Wild America Nature Photography Meetup

Join us on a photo tour or workshop to one of America’s most beautiful places, Oregon. We will visit the stunning coast along with some spectacular waterfalls, wildflowers, and vistas of Columbia Gorge. It is a photographer’s paradise.

Oregon Pacific Coast Highway

This tour will travel along one of the most scenic and picturesque routes in the country, the Pacific Coast Highway. We will be photographing the best locations on the Oregon coast. We will visit several unique locations. This coastline is an inspiring landscape abundant with gorgeous subjects including enchanted forests, sand dunes, giant sea stacks, tide pools, dramatic cliffs, historic lighthouses, enormous waves and exciting wildlife. Each day, we will visit carefully selected sites depending on the weather forecast. We will be in the best place for that particular weather and light.

Columbia Gorge and the Hood River Valley

The Columbia River Gorge is among the rarest and most fascinating destinations on the planet. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area protects the spectacular canyon where the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade mountains with cliffs and overlooks of Washington to the north and Oregon's mountains and waterfalls to the south. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a national scenic area.

This magical place is home to picturesque wildflowers, mountains, breathtaking vistas and majestic waterfalls, even Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet from the lip to the lower pool, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the fourth tallest in the United States.

We will also photograph wildflowers, rivers, reflections of Mt Hood and waterfalls.

This is a landscape photographers tour but we will have some options for wildlife photography. The opportunities include Peregrine Falcon, Elk, Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, Black Oystercatcher, Murres and Harlequin Ducks.

This trip will be led by John Slonina, a Professional Nature Photographer and Guide.

When: May 10-17, 2024

Where: Columbia Gorge and the Oregon Coast

Tour begins and ends in Portland, Oregon

Price: $ 4295

Per person includes hotel, park admission and transportation. No need to rent a car.

Payment: Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards on our website.

Itinerary:

Each day is paced to maximize the best light, opportunities and time of day.

Day 1: Participants fly into the Portland, OR (PDX) Airport. We will discuss plans, goals and objectives for the upcoming week. For sunset, we will photograph Mt Hood with a beautiful reflection.

Hotel: Troutdale Area

Day 2 : We will photograph wildflowers, waterfalls, and nearby overlooks with the Columbia River in the background.

Hotel: Troutdale Area

Day 3: We will photograph wildflowers, waterfalls, and nearby overlooks for the sunrise session. Later, we will drive to the coast with stops along the way. We will check in to the hotel and leave for an afternoon photo session until sunset.

We will be staying 3 nights in Bandon close to giant sea stacks and one of the most beautiful parts of the Oregon Coast. Bandon has many charms, but the beach is undoubtedly one of the Oregon Coast’s top scenic attractions. Giant sea stacks tower over your head and are seen scattered just offshore. There are caves to discover, crashing waves on the rocks, tidepools, and an astounding variety of seabirds to be photographed. We will photograph classic formations like Face Rock, Wizard’s Hat, Howling Dog and Elephant Rock.

Hotel: Bandon Area

Day 4 and 5: We will photograph several locations throughout the southern coast.

Hotel: Bandon Area

Day 6: After we photograph sunrise, we will check out of hotel. We will drive north along the Pacific Coast Highway and photograph along the way. We will check in to the next hotel and photograph until sunset.

Hotel: Newport Area

Day 7: We will photograph along the coast.

Hotel: Newport Area

Day 8: We will photograph sunrise and return to the hotel before checkout time. I will be able to drop-off people at the Portland airport for afternoon flights. We have a target time to reach the airport at 2 pm.

Group Size:

Our group size is limited to six people, which is substantially smaller than other tour companies. This will maximize learning and allow us to get closer to any wildlife.

This offers several advantages.

Maximize Learning

Personalized one on one attention, critiques, and photography advice. Both in the field and in the classroom. I want to make sure you get the best shots while we are on location.

Better Access

We will be traveling in one vehicle. We can access more remote areas and respond quicker to photo opportunities.

