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September 16-20‚ 2028 - Sold Out!

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Workshop Dates

$2,995
$2,995
Save 20% Sold out

This retreat is designed for photographers who want to slow down and spend more time exploring and thinking about their work. If you are looking for a fast-paced workshop focused on covering a lot of locations, this may not be the right fit. If you prefer a more relaxed pace with time to explore and reflect, you will likely feel comfortable here.

Learn More and Sign Up

  • Experience Level

    Intermediate to Advanced 

    This retreat is best suited for photographers who are comfortable with their camera and basic settings. While we work with a range of experience levels, the focus is on developing your creative approach rather than covering technical fundamentals.

  • 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 

  • Creative Focus

    Immersive Field Experience & Guided Creative Sessions

    This retreat combines time in the field with group sessions focused on reviewing images, refining ideas, and developing a more thoughtful approach to your work.

  • Group Size

    Limited to 8 Guests

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

  • Location

    Yachats, Oregon

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    Portland, Oregon (PDX)

    Check Flights 

Description

The Oregon Coast offers a constant mix of movement, light, and atmosphere. It is a place that rewards patience and attention to detail.

This retreat is designed to help you slow down and spend more time with the landscape. Rather than moving quickly between locations, we focus on working a smaller number of areas more deeply. This allows you to observe changes in light, weather, and tides, and respond more intentionally.

You will be guided in working with both larger scenes and quieter details such as patterns in the sand, textures in the rocks, and the movement of water. The goal is not just to photograph what is in front of you, but to create images that reflect your own experience of the place.

We will be based in Yachats with direct access to the coastline just steps from our rooms. This makes it easy to return to locations, adjust to changing conditions, and work at a more relaxed pace.

With guidance from both David and Jennifer, you will benefit from two different perspectives throughout the retreat. Field time is balanced with group sessions where we review images, talk through decisions, and explore ways to refine your work.

This is a chance to step away from routine, spend time in a beautiful place, and focus on your photography in a more intentional way.

If you are looking for a slower, more thoughtful approach to photographing the landscape, this retreat is a good fit.

Meet Your Creative Guides

  • 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 

Visual Inspiration

Workshop Highlights & Creative Focus

Engaging with the Coast
Work with changing tides, waves, and weather by revisiting locations and letting conditions evolve.

Looking Beyond the Obvious
Focus on both larger scenes and quieter, more intimate details that are often overlooked.

Working with Light and Conditions
Learn to respond to soft light, fog, and shifting coastal conditions.

Creative Exploration
Experiment with composition, motion, and more abstract approaches.

Refining Your Images
Review and process your work using the Rethink Landscape methodology.

Personalized Guidance
Receive individual feedback tailored to your experience level and goals.

Why the Oregon Coast?

The Oregon Coast offers a wide range of subjects, from large coastal formations to smaller details in sand, rock, and tide pools. Its changing conditions encourage a more flexible and responsive approach to photography.

It is a place that benefits from slowing down, paying attention, and returning to the same areas over time. This makes it well suited for a more thoughtful and process-driven experience.

Important Details

Lodging: We will be based in Yachats along the coastline, with direct access to the rocky shoreline just steps from our rooms. This allows us to move easily between our lodging and field locations and return to areas as conditions change.

Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and during the workshop. All of the locations are easily accessible by standard vehicles, and we encourage carpooling during field sessions.

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: Arrival and Orientation

We’ll meet mid-afternoon in Yachats for introductions and a brief overview of our approach for the week. This is a chance to settle in, connect with the group, and ease into a slower pace.

In the evening, we’ll have a presentation focused on working along the coast, followed by an optional group dinner.

Days 2–4: Exploration, Process, and Refinement

These days form the core of the retreat, following a flexible rhythm shaped by light, weather, and the group.

We typically begin early with sunrise field sessions, then return late morning. Midday is spent in group sessions focused on image review, creative development, and processing. This is where we slow down, look closely at the work, and refine ideas before heading back into the field.

