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March 17-21‚ 2025 - Sold Out!

Select the dates below to join the waitlist

Workshop Dates
Investment: $2,495
Investment: $2,495
Sale Sold out
Learn More and Sign Up

  • Experience Level

    Beginner to Advanced 

    This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You'll receive personalized guidance to build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses. Expect to be challenged and grow, regardless of your starting point.

  • Fitness Level

    Easy

    Hikes up to a mile (round trip) on uneven terrain. Can be challenging for some, but if you are mostly healthy you will be fine.

    More Info 

  • Curriculum

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    Our days will be split between sunrise and sunset field sessions, with classroom time and breaks in between. You'll learn techniques like: focus stacking, unique Lightroom methodologies, and developing projects to take your photography to the next level!

  • Group Size

    Limited to 8 Guests

    We keep our group sizes small to ensure the individual attention you deserve.

  • Location

    Borrego Springs, California

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    San Diego, California (SAN)

    Check Flights 

Description

Anza-Borrego is a vast, stunning desert landscape that few photographers venture to. If you are familiar with Death Valley you will appreciate array of scenery this area provides. From mud cracks with stunning mountains as a backdrop, to gorgeous badlands, interesting rocks formations, and even a slot canyon. There is a lot to appreciate in the desert if you take the time to slow down and experience it.

Your Pro Leaders

  • David Kingham

    David is an accomplished professional photographer renowned for his evocative nature imagery. His work showcases intimate landscapes, stunning nightscapes, and masterful black-and-white photography. As the founder of Exploring Exposure, David is dedicated to mentoring aspiring photographers, helping them refine their skills and develop their artistic vision.

    View David's Portfolio 

  • Jennifer Renwick

    Jennifer is a professional photographer renowned for her captivating abstract and small scene imagery. With a keen eye for detail, she uncovers the hidden stories within grand landscapes. Jennifer is passionate about helping fellow photographers discover their unique style and guiding them to express their vision through meaningful projects.

    View Jennifer's Portfolio 

Itinerary

Preparation: Upon registration, a comprehensive itinerary will be sent to you, ensuring all the details are at your fingertips to help you plan your travel arrangements seamlessly.

Day 1: Kickoff and Immersion

  • 5:00 pm: Meet at the hotel for introductions and a warm welcome.
  • Evening Session: Engage in captivating presentations at the hotel, setting the stage for the art of photographing desert landscapes in Anza-Borrego. We'll discuss composition techniques, lighting, and the unique challenges and opportunities of the desert environment, such as capturing the intricate details of the park's diverse flora and fauna, and working with the harsh midday light.
  • Dinner break: Enjoy a delightful meal together, fostering connections and camaraderie among the group.

Days 2-4: In-depth Exploration and Learning

  • Early Morning (pre-sunrise until mid-morning): Venture into the park to capture the delicate beauty of the desert in the soft, golden light of early morning. We'll focus on creating compelling compositions that showcase the unique landscapes of Anza-Borrego, such as the badlands, palm oases, and wildflower fields (when in season), while harnessing the power of light to evoke emotion in your images.
  • Brunch & Rest: Return to the hotel for a well-deserved meal and a brief rest to recharge for the afternoon sessions.
  • Afternoon: Gather for an engaging image share, where everyone will present their favorite images from the previous outings. This is an opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate the group's achievements.
  • Classroom Session: Dive into our exclusive Lightroom techniques designed to streamline your creative workflow without compromising the impact of your final images. We'll explore new tools and techniques each day, building upon the previous day's learnings, with a focus on enhancing desert images, such as bringing out the rich textures of the landscape and making the colors of the desert pop. You'll have ample time to work on your own images under our guidance.
  • Evening: Embark on a mesmerizing sunset shoot, applying the techniques and insights gained throughout the day. We'll focus on creating dynamic, emotive desert landscapes that showcase Anza-Borrego's unique beauty, such as capturing the warm glow of the setting sun on the cacti and rock formations, and experimenting with silhouettes against the colorful sky.

