Photography workshops are a great way to improve your skills, learn from others and increase your odds of getting great shots since you’ll be traveling with someone who knows the location well. I have been leading photography workshops and tours for about a decade and I know that not all photography workshops are the same. Some workshops are meticulously crafted with guides that really know the location who are friendly and willing to help. Other workshops are sort of cobbled together with photographers who care more about themselves than the group. Click here to read my article on “How to Choose the Best Photography Workshop” and don’t forget to check out the great lineup of photography trips that I offer. Continue reading for a list of the best photography workshops of 2023.
Patagonia April 1-12th (12 days) Mike Wardynski Photography
Patagonia Photography Tour by Mike Wardynski
Patagonia should be on the bucket list of any landscape photographer. Simply put, Patagonia is one of the most beautiful and vast locations on earth. It’s located at the southern tip of Argentina and Chile which makes it not only beautiful but also relatively quiet. On this workshop you’ll photograph the incredible Torres Del Paine National park in Chile as well as Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina which is home to the iconic Mount Fitz Roy.
From chiseled mountain peaks to unbelievably blue lagoons, Patagonia offers some of the best photography opportunities on the planet. This workshop includes some of the best lodging including Hosteria Pehoe which is located on a small island on the edge of the lake. You’ll access the lodge via a small footbridge and have great shooting opportunities that are a stone's throw away from where you rest your head at night.
April is autumn time in the southern hemisphere so there’s a chance of photographing the fall foliage against the incredible backdrop of the Patagonian mountains and lakes.
South Island of New Zealand - November 5th (11 days) Aperture Academy
New Zealand Photography Workshop
There are few places on the planet that are as small and diverse as the south island of New Zealand. It just about has it all when it comes to landscape photography. It has intensely green rain forest, incredibly blue lakes, glaciers and a fantastic coastline with photo opportunities like no other.
This workshop starts In Christchurch and makes a clockwise loop around the island until it finishes back at Christchurch 11 days later. On this trip you’ll photograph the wildly odd yet beautiful Moeraki Boulders, the Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Wanaka, Wharariki and much more.
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Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park - Jan 6-8 2023 ( 3 days) Dan Ballard
Capture stunning winter scenes of Rocky Mountain National Park in this 3-day landscape photography workshop with Dan Ballard. Winter is an excellent time of year to visit the park – with significantly less crowds, magnificent snow capped mountains and endless beauty. One sunrise shoot will include a guided snowshoe hike to Dream Lake!
In the classroom, participants will receive constructive feedback on their work. They will learn how to create energy and drama in a photograph through advanced composition skills and creative image editing, while always staying true to the reality of a scene. Dan’s editing process is both easy to learn and effective. It’s all about utilizing the tools that allow photographers to be more artistic with their work.
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Arches & Desert Southwest Photography Workshop - March 10th (3 days) Aperture Academy
Arches National is one of those places that you just can’t believe exists. There are over 2,000 documented arches within the park! You probably won’t photograph all of them in this three day workshop but you will photograph some of the most iconic ones including Delicate Arch, Double Arch and Turret Arch amongst other incredible rock formations. Participants will also have the opportunity to photograph the world famous Mesa Arch of Canyon Lands National Park for sunrise.
This photography workshop packs a lot of punch for a three day trip. This is a great photography trip for anyone who enjoys a little bit of hiking since Delicate Arch is a three mile round trip hike and the views are worth every step! The workshop takes place in early spring when the weather is still rather comfortable and the crowds are smaller than the peak summer months. If you’re interested in the Southwest then this is the tour for you.
Grand Teton - June 12th - 15th (4 days) Exploring Exposure
Grand Teton Photography Workshop
This photography workshop in Grand Teton National Park provides the ultimate creative experience. Nestled in the stunning Rocky Mountains, clients will be in awe of the breathtaking views from every angle. From the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons to the expansive Jackson Lake, every scene offers a unique opportunity for creative expression. With the guidance of experienced photographers, clients will learn the best techniques for capturing the beauty of the landscape, from finding the perfect composition to mastering the art of lighting in the wild. There is nothing more rewarding than creating unique images that capture the beauty of nature.