What's Included: The hotels are included in this tour (7 nights stay).

We will be providing transportation. You do not need to rent a car.

To Register or More info:
Please visit our website and click on the photo tour link
http://www.sphotography.com

About Us:

John Slonina is a professional nature photographer who has been photographing for over 30 years. John has a love of natural history. During the workshop, you will receive information on photography techniques and the natural world. Understanding nature not only increases your appreciation of it but also helps you become a better nature photographer.

Acadia National Park, Puffins, Maine
Photo Workshops and Tours

Join us on a photo tour to Acadia National Park and the Maine Coastline with professional photographer John Slonina. We will be visiting one of our favorite places to photograph. It is one of the most dramatic areas on the east coast. Experience the magic of the rock bound coast and soaring granite cliffs where the mountains meet the sea. We also will be taking a boat ride to an island to photograph Puffins, Razorbills, and Seals.

We added a private sunset boat ride that will take us to see seals and additional lighthouses.

This is a great time to photograph this awesome area. Beautiful forests, mountain peaks, wildflowers, birds, lakes, streams, waterfalls, lighthouses, tide pools, carriage roads etc. We also will be on the lookout for park wildlife including seals, deer, beavers, eiders, and foxes. There is a lot less traffic it is before peak tourist season (July-September).

Be one of first people to see and photograph the rising sun in the country. Cadillac Mountain sweeping vistas has a view you will never forget. The days are paced to maximize photo opportunities and the schedule will be flexible to maximize getting the best light.

Day 1 Afternoon: We will meet at the hotel at 4pm for a quick meeting followed by a sunset shoot then dinner.

Day 2-4: We will travel to several different locations (depending on the lighting conditions) starting on location at sunrise. We will conclude with sunset. Each day will be a photographic adventure.

Since sunrise early and Sunset around 8:20 pm. There will be a long break in between morning and afternoon shoots. This would be a great time for a break, nap, etc. We will also have some classroom time to review and critique work, digital techniques, digital processing tips etc. John will be bringing a digital projector for presentations.

One day will be taking a boat trip to a remote island off the Maine coast to photograph puffins, lighthouses and seals. This is an incredible photo opportunity since you can actually land on the island and not have a distant boat view. This is all weather permitting.

From the blind on the island, we will target puffins, razorbills, and terns. Some of the birds are just a few feet away. On the boat ride back, we will look for seals. The Boat ride is included in the tour fee. On the ride back to Bar Harbor we will explore some hidden gems and quaint fishing harbors, lighthouses and seaside cliffs.

Day 5: Morning Photo Session Trip concludes late morning early afternoon.

Price: $2895 (this does not include hotel or food)

Deposit: $500

PAYMENT: Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit card on our online shopping cart.

Lodging:

A block of room is reserved under Slonina Photography with a discount rate for our participants.

Who should attend:
Anyone with a interest in photography from a beginner to professional photographer who has a love of being outdoors and nature.

Group size:
Our groups are small in size. This group size allows for flexibility in our plans if interesting and unexpected photo opportunities present themselves. Also, it will allow us to work with each participate to provide complete, informative, helpful lessons.

Goals: The entire workshop is devoted to capturing the best nature images possible. John draws upon his decades of experience as a professional photographer to offer several methods to improve your nature photography. John will share numerous proven beginner thru advanced techniques.

Before and after each workshop we will access each participants needs, interests and skills so we can teach techniques that will help each participant. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned pro we will help you grow as a photographer. At the end of the workshop, you will be able to comfortably apply these tools and start your own unique style.

To Register and Get More info:
Please visit our website and click on the Photo Tours Link

http://www.sphotography.com

About Me:
John Slonina is a professional nature photographer who has been photographing the nature for over 25 years. He has been published in multiple books, magazines, and calendars. He has a love of natural history as well. You will receive education not just in photo technique, but also in the natural world. Understanding the natural world not only increases your appreciation of nature but also helps you become a better nature photographer.