Santa Monica Mountains Low Tide at Sunset

Winter is the best time of the year to capture awesome sunset images along the coastline of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Why winter? Because of the Winter Solstice—the Winter Solstice is an astronomical event that happens once each year when the Sun's apparent position in the sky reaches its southernmost extreme.  Given that most of the beaches along this stretch of coastline are south facing we need the Sun to be as far south as possible to capture the glowing orb in our images. Winter also means no crowds so we are likely to have the beach to ourselves. Each session will last three hours and start approximately two hours before sunset. The dates that I have selected coincide with a near low tide at sunset and we will be looking for some exposed starfish and/or other tidal pool creatures for our foreground to compliment the setting Sun in the background. I have seen a lot of wildlife at this location during past workshops including many different sea birds--gulls, cormorants, pelicans and various shore birds as well as marine mammals such as sea lions and dolphins.  Tidal pool animals will be abundant, with thousands of mussels, hundreds of anenomes and purple and orange starfish.  Please note that this beach in accessed by way of a couple of flights of stairs and can end in a last step drop-off of up to several feet depending on the shifting beach sands. Join me at the ocean’s edge as we capture the beauty of a Southern California sunset at low tide along the coastline of the Santa Monica Mountains.

$75  •  For more details or to register on-line, please click here

Sunday, November 19, 2017	Sunday, December 3, 2017	Saturday, February 3, 2018

The Santa Monica Mountains run east to west from southeast Ventura County east into Los Angeles County rising above the City of Angeles, then widen to meet the curve of the Santa Monica Bay, reaching their highest peaks facing the open ocean. The land is beautiful and diverse. The rugged coastline has many sandy beaches and rocky shores. In 1978 Congress established the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area as part of the National Park System. Winter is the best time of the year to capture sunset images along the coastline of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. By shooting near the time of the Winter Solstice, which is an astronomical event that happens once each year, the Sun's apparent position in the sky reaches its southernmost extreme allowing our south facing beaches to see the setting Sun. Winter also means fewer people typically are at the beach and in our compositions. Each tour will last three hours and start approximately two hours before sunset. The dates that I have selected coincide with a near high tide at sunset and we will be positioning some on and off-shore sea stacks to comprise our foreground and compliment the setting Sun in the background. When the tidal waters retreat it creates magical swirling pools of water around the rocks and by using the right camera settings we will be able to show that motion.  We will also be looking to create some ethereal effects of the ocean waters as the tide moves in and out among the rocks. Additionally, this area hosts a Cormorant Colony and is often visited by other sea birds and marine mammals that we can photograph. Please note that a parking fee is collected by the California State Parks at this location and access to the beach is by way of a moderately steep trail and several sets of stairs. Join me at high tide as we capture the swirling motion of retreating tides among the sea stacks at sunset along the coastline of the Santa Monica Mountains.

  $75  •  For more details or to register on-line, please click here:

Sunday, November 12, 2017	Sunday, December 10, 2017	Saturday, February 24, 2018

Desert Weekend in Joshua Tree

(New Moon Dark Sky Weekend)

Two large desert ecosystems mostly determined by elevation come together at Joshua Tree National Park. Below 3,000 feet, the Colorado Desert occupies the parks eastern half. It is dominated by abundant creosote bushes and accentuated by stands of spidery ocotillo and jumping cholla cactus. Higher, moister, slightly cooler, the Mojave Desert hosts the signature Joshua tree.  Extensive stands characterize the park’s western half along with weathered granite peaks, outcroppings, arches and boulders.  During this time of year the Joshua trees will likely be in full bloom sending out large spikes of creamy yellow flowers along with other cactus and desert annuals.  This weekend we will have a new moon and we'll work on capturing some star and Milky Way images as well as some light painting techniques, assuming we have clear skies.  In addition to photographing some of the better stands of Joshua Trees, we will also photograph the dense stands of cholla cactus, the reflections at Barker Dam, Hidden Valley, various granite boulders and outcroppings, a granite arch, a palm tree oasis and the quickly becoming iconic monolith and juniper.  Join me for a weekend photo workshop tour of Joshua Tree National Park for some classic desert imagery.

Arch Rock Star      Cherry on Top

$299   •  For more information or to register on-line, please click here:

California's Dramatic Big Sur Coastline

(Full Moon Rising at Sunset)

Springtime along the Big Sur Coast means swollen creeks, rivers and waterfalls, lush green rolling hills, abundant wildflowers and enchanting sunsets.  We will journey back in time to an area of untouched natural beauty, through a land of towering redwoods, rocky beaches, secluded coves and hidden sea arches and miles of dramatic coastline. Gorgeous coastal scenery is everywhere and we will plan to visit and photograph Hurricane Point, the Big Sur Lighthouse, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur Beach, the redwoods and waterfalls of Pfeiffer Big Sur, Garrapata State Park and Beach, Point Lobos, the Bixby Bridge and the historic Carmel Mission just to name a few. This weekend will also have a full moon rising at sunset which we will work to incorporate into our images. We will base ourselves out of the Carmel area which will put us at the northern end of the Big Sur coast which showcases one of the most dramatic and varied coastlines in the world. Join me as I guide you through this coastal paradise to many of my favorite photographic vantage points as we capture the very best of Big Sur.

$399  •  For more details or to register on-line, please click here:

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