Photography Workshops
In one way or another, many workshops and training sessions tend to take on a personality.
I believe that the host or the instructor drives that for the most part, and managed properly, it allows the participants to relax and be themselves. Even with a group of strangers.
How do I drive that? It’s a simple one word answer. PASSION. I are very passionate about sharing the art and technique of picture making. I look for the artist in each individual and nurture it throughout the workshop, building confidence and know how. I know everyone learns differently, and I'll work with you at your own speed to help drive the points home and establish good, consistent habits as you grow and learn.
Keith firmly believes that the learning environment is critical to the improvement of skills and growth. That learning is always easier when it’s fun. So while the topic may be a technical one and a requirement for moving on, Keith will present it in a stress free package and through an enjoyable style that keeps the fun in the session. Regardless of your pace and past experience, the design of the workshops is to ensure you experience growth in your photographic ability, have memory cards filled with images, and forge lasting friendships through fun, positive shared experiences.
Eastern Sierras Mountains in Fall Oct 11-16, 2026
Join the excitement of the inaugural workshop in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, years in the making. From Reno, NV, south towards Bishop, CA., we will bring you to beautiful mountain scenery and golden fall colors, as only the golden aspen trees can display. Scenes like mountain lakes and streams, majestic mountain ranges, and valleys, building your portfolio as well as teaching and sharing the technicalities to photograph these photogenic locations.
Overview
WHAT THE TRIP IS LIKE
While we firmly believe in making learning fun, this is not designed to be a restful vacation. The lighting that makes the majority of our locations fabulous occurs early and or late in the day. So we will be getting up before the sun to travel to the places in time to arrive just as the sun reaches the proper height in the sky. Some of our locations are situated east of a mountain range, so the desired sun angle will appear later in the morning as it clears the mountains; however, some places are perfectly positioned for sunrise or soon after. So, it is possible we may shoot first, then stop for breakfast/brunch, depending on the day and the weather. You will know in enough time to make whatever adjustments you'll need in your routine for timely eating. We do encourage healthy snacking to help you get through the various times until we can take our scheduled breaks for sustenance.
Each day is different. We’ll do our best to give you a plan of what each day will bring the night before, but everything depends on the weather. Also, of the 5 nights we are together on the workshop, we will spend two nights in a row twice and one night only once to minimize the impact of packing and unpacking as well as room in the vehicles. There may be more than one occasion we come back to the hotel for breakfast before we depart for the day.
We will stay together for the trip. We’ll pick restaurants so we can all meet up and enjoy each other’s company, talk about photography, and even share photos.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Guiding to locations: With nearly two decades of exploring and photographing this region, we know exactly where to take you for the most breathtaking experiences. Our deep local knowledge of weather patterns, peak fall colors, and ideal lighting conditions ensures you’ll be in the right place at the right time for truly unforgettable shots.
- One-on-one instruction: We provide personalized instruction to help you master composition and confidently handle the technical side of photography—at your own comfort level. As you capture the stunning mountain landscapes and vibrant fall colors in diverse lighting conditions, we’ll also guide you to start shooting with post-processing in mind, elevating your images from beautiful to breathtaking.
- Post Workshop Critique: Since we’ll be challenging you during the workshop to think about your post-production tools, it’s only fair that we offer you a little something in return—a private 15-minute critique session over Zoom or a call. It’s not about getting you to edit our way, but rather to give you feedback and insights to help you grow and refine your portfolio.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Lodging: To allow us to begin registration this far out before we have heard from the hotels on next fall’s 2026 pricing, we are not including lodging in the registration price. We will make every effort to provide you with the current pricing for your budget planning and attempt to negotiate a block of rooms at a discount at the hotels we are staying at to ensure you have what you need for planning purposes.
- Transportation: Transportation will not be provided. We will help connect participants after sign-ups, and you may choose to coordinate with other participants for sharing the costs of rental vehicles.
- Meals: Meals, snacks, and beverages are the responsibility of the participant.
- Travel to and from Reno, NV.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILL LEVEL/EQUIPMENT
The biggest physical challenge on this trip will likely be the altitude. We’ll be spending quite a bit of time above 5,500 feet, with several days over 8,000 feet, and even one location close to 9,000 feet above sea level.