In the late afternoon, we head out again to photograph through sunset, working with changing light and conditions.

Throughout the retreat, we focus on spending more time in fewer locations. This allows you to revisit areas, respond to changing conditions, and develop a more intentional approach to your work.

You’ll receive ongoing guidance in the field and during group sessions, with an emphasis on refining your vision and strengthening your images.

Day 5: Reflection and Wrap-Up

Our final morning offers one last opportunity to work in the field and apply what you’ve been exploring throughout the retreat.

Late morning, we’ll gather for a final review and discussion, reflecting on your work and talking through next steps.

We’ll wrap up around midday.

A Flexible Approach

This outline reflects the general flow of the retreat, but flexibility is an important part of the experience. Each day is shaped by weather, light, and group energy, allowing us to adapt and make the most of the conditions.

What's Included:

  • Expert Instruction & Guidance: Field guidance and group sessions with David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick (4:1 ratio).
  • Small Group Size: Limited to 8 participants for personalized attention.
  • Creative Sessions: Discussions and exercises focused on observation, composition, and developing your creative approach.
  • Image Review & Processing: Group critiques and guided editing sessions using the Rethink Landscape methodology.
  • Collaborative Retreat Zine: A curated 8×8 printed keepsake featuring participant images, delivered after the retreat.

What's Not Included:

  • Transportation: Travel to and from Yachats, as well as transportation during the retreat. Carpooling is encouraged.
  • Lodging: Accommodation is not included. Booking details will be provided after registration.
  • Meals: All meals are the responsibility of the participant.
  • Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended.
  • Personal Items: Camera gear, layered clothing for coastal conditions, sturdy footwear, and a reusable water bottle.
Stack of Death Valley Intimate Landscapes 2024 zine workshops with textured desert landscape cover on wooden surface

Your Commemorative Zine

As part of your Exploring Exposure experience, we create a custom-designed 8×8 Zine featuring images from you and your fellow participants. It’s a tangible way to remember the time spent together and the landscapes you explored.

The process also encourages you to revisit your work, refine your edits, and select the images that feel most meaningful to you. About a month after the experience, you’ll share your selections with us. We take care of the curation, layout, and printing, and send you a finished piece that reflects the group’s collective experience.

It’s one more way we support your creative process, even after the trip is over.

Our Teaching Philosophy

Our goal is to help you develop your own creative voice through thoughtful, personalized guidance. We meet you where you are and work with you to build on your strengths, whether in the field or during group sessions.

Throughout the experience, we’re fully focused on your growth. We often work alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene or solve a problem, but our priority is always your progress, not our own photography.

We provide regular, constructive feedback in a supportive way, helping you refine your compositions, strengthen your ideas, and bring your images to completion. With small group sizes, we’re able to give each participant the attention they need without being overbearing.

Participants come in at different stages, and that’s part of what makes these experiences valuable. No matter your level, our aim is to help you see more clearly, think more intentionally, and continue growing long after the trip is over.

Above all, we strive to create an experience that is engaging, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable. We care deeply about the people we work with and the creative growth that happens along the way.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

Our workshops are designed as immersive group learning experiences. Participation in all activities, including field excursions and instructional sessions, requires full registration and payment of the workshop fee. Therefore, spouses or partners who wish to join must register as participants.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

In many remote areas we visit, cell service and Wi-Fi can be extremely limited or non-existent during field excursions. Expect potential periods of being offline. Service is typically available at our accommodation, but cannot be guaranteed everywhere. We carry a satellite communication device for emergency use.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Often, dramatic weather provides the best photographic opportunities! We prioritize participant safety, but the workshop will proceed in most weather conditions. Locations or schedules might be adjusted if conditions pose a significant safety risk (e.g., hazardous roads, extreme events). We encourage embracing the elements! Please note that no refunds or rescheduling are offered based on weather circumstances.

Do the instructors photograph during workshops?

