2026 Oregon Coast Lighthouse Photography Workshop

May 21 - May 26, 2026 | Newport, Oregon

Day or night, stormy or sunny, the light at Heceta Head lighthouse is always running. Whether it’s a calm sea or crashing waves, it knows its purpose. Towering above the cliff, standing like a yogi, it has watched countless ships survive by its guiding light. While it becomes a monument to be greatly admired on a nice day by all of us new era visitors, seeing this lighthouse serving its purpose in the stormy weather is a sight to be held in the heart.

Explore the Pacific Coast on The Oregon Coast Lighthouse Workshop

Join us for an unforgettable photography adventure along the Oregon Coast, where dramatic cliffs, sea stacks, crashing waves, and historic Pacific Coast lighthouses come together to create one of the most photogenic regions in North America. This multi-day landscape photography workshop is designed for photographers of all levels who want to sharpen their skills, capture stunning seascapes, and enjoy the journey with a small, supportive group.

We’ll explore and photograph some of the coast’s most iconic and scenic lighthouses - each with its own charm, unique light, and breathtaking backdrop. From misty mornings and golden hour glow to long exposures of crashing surf and silhouettes at sunset, this workshop offers the tools and guidance you need to create compelling, story-rich images.

Your instructors, Joe and Lalit, bring over 40 years of combined experience leading photography workshops across diverse landscapes. Rain or shine, they’ll help you make the most of every opportunity - sharing expert tips, real-time feedback, and plenty of laughs along the way.

This workshop is more than just a chance to build your portfolio - it’s a chance to connect, create, and experience the wild beauty of the Oregon Coast like never before.

Oregon Coast Lighthouse Photography Workshop Information

Group Size: Limited to 10 people
Dates: May 21st - May 26th, 2026
Cost: $4,200.00
Deposit: A 50% deposit is due at the time of registration, which can be completed at the bottom of this page.
Included: Lodging, transportation during the workshop, guiding services, and all required permits.
Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the airport, meals, snacks, gratuities for instructors and/or guides.
Booking: The workshop will need to be paid in full 90 days prior to the day the workshop begins. Refunds are not available after the 90 day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.

More than instructors - trusted, experienced guides.

Workshop Instructors | Lighthouses Along The Oregon Coast Photo Workshop

This unforgettable Light Chasing Photo Tours workshop is led by Joe Garza and Lalit Deshmukh, two passionate, professional landscape and nature photographers with over 40 years of combined experience. Joe is known for his dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and deep love for tropical locations like Hawaii and the Caribbean. Lalit brings a rich background in landscape and contemplative photography, and a thoughtful, artistic approach to storytelling through the lens.
Together, they create a relaxed, supportive environment where photographers of all levels feel welcome. Whether you're trying to master your camera settings, understand composition, or explore new creative techniques, Joe and Lalit are there to guide you every step of the way—with patience, clarity, and a good dose of humor.
Their hands-on instruction and expert local knowledge will take you straight to the best shooting locations, allowing you to focus on capturing beautiful images and observing the magic of the lighthouses and stunning coastline views—without the stress of planning or guessing where to go.
Have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to Contact Lalit with any questions you may have!

Highlights | Iconic Lighthouses & Oregon Coast Photography Workshop

During the workshop, we will be visiting iconic locations, including, but not limited to:
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Coquille River Lighthouse
Tillamook Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Arago Lighthouse
Rockaway Beach and more!

The weather charts its own course. We simply follow the light.

Workshop Schedule | Pacific Lighthouses & Oregon Coast Photography

This tour will begin on May 21st. We will meet in the lobby of Days Inn by Wyndham, Newport, OR at 5:30 pm on May 21st where we'll take time to introduce ourselves to everyone and answer any questions. Then we'll head out for our first venture - sunset!
At this time of year, sunrise is around 5:30 AM and sunset is close to 8:45 PM. We'll be up early each day - leaving our lodging well before sunrise to ensure we’re in position and ready to shoot in the best light. Sunset shoots will also run late, and we often won’t leave our final location until after the sun has fully dipped below the horizon. We anticipate having time in the afternoon for a little bit of rest - we know mornings and evenings start early and run late and the long days can be tiring without a little rest in between.
Weather along the coast can change quickly. Some mornings may be clear, others foggy or overcast, and some will deliver that magical blend of light that makes this region so special. Each day’s plan will be shaped by those conditions - deciding whether to head into the forest, out to the coastline, or both.

