Best Guide to Photography Workshops in the United States
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is photographed by members of the media outside the RNC in Cleveland, Ohio during the summer of 2015. Photo by Sean Rayford
by Sean Rayford
Photography workshops come in different sizes, shapes and flavors. So, before we jump into this giant list of photo workshops, let’s break a few things down.
Size: Workshops are group or private 1-on-1 experiences. If you want more access to your instructor, this is important. Most photo workshops limit group sizes under ten people, but if education and leveling up your skills is a goal, a private workshop is far superior.
Flavor: Workshops are attractive because of the destination and/or instructor. Some workshops, you may not know your instructor until the day of the workshop. Others, there’s never a doubt as to who you will be interacting with and it’s the entire reason for its existence. And of course some workshops balance this value.
Shape: There are different genres of photography and workshops typically concentrate on one. The most common is the landscape photo workshop, there are many others.
Other Considerations
Price: Photo experiences labeled as workshops can range in price from $99 to $5,000+. But you probably aren’t getting into a true workshop-level experience until you invest several hundred dollars. Some workshops include travel and lodging. Most don’t. Some workshops are more like mentoring experiences and others are like trips to McDonalds.
Workshop or Tour? Some photography experiences marketed as workshops are basically walking tours with cameras. Nothing wrong with these experiences just be aware.
Length? Photography workshops are typically 1-3 day affairs with some ½ day opportunities from some.
Unique offerings: Some workshops offer unique experiences on a boat or with an instructor who is also a certified tour guide. Keep an eye out for these distinguishers.
For those interested in sports photography workshops, here are some in the U.S., UK, New Zealand and Australia.
Featured workshop
Mindfulness Photography Workshop in the North Carolina Mountains(July 25th and 26th, 2026): Guggenheim Fellow and photographer behind the book “Affrilachia,” Chris Aluka Berry, leads this mindfulness photo workshop in the mountains of western North Carolina at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa. Swannanoa is a beautiful small town next to Asheville that was pummeled by Hurricane Helene. Chris is my friend, a good dude and is a perfect fit to lead this photo workshop. “We will use the ancient sounds of flute and singing bowls to ground us in the moment and explore the beautiful mountain campus, where curiosity will help us grow as visual storytellers.”
For states not listed, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA)runs peer-led workshops in studios across all 50 states every May and September for $99.
Alabama
Birmingham School of Photography— Classes and one-on-one tutoring for all levels based in Vestavia Hills, AL.
Samford University Academy of the Arts — Photography workshops on wildlife, studio lighting, storytelling, and more. Based in Birmingham, AL.
Nature in Focus Photography Workshops — Nature and wildlife workshops headquartered in Huntsville, AL.
Alaska
Summit Workshops — Alaska Bears— Small-group wildlife workshops at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge featuring bears, puffins, eagles, sea otters and more.
Alaska Photo Treks— Classes and multi-day workshops based in Anchorage. Photograph brown bears, humpback whales, the aurora and more.
David W. Shaw Photo Workshops— Small-group Alaska wildlife and wilderness workshops.
Light Chasing Photo Tours — Alaska Northern Lights — Unique aurora workshop above the Arctic Circle, based in Coldfoot.
Akari Photo Tours — Southeast Alaska Wildlife— Yacht-based workshop through Glacier Bay and Inside Passage featuring humpback, brown bears and more.
Arizona
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation — Taliesin West— Weekend workshops photographing architecture and Sonoran Desert. Based in Scottsdale, AZ.
Trogon Tours — Arizona Bird Photography— Multi-day hummingbird, bat, and bird workshops in Southern Arizona.
Digital Photo Academy — Phoenix— Small-group workshops with local pro photographers throughout the year.
California
Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) — Workshops, classes, and immersive programs in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Samy's Photo School— Workshops at Samy's Camera, Los Angeles. Topics include AI Photoshop, portrait, studio lighting, Capture One, and more.
Creative Photography Workshops — Los Angeles — Small-group classes in LA covering many levels and genres.
