Mt Rainier Wildflowers

Aug 2-6, 2027

Mt Rainier National Park is truly a paradise with one of the most spectacular wildflower blooms in late summer. Wildflowers of all types fight for space in the sub-alpine meadows against the snowy backdrop of majestic Mt Rainier.  The scenery is punctuated by sparkling lakes, waterfalls, plentiful wildlife, and much more! Join your pro photographer instructors for an action-packed 5 days in the mountains. We'll be doing a lot of hiking into some of the most impressive alpine terrain! This workshop is rated Active for Physical Intensity. No long hikes are planned, but daily cumulative distance can range from 1-4 miles in mountainous terrain. 

Tuition

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Ryan McGinty
  • Wendy Casey

Highlights

  • Photograph the wildflower eruption at Mt Rainier National Park. Dates are timed for best chances for peak wildflowers!
  • The workshop itinerary is kept flexible so we can make best use of the wildflower blooms and weather. Our goal is to maximize your photography!
  • Wildlife is plentiful at Mt Rainier with deer, marmots, pikas, and even the occasional black bear!
  • Learn many new photographic techniques from pro instructors. Expect plenty of individual attention with small groups.
  • Dates are timed for dark skies with no moon interference.  We'll go out to photograph the Milky Way if skies are clear!
  • Post-processing and image critiques to make the most of your images.
Mt Rainier Wildflowers Photo Workshop
Pinnacle Peak Trail on Mt. Rainier - Action Photo Tours & Workshops

Itinerary

The exact itinerary will be kept flexible to account for 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 (Aug 2):  Meet at 10AM for pickups at SEA-TAC International Airport. For those flying in, we recommend staying the night before at a hotel with an airport shuttle. We'll hold a short orientation session where we'll discuss the itinerary in detail and the techniques you'll be using during the workshop. When we finish, we head toward the park, grabbing lunch along the way and making a stop at the grocery store. After checking into our rooms, we drive into the park and shoot the beautiful wildflowers and alpine views until sunset.
  • Day 2 (Aug 3):  We leave well before dawn for a short hike to some spectacular sub-alpine meadows carpeted with lupine, paintbrushes, asters, bistort, and alumroot!  Early morning fog adds to the mystery as first light hits Mt Rainier. After a lunch break, and midday post-processing session, we explore some flower-rimmed lakes, finishing with a sunset shoot at one of our favorite wildflower meadows. Since skies are clear, we decide to stay out late to capture the Milky Way!
  • Day 3 (Aug 4):  Despite the short night we are up early for sunrise.  We shoot a stunning vista and do a short hike.  We stop at a restaurant for lunch and then continue to the other side of the park where we'll spend the last two nights. We get quite the treat at sunset as clouds roll in to deliver colorful skies and warm light!
  • Day 4 (Aug 5):  We hit the road extra early and are ready for first light!  After a morning walk to stunning vistas, we head back to town for a much needed midday break and post-processing session. Late in the afternoon, we hit the trail again and have the opportunity to photograph wildlife in the flower-filled meadows.
  • Day 5 (Aug 6):  This is our last sunrise opportunity in the park and we make the most of it with a hike up to a spectacular valley lined with waterfalls and flowers! We return to the hotel for breakfast, check out of our rooms, and make our way back to SEA-TAC airport, arriving no later than 2PM.

 Logistics

We will pick everyone up at 10AM on Day 1 at the SEA-TAC International Airport.  The exact location will be given via our WhatsApp chat. If you are flying in, we recommend staying the night before at an airport hotel that offers a free shuttle. After pickup, we'll drive to a conference room for our workshop orientation session.

We will provide all transportation during the workshop so there is no need to rent your own car unless you want to. If you drive your own vehicle, you can either pay for parking near SEA-TAC or follow us into the park.

Lodging around Mt Rainier is limited and very expensive. We have pre-paid 4 nights of hotels for our group in Crystal Mountain and Ashford.  When you check out, the cost of lodging will be added to the total.  See pricing section below for details.

