Private Yosemite Workshops
Yosemite was dubbed the “Range of Light” by John Muir. This fantastic collection of granite peaks and alpine lakes is like no other place on earth. The park has been an inspiration to landscape photographers since it was inducted into the national park system in 1890. Join me for a private photography workshop in Yosemite and see why it has captured the hearts of millions.
What to Expect
Prepare to gaze into the eyes of one of nature’s finest creations. Each private workshop is designed around what you would like to shoot. Popular Yosemite Valley photography locations include El Capitan, Half Dome, the Merced River, Bridalveil Fall and more.
In addition to the Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point and Tioga Road offer spectacular photography opportunities during the warmer months. (June – October)
Hiking
Very little hiking is required to capture incredible images in Yosemite Valley. With just a few footsteps you’ll be pointing your lens at majestic scenery. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous we’ll hike to some of Yosemite’s lesser known locations.
Yosemite Weather
The weather in Yosemite changes drastically from season to season and varying elevations can feel like different seasons within the same day.
Summer
Summer months offer the warmest weather and the most accessibility of park. These warm temperatures draw huge crowds though. The summer months are best spent photographing at night or in the high country where there are a few less people. Weekdays are a little less crowded than the weekends too.
Autumn
Autumn in Yosemite is rather pleasant. The daytime temperatures are much more comfortable than the hot summer months and the crowds start to thin out. Late October and early November is the best for fall color when the Aspens and Maple trees turn gold.
Winter
Tioga and Glacier Point roads close in the winter leaving most of the park inaccessible. Winter is one of the best times of year to photograph Yosemite Valley when the crowds are much smaller and there is a greater chance dramatic weather. Yosemite Valley in the snow is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. Daytime temperatures are typically between 25 – 55 degrees.
Spring
Spring is the is the best time to photograph water in Yosemite. The warmer air of April and May begins to melt the high country snow creating impressive water falls and cascades throughout the park. As spring rolls along the valley is transformed into an emerald paradise with large reflection pools throughout all of the meadows.
Three Day Yosemite Itinerary
Each itinerary in Yosemite is custom created based on what you want to shoot and the time of year. As a former resident of Yosemite Valley I know all of the iconic locations in addition to some incredible hidden gems.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1:
• Meet up in the afternoon for a brief orientation.
• Head out to shoot sunset in Yosemite Valley.
DAY 2:
• Shoot sunrise and golden hour.
• Breakfast and midday break
• Golden hour and Sunset shoot
DAY 3:
• Shoot sunrise and golden hour.
• Breakfast and midday break
• Two hours of post processing / Image Review
• Golden hour and Sunset shoot
Pricing
PRIVATE WORKSHOP RATES
3 Day Private Workshop
Single Person – $1,995
Two Person Group – $1,295 per person
Three Person Group – $995 per person
Cancellation Policy
Sometimes life can get in the way of a good a thing. Hopefully that doesn’t happen during this workshop, but if it does the following cancelation policy applies.
• 90 days or more – Full refund minus a $200 cancelation fee
• 60 days or more – 50% refund
• 60 days or less – no refund
What’s Included
Professional Photography Guide with local knowledge
Custom Itinerary for your time in Yosemite
Image Review / Post Processing
What’s Not Included
Transportation to Yosemite
Meals / Accommodations
Camera Gear
RECOMMENDED GEAR
• Lenses: Yosemite is a vast landscape with many different types of subjects. In general, I recommend bringing the following lenses.
Ultra Wide: 16-35mm on full frame or 10-24mm on crop sensor
Mid Range: 24-70mm or 18-55mm on crop sensor
Telephoto: 70 -200mm or 100-400mm on full frame or 18-140mm or longer on a crop sensor
• Tripod: You’ll want a sturdy tripod for your camera. There may be times when it is in moving water so the stronger the better. Feel free to reach out to me for tripod recommendations.
• Filters: It is highly recomended that you have a polarizer for every lens that you own. These will help darken the blue in the sky and get rid of any unwanted glare.
Solid ND filters can be used to create dramy effects in waterfalls as well as cloud filled skies. I never leave home without an assortment of ND filters. My favorite is a 6-stop. Breakthrough makes the most color neutral in my opinion.
Graduated ND filters can be a nice tool to help even out exposures between the sky and your foreground. They come in different densities but generally I prefer a three stop soft grad. Breakthrough makes great graduated glass filters that come with a 20 year warranty.
