north cascades WORKSHOP

Capture the stunning natural beauty of North Cascades National Park with professional outdoor photographer and Sony ambassador Scott Kranz. This unique two-night & three-day photography workshop will involve moderate-day-hikes and drive-up adventures for sunset and moon photography, among other shooting in the field.

Scott’s instruction will cover the entire creative process from initial concept to final edit, including but not limited to selecting, packing, and carrying camera gear and equipment, mastering proper exposure settings, and creating strong compositions.

In the weeks before the workshop, each participant will correspond with Scott to communicate their background and aspirations, setting the stage for a successful workshop field trip. Beforehand you will also receive a welcome packet outlining the workshop itinerary and providing a full packing list and all other details to fully prepare you for the workshop!

Please note that this workshop requires a moderately strenuous hike with approximately 3000-4000 feet of elevation gain over 10 miles round trip with a day pack and camera gear. Everyone on this trip should be in good physical condition to comfortably complete this particular hike with a pack at a moderate pace.

The workshop will start the morning of Saturday, July 29, 2023, and will conclude in the late evening on Monday, July 31, 2023, with an optional campground stay on the last night. The workshop is limited to four (4) participants to ensure each participant receives personal attention and guidance.

About your instructor:

Scott Kranz

Scott Kranz is a Minnesota-bred, Seattle-based photographer, filmmaker, and educator. When he moved from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest in 2013, he couldn’t have imagined how the mountains there would forever change his life. He just knew their natural beauty held an undeniable power, and that his life’s work would soon become visual storytelling in the outdoor spaces where we work and play. Since then, Scott has become an industry leader, partnering with the world’s leading outdoor brands while shooting on all seven continents.

What is Included?

All workshop photo education in the field over the three workshop days.

Three nights at reserved campgrounds inside the park.

Guided shooting for pre-sunset, sunset, and moon photography in North Cascades National Park.

Trail snacks, water, coffee, and tea.

Certified NOLS Wilderness First Responder and LNT Trainer on site.

All necessary permits (Commercial Use Authorization PWR-NOCA-5300-833).

What is NOT Included? 

Transportation to, from, and during the workshop.

Items of a personal nature including but not limited to all meals, hiking gear, camping gear, and the like.

All travel insurance and gear insurance.

Itinerary

Scott will keep the itinerary flexible to account for then-current weather, lighting, and conditions at the workshop location. But we will ultimately choose an exact schedule that offers the best possible photography experience for you! The itinerary below is an example for your review:

Day 1: Meet in the morning in Marblemount, WA, for group introductions, photo talks, and a gear check. We will then drive (caravan) north along the historic North Cascades Highway and pull into our first campground. After setting up camp and enjoying a quick lunch, we’ll have additional group talks covering various topics, including but not limited to shooting technique and composition. We also discuss how to capture the moon, which will be a big part of this workshop. By late afternoon, we will drive north along the scenic highway until we see the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake. From the lake, we will visit our first shooting location, capturing the pristine natural environment made of rock, trees, and water. We will reach Diablo Lake Overlook for a tailgate dinner, after which we will capture evening golden hour and sunset among the North Cascades peaks. Around sunset, we will also capture the moon as it dances across the night sky above Diablo Lake. We will then return to the campground to get some sleep.

Day 2: We will have the option to wake up early to shoot sunrise and take advantage of our spot in North Cascades National Park. After shooting sunrise proper, we may do a short nature hike in a beautiful wooded area, capturing intimate forest scenes. After the morning shoot, we will regroup at our campground, enjoy breakfast and some quiet time. Closer to midday, we’ll have more group talks, as desired, covering topics like trip planning and post-production. By afternoon, we will drive (caravan) to the trailhead for a sunset hike. Unlike the hike on Day 3, this hike will be shorter and has stunning views along its entire length giving us ample opportunities to hone our skills. In addition to capturing sunset, we will try to catch the moonrise over one of the great Cascadian volcanos. After the sunset and moon shoot, we will return to the trailhead, drive back to our campground, and catch up on some sleep!

Day 3: On our last full day, we will again have the option to wake up early to shoot sunrise. After the morning golden hour, we will pack up our camp and then drive to the Cascade River Road, an amazingly beautiful 23-mile road connecting Marblemount with the historic Cascade Pass trailhead. Before reaching the trailhead, we will stop at a beautiful campground to set up camp among the lush green forest, serenaded by the sounds of rushing river water. After setting up camp and eating a quick lunch, we will prep our day hiking packs and drive to the end of the road: Cascade Pass Trailhead. From there, we will embark on our main hike to Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm. Along this premiere trail, we will capture lush subalpine meadows, mountain wildlife, and jagged peaks. After dinner on the trail, we will capture the sunset from this stunning alpine location, and then return to Cascade Pass Trailhead during blue hour, shooting the full moonrise along the way. We will then return to our camp in the dark of night. Each participant is welcome to stay at the camp for this last night, or depart the park and end the workshop.

If you have further questions, please visit the Workshop FAQ page.