portraits, Kohl’s style reflects her passion for preserving authentic emotion in her images.

Olga Barron || Olga Barron Photography: With a studio in Edwards, Olga Barron creates timeless portrait and wedding photography rooted in artistry and emotional connection. Her website describes a philosophy centered on “capturing people at their best,” blending fine-art sensibility with a modern editorial feel. Barron’s portfolio ranges from intimate couple sessions to sophisticated family portraits, each defined by her eye for light and composition.

Hunter Schleper || Hunter Schleper: A Vail-based photographer, Hunter Schleper’s work spans mountain sports, landscapes, and lifestyle imagery that reflects the adventure culture of the Rockies. His website showcases vivid, high-contrast images that convey both motion and atmosphere, giving viewers a visceral sense of outdoor experience. Schleper’s photography brings together technical skill and artistic instinct, translating adrenaline and scenery into art.

Rick Spitzer || Spitzer Photography: Based in Avon, Rick Spitzer is an accomplished nature and wildlife photographer whose portfolio highlights the ecological diversity of Colorado’s high country. His website features stunning close-up studies of animals and landscapes, often accompanied by educational insight. Spitzer’s work bridges art and conservation, inviting viewers to look closer at the natural world surrounding Vail Valley.

From sweeping panoramas to intimate portraits, these photographers show that the art of seeing in Vail Valley is as dynamic as the mountains themselves. Their work preserves the region’s essence—moment by moment, frame by frame.

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