ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME. ALL EQUIPMENT FROM SMART PHONES, TO HIGH END MIRRORLESS; AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - WILL FIT RIGHT IN!
April 16 - 17 - 18 - 19, 2026
Do you crave inspiration from the outdoors? Embark on an unforgettable adventure with instructors Tomas Alvarez and Jay Grammond as we explore the captivating Waterfalls & Landscapes of Lake Superior's stunning North Shore. Over the course of four exhilarating days, you'll chase the beauty of cascading waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes, honing your skills in capturing the essence of this majestic region from Sunrise and Sunset. Our base at the luxurious Best Western PLUS Superior Inn in Grand Marais offers the perfect retreat after each day's exploration; and fantastic breakfasts to make the morning complete. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the North Shore and elevate your photography in one of the most picturesque locations imaginable. Whether you are refining your skills or stepping into a new creative chapter in life, this workshop blends field instruction, personal guidance, and a spirit of adventure that brings the North Shore to life! Register now and let the adventure begin!
Prior to April 16th, we will meet virtually via Zoom, to start to get to know each other; and go over what to expect for weather; ground conditions; melt off; gear, etc.
We with gather at the Bestwestern PLUS Superior Inn in Grand Marais on April 16th in the afternoon. Then will head out for our first Sunset shoot. After that, we will enjoy a nice dinner together (on your own, and optional.)
Starting on Friday, we will have our first full day of photographing and adventuring; followed by another full day on Saturday! (There will be some down time to rest.)
We will finish up on Sunday, with one more waterfall before we all part ways.
About 3 weeks later, we will have a reunion via Zoom to go over editing images, and revisit the fun times had.
Fee: is $1,500 [includes taxes and fees.] $1,440 [includes taxes] if paying by check. Transportation/Lodging/Meals are NOT included (except if we are able to work in Hotel Breakfasts) in the fee. Included: Pre and Post Zoom events; and instruction during the workshop. Spots are limited. Room reservations can be made now. Once you register I will send you the reservation info link; Registration deadline is Feb 16th.
If it works better for you, you can choose a half payment ($750/$720 by check) up front; with the second half due in February 2026.
We will be staying at The Best Western PLUS Superior Inn in Grand Marais.
Rooms are priced as follows: Standard 2-Queen is $179.99 + taxes and fees/night.
***Please consider bringing non-perishable food items and or supplies that we all need; which will be donated to a local Food Shelf***
Tomas Alvarez: As a technologist and professional photographer, I've embarked on a transformative journey, evolving from a photography enthusiast after college to being wholeheartedly captivated by the art form a decade ago. Photography has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of my life, leaving an indelible mark in countless ways. Delve into my portfolio of landscape images, and you'll discover a distinctive style that seamlessly merges artistic vision with a profound reverence for the natural world. Each photograph tells a story, encapsulating the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us. Through the years, my dedication and passion have been recognized through solo and group exhibitions, accolades in publications, and even gracing the covers of a few notable works.
I am a professional photographer based out of Minnesota. I made the leap of faith from an award winning career in Lifelong Learning to become a full time photographer in January of 2020!
I operate photography workshops in the West and Midwest. I took the reigns of an annual event called the Black Hills Photo Shootout in 2019 and have been organizing that for the past five years. It is a weekend of photography in the Black Hills with multiple instructors in multiple locations. In my time running this event, I have worked with Keynote speakers like: Joel Grimes, Darrell Gulin, Erik Kuna, and Ian Plant.
In 2020, I organized a very successful multi-week on-line photography event for the Black Hills Photo Shootout. In 2021, I started to offer my "Adventure" Workshops in locations like Theodore Roosevelt NP (with Co-Instructors Fred Rogers & Jim Caldwell); Badlands NP (with Co-Instructor Chad Coppess); and the Bighorn Mountains (with Co-Instructors Chad Coppess & Tomas Alvarez). Other Adventure Workshops include: Minnesota (Lake Superior's North Shore with Co-Instructor Tomas Alvarez); South Dakota (Toy Photography | Art of the Harvest with Co-Instructor Chad Coppess). Recently, I have worked with Erik Kuna to produce a Milky Way Retreat in the SD Badlands; which included special instructors: Russell Brown; Rick & Susan Sammon; and Rammi K.
I published my first book, "Fading Ads Of The Twin Cities" in February of 2022.
I hope that you can join us in Minnesota! Jay
Check out my work: https://www.jgrammondphotography.net
Event Sponsors:
LensProToGo.com
Tomas Alvarez Photography
J Grammond Photography
ThinkTank
Ulanzi