2026 Photography Workshops
Yosemite in Winter - Photo Workshop
February 18 thru February 22, 2026
Yosemite National Park, CA
Winter Magic in Yosemite: A Photography Workshop Like No Other 🏞️
Step into a winter dreamland where granite giants rise from misty valleys and frosted forests sparkle in the morning light—welcome to our Yosemite National Park Winter Photography Workshop.
Designed for passionate photographers of all levels, this intimate, small-group experience offers an affordable way to hone your skills in one of the most iconic landscapes in North America. From the quiet hush of snow-covered meadows to the dramatic ice-kissed edges of waterfalls, winter transforms Yosemite into a tranquil, otherworldly canvas—yours to explore and capture.
WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Group Size: 8 Photographers
Investment: $2695.00 (Double Occupancy)
(add $800.00 for single occupancy supplement)
Deposit: $1000.00 deposit due at the time of registration which can be completed at the bottom of this page. The deposit is used to secure lodging and is non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance in the event something unexpected prevents you from attending.
Included: 4 Nights Double Occupancy Lodging, transportation to and from the airport, all transportation during the workshop, expert instruction and post-processing videos
Not Included: Meals and snacks. We will be travelling during most mealtimes, so we will be carrying coolers to eat on-the-go. We'll also stop at a few great local eateries.
Booking: The workshop will need to be paid in full 30 days prior to the day the workshop begins. Refunds are not available after the 30-day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.
Difficulty: Very little hiking is involved for this workshop. Most of the photo locations are very near the parking area.
Lodging: The price includes double occupancy lodging for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Additional $800.00 for single occupancy.
Itinerary / Logistics
We will meet on February 18, 2025, at the Sacramento Airport where we will load into two vehicles and depart from the park. Our goal is to reach the park in time to shoot sunset. After sunset we'll get everybody checked into the hotel, have dinner then off to bed.
Each day we will leave the hotel well before sunrise to ensure we are in the best shooting spots for first light. We will continue shooting throughout the morning then take a mid-day break to eat, rest and conduct some post-processing sessions.
We will be in the park during the peak days for "Firefall," the annual phenomenon where amber evening sunlight hits Horsetail falls on El Capitan and illuminates the water like "fire."
No matter the conditions, Yosemite in winter is always a photographers paradise. Whether it's a winter wonderland just after a snowfall, or dreamy misty morning causing inversion at tunnel view, Yosemite in winter is a bucket list adventure for photographers.
We will leave for our evening sessions mid-afternoon and continue photographing until blue hour light fades after sunset.
These are long days. Very early mornings and late nights, which is why it's important we rest up in the middle of the day.
These locations are hard to find and tough to navigate. But, don't worry American Photo Treks will do all the driving, so all you have to worry about is getting the perfect shot!
Recommended Camera Gear
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Interchangeable lens camera
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Lenses: wide angle (16-35), mid-range (24-105), and a long telephoto (100-400).
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Memory cards
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Sturdy tripod & ballhead (strong winds are a possibility)
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Circular polarizer and ND filters
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Lens cloths
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Extra batteries, and memory cards
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Rocket blower / Lens Pen
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Laptop with Adobe RAW, Photoshop and NIK Tools
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Weather Protection for your camera gear & backpack
Recommended Personal Gear/Clothing
(Layers: Sunrise can be pretty cold and it usually gets warmer as the day goes on.)
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Warm Jacket
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Lightweight long pants and shirts
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Warm/water resistant hiking boots/shoes
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Base layers
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Headlamp
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Hat, gloves and hand warmers
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Rain coat and/or wind shell
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Insect repellent
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Sunblock
Cancellation Policy
Your deposit is used to secure lodging, so we can only offer a refund (minus 10%) if we are able refill your spot. Sorry, we cannot off any refund if you cancel within 30 days of the workshop.
We strongly recommend travel insurance in the event something unexpected prevents you from attending.
Bonus! - Following the workshop, we provide a video demonstrating our post-processing technique.