Let's head out to the picturesque Oregon Coast! The Oregon Coast has some of the most beautiful shorelines in the world, and we will spend our days and nights capturing its stunning landscapes.
The rugged coastline is an ideal setting to photograph unique seascapes, dramatic landscapes, and charming lighthouses that you won't find anywhere else.
Our workshop offers professional photography guidance in these incredible locations. Marc will help you master your camera settings and shooting techniques, setting up creative compositions, and capturing stunning nightscapes. If the conditions are right, we will also learn essential practices and settings for capturing the Milky Way.
We will review post-processing techniques in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop to ensure you can beautifully present the coast's splendor.
June 25 - 30 2025
Group size: 4 - 6
Beginner - Intermediate Photographers
Field and Classroom learning
Book Now →
- Lodging and transportation during the workshop is included. Transportation to Bandon, OR (start of the workshop) / from Seaside, OR (end of the workshop) may be available before and after the workshop - contact us for details.
- Variety of shooting locations available and scouted with flexibility to travel to nearby areas if weather requires us to be mobile.
- While nothing is guaranteed in nature, we will use the best scientific tools and data available, combined with local knowledge plus a willingness to chase clear skies to give us excellent chances of photographing stunning view of the night sky.
- Variety of landscapes.
- Chance to learn a number of landscape, sunrise / sunset, low-light and night sky shooting techniques across a variety of conditions.
- Small group post-processing instruction is included - you'll be able to develop your images from this workshop under expert instruction and 1-on-1 learning.
- Mid-season shooting means many late nights, but lower chances of cloud cover and the ability to photograph the Milky Way.
- Maximum of 6 participants means individual attention and stronger camaraderie and collaboration with fellow photographers.
- Red Cross First Aid / CPR Certified; we also travel with long-range radios and GPS emergency response beacons.
- Fully permitted and insured.
Highlights of the Workshop
Day 4-6
- Early light in and around Samuel H. Boardman State Park
- Photograph Sunset at Secret Beach
- Photograph Milky Way at Secret Beach, weather permitting
- Sunset in Bandon – Lighthouse
- Editing / Classroom Session + Rest Day
- Sunrise at Thor’s Well
- Visit Tillamook Creamery / Forest Center
- Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Wednesday, June 25
Day 2-4
Day 2-4
Day 1
Sunset at Hug Point State Recreation Area
Possible MW at Haystack or Shipwreck weather permitting
Sunrise at Cannon Beach/ Haystack rock
Ecola State Park
Goonies House / Cape Disappointment
Possible Milky Way at Haystack Rock / Cape Disappointment / Shipwreck weather permitting
Sunrise Cape Disappointment
Check out of Seaside hotel
Workshop Concludes
Drive Participants back to PDX
Saturday, June 28 - Monday, June 30
Days 4-6
Day 4-6
Day 2-4
Day 1
This landscape and astro photography workshop concentrates on the following teaching topics:
- Proper camera and exposure settings for a wide variety of conditions
- Understanding effective compositions
- Focus-stacking (Shooting and processing)
- Planning and shooting composite images for clear foreground and sky
- Post-processing workflows
- Image editing in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
- Understand the position of the Milky Way through the night and seasons
- Planning your shot in the field and through the use of technology
- Getting oriented under the stars and finding the galactic core
- Overview of various resources for finding dark skies and predicting the Milky Way position
- Overview and usage of basic to advanced equipment, including portable star trackers to extend exposure time without star trailing
- Calculating exposure time based on focal length and sensor size / resolution
- Creating star trail images
- Shooting multiple exposures for image noise reduction
- Timelapse editing in LRTimelapse
Teaching Topics
The visibility of the Milky Way is highly dependent on weather. Light to moderate cloud cover will not prohibit us from shooting the Milky Way. If we encounter dense cloud cover, we may adjust the shooting locations and/or focus on landscape shooting and lighting techniques.
- Layered, warm clothing
- Waterproof shells / shoes / boots
- Warm layers, light gloves, hat, jacket, shirts, warm socks, and footwear suitable for hiking and relatively cold weather overnight. (**Avoid cotton in favor of wool fibers whenever possible)
- Water bottles / hydration packs
Suggested Packing List
- Sturdy tripod with ball head
- Digital SLR and/or mirrorless camera body with full manual control, preferably full-frame sensor (although cropped / APS-C will work)
- Wide angle lens(es) with fast aperture (f2.8 or better). Some great lenses for night sky photography include the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 (or 24mm), Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8
- If you have a telephoto (200mm+) and it’ll fit your travel plans, bring it along – you never know what we might find out in the field
- Polarizing filters if you have them
- Basic headlamp with red light option
- Remote shutter release or basic intervalometer
- Memory cards
- Extra batteries (at least 2 fully-charged batteries per night)
- Camera / lens cleaning supplies
- Laptop / Lightroom and Photoshop software + file transfer accessories if you’d like to follow along during post-processing sessions
- Hard drives and file backup accessories
Recommended Equipment
Camera Equipment
Laptop and Software
Meals
Alcohol
Personal expenses / tips / etc
Insurance
Any services not noted in "Trip Includes"
Trip Does NOT Include
Local ground transportation
Professional guide throughout the workshop
Expert post-processing instruction throughout the workshop
Photography guiding and instruction throughout the trip
Entrance FeesPark entrance fees are included
What’s Included
Available Packages
Marc is a award-winning and exhibiting landscape and night sky photographer, whose Milky Way photography has been featured in national juried shows across the United States. I have traveled to and photographed many locations around the world both professionally and personally, and have extensive experience photographing landscapes and the wonders of the night sky in a wide variety of locations and conditions.
Meet The workshop Photographer
Landscape & Astrophotography
Meet Marc
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for almost 20 years, and during that time, my love of nature and adventures inspired me to explore the upper left so much that I naturally slid into this tour guide role.
My knowledge of the PNW really comes in handy as I team up with Marc as I start hosting PNW photography retreats!
As Marc and I team up to plan these amazing retreats, you get the best of both worlds: an expert guide in the Pacific Northwest and a Professional workshop photographer who can teach you everything you need to know to make the experience as magical as possible!
Want to join us???
Meet The Tour guide
& amateur photographer
Hey, I'm Aimee!
Want on the Workshop list?
sign up here
