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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 8 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 4:1 ratio, meaning plenty of real-time feedback on your compositions, field decision-making, and post-processing.
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Fitness level
Easy/moderate to active
Yosemite offers many accessible locations/pulloffs that offer short 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 1-2 small hikes of .5 to 2 miles round trip per day on uneven terrain, rocky trails, and varied elevation (such as hiking past Tunnel View up to Artist Point). You must be comfortable carrying your gear and navigating natural surfaces in the dark.
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Experience level
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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Travel & lodging
Fly to FAT or SFO
Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) is the closest option, while San Francisco (SFO) offers more flight flexibility. Our basecamp will be in El Portal / Yosemite Valley, and we will provide a list of recommended lodging options upon booking.
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Photo gear
Required:
- Modern mirrorless / DSLR body
- Lenses ranging from ultra-wide to telephoto (14/16mm to 400mm+).
- Robust tripod & tripod head.
- Weather protection for your gear and lens cloths.Recommended:
- Camera L-bracket
- Macro lens
- Polarizer and 3-stop ND filter. -
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.
Yosemite. Beyond the Postcard Views
The Experience
Welcome to a world waking up
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. We handle the logistics so you don't have to. By utilizing advanced atmospheric tracking through Fog-Index alongside years of on-the-ground scouting, we ensure you are in the right place at exactly the right time to capitalize on peak conditions.
Capturing the icons, without the crowds
Yes, we will get those iconic, portfolio-defining shots. But to truly capture the essence of this valley, you have to look past the famous overlooks and the crowded parking lots. We don't settle for standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the congested pull-offs. We obsess over finding unique vantage points—pushing further up the trail to capture the sweeping scale of the valley from the higher elevation of Artist Point, rather than settling for the standard Tunnel View below.
Making the image, not just taking it
A great photograph isn't just found; it's made. We will be chasing the light and weather—tracking clearing storms, seeking out low-hanging mist weaving through the pines, and finding intimate, atmospheric compositions along the riverbanks. We focus on teaching you how to craft an image you are genuinely proud of, whether we are shooting a sweeping vista or isolating macro details in an unremarkable patch of dirt. Lon will guide you through mastering intentional camera movement (ICM), and together we will explore abstract compositions.
This isn't a static tour where we simply drive from one tripod hole to the next. We don't just snap a single frame; we teach you how to gather the right ingredients in the field—utilizing focus stacking, panoramas, and exposure blending—always shooting with the final edit in mind. Because capturing the raw data is only half the process, we take those ingredients back to the digital darkroom. Through dedicated post-processing sessions using Lightroom and Photoshop, we’ll show you how to blend exposures, manage luminosity, and fully realize your creative vision, ensuring you walk away with a portfolio of images that evoke the true feeling of being in Yosemite.
From Serious Hobbyists to Pros.
Workshop FITThis Workshop Is For
Photographers who want to understand the “why” behind an image, not just the “where.”
People willing to hike a little further, get their boots dirty, and stand in the cold for the right light.
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.
Those unwilling to walk on uneven terrain or hike past the crowded roadside pull-offs.
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).
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 LocalLon 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
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.
MorningsWe 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.
Mid-DayWhen the light gets harsh, we retreat and recharge. This is our dedicated classroom time for in-depth Lightroom and Photoshop processing sessions, group critiques, and resting up.
Evenings & NightsWe 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.
Ready to Awaken Your Creativity?
To provide the best possible 1-on-1 attention, this workshop is strictly limited to 8 participants.
A non-refundable deposit of $825 (30%) secures your spot today. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the workshop start date.
By placing your deposit, you agree to our Cancellation Policy and Workshop Terms & Conditions.