Digital Photography Workshop in California's Mt. Shasta Region

Mt. Shasta Photography Workshop


This institution is an equal opportunity provider and operates under Special Use Permit on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity providers and employer.
Photos from the last workshop

Photo by workshop participant Greg Teal   


"I've taken several workshops with the Aperture Academy since starting with my first SLR camera last year. Each one has been an outstanding experience. Thanks to their personalized, hands-on approach, I'm already doing far more with photography than I ever expected!"

Northern California has long been overshadowed in terms of landscape photography when compared to areas like Yosemite, and Kings Canyon to the south however, this region of California truly has some of the state's best locations for stunning landscape photography. Come spend a wonderful summer weekend with the Aperture Academy and see some of Northern California's gems through the lens of your camera.

Your workshop will begin in the lovely little town of Mount Shasta, as we spend an entire day exploring views of this iconic and beloved volcano. We'll photograph stunning reflections from pristine, little-visited lakes, and climb to higher vantage points as well to show this beautiful mountain from its best angles. Mount Shasta is a spectacular subject to photograph and our team of professional photographers knows all the best spots to capture it with a camera!

In addition to Mount Shasta, we'll visit some of the areas most spectacular waterfalls. During a time of year when most waterfalls in the southern parts of California are beginning to dry up the waterfalls in this region are just getting ramped up. Many of the waterfalls are fed by underground springs, and flowing nicely right through the summer. We'll visit large iconic waterfalls like Burney Falls, falling over a rigged volcanic shelf in hundreds of streams of various sizes into a deep cobalt blue pool below.

We'll visit the small, but scenic Hedge Creek Falls, a small narrow waterfall that drops over a cave of basalt that a photographer can walk behind and shoot from behind the falls! And these are only some of the waterfalls possible to photograph during your time in the Shasta region.




Conditions change all the time and our team of professional photographers and instructors will be on top of the most current conditions so we can take you to the best spots and the right time of day. Our visit may include a trip to the local Lavender farm, with its row upon row of bright purple flowers, and a breathtaking view of Mt. Shasta. We will make a stop the last evening in Redding, California to photograph the scenic and internationally famous Sundial Bridge and photograph it as the glass walkway is lit for the evening.

There is truly something for everyone on this trip and we cover a wide range of photography skills along the way. From basic manual settings, to filter use, and composition our instructors are there to help answer all your questions, no matter what your skill level. The workshop also offers time for image review and processing questions during breaks. Come spend two full days of photography and fun with the Aperture Academy in the heart of Northern California!

Aperture Academy is an equal opportunity company, which operates on a non-discriminating basis, under Special Use Permit for Shasta-Trinity National Forest.




What is Required

  • A digital SLR or Mirrorless camera
  • A tripod
  • Ability to walk 1-2 miles over the course of the day

BorrowLenses.com Need Gear?    Visit BorrowLenses for a special package designed specifically for Aperture Academy students for this workshop.


Lodging, Meals & Directions

Lodging and meals are not included. Suggested lodging is the Best Western Tree House Inn, in Mt. Shasta, California (530-926-3101).

We will take a break mid-day, each day, for lunch and rest. There are many restaurants in the area for lunch, as well as for dinner.


What's Included/Not Included

What's Included in Your Workshop:

  • Hands-on Instruction by 1 or more professional photographers
  • Post Processing session

What's not included

  • Transportation
  • Instructor Gratuities
  • Meals during workshop breaks
  • Lodging

Safety, Confidence, Being Prepared

Aperture Academy is a professional organization dedicated to safe, quality, positive experiences for our students, and responsible stewardship for the breathtaking locations and beautiful wildlife we enjoy at every workshop.

We work with the United States Department of Interior, the National Park Service, and the US Forestry Service to obtain all the proper permits to operate safely, conscientiously, and legally. We carry much more than the required minimum of insurance, and our skilled instructors are certified as Wilderness First Responders, in CPR, as well as in the Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics program. And, have we mentioned that each is an accomplished, successful professional photographer?

Every "ApCad" member is dedicated to ensuring our students receive the best care and guidance possible, so each of them has the opportunity to get the most remarkable, enjoyable, and enriching photography experience available anywhere in the world.


