Yosemite Winter Photo Workshop

Feb 1-6, 2027 - 2 Spots Left!

Join us for an unforgettable 6-day winter photography workshop in Yosemite National Park. Winter transforms Yosemite into a peaceful wonderland, offering unique compositions of frosted trees, snow-lined rivers, icy waterfalls, and majestic peaks. With fewer crowds and crisp, clear air, it’s an ideal time to capture the park’s natural splendor. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just beginning your journey, this experience will elevate your skills while immersing you in Yosemite's breathtaking winter magic.

Tuition

$2800
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Max Group Size

2 Instructors
Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

Ryan McGinty
2nd TBA

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Photograph iconic landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls draped in snow and ice.
Capture wildlife and the sublime beauty of winter textures and frozen details.
Transportation is provided to/from Fresno, CA. No need to rent a car!
Enjoy the quiet beauty of the park in its off-season, with minimal tourist traffic and serene shooting conditions.
Explore lesser-known locations and fresh perspectives with local photo pros.
Take your photos to the next level with in-field instruction and digital darkroom training.
Itinerary is flexible to chase the best weather conditions.

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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 2–5 – A Winter Wonderland:

These days will be fully guided and tailored to the best conditions in the park. With local experts Josh Miller and Ryan McGinty, 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 6 – Departure from Yosemite:

We'll pack up, enjoy breakfast, and depart the Yosemite Valley. It's a 2.5 hr drive back to Fresno where we'll drop everyone at the airport. We recommend nobody schedule departing flights before 11AM in case of any travel delays or weather.

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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 amount of hiking we do will likely depend on the depth of the snow. But to get to the best photo spots, you may have to walk short distances off-trail in softer snow.

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. A complete packing list will also be sent at that time.

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.

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Pricing

$2800/Person + Tax

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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 at the Yosemite Valley Lodge will be added to your booking at checkout. Cost is $775 or $1550 for double or single occupancy respectively.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Fresno.
Meals, beverages, and snacks.
Instructor gratuities.

The Fine Print:

50% deposit required to hold your spot.
Remaining balance is due Oct 1, 2026.
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.

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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

Warm, moisture wicking base layers for both upper and lower body.
Warm layers like a down puffy, winter coat, and or fleece jacket.
Waterproof outer shell jacket (helps protect against wind and snow).
Warm winter boots with thick wool socks.
Waterproof snow pants.
Warm gloves or mittens along with a pair of glove liners.
Warm hat, buff, and or balaclava.
Micro-spikes to go over your winter boots. Make sure you get the ones with actual spikes on them (no rollers or Yak-Tracks).
Sunglasses and sunscreen for sunny days. The light reflecting off the snow can be intense.
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like having them.

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Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

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.