Mount Rainier National Park

Name: Mount Rainier Photography Workshop Aug 3-7, 2026 &amp; Aug 2-6, 2027
SKU: 35408
Availability: OutOfStock

August 3-7, 2026 - Sold Out | August 2-6, 2027 Open

Mount Rainier National Park offers up a true mountain landscape paradise. Literally, we will visit Paradise! Summer time is wildflower season, and we will split time between the Paradise and Sunrise sides of the mountain in hopes of catching the narrow window for peak bloom. We will also take advantage of the dark night skies as the milky way rises over Mount Rainier. The Mount Rainier Photo Workshop will visit some of the park’s beautiful waterfalls such as Narada, Christine, and Myrtle Falls as well as Reflection and Tipsoo Lake.

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SKU: N/A Category: Photography Workshops Tags: Mount Rainier, Mount Rainier National Park, photo tours, photo workshops, photography workshops, Tahoma

Mount Rainier Workshop Highlights

Narada Falls in Mount Rainier National Park makes a stunning photograph

Waterfalls

We’ll visit several waterfalls which will give ample opportunity for grand and small scenes alike. Mastering shutter speeds and their effect will be on the list.

Wildflowers

Timing can be tricky, but we hope to encounter carpets of wildflowers to photograph! Macro lenses or extension tubes on your telephoto will help create soft and simple floral scenes.

Purple Heather dots the landscape above Tipsoo Lake at Mount Rainier

The Grandeur

Mount Rainier National Park offers grand landscape opportunities like no other. Wildflower meadows and rugged alpine terrain accent the ever-present face of a sleeping volcano. Make sure you have a wide angle lens to take it all in!

Milky Way Shoot

Mount Rainier National Park during the summer offers a great opportunity to photograph the night sky along with the milky way. We will discuss simple and advanced techniques to capture high quality night sky images.

Mount Rainier Photo Workshop Information

Pricing Itinerary Topics Pack List About

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Workshop Fee $2795 + $1300 Lodging*

A $900 deposit is required to reserve your spot with the payment in full due 60 days prior to the start of the workshop.
*Lodging is an estimate until hotels post final rates for 2027.

What’s Included:

4 nights single occupancy lodging with the first two nights at Paradise Inn located right next to the main trails.
Quality, professional, 1-on-1 photography instruction on par with your level as a photographer.
Small group size of 5 or less.
3 full days and 2 half days of in-field shooting and instruction.
Downtime sessions: image critiques and/or post processing (time allowing).
Snacks throughout the workshop.
A fun, positive, interactive learning environment.
Post-workshop 90 minute Zoom Session for image critique and/or post processing. Additional time may be booked.
Local and State Taxes. As of 10/1/25, a new law passed requiring Washington based businesses to collect sales tax on Washington based workshops.

What’s Not Included

Getting to the workshop at Mount Rainier National Park. The park is approximately 2-2.5 hour drive from the SeaTac Airport (SEA).
Transportation during the workshop. While students need to provide their own transportation during the workshop we will be carpooling as much as possible.
Meals, though the group often eats together throughout the workshop.
Trip Insurance: I highly recommend trip insurance due to unforeseen circumstances that may require your cancellation.

Cancellation Policy

Please view the cancellation policy here.

Getting to the workshop

This workshop is going to be based near Paradise for two nights and Sunrise for the other two

The Mount Rainier photography workshop begins on Monday afternoon where we will go over logistics and introductions before heading out to photograph sunset. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be spent photographing from sunrise until sundown with mid-day breaks due to the long days at this time of year. The workshop wraps after sunrise on Friday. The workshop will be spent wandering the trails in search of the best scenery and light with waterfalls, forests, and mountain views.

The timing and locations take advantage of the best of each season in Mount Rainier National Park. However, the exact itinerary and places we visit may change depending on the group and weather conditions.

Weather

Mount Rainier National Park in spring can be a mix of just about everything. Certainly we may encounter rain and possibly snow in the fall. We may also have clear skies or foggy conditions. The best advice is to prepare for everything and bring layers and extra shoes so you always have a dry pair.