Great Basin School of Photography (Jeff Sullivan)— Landscape and night photography in Bodie, Death Valley, Eastern Sierra, and Yosemite.
Yosemite Photo Workshops—Learn landscape photography from a 38 year veteran of the park.
Jim Patterson Photography — California Coast— Central California coast workshops, Big Sur through Point Lobos.
Michael Shainblum Photography — Landscape and nightscape workshops at various destinations, including Death Valley.
Michael E. Gordon — West Coast School— Small group and private nature and landscape workshops in Idyllwild and Death Valley.
Rodeo Photo Workshops- Sports and rodeo photography workshops since 2017
Colorado
Colorado Photographic Arts Center— Year-round workshops, beginner to advanced. Downtown Denver.
Denver School of Photography— Wide variety of classes and workshops in Denver.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center— Immersive photography and new media workshops in Snowmass Village.
Action Photo Tours — Colorado Fall Colors— 5-day aspen workshop in Crested Butte and the San Juans. Round-trip transport from Denver included.
Christine Kenyon — Colorado Fall & Milky Way— San Juan Mountains, Sept 29–Oct 3, 2026. Small group, lodging included.
Joe Garza / Light Chasing Photo Tours — Colorado Fall— 5-day San Juan Mountains fall color workshop, lodging at Twin Peaks Lodge in Ouray.
Jason in the Wilderness — Private and small-group workshops in the San Juans, Ouray, Telluride, Crested Butte.
Nikon 2026 Tour — Traveling workshops, photo walks, and touch-and-try gear experiences in Denver: June 19-21, 2026
DC
Closer Look: A Macro Photography Workshop - Spend a day at the Leica Store in Washington, DC with for macro techniques available with all cameras. (July 19, 2026)
DC Evening Monuments Photography Workshops — small group workshops and private walking photo tours offered throughout the year.
Washington Photo Safari — Field-based photo workshops throughout DC covering monuments, Georgetown, the Library of Congress, and more. All skill levels, year-round.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop: Private darkroom lessons last community darkroom in the city of Washington, D.C.
Florida
Soda Citizen Sunshine Photography Workshops— Private customized documentary photography workshops led by a working photojournalist across Florida. Locations include Miami, Tampa, St. Augustine and Orlando. Available in January and February.
Slonina Photography — Florida Wildlife— Multi-day tours in the Everglades, Big Cypress, Sanibel, and Wakodahatchee Wetlands.
Steven Blandin Bird Photography — Boat based photo workshops for Tampa Bay spoonbills, Vero Beach ospreys, Sarasota black skimmers and more.
Wildlife With Ronen (Ronen Tivony) — Private and small-group Florida wildlife workshops with a Florida Master Naturalist and Royal Photographic Society Fellow.
Mark Smith Photo Workshops— Florida osprey, roseate spoonbill, owl, and airboat wildlife workshops based in Vero Beach.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts — Year-round photography workshops in Tampa covering all genres and skill levels.
Photos by Sean Rayford in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Georgia
Atlanta School of Photography- Workshops and classes for various genres geared for different level photographers. Offering multiple opportunities weekly.
Larry Winslett Photography Workshops— North Georgia waterfalls, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Thorsten Overgaard Workshop- Informal Atlanta based hands-on workshop where most participants are Leica users.
Hawaii
Oahu Photography Tour — Corporate looking photo workshops exploring scenic spots and based in Oahu.
Joe Garza and Nick Selway - Fine art landscape photography workshops on Maui and Kauai during April (and other destinations throughout the year)
Illinois
John Gress Photography — Studio Lighting Workshops— Single and multiple day portrait lighting workshops in a Chicago studio. April and June 2026.
Angie McMonigal — Architecture Photography Chicago — Guided architecture workshops in Chicago's Loop. Available in September
Chicago Botanic Garden Photography Classes— Year-round photography workshops/classes in a great setting in Glencoe, IL.
Kentucky
Mountain Workshops— Photojournalism workshop in October in Clark County.
