Lance Kuehne Photography Workshops

Join us for a relaxed 2-hour photowalk through historic downtown Petaluma, where we’ll explore textures, reflections, architecture, and evening light. This free event is open to all levels—from beginners looking for guidance to experienced photographers who just want to shoot with others.

We’ll meet at Putnam Plaza and make our way through side streets, alleyways, and the waterfront area as golden hour sets in.

📅 Date: Wednesday, September 10

⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

💰 Cost: Free

🎯 Skill Level: All levels welcome

📍 What to Bring: Camera (any kind), comfortable shoes, and a sense of curiosity!

Reserve Your Spot – Limited to 20 Participants!

Adobe Lightroom Basics: A Hands-On 2-Hour Workshop

Master the Essentials of Lightroom & Elevate Your Photography

Sunday, September 14th, 11 AM to 1 PM

This two-hour hands-on workshop is designed for photographers who want to quickly and effectively learn the fundamentals of Adobe Lightroom. Whether you are brand new to the software or need a refresher, this session will give you a solid foundation in organizing, editing, and enhancing your images with confidence.

What You’ll Learn

✔ Importing & Organizing Your Photos – Learn how to efficiently import, sort, and manage your images using Lightroom’s Library module, so you can find your best shots quickly.

✔ Basic Adjustments & Editing Workflow – Understand the Develop module and how to make essential global adjustments like exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and color correction.

✔ Mastering the Tone Curve & Color Grading – Discover how to add depth and mood to your images using Lightroom’s powerful tonal and color tools.

✔ Using Presets & Creating Your Own Look – Learn how to apply and customize presets for a consistent style or create your own for quick edits.

✔ Selective Edits & Local Adjustments – Get hands-on experience with Lightroom’s masking tools (such as the brush, radial, and linear gradients) to fine-tune specific areas of an image.

✔ Exporting Like a Pro – Understand the best settings for saving and sharing your images, whether for web, social media, or print.

What to Expect

💻 Hands-On Learning – Bring your laptop with Lightroom installed for a guided, step-by-step editing session. Sample images will be provided, or you can use your own photos.

📍 Small Group Setting – Get personalized guidance and answers to your specific Lightroom questions.

⏳ Fast-Paced & Focused – Designed to maximize your learning in just two hours with a structured workflow you can apply immediately.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the confidence to edit your photos efficiently, bringing out their full potential with Lightroom’s powerful tools.

Workshop Details

📍 WHERE: Lance’s Studio in Petaluma

📆 DATE: Sunday, September 14th
⏰ TIME: 11 AM to 1 PM

💵 $150 – Registration required
👥 CLASS SIZE: Up to 5. Limited to ensure personalized attention

👉 Reserve your spot now!

Get a 10% Early Bird discount if you sign up at least a week in advance.

Capture the Magic of the Mendocino Coast and Bowling Ball Beach

Join us for an unforgettable autumn photography adventure along California’s stunning Mendocino Coast, perfectly timed to capture Bowling Ball Beach at low tide and sunset. Whether you’re drawn to dramatic skies, golden-hour reflections, or the mysterious rock formations revealed by the receding tide, this workshop is designed to help you elevate your coastal photography skills.

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What to Expect This Time of Year

🍂 Golden Light & Long Shadows – The lower autumn sun enhances textures, creating rich contrasts and dynamic compositions. Golden hour lasts longer, offering extended shooting opportunities.

🌊 Tide Considerations – The famous spherical rock formations are fully revealed at low tide. Autumn’s predictable tides make it easier to time a visit when the beach is at its most photogenic. A receding tide at sunset is ideal for long-exposure photography.

🌫 Moody Coastal Atmosphere – Cooler temperatures bring crisper air and occasional mist, adding depth and mystery. Some evenings feature soft, rolling fog, while others showcase clear, vibrant skies.

🌙 Sunset & Blue Hour Magic – Fall sunsets can be spectacular, with deep oranges, pinks, and purples stretching across the sky. After sunset, blue hour provides an opportunity for long exposures, capturing the soft twilight glow against the mystical rock formations.

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📍 Itinerary

🚀 Starting Point – Lance’s Petaluma Studio
We begin at Lance’s studio in Petaluma, where we’ll organize carpooling for a scenic coastal drive (optional). If preferred, you can meet us in Gualala instead.