The Badlands of New Mexico (Astrophotography) - August 11th-13th (3 days) Mike Wardynski
The Badlands of New Mexico are unlike any place on earth. In fact, the badlands feel like a different planet all together! On this workshop you'll spend three nights photographing the night sky from an alien like landscape. You'll be exposed to a variety of astrophotography techniques during this workshop including, star-trails, light painting, multi shot blending for noise, compositing and more. During the course of the trip you'll have the opportunity to photograph some of natures most incredible rock formations at Ship Rock and Bisti Badlands. This workshop does require a little bit of hiking in the dark, but the rewards are defiantly worth the effort!
Glacier National Park - July 19th-15th (5 days) Ryan Smith
Glacier National Park is in a league of it's own. located in the Rocky Mountains and just about as far north as you can possibly get in the contiguous united states, this incredible landscape is only accessible in the summer months. On this workshop you'll photograph pristine lakes, chiseled peaks and the beginning of the wild flower season. There's are few places on earth as pristine as Glacier National Park.
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Mastering Fine Art Printmaking - March 26th (2 ½ days) Robert Park & Mark Metternic
Nevada Art Printers is one of the best fine art print houses in the United States. Owner Robert Park has teamed up with photographer Mark Metternich to host a two and a half day fine art printing workshop. This workshop is for photographers who want to take printing into their own hands. The workshop will help photographers understand the printing process from start to finish. Topics covered in this workshop will include, processing techniques, profiling, paper types and much more.
Colorado Fall Color Photography Workshop - OCT 4-6 (3 Days) Aperture Academy
There is no place quite like the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado, and there is not better time to photograph these mountains than Autumn. The jagged Rocky Mountain peaks tower high above the landscape dotted with golden aspen trees and evergreens.
On this three day workshop you'll explore Ouray, Ridgeway, Telluride, Uncompahgre National Forest and much more. It's truly hard to comprehend how much beauty is packed into the San Juan Mountains. From grand vistas to autumn abstracts. This workshop has something for every landscape photographer.
2024 Workshops
Yellowstone in Winter (Winter 2024) Mike Wardynski
Winter Yellowstone Wildlife and Landscape photography workshop
It's no secret that Yellowstone is one of the best national parks for wildlife. Few people get to experience it in the winter though. The winter is the best time to visit the park because all of the crowds have left and a peaceful calm falls on the landscape as it is covered in snow.
During this workshop you will be taking into the park via snow coach! Snow coaches and snowmobiles are the only vehicles allowed into the southern portion of the park in the winter and on this trip your small photography group will have their own private coach! You'll have the opportunity to photography frosty bison, trumpeter swan and coyotes hunting in the snow. If you're group is lucky you could even have the chance to photograph a wolf or fox.
Kauai Photography Workshop Feb 28th - March 6th (7 Days) Mike Wardynski
Kauai Photography Workshop 2024
Kauai is one of the most beautiful and photogenic islands on the planet. On this seven day workshop you'll capture incredible sea scapes, botanical treasures, unbelievable vistas and more! The included doors-off helicopter flight along the Na Pali Coast will give you the best views that the island has to offer. This workshop is held in late winter to increase the odds of dramatic weather, large surf and rainbows! Kauai is a dream trip that should be on the bucket list of any serious landscape photographer. This workshop is nothing short of pure paradise!
The White Horses of Camargue France (May 2024) Mike Wardynski
The White horses of Camargue Photography Workshop
The White Horses of Camargue are some of the most photogenic horses in the world. Located in southern France Camargue is home to one of the worlds oldest breeds of horses. On this trip you'll have seven opportunities to photograph these incredible animals in a variety of locations intimate scene in shallow lagoons to dramatic shots of the horses running though the ocean! This workshop is certainly a trip of a lifetime.
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