Olympic National Park WORKSHOP

5.0 ★★★★★ (29 reviews)

Experience the best of Olympic National Park in this immersive five-day photography workshop, co-led by professional photographers Scott Kranz and Stephen Matera. Following a successful inaugural Olympic workshop in 2026, Scott and Stephen are excited to return for their second annual Olympic National Park workshop. Past participants of their workshops, including the 2026 Olympic workshop and many years of Mount Rainier workshops, have given them perfect 5-star reviews for their balance of hands-on instruction, iconic landscapes, and unforgettable photographic opportunities.

Timed for late spring and early summer conditions and a new moon for dark night skies, this workshop explores the extraordinary diversity of the Olympic Peninsula, from dramatic mountain vistas to moss-draped forests to the rugged Pacific coastline. From our basecamp lodging north of Forks, WA, we’ll photograph sunrise, sunset, and night scenes, emphasizing landscapes, coastal compositions, and atmospheric light. Potential locations include majestic Hurricane Ridge, pristine Lake Crescent, the powerful Sol Duc Falls area, the lush Hoh Rainforest, and the wild Pacific coast at Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, and Cape Flattery.

What You’ll Learn:

• Techniques for capturing Olympic’s diverse late-spring landscapes: mountains, forests, and coastlines

• Sunrise, sunset, blue hour, and night photography, from camera settings to composition

• Gear selection, trip planning, and shooting strategies for a wide range of environments

• Scott and Stephen’s complete creative processes, from concept to final edit

Workshop Details:

• Dates: Thursday, June 3 – Monday, June 7, 2027

• Start/End Times: Begins at 3 p.m. on June 3 and concludes at 11 a.m. on June 7

• Group Size: Limited to eight (8) participants for personalized instruction

• Accommodations (optional): Four nights (Thursday through Sunday) in the Forks area, with private rooms, shared rooms, and camping options available (see order form for pricing and details). Camping participants have full access to the main lodging facilities, including the kitchen, bathrooms, and showers.

Pre-Workshop Connection:
Before the workshop, you’ll connect with Scott and Stephen (virtually or in person) to share your background, goals, and aspirations. You’ll also receive a detailed welcome packet with the full itinerary and packing list so you arrive fully prepared.

Important Considerations:
Participants should be fit for trail hiking in the Pacific Northwest and prepared for several hikes of up to 8 miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain, often while carrying camera gear. Hikes take place on maintained backcountry trails. We may ask about your hiking experience in advance to make sure you’re ready for this rewarding adventure. Additionally, please note that some days include scenic drives of up to two hours each way (e.g., Hurricane Ridge).

5.0 ★★★★★ (29 reviews)

About your instructors:

What is included?

All photo education over five workshop days.

Optional accommodations in the Forks, WA area (four nights, Thursday through Sunday nights) available for purchase (please see order form for accommodation options and pricing).

Trail snacks, water, coffee, and tea.

Certified NOLS Wilderness First Responders and LNT Trainers on site.

All necessary permits, including the requisite Commercial Use Authorization (OLYM-2026-7d4278cf ).

What is NOT included? 

Transportation to, from, and during the workshop (but carpooling among participants is encouraged).

Entrance fee for Olympic National Park.

Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

Any accommodations before or after the workshop, such as Wednesday night before Day 1, and Monday night after Day 5.

All travel insurance and gear insurance.

What to Expect

Day 1 (Forks area) – Arrival & Sunset (partial day)

• Meet in the Forks area and check in to our basecamp lodging, a top-rated home with full amenities

• Several options for rooms: private, shared, or camping (see order form for pricing and details)

• Head out for our first sunset shoot!

Days 2-4 (Olympic Peninsula) – Core Workshop Days

• Sunrise and sunset shoots across a diverse mix of landscapes, from mountains to lakes to rainforest to rugged coastline

• Early in the workshop, we’ll venture east toward Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, the Sol Duc area, and Salt Creek. Later in the workshop, we’ll focus closer to home base on the wild coast and rainforest, including Cape Flattery, Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, and the Hoh Rainforest.

• Midday group photo talks, image reviews, and post-processing instruction, including editing to strengthen an image to completion

• Evenings may include blue hour and dark-sky night photography, conditions permitting

• One lighter morning may be built in for rest, editing, and deeper discussions around approach and technique

Day 5 (Forks area) – Final Morning & Departure

• Early morning sunrise shoot, conditions permitting

• Breakfast in advance or in the field, then we’ll return to our Forks lodging and check out by 11 a.m.

• Workshop officially concludes at 11 a.m. (optional group lunch afterward before saying goodbye!)

Physical Expectations

• Mix of roadside-accessible locations and moderately difficult hikes of up to 8 miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Hikes take place on maintained backcountry trails, often with loaded camera gear. We may ask about your hiking experience in advance to make sure you’re ready for this rewarding adventure.

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