Yosemite in the spring is a world waking up. The rivers are swollen with snowmelt, the waterfalls roar with terrifying power, and the iconic dogwoods begin to bloom in the damp forests. This 5-day workshop is a highly dynamic, conditions-driven experience designed to immerse you in that environment.
There is nothing quite like witnessing the valley light up as a storm clears. But this trip is about more than just bringing home great photos—it’s about disconnecting from the daily grind, reconnecting with the raw power of nature, and sharing that awe with a great group of people.
Welcome to a world waking up
The Experience
Shooting the icons our way
Yes, we will absolutely shoot the legendary locations like Tunnel View and Valley View. But we don't just set up tripods in the midday sun alongside the crowds. We hunt for clearing storms, low-hanging fog, and dramatic, fleeting light to make these iconic vistas feel personal, powerful, and uniquely yours. We are hunting for atmosphere, even at the most famous overlooks.
A comprehensive approach to nature
Some Yosemite workshops stop at the grand vistas. We think that leaves too much on the table. While atmospheric landscapes and intimate scenes are the core of what we do, capturing the full story of the environment means looking closer and experimenting with different techniques.
Macro and close-ups
When the grand light fades, we look down. We’ll help you find compelling compositions in the damp forests, capturing intricate textures, spring dogwoods, or finding abstract macro details in an unremarkable patch of dirt.
Wildlife encounters
Yosemite is teeming with life in the spring. And for those interested in shooting the occasional wildlife we run across, all the more reason to bring a longer telephoto (300mm+). It’s a great way to stay engaged and sharp when the landscape lighting isn't cooperating.
Abstracts and intentional camera movement
Photography is also about interpreting what you feel, not just documenting what is there. We'll explore abstract compositions in moving water and granite textures. Lon specializes in Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and will be showcasing how to use this technique to create painterly, impressionistic frames of the forest and valley elements for anyone interested in exploring it.
Here are a sample of Lon’s Yosemite ICMs, but be sure to check out Lon’s full Yosemite portfolio.
How we run the workshop
This is not a static tour where we simply drive from one spot to the next. We keep our itinerary completely flexible to work with the changing weather and light. Here is what you can expect:
Right place, right time: We handle the logistics. Using advanced weather and atmospheric tracking (Fog-Index) and years of scouting, we put you in front of peak conditions so you can just focus on shooting.
Seeing through our eyes: Lon and I don't just point at the scenery. We take you to our absolute favorite spots and narrate our thought process in real time so you can see the landscape the way we do.
Building camaraderie: Photography doesn't have to be a solo pursuit. This trip is about the memories, the shared awe, and making new friends. We laugh, we learn, and we share the freedom of being out in the wild together.
Portfolio building: Taking the photo is only half the process. We teach you how to gather the right field data (focus stacks, panoramas, exposure blends) and bring them to life in our dedicated post-processing sessions, ensuring you leave with images you are genuinely proud of.
If you want to experience the real Yosemite, build genuine skills, and take your photography to a completely new level, we’d love to have you out there with us.
Photographers laughing off the white-out at Tunnel View.
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Tuition
$2,750
Tuition covers field guiding, real-time decision-making instruction, and post-processing classroom sessions. Airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and meals are not included. A 30% deposit of $825 secures your spot with the balance due 60 days before the workshop.
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Workshop dates
Two Spring Sessions:
Session 1: April 19 - 23, 2027
Session 2: April 26 - 30, 2027
These dates are specifically chosen to maximize our chances for dynamic atmospheric conditions, clearing storms, and optimal seasonal light interacting with the valley's iconic granite features.
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Group size
Limited to 10 participants.
We keep our group size small to ensure Lon and I can provide the individual attention you need. With two instructors, you get a 5:1 ratio, meaning plenty of real-time feedback on your compositions, field decision-making, and post-processing.
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Travel & lodging
Fly to FAT or SFO
Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) is the closest option, while San Francisco (SFO) offers more flight flexibility.
Stay in Yosemite View Lodge (El Portal)
We’ve reserved a block of hotels that come with a 15% discounted rate at Yosemite View Lodge. You are not required to stay here, but it is highly recommended, as doing so will give us a common place to meet and caravan from.
