Winter in Yosemite

February 16 - 20, 2027

  • Yosemite National Park, California, USA

  • $2895 per person

  • Benjamin Williamson

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About Winter in Yosemite

Yosemite needs no introduction. It’s well-known as one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. Made famous in large part by the photography of Ansel Adams in the mid 20th century, Yosemite has delighted visitors and photographers for generations. From the towering walls of El Capitan and Half Dome, the cascading waters of Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls, the meandering flow of the Merced River, to the enormous sequoia trees in the Mariposa Grove, you’ll be amazed at what you see here.

We’re timing our workshop for the peak of the famous fire-fall, which while not guaranteed, we hope to see and capture. Regardless, there will be ample opportunities to make stunning landscape photographs, both of the grand scenes that Yosemite is famous for, as well as smaller, more intimate scenes. Snowfall is possible but also not guaranteed. We’ll end the workshop with an evening session at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Instructor

Benjamin Williamson is a full-time professional photographer and photography educator living in Maine. From 2016 to 2022, Ben was the staff photographer, photo editor, and adventure leader for Down East Magazine. He has moved to freelance work to focus on teaching, working on his own photography, and spending more time with his young family. Prints of his work can be seen in major institutions such as Maine Medical Center, Intermed, Bangor Savings Bank, and many others. Ben loves sharing his passion for photography through teaching. He especially likes to highlight the relationships between humans and nature, and believes we can find ways to live more sustainably and in harmony with each other. You can see his portfolio at benjaminwilliamson.photoshelter.com

Itinerary

  • Our itinerary can and will change due to the weather and other factors. Our goal is to get you in the best possible locations to match the conditions. Over the course of just a few days, you will see a wide range of locations with both grand and intimate scenery and even re-visit a few spots for deeper insights.

  • Sightings of the fire-fall are not guaranteed, and the weather can certainly be challenging in winter. Our goal is to teach you how to make great images in all conditions. We will make the best of whatever mother nature offers us. Safety will be a top priority.

  • We meet at the Yosemite Valley Lodge lobby at 1:00 PM on the 17th for orientation and Q&A before checking in to our hotels and then gathering for our first photo outing, followed by a group dinner. Most days will feature a sunrise/morning field session, group breakfast, midday break, then an image review and post processing training session, sunset field session, and group dinner. Our last day together will be the 22nd. We’ll wrap up in Yosemite after a morning photoshoot, and then there will be an optional evening photoshoot at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

  • Possible locations include but are not limited to: Merced River, Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Cook’s Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, Swinging Bridge, Tunnel View, Valley View

Transportation

  • We recommend flying into and departing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which has a large number of flight options at generally better prices than the closer Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). This also allows you to attend our optional photoshoot on the final evening February 22.

Lodging

  • We recommend lodging at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, though you do have the option of staying at the extremely upscale Ahwahnee Lodge, as well. Because we want to be able to easily access the park in the event of heavy snow, lodging outside the park is not recommended. You can see rooms and book your stay HERE.

Recommended Photography Equipment

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera

  • Lenses to cover 16-200mm on a full frame sensor are recommended, 10-150mm on a crop sensor.

  • A sturdy tripod and head

  • Circular polarizing filter and neutral density filters

  • Waterproof camera bag (a shoulder bag is not recommended)

  • Waterproof covering for your camera and lens or a packable umbrella

  • Laptop Computer with editing software

  • Card Reader if your computer doesn’t have one

  • Extra Batteries

  • Extra Memory Cards

Recommended Clothing and Gear

  • Wool or Synthetic Socks

  • Winter Boots

  • Microspikes

  • Snow Pants

  • Heavy Coat

  • Waterproof and windproof Shell

  • Moisture wicking insulated base layers

  • Winter Hat

  • Gloves - wool liner gloves with heavy mittens that fit over them

  • Headlamp

  • Hand warmers

Fitness Requirements

  • Stability is an important consideration on this workshop because of the season. Surfaces could be much more slippery in the winter due to snow and ice. Microspikes go a long way towards negating these effects. There will be some walks of two miles or less, possibly on snow and ice. We will not be climbing or going on any long hikes on this workshop. Most photography will be done near our lodging or vehicles.

What am I responsible for?

  • Your Own Transportation

  • Hotel Accommodations

  • Park Entry Fees - Passes can be purchased online HERE.

  • A $1000 deposit is due at the time of booking to hold your spot, the full payment is due 60 days ahead of the workshop start date.

  • Cancellations: Cancellations made 60 days in advance will receive a full refund. Cancelations less than 60 days before the start of the workshop will receive no refund. If a canceled spot is able to be filled before the start date of the workshop a full refund will be given, including the deposit.

  • We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover your trip.

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