Redwood Forest and Oregon Coast Workshop
May 28 - June 2, 2026 | Crescent City, California
The fog glides in suddenly from the Pacific Ocean into the forest. All sounds vanish. Wind stops howling. Branches stop cracking, and leaves don’t rustle anymore. With rising fog, silence grows. And when the sun strikes the chords of the tall trees, the music of sunbeams begins. Then you hear nothing else… Nothing… but the Light!
Explore and photograph two of the most iconic landscapes in the Pacific Northwest—California’s Redwood Forest and the Oregon Coast. This multi-day landscape photography workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels who want to improve their craft, capture breathtaking scenery, and enjoy a fun, small-group experience.
From the towering ancient redwoods to dramatic sea stacks, tide pools, and coastal cliffs, you’ll have the opportunity to shoot in some of the most awe-inspiring and photogenic locations in North America. We’ll chase the light through coastal fog, golden hour, and forest-filtered sunbeams—giving you the tools and experience to create truly impactful images.
Your instructors, Joe and Lalit, bring over 40 years of combined experience leading photography workshops around the world. Rain or shine, they know how to make the most of every scene—and they keep the mood light with humor, encouragement, and a collaborative spirit.
This workshop is about more than just great photos—it’s about connection, creativity, and enjoying the journey with like-minded photographers. Expect professional guidance, stunning landscapes, and lots of laughs.
Daydreaming isn’t uncommon in Redwoods. Yet let’s get real.
Redwoods and Oregon Coast Photography Workshop Information
Trillium Blooms in Del Norte State Park
Group Size: Limited to 10 people
Dates: May 28 - June 2, 2026
Cost: $4,200.00
Deposit: 50% deposit due at the time of registration, which can be completed at the bottom of this page.
Included: Lodging, transportation during the workshop, guiding services, all required permits.
Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the airport, meals, snacks, gratuities for instructors and/or guides.
Booking: The workshop must be paid in full 90 days before the workshop's start date. Refunds are not available after the 90-day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.
Instructor is a FRIEND you trust.
Workshop Instructors | Redwoods & 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 renowned for his dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and profound affection for tropical destinations like Hawaii and the Caribbean. Lalit brings a rich background in landscape and contemplative photography, along with a thoughtful and 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 redwoods 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!
Your satisfaction is OUR tour highlight.
Highlights | Redwood Forest & Oregon Coast Photography Workshop
During the workshop, we will be visiting iconic locations including, but not limited to:
Blooming Rhododendrons
Stunning Redwood Forest Scenes
Del Norte's Trail
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Samuel Boardman Corridor
Secret Beach
Lady Bird Johnson Redwood Grove
Fern Canyon
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Weather always has its plans. Let us follow the path of light.
Workshop Schedule | Redwood Forest & Oregon Coast Photography
Sun sets behind the sea stacks. Lupines bloom on the Oregon coast in the spring.
This tour will begin on May 28th. We will meet in the lobby of Light House Inn, Crescent City, CA at 5:30 pm on May 28th when we'll take time to introduce ourselves to everyone and answer any questions. Then we'll head out for our first venture - sunset on the Oregon Coast!
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.
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 June 2nd. Check out of the hotel is at 11 am on June 2nd.
Good Sleep. Good Trip.
Lodging, Travel & Transportation | Redwood Photography Workshop
Yup! We are all humans! We want you to be comfortable so you can have all the energy to be creative.
We will be leaving every morning from the Light House Inn. 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 before the workshop. You will want to check in after 2 pm on May 28th.
Amenities include Free Parking, Free WiFi, and complimentary breakfast.
Your room will be booked for check in on May 28 and check out on June 2. If you plan to arrive a 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 Eureka (ACV) or Crescent City (CEC) and rent a car or take a cab to arrive at the hotel in Crescent City. Crescent City is about 1.5 hours from Eureka. Be sure to allow enough time after your flight to arrive and check in by 4 pm on May 28th.
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.
Your SAFETY comes FIRST. COMFORT rides along.
Difficulty of Workshop and Recommended Gear
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
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 camera and lens
Filters (Circular Polarizing Filter, Graduated ND Filter, and Solid ND filter for long exposures)
Camera manual
Damnation Creek Trail in California Redwoods State Parks
“Is it ok to ask a basic camera question?” … Always a big “YES”!
Professional Instruction Provided During the Redwood Photography Workshop Includes:
Not only the giant redwoods but little emerald gems decorating the floor will also take your breath away!
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, DOF)
Lens selection for composition and lighting
Creating stunning compositions (rule of thirds and simplicity)
Finding foreground elements
Creating intimate images at the redwood forest or on the coast
Capturing breathtaking seascapes at sunrise and sunset
Creating panoramic images
Night sky photography, as the weather and time permit
Filters - how and when to use them
Technical tools (e.g., bracketing, focus stacking, histogram)
True! Money matters to all of us.
Payments and Cancellation
Sorrels carpet the forest floor in California Redwoods National and State Park.
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 minimum participants are 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 please Contact Lalit
Everyone likes to be encouraged.
The Photography Workshop Instructors
JOE GARZA
Born and raised in Westland, Michigan, Joe has always had a passion for photography. It started while serving in the United States Navy in the early 90's when his travels brought him all over the world. He was able to turn his passion into his profession and continues to focus on bringing you amazing images through his collection of images from National Parks, Hawaii, and the U.S. from the east coast lighthouses, Colorado mountains, and canyons and deserts across the southwest. Joe resides in Madison, Wisconsin with his girlfriend, Sarah, and their children.
LALIT DESHMUKH
Lalit Deshmukh is a professional fine art photographer based in the Pacific Northwest, with over 20 years of experience capturing landscapes across the U.S. and India. A passionate teacher, he has led workshops around the world and inspired thousands of students through his thoughtful, emotion-driven approach to nature photography. Lalit’s work has been featured in solo exhibitions, recognized by Canon USA, and published in leading photography magazines. He also directs environmental documentaries and regularly speaks at universities and global organizations.
Your A D V E N T U R E awaits!
Crescent City is home to the northernmost lighthouse of the California Coastline