Day 5: Reflection and Farewell

  • Early Morning (pre-sunrise until mid-morning): Embark on a final sunrise shoot, putting into practice all the skills and techniques acquired throughout the workshop, such as using leading lines to guide the viewer's eye through the desert landscape and capturing the ethereal beauty of the early morning mist in the canyons.
  • Brunch & Rest: Savor a final meal together, reflecting on the experiences and growth achieved during the workshop.
  • Midday: Gather for a concluding image critique session, where you'll receive valuable feedback and insights on your work. We'll celebrate the progress made and discuss strategies for continuing your photographic journey beyond the workshop, with an emphasis on refining your unique vision for desert photography in Anza-Borrego and beyond.
  • 1:00 pm: The workshop concludes, leaving you inspired, enriched, and equipped with new skills, fresh perspectives, and lasting friendships forged through a shared passion for nature photography amidst the stunning landscapes of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

What You'll Experience

Desert Wilderness Immersion: Explore the rugged beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, from its vast, sweeping landscapes to its intricate, hidden wonders. Capture the essence of this unique desert environment through your lens.
Diverse Photography Opportunities: Discover a wide array of photographic subjects, including stunning wildflower blooms (when in season), otherworldly rock formations, and fascinating desert wildlife.
Classroom Instruction: Benefit from comprehensive classroom sessions covering composition techniques, lighting, and post-processing specific to desert landscape photography. We'll help you refine your skills and create captivating images that showcase the beauty of Anza-Borrego.
Personalized Guidance: Receive one-on-one support from experienced photographers who know the park intimately, ensuring you make the most of your time in the field and develop your unique creative vision.

Why Anza-Borrego?

Largest State Park in California: With over 600,000 acres of protected land, Anza-Borrego offers endless opportunities for exploration and photographic inspiration.
Seasonal Wonders: March is a magical time in Anza-Borrego, as the desert comes alive with the vibrant colors of wildflower blooms. Capture the breathtaking carpets of purple sand verbena, delicate desert lilies, and fiery ocotillos against the backdrop of the rugged desert landscape. The mild temperatures and clear skies of early spring create ideal conditions for photography,

Important Details

Lodging: We have arranged a special rate of $200/night at a nearby hotel exclusively for our workshop participants. More details will be provided upon registration.

Image Gallery

What is Included

  • Small class size of 8 maximum to ensure proper attention to each client
  • Two attentive instructors for a client to instructor ratio of 4:1
  • Water and snacks
  • Image Critiques
  • Tailored post-processing instruction in Lightroom and Photoshop

What is Not Included

  • Transportation - 2 people can ride in our vehicle, others will carpool together *
  • Lodging - we have a block of rooms held for you
  • Meals - we will be eating some meals together as a group

* Please note that carpooling is REQUIRED. We must get down to three vehicles for our group.

Important Note: Some of the locations require a high clearance vehicle, a SUV would be ideal. Please let us know what type of vehicle you will be driving and if you are willing to transport other attendees.

Safety First

Your safety is our utmost priority, especially when exploring remote locations. As certified Wilderness First Responders, David and Jennifer are prepared to handle any situation, big or small. We also carry satellite communication devices to ensure we can request rescue assistance if needed in areas without cellular coverage.

Responsible

As proud members of Nature First Photography, we are committed to responsible nature photography practices. We abide by and promote the seven principles of this movement to our clients, encouraging them to join us in preserving the natural world we capture through our lenses.

Join Nature First

Legal Compliance

At Exploring Exposure, we operate with the highest level of integrity. We obtain all necessary permits, carry comprehensive liability insurance, and acquire any required certifications to ensure our workshops are conducted legally and ethically.

For this workshop Exploring Exposure operates under a Special Use Permit with the California State Parks Department. We are also an equal opportunity service provider.

Our Teaching Philosophy

At our workshops, we are dedicated to helping you discover and develop your unique creative style through personalized training tailored to your skill level and photographic interests. Our goal is to provide you with a rigorous learning experience, both in the field and the classroom, to elevate your photography to new heights.

Your growth and satisfaction are our top priorities. We put your interests first, focusing solely on your learning experience. Throughout the workshop, we will take photographs alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene, share techniques, and foster a sense of camaraderie within the group. However, we will never leave you to pursue our own photographic endeavors. Our attention will always remain on you and your progress.

We regularly check in with each participant to provide helpful feedback and advice on your work, without being overbearing. Our biggest goal is to see you succeed and learn, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

We recognize that each participant joins our workshops at different stages of their photographic development. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, we are here to guide and assist you. We firmly believe that there is always room for growth and improvement in photography, and we are committed to helping you refine your skills and find your unique creative vision.

