Texas Bluebonnets Photography Workshop
March 25-28, 2025
Join me for a chance to photograph the Texas Hill Country at the peak of spring Bluebonnet flower displays.
This is a photography workshop, we will be spending time on many aspects of photography as the opportunities permit. We will learn landscape, macro, sunrise and sunset, night sky photography including Milky Way (weather permitting). You will learn how to create HDR images and Panoramic images as well as studying composition and lighting.
Texas Bluebonnet
Lupinus texensis (Fabaceae)
A hardy winter annual native to Texas. Adopted as the “State Flower of Texas”, this is the most commonly seen variety along roadsides and in uncultivated pastures throughout the state. Flowers are densely arranged on a spike with a characteristic ice white terminal tip.
Bluebonnets are annual wildflowers that thrive in degraded soils in full sun with little competition. That means that you’ll often see big fields of bluebonnets on heavily grazed land, land that has experienced recent fires, and land that has been mown, such as a roadside. In fact, TxDOT times roadside mowing to allow for bluebonnets and other wildflowers to reseed for following years. TxDOT also buys and sows about 30,000 pounds of wildflower seed annually, directly contributing to the large bluebonnet displays you see from your car window.
This workshop is limited to 4 participants.
About the Workshop
Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field” workshops one of the most effective teaching formats available. Whether finding the correct exposure, looking through the viewfinder for the perfect composition, or learning how to use the equipment, you can’t beat real world experience. Classes are kept small, it’s all about personal, individual attention. Digital offers a number of benefits for learning photography including:
- Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
- Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
- Ability to do reviews and projection
- Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
- Ability to manage work flow while still on location
Workshop Itinerary
Our schedule will be based on the weather and location of the best fields for flowers, we are dealing with nature and not a precise time or place can be predicted months ahead. Plan on early mornings to get on location to catch the sunrise and early morning light.
Changes to the Itinerary
In order to offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances, closures, weather or other conditions beyond our control. We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise.
Workshop Policies and Information
Cost
The workshop fee per session will $995.00 per participant.
What is Included
Your workshop fees include full instruction and location guiding. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the technical aspects of photography, practice their skills in the field, and receive feedback on their work. My workshops are small groups allowing for personalized instruction based upon each participants needs.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, entrance fees, gratuities, and items of a personal nature are not included.
Transportation
Transportation is not included in the workshop, however we will carpool to shoots in order to minimise the number of vehicles.
Lodging
Our base for the workshop will be in Fredericksburg TX. Lodging is not included in the workshop fee, you will need to make plans for 3 nights of lodging in Fredericksburg TX or nearby.
Meals
Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant, we will generally plan to eat as a group.
Group Size
We keep our group size small, this provides for a high degree of personal attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the workshop the best possible experience for the participants. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 4 participants.
Health and Physical Considerations
All participants should be in generally good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops and you will be responsible for carrying of your own equipment on location shoots. If you are taking any medications be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the workshop. If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop please contact us before registering.
Equipment Needed
To get the most from the workshop you should have a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless camera, tripod and an assortment of lenses. That being said, it is the photographer not the camera that makes the photo.
We have a great variety of subjects and shooting situations so a good selection of lenses is suggested. Be sure to bring a camera backpack or bag to carry and protect your equipment. I recommend bringing two camera bodies if you have them as we may be shooting landscapes and within seconds have an opportunity for birds or wildlife requiring a telephoto lens.
Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy
You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email, postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question. Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend. If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy: We do not make refunds on workshop fees. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop we will give full credit towards another workshop. If we are not able to fill your space we will issue 50% credit towards a future workshop. If there are openings I will accept last minute registrations when possible.
We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid, in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 14 days prior to the beginning of a workshop other than an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely matter due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation. All workshops have a minimum participation level which must be met or the workshop may be canceled.
Non Photographer (Spouse, significant other, or friend)
We welcome spouses to join you on the workshop experience however “workshop activities” are limited to registered, paid attendees. You may have a non photographer accompany you to all activities but they must pay for the workshop. If they wish to accompany you on the trip but not attend the workshop activities, but stay with you, finding other activities during the day, and meet for meals and social type events that is perfectly acceptable.
Liability Waiver
All participants will be required to sigh a liability waiver before beginning a workshop. As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read the liability release form carefully. Participation will certify that said participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.
Weather
The more the better, at least as far as the photography goes. Workshops will not be canceled and no refunds will be made due to weather, we will not be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the workshop prepared for all weather conditions.
Trip Extensions
We may be able to extend your trip in the area, if you would like more time and personal instruction. Please contact us for more information and rates before the workshop.
Smoking
We prefer that you do not smoke, however if you must please abide by the following guidelines. Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles, during instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times when in close quarters with other workshop participants.
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