Hiking + Photography

4.9•47 ratings

Richmond, VA, US

34 members · Public group

What we’re about

For anyone who wants to practice their outdoor photography skills (landscape, urban, wildlife, macro, etc) and get a little walking workout in at the same time. I do this (almost) every weekend so I'm out and about anyway -- I might as well do it with company! Sometimes it's more walking and sometimes it's more shooting. But almost always a mix of both.

For now, events take place in Richmond and surrounding counties but eventually we’ll go further afield. If you want to organize a hike or two let me know and we can talk about making you a co-organizer.

I have a lot of photography skills and knowledge, acquired from both school and practice, and I'm happy to share my experiences, but I am always learning. This is a community of "peer learning" and I'm just the facilitator. So come join us!

No photography skills required! A camera is helpful but a phone works as well, as long as you have the passion and interest.

Upcoming events

See all

Thu, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM EDT
Maymont Garden Glow
Maymont: Robins Nature Center, 2201 Shields Lake Drive,, Richmond, VA, US
“Step into a glowing world of color at Garden Glow where light and a bit of magic take over Maymont after dark.” Join other Hiking + Photography friends to explore the challenge of night photography and light photography all at one time! Garden glow includes paths of lights and intricately designed features such as trees of glowing peonies and illuminated birds. In the Japanese garden, colors light the treetops and are reflected in the pond.

The path begins at the Robin’s Nature Center and winds down to the Japanese Garden providing ample opportunities to stop and photograph along the way. See the following links for more information.

>> Link to Maymont Map <<
>> Link to Garden Glow website <<

Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM

Note that because this is a paid event and rain-or-shine, we are keeping an eye on the weather and if it isn’t looking good, we will move our event to Nov 6. Keep your eye out for messages posted here for this event to stay on top of any updates.

Important Ticket Information:
- You must purchase your own ticket and they must be purchased in advance as the event has capacity limitations. (Wait until we have a green light for this meetup event as we are keeping an eye on the weather.)
- The event is rain or shine.
- Tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another date.
- Tickets for this date are $20 for adults and you should select the entrance time for 6:00-6:30.
- Click here to buy tickets
Meetup Logistics:
- We will meet inside the entrance at 6:00PM or as soon as the 6PM entry opens up. Go to your right when you get in.
- Parking could be challenging. Leave time to find a spot and get to the entrance. (Note that the event is at the Nature Center entrance and not the main entrance to Maymont.)
Photography Logistics:
- Bring a tripod (or a monopod). Exposure for nights and lights can be tricky. Sometimes your shots can be done hand-held, but often longer exposures are required and a tripod will be needed for the shot.
- For best results, understand how to set the ISO on your camera. Many of us use auto-ISO but for night photography, this makes the images quite grainy. That said, a lower ISO will require more light, so longer exposures or wider apertures are needed.
- Speaking of wider apertures... bring the fastest lens(es) you have, ideally f/2.0 or wider.
- We will be walking about a mile and carrying equipment, so wear good walking shoes. And although we’re hoping we don’t need them, be prepared to wear warm clothes and find those fingerless gloves!
Note: This event is being organized by our group member Kendra, so please direct any questions to her via Meetup messaging, or by posting a comment on this event page.

[Event photo courtesy of Maymont website. Photo credit: Dave Parrish]
4 attendees
Sat, Nov 8 · 10:15 AM EST
[Placeholder] Trip to Grayhaven Winery
Grayhaven Winery , 4675 E. Gray Fox Circle, Gum Spring, VA, US
More details to come...

This is a 45 minute drive from Richmond (+/- 10 minutes depending on where you live). There are a variety of outdoor photo opps from old barns to horses, landscapes, ponds and more.

I will do additional research to fill in details about other opportunities for visiting or taking photos. Will update the event details then.

While there, we can partake of wine tastings and/or brunch or lunch, before heading back.

Carpool arrangements tbd. I can take 4 passengers in my Outback. If you are willing to drive please DM me or comment below on the event with how many you can take.

It's still a few months away (it's now early August) so we will nail down details by early October. There's no limit to the number of people so feel free to bring your significant other, kids, grandkids, or a friend or two. Making pictures is the #1 priority but there's plenty of room for fun and socializing as well.
6 attendees
$54.69
Sat, Jan 17 · 1:45 PM EST
[Abandoned Places Photography] Dunnington Mansion, Farmville
Location not specified yet
More details to come, but here's some basic info in the meantime.
- Abandoned manor, its very interesting story which is here.
- Buy your ticket here. You MUST buy a ticket from the EventBrite app in order to attend this event.
- All proceeds go to the Dunnington Mansion Foundation, which is dedicated to its restoration.
- Tour is hosted by John Plashal, local photographer and abandoned places historian
- The Hiking + Photography group is not hosting or facilitating this event. I am only arranging the carpool, and inviting my group members to attend this event.
- A great opportunity to capture this historic mansion which is in a sad but beautiful state of disrepair.
- Photos of this estate can be found here.
- The lighting at this time of day will be mostly golden hour.
- Read the description of the event for details about what to bring and what to wear.
- If you opt to go with the carpool, arrive at the parking lot at 1:45 and we will leave by 1:55.
- Drones are welcome, as long as you are respectful of other attendees and know the rules. Please have a TRUST license or Part 107 certificate with you at all times when flying your drone.
There is a question about whether the doors open at 3pm or 3:30pm, so as soon as we confirm this I will update the time/description as needed.

The carpool starts and ends in the Target Parking Lot in Westchester Commons. This is totally optional, and please post in the comments if you will be joining the carpool. Otherwise feel free to drive directly to the event, there is plenty of parking available. The drive is about an hour from the Target, each way, so it will be nice to have company on the drive there and back!
1 attendee