Louisiana
Beauty on the Bayou — A photography workshop and kayaking tour through Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou.
Louisiana Cypress Swamp Photography Tour - Using a motorboat, private groups available on a daily basis with sunrise and sunset trips all year long.
As the Mist Rises - Atchafalaya Workshop - 2026 Fall Atchafalaya Workshop 10/30/26 - 11/5/26 or 11/6/26 - 11/14/26
Erik Kim Photo Workshop in New Orleans - (Jan 9-10th, 2027 - details TBA)
Maine
Acadia Photo Workshops / Down East Adventures — Full-day Acadia National Park workshops, sunrise to sunset. Led by John K. Putnam and available in October..
Coastal Maine Photo Tours— Travel-style photography workshops along the Maine coast. Offering private photo tours, along with multi and single day workshops.
Jay Flemming Photo Workshops— Carvers Harbor serves as the home base for this photo workshop in Vinalhaven, Maine — working waterfront community in Penobscot Bay. (Sept. 16-23, 2026)
Portland, Maine / Photographing a Festival—A private documentary photography workshop with a focus on festival photography and based around Portland's On the Ocean Festival. Tailored to each student's goals and taught by veteran photojournalist Sean Rayford. Aug. 8, 2026 ($650+)
MaRYLAND
Glenn Echo Park— Classes and workshops for children, teens and adults. Also offering programs for other artistic mediums.
Jay Flemming Photo Workshops— Photo workshop with a U.S. Coast Guard licensed boat captain with a focus on Annapolis and The Chesapeake Bay
Small Town Carnival Workshop (Mt. Airy) - Private 1-on-1 workshop centered around the local annual Fireman’s Carnival in Carroll County. Led by photojournalist Sean Rayford in his hometown.
Massachusetts
Blue Hour USA (Dave Long Photo)— New England workshops: Cape Cod, Cape Ann, lighthouse moonrise, Gloucester schooner racing.
Boston Photography Workshops — Offering workshops and classes since 2014.
Photographing People Workshop — Located atThe Griffin Museum of Photography from June 12–14, 2026
Private documentary photography workshops centered on field shooting, storytelling, visual editing, and photojournalism. Tailored to each participant's goals and skill level
Mississippi
The Delta Photo Workshop - Led by Magdalena Solé, this ten day workshop explores communities in the Deep South. Focused on the Mississippi Delta. it takes place Sept. 24 — Oct. 3, 2026.
Missouri
Nikon 2026 Tour — Traveling workshops, photo walks, and touch-and-try gear experiences in Kansas City: June 26-28, 2026
Missouri Photo Workshop— For more than 70 years, documenting small town rural Missouri. Highly recomnded
Montana
2026 Montana Photo Workshop — Four day photojournalism workshop in Missoula at the Univeristy of Montana (Sept. 9-13, 2026)
Glacier National Park — Wildflowers, waterfalls and wildlife with Chris Byrne (Ju;y 25-29,2026)
New Mexico
Santa Fe Workshops — 30+ years as one of the world's premier photography workshop institutions. All levels.
Geraint Smith Photography Workshops — Half and full day workshops available year round in New Mexico.
Nevada
Valley of Fire Photo Workshop - A 4-day, 3 night photo experience May 13 - 16, 2026
Photography Workshops in Eastern Nevada - Lincoln County- Workshops offered during Lincoln County Photo Festival from September 18-20,2026.
New York
International Center of Photography (ICP)— One of the world's great photography institutions. On-site NYC and online workshops from beginner to advanced, all genres.
Penumbra Foundation — An impressive offering of over 100 unique workshops each year in NYC. Darkroom, alternative process, studio, and digital.
James Maher Photography — NYC Street Workshops— Group and private street photography workshops in SoHo, Chinatown, Lower East Side, and more. Also a licensed NYC history guide.
Shoot New York City— Group and private street photography workshops in Harlem, Coney Island, Hell's Kitchen, Chinatown, and more NYC neighborhoods from Leanne Staples, another licensed New York City tour guide, photographer, artist and writer. Since 2010.