Tillamook Rock lighthouse at sunrise with pastel sky and ocean waves – Oregon coast lighthouse photography workshop.
There will be some driving and relatively easy hiking involved as we access the most photogenic locations. The flow of each day is designed to maximize great light, creative opportunities, and time in the field - while keeping things fun, flexible, and relaxed.
We will be up and out the door early so plan to bring granola bars or snacks for breakfast and throughout the day. We will typically stop for breakfast as morning weather and photography allows. We will certainly have plenty of time for lunch and dinner.
Our workshop will end by 9am on May 26th. Check out of the hotel is at 11am on May 26th.

Where rest begins, adventure awakens.

Lodging, Travel & Transportation | Oregon Coast Lighthouse Photography Workshop

We will be leaving every morning from the Days Inn By Wyndham. Rooms are secured and a reservation will be put in your name. You do not need to make a hotel reservation. We will send you a reservation number for your room prior to the workshop. You will want to check in after 2pm on May 21st.

Amenities include: Free Parking, Free WiFi, complimentary breakfast.

Your room will be booked for check in on May 21st and check out on May 26th. If you plan to arrive day earlier or stay later, please be sure to work with the hotel to extend your accommodations. It will be your responsibility to pay for any extra nights booked outside of the workshop.

Travel: Plan to fly into Portland (PDX) or Eugene (EUG) and rent a car or take a cab to arrive the hotel in Newport. Newport is about 2.5 hours from Portland or 1.5 hours from Eugene. Be sure to allow enough time after your flight to arrive and check in by 4pm on May 21st.

Transportation: Transportation is provided to take everyone from the hotel to our shooting locations each day. You only need to book transportation to and from the airport.

Always adventurous - yet always within reach.

**Difficulty of Workshop**

Given we will be leaving early in the morning and may be out all day, we recommend dressing in layers due to temperatures fluctuating from early morning to evening.
Please make sure you have water, snacks, or any personal items in your camera bag for the day before we head out. In most locations, we won't be close enough to our vehicles to return for items we may need.
During this workshop, we will have some hiking to get to our locations. Most of trails we will be hiking on are well maintained. When traveling along the coast or into the forest, some slopes may be slippery so wear **shoes with a good grip**. A **hiking pole may be helpful on some slightly steeper slopes**, but is unnecessary for everyone.
Hiking shoes/boots with good grip
Sandals for standing in water for some locations
Rain jacket & rain pants
Light jacket for cool mornings
Beanie cap & light gloves
Headlamp
Small pack for snacks and water (if they won't fit in your camera bag)

Recommended Camera Gear

DSLR or mirrorless, or camera
Lenses: 16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 100mm-600mm
Solid tripod with a ball head
Extra batteries
Memory Cards
Lens cloths, rocket blower, etc.
Rain hood for the camera and lens
Filters (Circular Polarizing Filter, Graduated ND Filter, and Solid ND filter for long exposures)
Camera manual
Spikes for tripod

Every expert started with questions—yours are always welcome!

Professional Instruction Provided During the Pacific Coast Lighthouse Photography Workshop Includes:

Whether you're a beginner learning manual mode or an advanced photographer refining your portfolio, you’ll get personalized instruction tailored to your goals and gear. You’ll learn hands-on techniques for composition, long exposures, depth, lighting, and post-processing.
Shooting in manual mode (Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, depth of field)
Lens selection for composition and lighting
Creating stunning compositions (rule of thirds and simplicity)
Finding foreground elements
Creating intimate, abstract images inside the redwood forest or on the coast
Capturing breathtaking seascapes at sunrise and sunset
Creating panoramic images
Night sky photography techniques, if weather and time permit
Filters - how and when to use them
Technical tools (e.g. bracketing, focus stacking, histogram usage)

Your investment and peace of mind are important.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

**Yes, we all indeed want simple payment plans, clear instructions, and much less hassle if there is an unfortunate cancellation.**
The workshop must be paid in full 90 days before the day the workshop starts. Client cancellations prior to 90 days before the workshop will be eligible for a full refund or transfer of funds paid to another workshop. Refunds are not available after the 90-day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if the minimum participants is not met or in the event of an emergency. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses and therefore ***we strongly recommend travel insurance*** to cover such costs.

The group size is small for this workshop.

To register for this workshop, go to Joe Garza Photography's workshop page and scroll down to agree to the terms and conditions. Once you do this, you can add the deposit or full payment to your cart and make your payment.

All payments go through either Stripe or PayPal, both of which are secure payment methods.

Guides who bring knowledge, patience, and a whole lot of heart.

2026 Oregon Coast Lighthouse Photography Workshop