🚗 Coastal Road Trip with Scenic Stops
As we head north, we’ll stop along the way in Gualala and possibly other picturesque locations to stretch, photograph the coastline, grab refreshments, and use restrooms. These stops provide excellent opportunities to capture windswept bluffs and ocean vistas.
📷 Point Arena Lighthouse – A Coastal Icon
Our first major stop is the historic Point Arena Lighthouse, where we’ll explore multiple vantage points to capture:
✅ Dramatic cliffs plunging into the Pacific
✅ The towering lighthouse against an endless horizon
✅ Waves crashing against rugged coastal formations

🥗 Lunch Break in Point Arena
We’ll pause for a late lunch in the charming town of Point Arena, giving us a chance to warm up and discuss shooting techniques before our next stop.

🌊 Sunset & Blue Hour at Bowling Ball Beach
In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive at Bowling Ball Beach, timed for optimal tide conditions. As the sun sets, warm hues will bathe the spherical rock formations, creating a breathtaking scene. We’ll stay well past sundown to experiment with blue-hour and long-exposure techniques.

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Why You Should Attend

✅ Perfect Timing & Location – This workshop is planned around the ideal tide and sunset alignment at Bowling Ball Beach. Plus, we’ll explore Point Arena Lighthouse, with potential bonus stops at Salt Point or Sea Ranch for even more diverse coastal landscapes.
✅ Master Light & Exposure – Learn how to balance highlights and shadows in varying light conditions, from bright midday to moody twilight.
✅ Exclusive Small Group Experience – With only 5 participants, you’ll receive personalized instruction tailored to your skill level—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer.

✅ Go Beyond the Basics – Explore advanced techniques, including:

📷 Long-Exposure Water Effects – Create silky water effects as waves move around the boulders.

📷 Gear Optimization – Learn how to maximize your current DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone. Get recommendations on the best lenses and accessories for coastal photography.

🎨 Creative Development – Receive professional feedback and inspiration to refine your personal photography style.

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What to Expect

👟 Fitness Level: moderate – Most locations are close to parking areas with minimal hiking.

🚶‍♂️ Hiking Note: There is a moderate hike with elevation change to reach the beach, and we will return in darkness—so bring a headlamp. The beach access ladder has fire damage, so be prepared for possible obstacles.

🚻 Restroom Stops: The last available facilities will be in Point Arena before we head to Bowling Ball Beach.

📜 Bonus! After the workshop, you’ll receive a detailed map of our photo locations, so you can revisit these hidden gems anytime.
Workshop Details
📅 Date & Time: Sunday, September 21st, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
💵 $150 – Registration required

What’s Included:
✅ Expert photography instruction tailored to your level
✅ A detailed map of all our photo stops after the workshop
✅ Carpooling options from my studio

What’s Not Included:
❌ Snacks (bring your own for energy!)
❌ Transportation (aside from carpooling options)

📩 Reserve Your Spot Today!
Get a 10% Early Bird discount if you sign up at least a week in advance.

### Photograph Fall in the Eastern Sierra via Yosemite

Monday–Friday · September 22–26

Small Group Workshop – Limited to 5 Participants

Experience the Eastern Sierra at peak color—quaking aspens glowing gold, alpine lakes reflecting deep blue skies, and crisp mountain light revealing every detail. On our way to Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, we’ll travel through Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, making photo stops in some of California’s most iconic—and overlooked—landscapes.

We’ll be based in the Mammoth/Bishop area and photograph a mix of landscapes and historic sites. Possible locations include Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town, the Bristlecone Pines, Devils Postpile, and alpine lakestucked into the high country. Expect a variety of lighting conditions—from bright lake reflections to shadowy groves—and instruction to help you make the most of each.

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### What You’ll Learn

✔ How to expose for both harsh light and overcast skies using histograms and filters

✔ Techniques for improving image sharpness, depth, and dynamic range

✔ How to tell a visual story—capturing not just a place, but its mood and spirit

✔ Composition strategies for landscapes, architecture, and mixed light

✔ Best practices for fieldwork in changing mountain conditions

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### Workshop Details

📍 Start: Depart from Petaluma on Monday, September 22nd at 10:00 AM (or meet us in Mammoth Lakes)

📍 Base: Mammoth Lakes & Bishop area

🗺️ Route Includes: Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Eastern Sierra towns, lakes, and historic sites

📅 Dates: September 22–26
💵 $695 – Registration required

💰 Cost: Tuition only (transportation, lodging, park fees, and meals not included)

👟 Fitness Level: Easy to moderate—most locations close to parking; short walks

🗂️ Extras:

• Custom map of all photo stops provided after the workshop
• Optional post-workshop image critique at my studio
• Lodging recommendations shared after registration

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Join us for an unforgettable journey through California’s eastern high country—where fall arrives early, the light is golden, and every turn offers a new scene worth photographing.

🔗 Reserve your spot—only 5 participants per workshop.

📢 Early Bird Discounts!

• Sign up by September 8th and get a 15% discount!
• Sign up by September 15th and get a 10% discount!