Steve Simon NYC Workshops— Street photography mentorship intensives throughout 2026: Spring workshop May 4–8, Mermaid Parade June 19–21, Autumn Day & Night Sept 12, Parade Edition Oct 12.
Harvey Stein — NYC Neighborhood & Coney Island Workshop — 4-day weekend workshop exploring out-of-the-way NYC neighborhoods. June 19–21, 2026. ICP faculty.
Photo by Sean Rayford / Miami, Florida / Rayford leads workshops on the East Coast
North Carolina
WNC Photo Tours— East Coast Mountain Landscape workshops in Western North Carolina and beyond.
Tommy White Photography Workshops — Small-group landscape workshops in the Southern Appalachians, covering NC, SC & TN.
Kevin Adams - Offering workshops in the Outer Banks and mountains in western North Carolina.
The 2026 Nikon Tour - Traveling workshops, photo walks, and touch-and-try gear experiences on in Chapel Hill, NC - May 15-17, 2026
Fall Foliage Photo Workshop - NC: Peak early season autumn photography workshops in the North Carolina mountains (Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4, Oct. 9-11, Oct. 16-18)
Oregon
Natural Connections Photo Workshops — Oregon Coast landscape and nature workshops. Many workshops also available in other states.
TJ Thorne Photography— Multi-day small group workshops on the Oregon Coast and Death Valley.
Art Wolfe — Columbia River Gorge & Oregon Workshops— Multiple offerings each month, including Columbia Gorge abstract photography and Olympic Peninsula retreats.
Cascade Center of Photography - Private Tutoring, Photo Workshops & Tours centered on nature and landscape photography.
Pennsylvania
Escape to the Poconos Photography Workshop— Documentary photography workshop with photojournalist Sean Rayford in Jim Thorpe, PA.
Unique Photo Workshops— Classes and workshops from local Old City camera shop camera, photo & film store. One of these many workshops will have you photographing a Temple Owls football game. The have a learning opportunities organized like a university program.
The Owen Biddle Photo School - Personalized photography lessons, trips and workshops in Philadelphia for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students
Rhode Island
Coastal Rhode Island Photography Workshop- Private documentary workshop focused on Point Judith, Narragansett and coastal Rhode Island.
Dave DeMarco’s Blue Hour Workshops - Coastal workshops led by a fine art nature photographer
South Carolina
Soda Citizen Photography Workshops Private documentary workshops with working photojournalist Sean Rayford (NYT, Getty Images, AP, WaPo).
Myrtle Beach, SC [July 3-5]
SEC Tailgate Photo Workshop in Columbia SC [Nov. 5-7]
Charleston, SC Photo Workshop [Nov. 13-15 + Nov. 20-22]
Sports Photography Workshop in Columbia, SC [Nov. 28]
The Power of the Personal Project: Columbia, SC. [Dec. 4-6]
Hope Taylor Wedding Business centered photo workshop in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Jennifer KingGroup workshops featuring coastal landscapes, cypress swamps and gardens. Available during March
SE Center for PhotographyClasses, workshops, and exhibitions in Greenville, SC.
Sports Portrait Photography workshop - Join Brad Deel, Dani Mack, and James Quantz Jr. fore a 1.5 day workshop in Columbia, SC (July 11-12)
Photo by Sean Rayford at the Newberry, SC July 4 bicycle parade. Rayford leads workshops in the Carolina’s and in Florida. He might even venture in Tennessee and Georgia if you ask nicely.
Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont — Photography Workshops— Workshops inside the national park led by resident instructors. All levels. Lodging and meals included.
Action Photo Tours — Great Smoky Mountains— Firefly, waterfall, black bear, and fall color workshops. Four students per instructor wax with multiple dates in 2026.
Barry Spruce Photography Tours— Small Group Smoky Mountain waterfall and wildlife workshops. Whitetail deer rut specialty workshop and based in Townsend, TN.
Michael Rung Photography — Smoky Mountains Spring Workshop— Group Multi-day spring wildflower and landscape workshop in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tommy White Photography— Multi-day Southern Appalachian group landscape workshops featuring waterfalls and wildflowers.
