Redwoods Photo Workshop

May 29 - June 2, 2024

Venture into the land of towering giants on our Redwoods Photo Workshop! Dates are timed for best chances for fog, rhododendron blooms, and wildflowers! When we're not in the forest, we'll be photographing the coastline, lighthouses, and wildflower filled meadows. You'll capture intimate forest scenes along with grand vistas. Post-processing and image critique sessions will help make the most of your images. Come experience the magic of the redwood forests!

Want more? Experience the rugged Oregon Coast with our Central Oregon Coast or Southern Oregon Coast Workshops!

Tuition

$2195
Loyalty Members
Save 10%

Max Group Size

Max 8 Students
2 Instructors

Instructor(s)

Ryan McGinty
Shane McDermott

Physical Intensity

Redwoods Photo Workshop Northern California Photo Workshops

Highlights

Photograph rugged coastlines, old-growth redwood forests, seastacks, cliffside vistas and abundant marine life. There is so much diversity to enjoy!
Dates are timed for some of the best photographic conditions in the forests and along the coast. Hopefully we will get fog and wildflowers!
Learn many new photographic techniques from pro instructors. Small group of 8 participants will ensure plenty of individual attention.
The exact workshop itinerary is kept flexible so we can make best use of the weather, tides, and current conditions.
Post-processing and image critique sessions will be scheduled throughout the workshop to help make the most of your images.

Itinerary

The exact itinerary will be kept flexible to account for the weather, tides, and current conditions. 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 2PM Crescent City, CA for a mandatory introductory session. We'll cover logistics and many of the shooting techniques you will use throughout the workshop. After an early dinner we head straight to the redwood forests to photograph the rhododendron blooms. After that we shoot sunset at a nearby lighthouse.
Day 2: We are in luck - a cool morning mist has settled over the forests. As the sun breaks through the canopy, we are treated to fog beams all around us! We capture some epic shots of the brilliant light display. With bluebird skies, we spend some time in the classroom looking at your images and providing post-processing suggestions. We go back to the coast for our sunset shoot.
Day 3: We are up early again for another foray into the towering redwood forests. We hike a few miles this morning and photograph a variety of forest scenes. We head back to the hotel for a rest break and meet back up in the afternoon for a post-processing and image critique session. In the evening we head back to the coast and are treated to a colorful sunset!
Day 4: With wildflowers blooming, we shoot sunrise this morning in the open meadows. We head back to town and check out of our hotel. We make our way down to Arcata, stopping at various photo spots along the way. After dinner we shoot sunset at a nearby beach.
Day 5: It's hard to believe this is our last day together! And we are in luck with another foggy morning in the redwoods! The workshop will end no later than 11AM.

Oregon Coast Photo Workshop Photography Tours Light Rays Forest Redwoods

Logistics

Each participant is responsible for getting to Crescent City, CA prior to 2PM on the first day. If you drive your own vehicle, you will drive from Crescent City to Arcata on Day 4. That way you'll have your car once the workshop concludes to either make your way home, or spend some extra time exploring the area. If you don't have a vehicle, you can ride with us. Transportation will be provided for all workshop outings.

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 1-3 miles per day while carrying your photo gear.

Food is not included as part of the workshop. You are free to bring your own food or eat at restaurants in town. We will make food stops when we are driving between photo stops.

Temperatures are pretty mild in spring but it can get chilly along the coast, so come prepared with some warm layers and a jacket. Rain is not uncommon, so make sure you bring a rain jacket and backpack rain cover. 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%!!

Trip Includes:

Ground Transportation During the Workshop
Park Entrance Fees
In-Field Photography Instruction
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 $425 or $850 for double or single respectively.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Crescent City, CA
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, the remaining amount will be charged 120 days prior to arrival to the credit card we have on file.

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 landscape compression and 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 or follow along during the post-processing instruction.

Personal Gear List

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

Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

    
 
 
        
   Vicki Timmons 
 July 12, 2024
 
 
  Great trip. Great guides. Kevin and Ryan went out of their way to ensure we had a good trip and got the shot!
  
 
       
   Dana Rizzo 
 July 3, 2024
 
 
  Participated in their Spring in the Palouse for Women Photographers multi-day photo workshops and had a great experience. The instructors knew all the best places to take us, and offered guidance and direction as needed. I can't wait to sign up for my next workshop!
  
 
       
   Julie Iverson 
 June 29, 2024
 
 
  This was my first workshop with Action Photo Tours and I had an excellent experience.  Ryan was extremely knowledgeable about the area and had scouted perfect locations to shoot.  Both Ellen and Ryan were so helpful and made sure that all in the party were getting good photos.  I learned how to use bracketing and photo stacking.  I'm already looking for another workshop to attend.
  
 
       
   Debra Mastronardi 
 June 25, 2024
 
 
  What a thrill to chase storms on the Tornado Alley workshop.  David and Shane provided excellent guidance with technical and compositional advice.  We traveled to 5 different states chasing storms!  Once in a lifetime experience.
  
 
       
   Jan Latta 
 June 25, 2024
 
 
  This was my first photography workshop! - My equipment an iPhone 15 pro!  Ryan and Kevin welcomed me into the group of long lenses and sturdy tripods. They were supportive and patient. I learned so much! We were presented with expert instruction and incredible sunrise and sunset opportunities. A great experience photographing the beautiful Palouse country.  Thank you!
  
 
       
   Sherri Oster 
 June 23, 2024
 
 
  Action Photo Tours is by far the best photography workshop operator I've traveled with.  This is high-energy travel.  Their guides are not only very knowledgeable and great photographers in their own right, but they are also great with people.  When you're traveling with a group, you understand how important this is.
  
 
       
   George Schlossnagle 
 June 23, 2024
 
 
  A great tour as always. David assembles great adventures with solid organization and great shooters.
  
 
       
   Erin Davis 
 June 21, 2024
 
 
  So glad I went with Action Photo Tours! Ryan and Shane were amazing, helpful, guiding, and down to earth. I would defiantly book again with Action Photo Tours!  I can't wait for my next adventure!

Google Reviews

Trip Advisor

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.

Shane McDermott

Photography Instructor

Artist's Statement: Through all of my wanderings, photography has remained a constant, providing the creative link between my passion for adventure and the outdoors. I will never get enough of that “Wow!” feeling when I see a stunning image rendered on my camera’s LCD and helping guide others to that same experience is the bacon in the beans for me. I am excited to start working with Action Photo Tours. Everything about their instructors, locations, deep research, proficiency and stop-at-nothing vibe shows me that I have found the company where we can all grow and have countless “wow” moments together.

From the inseparable experience of unity, the camera is not something I “look at” the world through it is an opportunity to see something in myself. Photographs are no longer lost extractions of time; they become holographic reflections of the precious whole in every part. I love to guide those passionate about photography and those wanting to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of nature. If you seek a deeper connection with yourself and the astonishing beauty of our planet, I invite you to embark on this journey of creative discovery. I seamlessly weave together the technical and artistic dimensions of photography and help students learn to cultivate a greater level of presence, perception, and perspective. I have endless patience for those who genuinely seek to unlock their unique creative brilliance and transform their passion into pixels.

Photography has been a transformative experience of Self-discovery more than it has been about great image-making. The interior landscapes of my Soul have been the primary territory of my exploration. From a place within, the landscapes and creatures of our great planet have provided amazing opportunities to learn about myself and my connection to the world.