What to Bring

  1. Your Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera.   If you have two bodies, bring both. This is a digital photography class, but if you have a favorite point-and-shoot or old film camera you like, bring it along, and if time permits, you can use it as well.
  2. Lenses.   Try to cover a range from very wide (17-20mm), for landscape images, to zoom ranges (100-400mm) for wildlife. It's not uncommon to see wildlife on workshops (even those structured for landscape instruction), so it's best to be prepared, if possible. We also encourage you to bring other lenses, like a macro or fish-eye lens if you have them, because there are always endless creative possibilities to be found on our workshops.
  3. Tripod.   This is a necessity for ALL our workshops. It can be windy in many of the areas we take you, so the sturdier your tripod, the better. If you haven't purchased one yet, you can e-mail our instructors; they would be happy to assist you in selecting a tripod that is perfect for you.
  4. Filters.   We do a great deal of work with filters in our workshops, so, if you have them, bring them. We highly recommend a Circular Polarizer, and a (3 or 4) soft-step graduated neutral density (GND) filter. We also use straight neutral density filters, which will help us get longer exposures in all times of day, but this isn't as important as the first two mentioned. We have a few extras that can be loaned out, but you're going to love what you see with the filters, and you'll want to have your own.
  5. Extra batteries.   Bring at least 1 or 2 extra batteries. Cold temperatures and long exposures can drain batteries very quickly. There is no worse feeling than arriving at the last spot of the night for sunset and having a dead battery.
  6. Extra memory cards.   Our instructors will show you the benefits of shooting in RAW format, which is a better method for photography, but takes up more space on a card. Having multiple memory cards will be to your benefit.
  7. Clothing & shoes.   Bring layers of clothing you can add if/when temperature and wind conditions change, and they can! And wear good, comfortable walking shoes!
  8. Lunch, or money for lunch. And snacks.   On two and three day workshops, we provide snacks and water. On one day workshops, we stop for lunch at a local food establishment where you can purchase food or eat what you have brought for yourself.
  9. Your sense of adventure!   We want to teach you what it is YOU want to learn, and have you come away with some good images. And, since the nature of outdoor photography means we're subject to weather conditions, which we can't control, sometimes we must be flexible with the itinerary. So, come ready for anything. Because we are dedicated to do everything possible to ensure you're in the best places at the best times to get amazing images.
  10. Your Thinking Cap!   Show up ready, because you're going to learn! Some tips: make sure to read the workshop details before you arrive, so you know what to expect, and what to bring; bring a list of questions you want to ask the instructors; check the weather forecast so you're aware of possible weather changes; and most importantly, show up with a brain that is ready for learning, and we promise we'll fill it up with as much information as you desire!


Workshop FAQs

:: What should I expect? ::

All workshops are designed to help you learn how to take better photographs and offer a complete immersion into digital landscape and/or wildlife photography. You will learn important photography techniques such as how to properly expose a composition, when to use a filter for best effect, and how to understand and adjust camera settings for optimum results.

Class sizes are kept small (approx. 12 students) to afford each participant one-on-one instruction and to maximize individual attention. The Instructor ratio is usually 6 to 1.

All trips require walking, and usually a little hiking, on uneven terrain. You will want to wear the right clothing, footwear, and keep in mind you could get a bit of a workout!


:: Why only Digital? ::

Digital photography offers unique opportunities for in-field photography workshops. By reviewing captured images as soon as they happen, we can examine exposure, composition and histograms, and instantly learn what works--and what doesn't.

:: What should I bring? What is required? ::

  • All workshops require a Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera and a tripod. (Note: Filters (Graduated ND and Polarizer) and a shutter release cord are not required, but highly recommended.)
  • Bring a laptop on workshops 2 days and longer if possible, as we will spend time, when not in the field, reviewing and critiquing images.
  • It is advised for you to dress in layers, as all workshops are held on location and often temperatures and conditions can change rapidly.
  • Food and beverages will not be provided, so please bring plenty of water and nourishment.
  • All students are expected to arrive on-time and to work together as a group to learn, not only from instructors, but also from each other.

:: What kind, and how much, equipment should I bring? ::

Bring it all if you can! You never know what you might see. On many workshops we focus on landscape photos, but you never know when wildlife might enter the scene and provide the perfect opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitat. It's always better to go into the field with too much gear, rather than miss an opportunity because of not enough equipment.

:: Is transportation provided? ::

Each student is responsible for their own transportation during the workshop.

:: Can a non-photographer friend or spouse attend the workshop? ::

Non-photographer friends and or spouses are welcome to attend but will be liable for their transportation. For more information, please contact the Aperture Academy staff.

:: Does weather ever alter or cancel events? ::

Only if conditions pose a safety risk. Often, poor weather can make for dramatic photographic opportunities, so if rain is forecasted, pack a light jacket or rain poncho and bring something to keep your camera dry (a hotel shower cap is ideal).

:: What happens if I have to cancel? ::

Because of the limited number of workshops and availability of one-on-one instruction sessions, once we schedule a spot, it won't be available for anyone else, therefore we can not offer a refund unless the cancellation is 90 days before the workshop date. This policy is necessary to assure us that those who sign up are serious about the adventure and will not back out, ruining the opportunity for someone else.

However, there is an exception to every rule. If, for some reason a workshop or one-on-one is cancelled by its instructor, you will be allowed the option to apply your credit to any workshop we teach. [Read our refund policy and other terms here]


:: Be prepared to take better photographs! ::

These workshops will help you develop skills, learn techniques and get to know your camera and equipment like never before. As a bonus, you will have a fun time and build friendships while learning to improve your photography technically. The result? You'll be capable of producing photographs as beautiful as any professional!

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.






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