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Self-drive & carpooling logistics
This is a self-drive workshop, meaning you are responsible for your transportation to the lodge. This makes bouncing from one location to another a lot faster than loading 8-12 people and all of the gear in 1 van.
We highly encourage carpooling. Yosemite's best pullouts have extremely limited parking. To make sure we can actually park and shoot where we want, we'll consolidate into a few vehicles with 2-4 people each. It makes our logistics much smoother, lets you split gas costs, and is honestly a great way to bond with the group between locations.
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Photo gear
Required:
- Modern mirrorless / DSLR body
- Lenses ranging from wide (20mm) to telephoto (200mm)
- Robust tripod & tripod head.
- Weather protection for your gear and lens cloths.Recommended:
- Even wider lens (e.g., 11 - 16mm)
- Longer telephoto (300-500mm)
- Camera L-bracket
- Macro lens
- Polarizer and 3-stop ND filter. -
Fitness level
Easy to moderate
Yosemite offers many accessible locations/pulloffs that offer easy access to great shooting locations, so we’re getting in/out of vehicles frequently. But we don’t just shoot from the pavement. Be prepared for short hikes totaling 1 to 3 miles per day on uneven terrain, rocky trails, and varied elevation. Hiking difficulty itself is low. You must be comfortable carrying your gear and navigating natural surfaces in the dark.
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Photography experience
Intermediate to advanced
You need a solid understanding of the exposure triangle and how to operate your camera in the dark. Newer shooters are welcome if they have the proper equipment and know how to use it. We focus our time on advanced fieldcraft, composition theory, finding unique vantage points, and sophisticated post-processing techniques.
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Creative focus
Fieldcraft & post-processing
We balance hunting for grand, atmospheric light with finding compelling small scenes and abstracts, and even explore experimental techniques like Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). You will learn how to shoot with the final edit in mind, capturing the necessary frames for focus stacks and exposure blends, and then we’ll stitch it all together in the digital darkroom.
Two Perspectives. One Shared Passion.
For this special trip, I am honored to be joined by a true Yosemite veteran. I met Lon at Yosemite and we connected instantly over our shared love for nature and teaching. Having two instructors with different artistic backgrounds means you get twice the in-field support, two sets of eyes helping you find compositions, and a much richer educational experience.
Your guides
James Lorentson
PRIMARY InstructorJames is a Pacific Northwest-based nature photographer who specializes in atmospheric, moody landscapes. Coming from a technical design background, James excels at breaking down complex concepts—like tracking atmospheric weather (Fog-Index), visualizing abstract compositions and mastering the editing process—into simple, actionable steps. He is passionate about helping students capture the raw, emotional power of nature.
Lon Overacker
Co-Instructor · Yosemite SPECIALISTLon Overacker is a local Yosemite mentor and a legend in the nature photography community. With over 20 years of experience photographing the valley, Lon possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of Yosemite's hidden corners and seasonal light. Known for his incredible generosity, humility, and patience, Lon has a natural gift for helping photographers slow down, see the scene, and feel supported in their creative journey.
See Lon's stunning Yosemite portfolio →
Please Note: While Lon is fully planning to co-lead this workshop and share his immense knowledge, his participation is ultimately subject to his health and availability at the time of the event. In the unlikely event he cannot attend, the workshop will run seamlessly with full dedication to your experience.
What to expectChasing the Conditions, Responding to the Light
Monday
The workshop will begin with introductions on Monday afternoon (exact time and location sent to participants), followed by a short evening field session.
Tuesday - Thursday (Full Days)
Because the best photography happens at the edges of weather, our itinerary is intentionally flexible. Rather than sticking to a rigid schedule, we adapt daily based on the weather and light. In general, our itinerary will consist of:
We will typically rise well before dawn to position ourselves for the first light hitting the granite walls or to capture the valley mist as the sun breaks through.
MorningsWhen the light gets harsh, we retreat and recharge.
On certain days, we will also use this time for Lightroom and Photoshop processing sessions and group critiques. We will have a classroom space at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.