Above all, we strive to create a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience for you. Our small group sizes allow us to build strong connections with our clients, fostering a sense of community and belonging. We are driven by our love for photography and find immense joy in witnessing our participants' growth and artistic development.

Join us on this exciting journey of photographic discovery, and let us help you unlock your full creative potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

We're sorry, but partners may only come on field excursions if they pay full price for a seat on the workshop.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

Cell signal is extremely intermittent in most of the locations we will visit, you should not expect to be connected all the time, at certain locations you may be offline for long periods, enjoy the silence. There is cell service and wifi available at the hotel.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Dramatic weather is when the best photographs are created! Unless there are very dangerous conditions the weather will not stop us, in fact it will encourage us! No rain checks will be given for any weather related circumstances.

Will the instructors take photos during the workhop?

The instructors will take a few photos in a limited manner, this is so you can see how we approach a scene, create comradery with the group, and show you the same type of images you will be taking for our processing session. Our focus will always remain with you.

More Information

Fitness Level

Hikes up to a mile (round trip) on uneven terrain. Can be challenging for some, but if you are mostly healthy you will be fine.

How to Get There

Here are the steps to get from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Borrego Springs, California:

Driving Directions

  1. Exit the Airport: After picking up your luggage, exit the airport and head east on North Harbor Drive.
  2. Take I-8 East: Merge onto I-8 East and continue for about 80 miles.
  3. Take Exit 89 for S-22 East: Take exit 89 for S-22 East (also known as the Borrego Salton Seaway) towards Borrego Springs.
  4. Drive to Borrego Springs: Continue on S-22 East for approximately 50 miles. This scenic drive will take you through the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and into the town of Borrego Springs.

Estimated Driving Time and Distance

  • Total Distance: Approximately 120 miles
  • Estimated Driving Time: 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you cancel 90 days prior to the workshop we will refund your initial payment minus a $100 fee.
  • 90 days before the start of the workshop, we will refund your initial payment only if we can fill your spot.
  • The full balance is due 60 days before the workshop. There will be no refunds on the full amount owed. We will attempt to fill your spot, if filled there will be a $100 administrative fee charged and the rest of your payment will be refunded.

There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, even for medical emergencies. All cancellation requests must be in writing and received either by US mail or E-mail. We encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend trip insurance to protect you in the event of an unexpected situation that prevents you from attending the workshop. We recommend Travelguard or World Nomads.

We reserve the right to cancel any workshop if the minimum student enrollment is not met. In the event we cancel a workshop, participants will be given the option to reschedule to a later date or receive a full refund. we are not, however, liable for expenses incurred such as airfare or accommodations, and for this reason we also recommend the purchase of trip insurance.

Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out, we are happy to help!

Customer Reviews

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J
Jacob

I participated in the Anza-Borrego workshop this month led by David and Jennifer. It was a very enjoyable workshop and my expectations were exceeded. Both leaders were very welcoming and took good care of every workshop participant. The attention to detail was outstanding and every activity ran very smoothly. Both David and Jennifer have done a great deal of preparation in scouting the best sights providing the group with the best photographic experience possible. David's professional guidance helped me to take my landscape photography to the next level. I benefited greatly from David's picture critique session, an innovative workflow discussion and Lightroom and Photoshop sessions. Both hosts are very passionate about their work, nature, and environment and are dedicated to providing the best learning experience to their clients. Thank you, David and Jennifer, for the wonderful experience! Looking forward to the next workshop with David and Jennifer.

A
Alice

This was my first workshop with David and Jennifer, and I had a great time. Both were very helpful and available for questions and advise. They know the area well and we visited many different locations throughout Anza Borrego State Park and Borrego Springs. I look forward to my next adventure with them and will recommend them to my friends.

B
Bob

There are good photography workshops and bad photography workshops, and David and Jennifer are among the best. Small session sizes, extensively researched locations and intimate knowledge of the area, easy going and friendly, and the ability to determine your strong and weak points and work with them to make you a better photographer. They're not there to get their own photos, they make sure you're getting the best pictures you can. I've seen some workshops where the instructors turn their students loose to fend for themselves, but that's not what you'll get here. Always available, and always offering tips without being overbearing, David and Jennifer are the best.

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