Yosemite Fall Photo Workshop

Oct 27-Nov 1, 2026 - Sold Out

Nov 2-7, 2026 - 1 Spot Left!!

Add To Waitlist>Oct 27-Nov 1, 2026

Book Now>Nov 2-7, 2026

Join us for an unforgettable 6-day Yosemite Fall Color Photo Workshop, where granite cliffs, golden trees, and tranquil reflections provide the perfect backdrop for creative photography. With peak fall color lighting up the valley and fewer crowds, this is the ideal time to capture Yosemite’s magic. We include round-trip transportation from the Fresno Airport, making your experience seamless from start to finish—just show up with your gear and get ready to elevate your photography in one of America’s most iconic landscapes!

Tuition

$2800
Loyalty Members
Save 10%

Max Group Size

4 Students per Instructor
Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

Kevin McNeal
Josh Miller

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Peak fall color photography featuring Yosemite’s golden aspens, cottonwoods, and dramatic granite backdrops.
Convenient round-trip transportation from Fresno Airport—just arrive and we’ll handle the rest.
Shoot iconic locations like Tunnel View, El Capitan, and Valley View.
Explore lesser-known locations and fresh perspectives with local photo pros.
Stay inside the park at Yosemite Valley Lodge, offering unbeatable access to sunrise and sunset locations just minutes from your room.
Enhance your photos with small-group in-field instruction and digital darkroom training.
Itinerary is flexible to chase the best weather conditions.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival & First Sunset:

Meet at 1:00 PM at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). After loading up our vehicles, we’ll begin the scenic drive into Yosemite Valley. Depending on weather and light, we may stop for photo opportunities along the way. Once in the park, we'll shoot our first sunset before checking into Yosemite Valley Lodge, our base for the workshop. After dinner, we’ll gather for a brief orientation and review the weather outlook for the coming days.

Days 2–4 – Autumn Splendor!

These days will be fully guided and tailored to the best conditions in the park. With local expert Josh Miller and Yosemite veteran Kevin McNeal, we’ll visit a variety of locations chosen for their photographic potential. The daily schedule will consist of:

Early starts for sunrise shoots
Midday breaks with image critiques and post-processing sessions
Sunset outings to capture Yosemite’s iconic scenes in warm evening light
Night photography may be an option if conditions allow.

Day 5 – Sunrise/Sunset Finale & Departure from Yosemite:

We’ll rise early to photograph sunrise along the Merced River, where colorful trees and glowing cliffs offer stunning compositions. After making the most of the morning light, we’ll return to the hotel to check out and store luggage. Then we’ll hold our final post-processing session before heading out for one last sunset shoot. Afterward, we’ll drive back to Fresno, stopping for dinner along the way. Lodging is provided near the Fresno Airport for your final night.

Day 6 - Departure Day

You’re free to fly out at any time. The airport hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) for your convenience.

Logistics

Please arrive in Fresno, CA before 1PM on Day 1 for pickup at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Transportation is provided to/from the airport so there is no need to rent a car. We will return to Fresno late evening on Day 5 and lodging is provided near the airport.

Lodging is in short supply so five nights of hotel lodging have been pre-paid for our group, with 4 nights at the historic Yosemite Valley Lodge. 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 on this trip but you should be comfortable walking 2-3 miles per day while carrying your photo gear. The total amount of hiking we do will depend on where the best fall color is.

Fall color is naturally unpredictable, and peak timing can vary from year to year. We've scheduled our workshop based on historical peak averages, but slight shifts are always possible. Fortunately, Yosemite's range of elevations provides access to a variety of foliage zones—so no matter the conditions, we'll guide you to the best color available during your visit.

A couple months ahead of time we'll schedule a zoom meeting with all participants to help answer questions and ensure you are well prepared for the workshop.

We'll set aside time for post-processing and image critique throughout the workshop. There is no need for you to bring a laptop unless you want to download and or edit your images. All levels of photographers are welcome on this workshop and we'll tailor the instruction to the unique needs of the group.

Pricing

$2800/person + Tax

Save 10% by Joining Our Loyalty Program

Trip Includes:

6 Day Intensive Photo Workshop with max 8 participants and 2 pros.
All ground transportation to/from Fresno, CA.
Photography guiding and instruction throughout the trip.
Post-processing and image critique sessions.
Park Entrance Fees and Permits.
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting.
5-night lodging package will be added to your booking at checkout. Cost is $800 or $1600 for double or single occupancy respectively. This includes 4 nights at Yosemite Valley Lodge and 1 night at the Fresno Airport Best Western.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Fresno.
Meals, beverages, 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, you will be sent a payment link for the remaining amount due approx. 120 days before the workshop. Please see our Terms and Conditions.

Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide angle lens in the 14-30mm range.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Long telephoto lenss for landscape compression and wildlife encounters. We recommend something in the 100-600mm range. A 70-200mm lens will NOT be long enough.
Circular polarizer filters for your lenses.
ND filters for your wide-angle lens. Recommend a 6-stop and 9/10-stop.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Cover for your camera/lens to protect against snowy conditions.
Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or edit during the workshop.

Personal Gear List

Moisture wicking base layers for both upper and lower body.
Warm layer like a down puffy or fleece jacket.
Rain Jacket.
Sturdy hiking boots and long pants.
Warm hat along with a pair of glove liners.
Sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen for sunny days.
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like having them.

Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

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.

Josh Miller

Photography Instructor

Josh has been a professional photographer and educator for more than
twenty years. His work has been published by National Geographic, Sierra Club, Audubon, Microsoft, The Wall Street Journal, and Outside Magazine. Josh is also passionate about the environment and shares his photographs and knowledge with conservation projects whenever possible.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Josh developed a passion for “the high country” and “bad” weather. He became interested in photography while working at Denali National Park for a summer job during college, and after graduation he moved to the mountains of northern California to spend as much time as possible climbing, skiing, and photographing in the Sierra. In addition to being a professional photographer, Josh is a California
credentialed art and science teacher. Josh and his wife spent seventeen years running an environmentally focused high school academy in Northern California where they were both honored as teachers of the year. Josh also loves to travel, and after the Covid pandemic, he and his wife spent nearly two years abroad traveling and photographing the world with their two young boys.

During workshops, Josh loves sharing his passions for the environment and travel, and his expertise as both an educator and photographer helps students improve their technical skills and feel comfortable pushing their creative boundaries.