Olympic National Park Photo Workshop

July 7-11, 2024 - Sold Out

Journey deep into Olympic National Park and photograph coastlines, waterfalls, rain forests, and glaciated peaks! You will walk away with a diverse collection of images and learn many new in-field and post-processing techniques to elevate your photography to the next level. This workshop is rated Moderate for physical intensity with 2-4 miles of hiking per day.  

Tuition

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Kevin McNeal
  • Ryan McGinty
Olympic National Park Photo Workshop Wildflowers

Highlights

  • Photograph three distinct ecosystems, ranging from rugged coastlines, old-growth rainforest, wildflowers, and glaciated peaks.  There is so much diversity to enjoy!
  • Learn many new photographic techniques from pro instructors. Enrollment is capped at 8 people, ensuring plenty of individual attention
  • The workshop dates are optimized for alpine wildflowers, green rainforests, coastal shooting, and night photography.
  • Post-processing and image critique sessions will be scheduled throughout the workshop to help make the most of your images.
  • The workshop itinerary is kept flexible so we can make best use of the varied weather conditions.

Itinerary

The exact itinerary will be kept flexible to account for the weather and current conditions in the park. We will optimize our time for the best possible photography. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

  • Day 1:  Meet at 1PM in Port Angeles, WA for a mandatory introductory session (exact location will be given after booking).  We'll cover many topics, including some of the shooting techniques you will use throughout the workshop. After a quick dinner we head into the mountains to photograph wildflowers and the jagged peaks of the Olympic Range.
  • Day 2:  We wake up early and are the first to arrive at Sol Duc Falls. We photograph the falls along with the many cascades lining the trail as soft morning light filters through the trees. We grab a late breakfast at Lake Crescent and then make our way to Forks, WA to check into our hotel. For sunset, we photograph a coastal beach with myriad tidepools and seastacks.
  • Day 3:  Since it's a drizzly day, we skip sunrise to get some much needed sleep.  We meet up mid-morning for a post-processing session along with image critique.  After lunch, we venture deep into a rarely visited rainforest to capture the lush, verdant interior.  For sunset we visit a another beautiful beach and capture some amazing cloud color!
  • Day 4:  The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies, so we wake early to photograph a beautiful sunrise at Crescent Lake. We do another post-processing session in the afternoon and then head back to the coast for sunset photos. This time we capture the setting sun coming through a small arch!  With clear skies, we decide to stay out late and capture the Milky Way
  • Day 5:  We get an early start in hopes of capturing the full moon before heading to Hoh Rainforest for our final shoot. After photographing the dazzling array of greenery we head back to Forks and say good-bye.
Olympic National Park Photo Workshop Second Beach
Hoh Rainforest - Kevin McNeal
Misty Beams Sol Duc Falls Olympic National Park Photo Workshop

Logistics

Please arrive in Port Angeles, WA prior to 1PM on July 7th for a mandatory orientation session.  You are responsible for getting to Port Angeles, WA on the first day. All workshop transportation is provided after that. If you bring your own vehicle, you will drive from Port Angeles to Forks on the 2nd day.

Lodging is in short supply so we have pre-paid for 4 nights of hotel accommodations for all workshop participants.  During checkout you will add your lodging package based on either single or double occupancy.  See the Pricing section for more details.

Everyone on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition.  We aren't planning any long hikes but you should be comfortable walking 2-4 miles per day while carrying your photo gear.

Food is not included as part of the workshop.  If we eat meals as a group, everyone will pay their own tab. We will make food stops when we are driving between photo stops and there are grocery stores in both Port Angeles and Forks if you need snacks.

Our goal is to maximize your photography while you are here. This can mean long days and not a lot of sleep. We will utilize the middle of the day for rest breaks and or post-processing sessions. Make sure you bring ear plugs and eye covers to sleep better during midday hours.

Since we are photographing so much along the coast, we highly recommend each participant bring a pair of chest waders. Without waders, you may get very wet trying to photograph close to the water. A sturdy tripod is a must!

