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November 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 to Moderate

    Short hikes to down to the ocean with some elevation gain. Very uneven terrain navigating the rocky shores and potential to get wet.

    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: contemplative photography, 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

    Monterey, California

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    1. Monterey (MRY)
    2. San Jose (SJC)
    3. San Francisco (SFO)
    4. Oakland (OAK)
    Check Flights 

Description

Embark on a captivating photography adventure along the breathtaking California coast, from the rugged beauty of Big Sur to the charming allure of Monterey. This workshop is designed for those passionate about capturing nature's essence and elevating their skills.

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes, from the dramatic cliffs of Garrapata State Park to the pristine beaches of Pebble Beach and the iconic Weston Beach in Point Lobos. Our expert instructors will guide you to the most photogenic locations, sharing techniques to help you create stunning images that encapsulate the region's unique character.

Whether you're drawn to the ethereal mist-shrouded mornings, the golden sunsets over the Pacific, or the intimate details of the diverse tide pools, this workshop provides endless opportunities to refine your craft. You'll learn to work with dynamic coastal light, compose compelling seascapes, and tell the stories of this remarkable area through your lens.

Join us on this transformative journey and let the wonders of Big Sur and Monterey ignite your photographic vision. Book your spot now and discover the magic that awaits in this coastal paradise.

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 coastal landscapes. We'll discuss composition techniques, lighting, and the unique challenges and opportunities of the California Coast environment, such as capturing movement in water and working with dynamic weather conditions.
  • 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 to the coast to capture the ethereal beauty of the misty mornings and soft, golden light. We'll focus on creating compelling compositions that showcase the interplay of land, sea, and sky, 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 coastal images, such as balancing exposure for bright skies and darker foregrounds. 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 seascapes that showcase the California Coast's unique beauty, such as capturing the motion of waves and the warm glow of the setting sun on the cliffs and sea stacks.

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 long exposures to create a sense of motion in the water and capturing the delicate hues of the morning sky.
  • 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 coastal photography.
  • 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 along the stunning California Coast.

What You'll Experience

Coastal Splendor: Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the California Coast, from the iconic Big Sur coastline to the charming seaside towns of Carmel and Monterey. Capture the essence of the Pacific Ocean's power and grace through your lens.
Diverse Photography Opportunities: Discover a wide array of photographic subjects, including dramatic sea cliffs, picturesque beaches, and enchanting marine life. From the misty mornings to the golden hour light, each moment offers new opportunities for stunning coastal imagery.
Classroom Instruction: Benefit from comprehensive classroom sessions covering composition techniques, long exposure photography, and post-processing specific to coastal landscape photography. We'll help you refine your skills and create captivating images that showcase the beauty of the California Coast.
Personalized Guidance: Receive one-on-one support from experienced photographers who know the area intimately, ensuring you make the most of your time in the field and develop your unique creative vision.

Why the California Coast in November?

Dramatic Weather: November brings dynamic weather patterns to the California Coast, with moody skies, rolling fog, and powerful waves. These atmospheric elements add depth and emotion to your coastal photographs, creating truly unique and striking images.
Fewer Crowds: As the peak tourist season winds down, you'll have more space to explore and photograph the iconic locations along the coast without the distraction of large crowds.
Mild Temperatures: November offers comfortable temperatures for outdoor photography, allowing you to focus on capturing the beauty of the coast without the challenges of extreme heat or cold.

Important Details

Lodging: We have arranged a special group rate at the Carmel Mission Inn, conveniently located near many of our shooting locations. Room rates are approximately $200/night, with exact prices to be confirmed when the hotel sets their rates for November 2024. 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 - Everyone will carpool together
  • Lodging - we have a block of rooms held for you
  • Meals - we will be eating some meals together as a group

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. Parking is very limited at some of our locations, and we cannot have additional cars.

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 constantly. At certain locations, you may be offline for long periods; enjoy the silence. There is cell service and wifi available at the hotel and surrounding areas.

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

This workshop will involve short hikes of 2-3 miles total daily. Some hikes to the beach a little steep, but short. Most people will be okay if you take your time. The footing is very uneven on the rocky beaches. If you have any doubts, please contact us before signing up to discuss further.

How to Get There

1. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)
- Distance to Big Sur: 8.5 miles
- Drive Time: 12 minutes
- Served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, and United Airlines
- Choose if you have more money than time and can get a short layover

2. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
- Distance to Big Sur: 80 miles
- Drive Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Served by all major US carriers, better served by Southwest than SFO
- Less expensive fares than Monterey, slightly more than SFO
- Rental car center right across from terminals

3. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Distance to Big Sur: 111 miles
- Drive Time: 1:45-2.5 hours
- Served by all US carriers and 16 international carriers
- Cheaper fares than other airports on the list
- Most car rental inventory
- Good choice if you can get a cheap, direct flight or want to spend time in San Francisco

4. Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Distance to Big Sur: 110 miles
- Drive Time: 1:45-2.5 hours
- Well served by most US carriers, especially Southwest
- Good choice if you can get a great deal on a direct flight
- Consider rush hour traffic when returning to the airport

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!

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