Our commitment is first and foremost to your learning and creative exploration. While you might see us create some images during our time in the field, it's always with an educational purpose in mind. We might photograph to:

  • Walk you through how we evaluate and compose a scene, sharing the excitement and challenges together.
  • Demonstrate a specific technique (like focus stacking, long exposure, or ICM).
  • Make images during our field sessions that reflect the specific locations and conditions you're experiencing. This provides highly relevant examples for demonstrating the Rethink processing workflow, directly applicable to the images you're creating on the trip.

Engaging in the creative process alongside you can be instructive and helps foster a shared experience and connection within the group. However, this never takes precedence over providing personalized attention and ensuring you have the support you need to develop your vision. Our focus remains squarely on you.

Detailed Fitness Requirements & Terrain

Physical Activity Level & Terrain: Moderate

This workshop focuses on exploring the dynamic coastline of Oregon, which involves short walks and navigating variable beach terrain.

  • Daily Hiking: Expect short hikes totaling approximately 2-3 miles per day, broken into segments as we move between different coastal locations.
  • Beach Access: Some trails leading down to the beaches involve short but steep sections. While these require careful footing on the way down and exertion on the way up, they are generally manageable if you take your time. Most participants navigate these without issue.
  • Beach Terrain: Once on the beaches, be prepared for very uneven footing, especially on rocky stretches, around tide pools, or on driftwood. Walking on soft sand can also be tiring. Good balance and sturdy footing are essential for navigating these surfaces safely while carrying your camera gear.
  • Fitness Expectation: Participants should be comfortable walking up to 3 miles total per day, including negotiating short, steep trails and, crucially, maintaining balance on very uneven and potentially slippery rocky beaches. You need to be steady on your feet on unstable surfaces.

How to Get There

  • We recommend flying to Portland (PDX), from there it is a 3 hour drive to Yachats.
  • We recommend using Google Flights to find the best option for where you are coming from.

Cancellation Policy

We put a great deal of care into planning small, personalized workshop experiences. Because group sizes are limited and logistics begin well in advance, we must adhere to the following cancellation policy. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances.

  • Initial Payment: An initial payment (applied toward the total workshop fee) is required to secure your spot.
  • Cancellation More Than 90 Days Out: If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment will be refunded minus a 5% processing fee.
  • Cancellation Between 60 and 90 Days Out: If you cancel fewer than 90 days but more than 60 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment becomes non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your initial payment minus a 5% processing fee.
  • Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance will be automatically charged to the card used for your initial payment 60 days prior to the workshop start date. We will send a reminder a few days in advance. Please ensure your payment information is up to date. If you need to use a different card, contact us before the 60-day deadline.
  • Cancellation Within 60 Days (After Final Payment): If you cancel fewer than 60 days before the workshop start date, all payments made are non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payments minus a 5% processing fee. While we will make a reasonable effort to fill the space, this cannot be guaranteed, especially close to the start date.
  • Alternative Option: Store Credit for a Future Workshop: If your plans change, we’ll always do our best to help. In many cases, if we’re able to fill your spot, we can offer a store credit toward a future workshop so you don’t lose the value of your investment. Availability depends on timing and demand.
  • Process & Policy Understanding: All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email or mail. This policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including illness, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • Trip Insurance (Strongly Recommended): To protect against unexpected events—such as personal emergencies, illness, or travel delays—we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance. To find the right coverage for your situation, we suggest using a reputable comparison site such as Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip, where you can review plans from multiple providers side by side. We have no affiliation with these companies, so please review coverage carefully to ensure it meets your needs.
  • Workshop Cancellation by Exploring Exposure: We reserve the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances (such as leader illness or park closures). If this occurs, you will be offered the option to transfer to a future workshop or receive a full refund of all payments made to Exploring Exposure. We are not responsible for additional expenses such as airfare, lodging, or rental vehicles. Trip insurance may help cover these costs.

Have Questions?

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

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