Texas
Texas Photography Workshops — Multi-day ranch, rodeo, street, and fundamentals workshops across Texas.
Texas School of Professional Photography — Annual week-long professional photography education event.
Jason Weingart Photography — Storm/Astrophotography— Storm chasing and astrophotography workshops based in Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Dallas Photo Workshops— Beginner, intermediate, advanced, and post-production workshops at The Cedars Union, Dallas.
Digital Photo Academy — Dallas — Small-group workshops led by local pro photographers throughout the Dallas area.
Dallas Photography Summit— Annual photography education event featuring Unmesh Dinda. (Aug. 8–9, 2026)
Nikon 2026 Tour — Traveling workshops, photo walks, and touch-and-try gear experiences in Dallas: (Sept. 25-27, 2026)
Utah
Action Photo Tours— Southwest workshops in Moab, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon. 4WD access, dark sky photography. Kanab, UT.
Jason in the Wilderness— Private and small-group workshops in Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and Grand Canyon.
Nikon 2026 Tour — Traveling workshops, photo walks, and touch-and-try gear experiences in Salt Lake City: June 12-14, 2026
VERMONT
Vermont Photo Tours— Locally owned private workshops and guided tours. Day-long workshops and tours led by Steve Mermelstein since 2003.
Loren Fisher Fine Art — Winter Wonderland, Night Skies and Fall Foliage workshops with Loren Fisher.
Vermont Center for Photography— A wide variety and consistent offering of education opportunties, including photography workshops.
Dave Long Photo Workshops — Long offers multi-day photo workshops in a number of destinations, including fall foliage workshops in New England.
Green Mountain Photographic Workshops — Spring and Fall nature and landscape small group workshops and tour experiences in Vermont.
Poppy Bee Photography Workshops — Hands-on, in-person food photography workshops in a Vermont studio.
Virginia
Jay Fleming Photo Workshops — Based out of the small seaside fishing town of Wachapreague, this July workshop takes photographers to a corner of the Delmarva peninsula with access to working watermen and nesting birds. (Sold Out)
Tangier Island Photo Workshop — Group workshop with Irene Hinke-Sacilotto focusing on a Chesapeake Bay Waterman Community and Wildlife (Sept. 18-20,2026)
Waterfalls & Wildflowers — Explore Shenandoah National Park with a photography workshop centered on flowers and waterfalls. Some hiking involved. (Aug. 1-2)
Washington
Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW)— Year-round workshops with film, portrait, drone, post-production and more.
Art Wolfe — Olympic Peninsula & Pacific Northwest— Workshopsnature photographer Art Wolfe featuring Olympic Peninsula retreat, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Rainier and more.
Backcountry Journeys— A multitude of photo workshop offerings in the Pacific Northwest including Olympic National Park.
Nikon 2026 Tour — Traveling workshops, photo walks, and touch-and-try gear experiences on Seatle, WA: June 5-7
West Virginia
Natural Connections Photo Workshops— The newest national park is the New River Gorge Park in Wild and Wonderful WVA. (Oct.19-22, 2026)
Reflection in a Pool (Jesse Thornton)— Small group landscape and night sky workshops in Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley, Seneca Rocks.
Blackwater Falls Fall Workshop — Multi-day workshop at Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley and Bear Rocks Preserve near the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. (Oct. 7-10, 2026)
Eclipse Sportswire Charles Town Classic Photo Workshop 2026 — Sports photography workshop in Ranson, WV at Charles Town Races with Rob Carr and Scott Serio. (Aug. 28, 2026)
Wyoming
Slonina Photography — Yellowstone & Grand Tetons— Small-group wildlife and landscape workshops. Authorized NPS permittee.
Backcountry Journeys — Yellowstone & Grand Teton — High ticket small-group workshops including fall rut, wildlife, and landscape sessions.
Alex Jones at the RNC in Cleveland, Ohio. 2015 (Photo by Sean Rayford)