This is a hiking intensive workshop where you can expect moderate to strenuous walks with 1-4 miles of daily distance. The hikes may include steep inclines over mountainous terrain while carrying your camera gear, snacks, and water. No single long hikes are planned.  Everyone on this trip must be in good physical condition due to the steeper mountain terrain.

Food is not included as part of the workshop and we will be stopping at restaurants when possible for meals. We will conclude no later than 2PM on Day 5 and you can plan your return travel after that time.

The weather in August is pretty temperate, but it can be quite cold in the morning especially at the higher elevations so bring plenty of warm clothes.  Rain is always a possibility, so pack a rain jacket and a cover for your backpack. Finally, where there are wildflowers, there are usually mosquitos. Don't forget bug spray!

Rainier Wildflowers Kevin McNeal
Mount Rainier Fog Band Vista
Images from the Silver Forest Trail on the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier in the Pacific Northwest Of Washington State
Mt Rainier Wildflowers Photo Workshop

Pricing

$2,500/person + Tax

$2,250/person with Loyalty Discount

Trip Includes:

  • 5-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors.
  • All Ground Transportation
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • In-Field Photography Instruction
  • Post-processing and Image Critique
  • Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
  • At checkout, a 4-night lodging package will be added to your booking. Cost is $675 for double and $1350 for single occupancy.

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Transportation to/from your home to SEA-TAC Airport.
  • Meals, beverages, and snacks
  • Instructor Gratuities

The Fine Print:

  • 50% deposit required to hold your spot.
  • Remaining balance is due Apr 2, 2027.
  • If you need to cancel, a full refund less a $300 cancellation fee will be given once your spot is filled by another participant.
  • See the full Terms and Conditions.
Mount Rainier Milky Way Reflection

Physical Difficulty

Participants should be in good physical condition and comfortable walking a total of 1–4 miles per day on established mountain trails while carrying camera gear, snacks, and water. You do NOT need to be an athlete to participate. The pace will be slow and steady - we aren't in any rush. While no single long hikes are planned, the terrain may include steep inclines, stairs, rocky footing, and uphill grades. We will also be at 5,000-7,000 ft above sea level which can increase the perceived difficulty.

Because this workshop is designed around the best light, expect a rigorous schedule with sunrise departures as early as 4:30 AM and sunset returns as late as 10:30 PM. We intentionally plan midday downtime whenever possible, but participants should be prepared for early mornings, late evenings, mountain driving, and active field sessions at elevation.

FAQ Page

Recommended Camera Gear

  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead
  • Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
  • Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range. f/2.8 or faster is recommended for night photography.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Long telephoto lenses in the 100-600mm range 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.
  • Headlamp
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat, and Gloves
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder.
  • Hiking poles if you like having them.
  • Bug Spray
Mt Rainier Wildflowers Photo Workshop
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.

Wendy Casey

Wendy Casey

Photography Instructor

Wendy Casey is a Utah-based landscape and wildlife photographer with more than 40 years behind the camera. Her photography journey began in 1982 with her first photography class. She built her technical foundation in the film era through extensive darkroom work and developing and printing her own images. That experience continues to shape the way she teaches exposure, light, camera settings, and composition.

Wendy’s photography has taken her from Utah’s dramatic red rock country and the Alaskan tundra to the vast plains of Africa. She specializes in landscape and wildlife photography, with a particular passion for wild horses and animals in their natural environments. As an exhibiting fine art photographer, she photographs with the finished print in mind, creating images designed to tell a story, evoke emotion, and be enjoyed beyond the camera screen.

As an instructor, Wendy is known for her warm, patient, and encouraging teaching style. She helps students slow down, see with intention, and take creative control of their cameras, especially through Manual mode, thoughtful composition, and field-based problem solving. Through hands-on instruction and collaborative post-processing sessions, Wendy meets photographers where they are and helps them build the confidence, technical skill, and vision to create images they are proud to print, frame, and share.

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