Fields of wildflowers bloom every year at Mt. Rainier, making for an excellent foreground to pair with the mountain in your photography. This workshop is specifically timed around the bloom of wildflowers, and the best time of year for shooting the Milky Way behind the mountain. Dark skies, fields of flowers, and Mt. Rainier are the combo that will produce epic Milky Way photos!
Each participant will be loaned a star tracker, which you will learn how to use to create noise-free night photos. Star tracking is quickly becoming the best way to shoot night photos, and you'll get hands on instruction to show you exactly how to use one.
The workshop will include full editing walkthroughs to help you dial in your image editing.
Some locations require moderate hiking (no more than 4 miles). All of our hiking will be done on trails, but some trails may be steep or have uneven terrain. Participants should be confident in their hiking abilities while carrying their own camera gear.
By having a small group size, you'll get lots of 1 on 1 time where you can learn the skills you need to improve your photography. Beginner photographers will learn everything they need to know in order to capture great photos. Intermediate photographers will aquire the skills needed to take their photos to the next level. Advanced photographers will pick up skills that they can add to their current workflow to create even better photos.
On this workshop, you'll get to experience otherworldly places that are outside of what you could find in a simple Google search. Each location we will be visiting has been scouted numerous times, and Austin will put you in the right spot at the right time to capture amazing photos. Sometimes, this means hiking to lesser known areas in order to capture epic images.
This workshop requires a hiking to reach many of the locations we'll be shooting. Each participant should be capable of walking up to four miles a day with their camera gear through sand, rocks, and on uneven trail. If you're concerned about your fitness level on this workshop, contact Austin for more information.
Our schedule will be kept flexible in order to adjust for weather conditions. We will visit different areas at different times depending on weather conditions and different conditions in the valley. However, a rough schedule is included below. Once you've registered for the workshop, you'll recieve a welcome PDF with more detailed information.
Day one, two, and three, and the morning of day four will be based out of the southern side of the mountain, otherwise known as Paradise.
Day four (evening), five, six, and seven will be based out of the eastern side of the mountain, otherwise known as Sunrise.
If you are booking a hotel or campground reservation, book the nights of July 29th-31st near Paradise, and the nights of August 1st-3rd near Sunrise.
The total price of this workshop is $1995. $500 is due at registration to hold your spot in the workshop. This deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days before the start of the workshop. You will not be able to receive any refund if you do not cancel prior to 90 days before the workshop. The remaining balance of $1495 must be paid no later than 30 days before the first day of the workshop, otherwise you risk losing your spot.
Austin James Jackson LLC is not responsible for your lodging (unless otherwise noted) and transportation to and from each location.
Both trip and gear insurance are highly recommended for any of my workshops. One simple fall or big wave and all of your camera gear may be ruined. As a reminder, Austin James Jackson LLC takes no responsibility for the wellbeing of your gear and will not cover any damages or losses.
Trip insurance is recommended by chance that something comes up and you cannot make the workshop. Because of the nature of a being a small business, Austin James Jackson LLC does not offer refunds (inside of 90 days prior to the workshop).
Group size is limited to 6 students so that I can spend as much time as needed working with each student individually. This workshop is open to all skill levels, so I expect that each student will need help directly catered to them, and most instruction will be individual, rather than as a group. This allows me to successfully teach both beginners, intermediates, and aspiring pros all in the same workshop!
In addition to perfecting your photograph in the field, you'll also learn how to fully edit Milky Way photos using Austin's workflow.
We'll be renting a house or conference room where you'll have the opportunity to bring a computer and watch Austin edit his image, followed by plenty of time for you to edit your photo afterwards.
Best of all, Austin will be right there with you to help you edit your image, making sure you leave the workshop with multiple portfolio worthy photos.
Austin James Jackson is a professional photographer based in Southern Utah. Austin has been shooting photos for over 10 years, and has spent the last 6 years helping his clients become better photographers.
I take my job as your workshop guide very seriously. I am certified in Wilderness First Aid, ensuring that in the rare event of an accident, you will be in good hands. It is my goal as an instructor to make sure you leave my workshop not only with some great photos, but also that you leave as a better photographer. The group size in my workshops is kept small so that I can work hands on with you and make sure you leave with a variety of new skills.
My photo workshops are run a bit differently than a lot of traditional workshops. Unlike many workshops, where you are brought to a location, and told exactly how to frame your photo and exactly the settings to use, I let you, the photographer, find the shot that makes your heart sing. I'll bring you to great locations, and then assist you in finding a composition that works for you. Then, I work directly with you to help dial in your composition, ultimately allowing you to shoot your photo, instead of you shooting mine. Throughout the process, I'll always be by your side to help with any questions you have, and to give you my feedback to help you become a better photographer.
I can't wait to work with you!
Austin James Jackson, Photographer