On the Loose in the Palouse – A Winter Adventure Mr. JD Baylor, down on JD Baylor Road in Whitman County, saw …
Palouse Winter Photo Tour
3 Days - mid winter
January 8-10, 2024
January 15-17, 2024
Palouse in Winter Light
The Palouse in Washington is a dreamy landscape in all seasons, with rolling hills of wheat fields to the horizon. Winter brings variable conditions from snow, to fog, to frost to much more. Add the lower angle of sunlight and this magical landscape comes alive in color. This 3 day Palouse Winter Photo Tour is designed to explore this quiet landscape from sunrise to sunset allowing for many unique images. Plus, wildlife is much more active in Winter here as see with these 2 moose on Steptoe Butte one morning. Join me for 3 exciting days in a light and composition playground.
What's it Like in Winter in the Palouse?
Photographing the Palouse in Winter comes with it’s own set of challenges. Below is a blog post of my recent adventure in the Palouse which helps to shed some light on what it’s like during the Winter.
Are you looking for extended learning and a more in-depth experience in the Palouse? Consider a Custom Workshop following the workshop dates. Special pricing is available, please inquire.
Come explore the Palouse in Winter with us!
On the Loose in the Palouse - A Winter Adventure
A fun short story:)
What You'll Learn
Palouse Winter Photo Tour
- 3 Days of slower paced rural photography in variable winter conditions
- No stress from driving in Winter conditions. AWD vehicle is fully capable and comfortable in Winter.
- Composition techniques while in the field. This is the single most difficult aspect of photography for most people. Practicing while in the field is crucial to learning.
- Creative photography techniques in the field. You're not likely to get this in any other workshop.
- Reviewing shooting techniques to ensure quality image files. This is always best done in person and not online.
- Evaluating conditions and making plans accordingly. This is key to landscape photography and NOT being at a predetermined location no matter the conditions.
- Creating strong compositions no matter the conditions. Weather here will undoubtedly change and be unexpected. Read my blog post above for a story of my experience:)
Logistics
Palouse Winter Photo Tour
- 3 full days with a mid-morning break.
- Airport transportation included to and from Spokane, WA. No car rental needed.
- Casual Pace - See Sample Itinerary Above
- Photo Tour will begin and end at the Coast Hilltop Inn in Pullman, WA
- Complete itinerary will be sent upon booking along with airport transportation informaion.
- Light physical activity. You are requred to carry and attend to your own photography gear throughout the tour. We'll be in the car or near the car the entire Photo Tour.
The Details
Palouse Winter Photo Tour
Week 1 - January 8-10, 2024
Week 2 - January 15-17, 2024
$1895 – includes one photographer
Deposit of 50% ($947.50) due upon booking and the remaining 50% will be charged 90 days prior (Oct, 2023) to Workshop start date.
Our Palouse Winter Photo Tour is offered for all skill levels. We provide professional and personalized instruction every step of the way, so you won’t lost in large groups.
Our Palouse Photo Tour focuses on learning, creating and exploring in a small group setting. Our workshops are always more than simply getting to the “right place at the right time”. We like to think of it as the best place at the appropriate time. Come join us and see what we mean and put it into practice.
Recommended hotel is the Coast Hilltop in Pullman, WA. It provides easy access to the highway and has reasonable rates. The Photo Tour will begin and end at the Coast Hilltop Hotel.
A sample itinerary for 3 days of shooting, relaxing and learning in the beautiful Palouse.
Arrive Sunday (Jan 7th or 14th) and a welcome dinner at 7PM in Pullman.
Monday Day 1: We’ll begin the day at 6:30AM on Steptoe Butte (conditions permitting) and shoot telephoto images as the morning light changes on the landscape. Breakfast will be around 9:30AM or so back in Pullman. Since the days are short, we hear right back out for some exploring and rural scenes. We finish the day again on Steptoe Butte before getting to Pullman for dinner. Sunset is 4:15PM this time of year so there’s plenty of time for rest.
Day 2 & 3: Conditions will vary from day to day but the routine will follow day 1. We’ll attempt to go to Steptoe Butte for Sunrise and Sunset and spend the day exploring and having breakfast/coffee. Some days are terribly windy on Steptoe, some are totally fogged in or snowing. This Photo Tour is also about seeing and capturing these variations.
Thursday Day 4: Breakfast and departure to Spokane Airport. Departure time will depend on the group. I’ll help you coordinate flights to Spokane so we only make one trip!
- Light hiking is required for many locations. This Photo Tour is physically easy and can even be done from the car 100%. We also offer Custom Workshops if you wish to customize your experience.
- Hiking is mostly along roadsides and gravel roads or snow/ice. Rain or snow may create different conditions and can be muddy.
- You must be able to carry and transport all of your own photography gear. We’re able to help within reason. If you need assistance, please arrange this with us prior to booking.
- Be prepared for cold and wind. The weather in Pullman, WA is fairly representative of the Palouse weather. Steptoe Butte is cold and windy. How cold? How windy? Come find out for yourself! Be prepared, it’s way colder than you think! (But we are in the car:))
Pullman, WA is about 1 1/2 hours south of Spokane, WA and near the Idaho state line. It’s at about 2500 feet above sea level.
Moscow, ID is 10 minutes away to the East.
- Camera Body
- Various lenses. We generally use anything from an ultra wide-angle to medium telephoto. Rarely do we ever need anything wider than 14mm. Long lenses of 200mm – 600mm will be used for the 2nd afternoon and evening.
- Tripod
- Extra Batteries/charger.
- Circular Polarizer*
- Graduated Neutral Density filters*
- Extra memory cards (you’ll use them, guaranteed!)
- Hiking shoes/boots.
- Sunscreen/water/snacks.
- Extra layers. October will likely be cold in the morning and days can be mild to warm. It can also be wet or snowy so be prepared for a mixed bag of weather.
- More details available upon booking.
- Cancellations 90 days or more from the workshop date will follow the policy for within 90 days due to the nature of this Photo Tour and advanced commitment. The deposit of 50% at booking will be forfeited for cancellations 90 days or more from the workshop date.
- Cancellations within 90 days of the workshop date are non-refundable. You may apply paid monies towards a different workshop based upon availability. Custom Workshops are available so we’ll work with you in the event you need to cancel within the 90 days of a workshop date.
- Please note “days” are full calendar days.
Pricing
Palouse Winter Photo Tour
$1895
- 3 full days of photography, exploring, sharing and learning.
- Limited to 3 Photographers only
- Tuition is for 1 photographer
What's Included
- Transportation to and from Spokane Airport
- Transportation during Photo Tour
- Welcome night dinner
- Photography Instruction and Local Knowledge
Not Included
- Airfare to and from Spokane International Airport
- Hotel Lodging - See above for recommendation
- Meals, alcohol and snacks
- Gratuities
Have Questions? Shoot me an email
Join me in Spring to see this landscape in much warmer temperatures, vibrant greens and long days. June is a popular month for yellow canola fields.
Palouse Workshop Spring 2023
3 weeks to choose from
May & *June 2023
(June is popular)
Join me in the Palouse this Spring as we explore these vibrantly colored hills of green. If you're feeling adventurous, join me for Winter & Spring!