Mid-DayWe head back out to scout and track the fading light, remaining flexible to shoot everything from grand sunsets to long-exposure river abstracts, and potentially night skies if conditions align.
Evenings & NightsFriday
After our last morning field session, we will briefly break to allow for folks to pack up and check out from Yosemite View Lodge. The final class will include one-on-one time with James or Lon. You choose what we cover—image reviews, processing, printing questions, or other topics, ending around 3-4 PM.
From Serious Hobbyists to Pros.
Workshop FITThis Workshop Is For
Photographers who want to understand the “why” behind an image, not just the “where.”
Creatives interested in expanding their vision into abstracts, intimate landscapes, and macro, rather than just shooting iconic vistas.
Those who want to master the entire pipeline, from capturing complex field data (brackets, stacks) to blending it seamlessly in post-processing.
This Workshop Is Not For
Photographers looking for a passive "tour guide" to just point them at the scenery.
Beginners who need help finding their camera's basic settings (aperture, ISO, shutter speed).
People who expect blue skies and sunshine every day (we actively hunt for dramatic, moody, and dynamic weather).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, but your learning always comes first. Lon and I shoot alongside you to narrate our thought process and demonstrate techniques. This also makes our post-processing sessions more effective because we are editing the same light and conditions you just experienced.
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These workshops are intensive, small-group learning experiences. Because our permits and group sizes are strictly limited—and our schedules are dictated by the light, not regular meal times—anyone attending field sessions or classroom instruction needs to be a fully registered and paying participant.
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Yes, the vast majority of people attend solo. You'll be in a small group of like-minded creatives, so you will make friends quickly.
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For Yosemite, Fresno (FAT) is the closest, but San Francisco (SFO) usually offers better flight options. You will need to rent a car. We don't provide group transportation because it gives everyone the flexibility to travel at their own pace, and carpooling is always an option once we meet at basecamp.
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We will meet at Yosemite View Lodge on Monday afternoon (exact time and locations sent to participants). We reserved a block of hotel rooms there that you can book at a 15% discounted rate by mentioning James Lorentson Photography Workshops. Staying here makes the group logistics more manageable.
Should you choose to camp or stay somewhere else, please let James or Lon know as soon as possible.
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You don't need to be a seasoned pro, but you do need to know the basics. If you are comfortable changing your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in the dark, you'll be fine. You should know your camera menus and equipment. We spend our time on fieldcraft, composition, and advanced techniques like intentional camera movement (ICM) and focus stacking.
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We actually want "bad" weather. Clear blue skies are boring. We actively hunt for fog, clearing storms, and dramatic atmosphere. I track these conditions closely so we can be in the right spot at the right time. Bring solid rain gear for you and your camera, because we shoot unless conditions become genuinely unsafe.
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A modern mirrorless or DSLR camera and a sturdy tripod (and tripod head) are mandatory. You can't focus stack or shoot long exposures handheld. For lenses, bring everything from a wide-angle to a telephoto to compress those sweeping valley scenes. I recommend bringing a macro lens—we spend a lot of time exploring intimate, abstract details and textures. A camera L-bracket, lens cloths, a polarizer ,and 3-stop ND are also handy.
For non-photo gear, you’ll need appropriate layers for the season (and at least one extra), a hat and gloves, rain protection, a couple of pairs of footwear (in case one gets wet), water and food, and the standard hiking essentials.
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Absolutely. Taking the shot is only half the process. We host dedicated classroom sessions where we take the raw files we shot that day and work through them. We'll cover exposure blending, managing luminosity, panoramas, and establishing your own artistic philosophy.
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We keep these groups small, so cancellations significantly impact the trip. If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop start date, your deposit is refunded minus a 10% administrative fee based on the total workshop price. If you cancel within 90 days, your deposit is non-refundable, though at my discretion, it may be applied as a credit toward a future workshop within 12 months. This is exactly why I strongly recommend grabbing travel insurance as soon as you book to cover any unexpected emergencies. For all the nitty-gritty details, check out our full Cancellation Policy & Workshop Terms.
Ready to Awaken Your Creativity?
Still have questions?
By placing your deposit, you agree to our Cancellation Policy and Workshop Terms & Conditions.