Everyone reacts differently to higher elevations—it really depends on where you live now, your overall fitness level, and how your body handles thinner air. If you live most of the year below 2,000 feet and lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle, you may find the adjustment more noticeable. Symptoms can range from a brief spell of lightheadedness to mild headaches, especially on the first day as your body adapts. Some people adjust quickly, while others feel it each time we reach their personal “threshold” altitude—which can vary day to day.
If you’d like to prepare ahead of time, there’s plenty of great information online about getting your body ready for high elevations. The sooner you start preparing, the better you’ll feel once you’re here. You can also find bottled oxygen products like Boost, which can be helpful at altitude (just note that you can’t bring them on airplanes since they’re compressed gas—but they’re available at several shops near the Reno airport).
Aside from the altitude, the trip itself isn’t very physically demanding. If you’re comfortable walking one to two miles on uneven terrain, you’ll be just fine. We don’t expect to cover that distance at once, but it’s a good reference point. And of course, if any location feels outside your comfort zone, you’re always welcome to sit it out—relax in the car or take a break back at the hotel if we’re staying put for the day.
From a photography perspective, everyone is welcome! You definitely don’t need to be an advanced photographer to enjoy this workshop. Most groups tend to have a mix—mainly intermediate photographers, a few advanced participants, and a few beginners.
If you’re new to photography, don’t let that hold you back. This is a perfect opportunity to dive in. Over five immersive days, you’ll be surrounded by photography—learning, practicing, and reinforcing key concepts that short classes simply can’t match. And with hands-on guidance and immediate application in the field, you’ll grow your skills faster and more confidently than ever.
Suggested Equipment:
Minimum gear:
- A full-frame mirrorless or DSLR or larger camera body.
- Batteries for 10 hours of shooting.
- A "walk around" 24-70mm or 24-105 lens.
- A sturdy tripod that can hold a camera still in moderate winds.
- Circular polarizers and ND filters.
- Memory cards to hold 3000 images in RAW
Additional gear:
- 70-200mm Lens
- A second camera body
- A Cleaning Kit
Event Information
| Event Date | Oct-11-2026 |
| Event End Date | Oct-16-2026 |
| Cut Off Date | Oct-08-2026 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Individual Price | $2,300.00 |
| Experience Level | Novice, Beginner, Amateur, Advanced Amateur, Professional |
| Location | Eastern Sierra Mountains |
Refund & Deposit Policy
The refund policy is:
- Up to 90 days before the workshop, you will receive a 75% refund
- Up to 60 days before the workshop, you will receive a 50% refund
- Up to 30 days before the workshop, you will receive a 25% refund
Except for one-day workshops, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required at registration to reserve your spot. If you’re registering within 120 days of the workshop start date, the full balance is due at that time.
** Exceptions to non-refundable:
If there is a waiting list and the spot you vacated is filled.
If you find a person to fill your spot. They must mention you by name as a replacement.
Workshop Reviews
Meet Instructor Keith French
Keith is currently a Commercial Photographer in the Greater Chicago Area specializing in visual communication for marking and advertising.
Many novices and amateur photographers begin their love affair with photography in nature. Keith was no different. After completing military flight school he realized he will be going to some interesting places and should probably learn to use a good camera. A few years after learning how to operate his camera Keith took a tour of the Smokey Mountains in the early spring, the camera opportunities were abundant in all directions. He was hooked. Not yet a full time photographer, Keith carried his cameras everywhere while on active military duty, Asia, Europe, Australia, both US Coasts, the desert southwest, and Canada. At the same time, Keith was getting requests to photograph people, products, and events, and saw each new opportunity to branch out into other aspects of photography. After 18 years of self-teaching, and mentoring under professional photographers, Keith became the owner of an existing retail camera store and photo studio in 2002 and used that opportunity to accelerate his now professional career in studio photography. It wasn't long before camera classes were being held at the store to share the passion on a regular basis. Comfortable in front of a class from his military days Keith has had hundreds of customers take his beginning photography class. An experienced outdoors-men and land navigator trained by the Marine Corps, and an experienced teaching photographer make the transition to this type of outdoor, moving classroom a natural progression.
©
2026
Keith French Photography