The Mount Rainier National Park Photography Workshop topics include:

• Transforming your artistic vision into memorable photographs
• Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO – their relationship to one another and how to change them for exposure control
• Metering and getting a correct exposure
• Histograms, how to read them, and how to fine-tune exposure
• Creative depth-of-field effects using aperture control
• Capturing motion within your photos using different shutter speeds
• White balance and creative coloration
• Creating perspective, depth, and a sense of “being there” in your photos
• Creating powerful compositions with impact
• Composing to control your viewer’s attention in your photos
• Composition balance, tension, and visual flow
• How to use filters to capture dramatic light or create long-exposure effects
• Shoot planning and how to be at the right place at the right time
• Aspects of post-processing and digital workflow
• Shoot planning and how to be at the right place at the right time

Camera Gear

• Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera
• Lenses: Wide and ultra-wide angle lenses are highly recommended as are mid-range, medium telephoto, and possibly macro
• A sturdy tripod
• Circular polarizer and neutral density filters
• Rain fly
• Remote shutter release

Recommended clothing

Most participants will be comfortable with a warm jacket, beanie, and gloves for the mornings and evenings, and rain wear (if necessary) throughout the day. For our late night and early morning shoots, we recommend a very warm jacket, hat, and gloves. A wide-brim hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and a large water bottle will also be indispensable. Hiking boots with good traction are great for the short hikes we will do.

Fitness level

The Mount Rainier Photo Workshop is appropriate for photographers of most fitness levels. We will walk approximately 3-5 miles over the course of the workshop each day over mostly even terrain with a 1-2 trails having 400-500′ elevation gain.. All participants are expected to be able to carry their own camera, personal gear, and water during the workshop.

Spectacular Locations
My workshops combine the very best scenery we can find along with in-depth knowledge of the areas we’re visiting. From the coast to the mountains to the desert, our workshops visit some of the most breathtaking landscapes you can imagine. And with hundreds of hours spent scouting and shooting in each location, I know the best times to visit, the best things to see, and the best shots to get. Plus I’m constantly adding new and exciting locations to our line-up so you can keep expanding your photographic horizons.

1-on-1 Instruction at Your Level
I take a three-tiered approach to my photography instruction: Philosophy. Theory. Technique. This means that no matter what level of photographer you are, you can expect to walk away from a workshop with your head bursting with ideas about how to refine your vision and find your own style, an understanding of camera techniques and composition concepts to springboard your photography, and the actual “How-To” of nailing a shot in the field. And with my relaxed, casual, 1-on-1 approach, you can soak up just the information YOU need to become a better shooter.

Small Class Size
My workshops insure you get ample one-on-one time, and the small group size also helps build camaraderie. Plus, we can go places big photography tours simply can’t.

A “Go Happy or Go Home” Attitude
I believe photography is as much about enjoyment as it is about scoring a keeper for your portfolio. I strive to create a fun and dynamic environment in which you meet other photographers, learn at your own pace, enjoy the beauty of nature, and have a great time while doing it.

I Never Stop Scouting
I’m never content to rest on my laurels. Before and after every workshop, I am scouting, scouting, scouting. Whether it’s to find new and exciting location to shoot or to provide a different view of the old icons, I strive to show you the absolute best places for photography.

Fully Insured and Permitted, Leave-No-Trace Advocates
My workshops are 100% above board, and I obtain all necessary permissions and insurances.

I am also a strong advocate of Leave No Trace (LNT) wilderness ethics. I teach responsible photography practices and never sacrifice the environment for the sake of a photo. My goal is to leave our photography workshop locations in better shape than how we found them.

Testimonials

The Rainier workshop gave me the opportunity to see with fresh eyes the beauty of the mountain and park that is right here in my own back yard. Jim provided an organized and easy-going learning environment and as much attention as I needed along the way.

That was topped off with getting to hang out and learn with a friendly and interesting group of people. This all made for an outstanding week!

Randy R.Mount Rainier Photo Workshop

Honestly, I feel I’ve learned a great deal during those several days from your patient tutelage, which certainly is more than I can say about many other fancier workshops I’ve attended.

Suzanne M.Mount Rainier Photo Workshop

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More Photos in My Mount Rainier Gallery

Your Instructor

Jim Patterson

Jim Patterson has a a vast experience teaching landscape photography and has been leading workshops since 2009. He has explored many of Mount Rainier’s trails in all four seasons and continues to add new locations to the itinerary.

Safety is important. I am NOLS certified Wilderness First Responder and carry a first aid kit and Garmin In-Reach emergency GPS with me at all times. I also believe in Leave No Trace and I am a certified LNT Trainer.

I am fully permitted with Mount Rainier National Park with permit number: MORA-2425-P01.

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier Workshop Highlights

Waterfalls

Wildflowers

The Grandeur

Milky Way Shoot

Mount Rainier Photo Workshop Information

Workshop Fee $2795 + $1300 Lodging*

What’s Included:

What’s Not Included

Cancellation Policy

Getting to the workshop

Weather

Camera Gear

Recommended clothing

Fitness level

Testimonials

More Photos in My Mount Rainier Gallery

Your Instructor

Tell a Friend About This Workshop!