Experience the wonders of the North Cascades with Professional Photographer and Sony Ambassador Scott Kranz as part of this immersive four-day photography workshop. Known for his 50 PEAKS and WA100 projects, Scott has spent more than a decade exploring and documenting this rugged landscape and is eager to share its beauty and stories with you.
This intimate, small-group workshop includes moderate to strenuous day hikes into remote terrain as well as drive-up photography sessions. While working closely with Scott and connecting with fellow photographers, you’ll capture epic mountain landscapes, intimate natural details, and unique wildlife encounters, all while experiencing some of the park’s most stunning destinations and vistas. This workshop will be held close to New Moon, so there will be dedicated astrophotography of the area’s dark skies, for those interested.
What you’ll learn: This workshop provides the opportunity to learn from, photograph alongside, and network with Scott, while deep-diving into numerous subjects and techniques, including: optimizing your camera kit for streamlined shooting; selecting, packing, and carrying essential camera gear in the field; researching location insights and trip planning; mastering exposure settings and camera techniques; creating compelling compositions in various regions within the park and range; editing and post-processing workflow; learning Scott’s complete creative process—from initial concept to final edit; and much more.
Workshop details:
Dates and Start/End Times: Thursday, July 16, 2026 (morning) – Sunday, July 19, 2026 (afternoon).
Group Size: Up to five (5) participants for personalized instruction.
Accommodations: Private-room occupancy is available in our home base: a top-rated Airbnb offering convenient access to the area's best photography destinations and trails! This venue will serve as the perfect space for group discussions and learning in between outings and for resting/recharging between sunset and sunrise.
Pre-Workshop Connection: Scott will connect with you leading up to the workshop to learn about your background, goals, and aspirations. You’ll also receive a detailed welcome packet with the full itinerary and packing list.
Important consideration: This workshop requires physical fitness to hike 10 miles round trip, gaining 3,000-4,000 feet in elevation at a pace of 2 miles per hour, while carrying a full day pack with camera gear. (View a typical, representative hike here.) The routes often includes steep and exposed terrain, so comfort and confidence in these conditions are essential.
4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (17 reviews)
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?
Private-room occupancy in a top-rated Airbnb with full amenities.
Four days of hands-on photography instruction from and mentorship with Scott.
Guided shooting sessions for sunrise, sunset, and astrophotography in North Cascades National Park.
Live group sessions and walkthroughs with Scott on shoot preparation, creative techniques, post-processing, and more.
Personalized image critiques and portfolio reviews.
Trail snacks, water, coffee, and tea.
A certified NOLS Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer on site.
Required Commercial Use Authorization for North Cascades National Park.
(Optional: Sony Alpha camera kit rental for short-term testing during the workshop, upon request.)
What is NOT included?
Transportation to, from, and during the workshop.
Meals (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners)
Any accommodations outside the workshop dates (e.g., nights of Wednesday, July 15 or Sunday, July 19).
Travel insurance and gear insurance.
What to expect:
The workshop schedule is tentative to account for the mountain conditions at the time of the workshop. We will let the weather and light guide our shooting plans each day to ensure you can maximize your photography, capturing both epic mountain landscapes and intimate natural features in this world-class park and mountain range.
Conditions permitting, our days will be long, as we plan to rise early for sunrise shoots and continue until sunset to take advantage of the best light, making the most of each day. For reference, during this workshop, the sun will rise by 5:15am and does not set until after 9:00pm. Since this workshop will be close to New Moon, there will be astrophotography opportunities after sunset on one or two nights, for those interested, followed by a slower morning focused on post-processing and editing workflow.
During the middle of the day, we’ll often take advantage of our wonderful base camp—a top-rated Airbnb. There, in between outings, we’ll cover topics like creative techniques, composition, trip planning, and much more. We’ll also conduct an image critique and a post-processing lesson, covering RAW processing and conversion, stitching panoramas, and adding final touches to enhance an image.
Some shooting will be done close to the road, while other times we may hike to reach prime backcountry locations in remote areas. Expect moderate or strenuous hikes (with up to 3,000-4,000 feet of elevation gain over 10 miles) each day. Participants should be physically fit for hiking with loaded packs on maintained backcountry trails for consecutive days. In advance of the workshop, we may ask about your fitness and hiking experience to confirm your ability to fully participate and ensure a successful workshop. This is extremely important for group safety and a valuable workshop experience for all.