Summer temperatures are usually pretty mild, but due to the elevation, it can still be chilly in the mountains, so make sure you bring a warm layer.  It can rain a lot in the Olympics, so make sure you bring a rain jacket and rain cover for your backpack. An umbrella can come in handy, especially if we are shooting in light rain.  Please see the gear list further down.

Pricing

$2195/person + Tax

Join our Loyalty Program and Save 10% on this Workshop!

Trip Includes:

  • 5-Day Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors
  • Ground Transportation During the Workshop
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Post-processing and Image Critique
  • Pre-workshop zoom meeting.
  • 4-night lodging package will be added to your booking based on single or double occupancy. Cost is $400 or $800 for double or single respectively.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Transportation to/from your home to Port Angeles and Forks, WA.
  • Alcoholic Beverages.
  • Meals and snacks.
  • Instructor Gratuities.

 

When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit.  If you pay the deposit, we will send you a payment link for the remaining balance approx 90 days before the workshop. See the full Terms and Conditions.

Olympic National Park Photo Workshop Ruby Beach 2
Images from Second Beach along the Olympic Peninsula in Washington St
Olympic National Park Photo Workshop

Recommended Camera Gear

  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead
  • Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
  • Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Long telephoto lenses will come in handy for wildlife encounters.
  • Circular polarizer filters and ND filters for your lenses.  If you like shooting with grads, bring them along.  A 9 or 10-stop ND filter will be useful for creating very long exposures.
  • Backpack to carry your gear along with a rain cover for the pack.
  • Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
  • Remote cord for your camera.
  • Laptop if you wish to backup your photos

Personal Gear List

  • Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
  • A rain jacket and several warm layers.
  • Chest Waders
  • Umbrella
  • Headlamp
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat, and Gloves
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder.
  • Hiking poles if you like having them.
Kevin Profile

Kevin McNeal

Photography Instructor

Kevin McNeal is a Washington-State photographer who is passionate about photographing grand landscapes that reflect the most unique places on earth. Capturing moments of magic light and transferring this to print is the ultimate goal. His images hold a combination of perseverance, patience, and dedication to capture landscapes in fresh ways. The stories of how these images are rendered come across in the feelings the images convey. He has traveled all over North America, shooting diverse landscapes and finding remote places with the hope that we can convey to the public that this earth is worth caring for. His award winning images can be seen in galleries and showings across the United States.  He was recently invited to the Art Wolfe Art Gallery for the Environmental Photography Invitational. Kevin was the grand winner of the Landscape category for the Natures Best Magazine and was selected for the Smithsonian National Museum of History in Washington D.C..  He is a regular contributor to publications like Outdoor Photographer.

Artist’s Statement

“I believe that the Earth shares secrets with us that only can be discovered by trying to understand our position on this planet. We are never fully intimate with the planet but are given brief moments that make our souls want more. These glimpses of nature’s power are fleeting and never the same twice. I also believe it is important to share with those who want it. The treasures that await us given the patience that is out there. What I try to do is bring some of that magic to my images to share with the rest of the world. Each of my images tells a story that everyone can relate to in some way whether it is success, fear, or challenging oneself to overcome obstacles

View Kevin's Portfolio.

Ryan McGinty Profile Photo Olympics

Ryan McGinty

Photography Instructor

Ryan McGinty is a seasoned landscape photographer living in the Palouse area of southeastern Washington.  His first-hand experience in this unique agricultural area makes him the perfect instructor to lead people to out-of-the-way places for those once-in-a-lifetime rainbows, sunsets and sunrises in the beautiful rolling hills. He loves chasing the light and diligently checks weather apps to get the latest sun and rain predictions, cloud formations, wind and temperatures for the best locations and light.

His interest in photography started at an early age and continued in college with graduate work at Brooks Institute of Photography.  His experience in portrait, wedding, film, and medium and large format photography give him an extraordinary background for his award-winning landscape photography.

His passion for the Palouse is only exceeded by his passion for photography and his desire to show people his favorite places.  He takes a legitimate interest in his clients and strives hard to ensure they get the best shots. His photographs have been published in books, calendars and travel guides.