• Intervalometer: An intervalometer or cable release can be used to trigger your camera without the risk of shaking the camera when you hit the shutter button.
LEGAL INFORMATION
By attending this workshop, you agree to hold Mike Wardynski of Wardynski Photography and its employees and owners harmless for all personal injury or loss that may occur during or in connection with this trip. You are responsible for your own safety and well being throughout the course of the workshop. It is important not to push yourself beyond your physical abilities. You are in charge of deciding if a location is safe for you to travel to. Mike Wardynski of Wardynski Photography makes no effort to vet the other attendees of the trip and you need to make sure you are safe in their companionship.
Travel insurance as well as insurance for your photo gear are both highly recommended. Shooting next to the ocean is always risky to camera gear. It is in your best interests to fully insure your equipment for full replacement value.
In the event of extraordinary events, governmental instability, extreme weather, or other condition, Mike Wardynski of Wardynski Photography reserves the right to cancel this trip and return all workshop fees to participants.
There is a helicopter flight included in this workshop. Mike Wardynski of Wardynski Photo is responsible for paying for the flight. Mike Wardynski cannot be held responsible for any personal loss or injury should it occur at this time. The flight is scheduled early in the workshop to increase the odds workshop participants getting to fly. Due to weather and other unforeseeable circumstances, no guarantee can be made that the helicopter flight will happen.
"Mike is an exceptionally talented artist and photographer, yet he remains humble. It’s a pleasure exploring locations and creative interpretations of the subject at hand with him. He has zero ego and the focus is always on helping the workshop participants express their own vision with his extensive technical expertise and generous guidance. I have worked with him many times and I always learn something new. He’s a natural leader and teacher as well as being an accomplished artist. This combination is rare in my experience. I feel lucky to have found him to help me improve my own photographic vision."
"Mike is a brilliant photographer and the best teacher I’ve ever worked with. He’s extremely knowledgeable, patient, and has a unique ability to meet his student’s needs at their individual experience levels. He’s fun to work with because he’s alway enthusiastic, positive, and he truly loves what he’s doing. Also, he comes prepared with contingencies and alternative locations in mind to respond to unpredictable weather conditions. I especially appreciate his resourcefulness."
Mike is an exceptional teacher and a great guide! As a total beginner, I learned more from him in just 20 minutes than I had on a prior 2 week long photo trip. His passion for photography and nature is contagious and makes every shoot exciting and fun. He's super attentive, patient and a great hands-on instructor; helping set up the composition, talking you through and explaining what settings to use and why in every situation. His scheduling and shoots are well thought out and he's great at finding the best spots to help you get a great shot. No matter your level, I'd 100% recommend traveling with Mike--he's just the best!
I highly recommend doing workshops with Mike. I’ve done half a dozen with him over the past few years and it’s always a highlight of my year. Mike’s a funny, easy going, nature loving guy who is a joy to be around because he truly cares for and enjoys people. He will have you experiencing wonderfully beautiful locations while growing your skills as a photographer, and having fun while doing it. I walk away from each workshop feeling refreshed to go back into work, and with a killer shot I can’t wait to share.
The small group sizes are great because it enables Mike to pay close attention to everyone, being attentive when you need it and also knowing when to give you space for learning and creativity. I think one of the biggest selling points of Mike’s workshops is the deep research and trip planning he does before starting a new workshop. I’ve seen the benefits of this in the unique locations Mike takes us to, the interesting knowledge he shares that leaves me feeling more connected to an experience, and the on-the-fly flexibility Mike pulls from as mother nature disagrees with our itinerary. I’ve seen weather make him need to pivot our plans from A to B to C, and we’ve still come out having a good shoot. A few days on a photo trip planned by Mike leaves me with more high quality shoots than the sum of all my personally planned trips in a year. Mike makes it so you can simply show up and focus 100% on photography. Don’t hesitate to book a workshop with him, you won’t regret it!"
I’ve been on numerous photo tours and workshops and have found Mike to be one of the best guides! He has fantastic teaching skills and patience for beginner through advanced photographers. This workshop showcased his careful scouting and planning for our awesome week in Kauai; including hiking and site access tips, specific location and timing of each shoot along with access knowledge. His upbeat attitude and sense of humor always makes the workshops enjoyable and productive.
