What You’ll Experience
📱 Better Smartphone Photos — Learn to get dramatically better images from the phone you already carry.
🌲 Beautiful Sierra Locations — Photograph forests, trails, granite landscapes, wildflowers, and seasonal wildlife.
📸 Hands-On Instruction — Practice composition, light, exposure, focus, and creative storytelling in the field.
👥 Small-Group Learning — Get personalized guidance and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
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These classes are designed for all experience levels, whether you're brand new to photography or simply want to get more out of the smartphone camera you already use.
You don't need a photography background, expensive equipment, or technical knowledge. We'll work at an easy, approachable pace and focus on practical techniques you can immediately use on hikes, vacations, outdoor adventures, and everyday life.
If you've ever looked at a beautiful scene and thought, “I wish my phone could capture this the way I see it,” this class is for you.
You'll learn by photographing real subjects in beautiful Sierra Nevada locations, with plenty of hands-on guidance and opportunities to ask questions along the way.
All you need is your smartphone, comfortable walking shoes, and a willingness to explore and learn.
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You'll learn practical smartphone photography techniques you can use anywhere you go, not just during the class.
Composition — Learn how to arrange your subjects, use natural lines and shapes, and create stronger, more compelling images.
Light — Learn how to recognize good light, work with changing conditions, and use light to add depth and mood to your photos.
Exposure & Focus — Understand how to control brightness and focus so your images look intentional rather than leaving everything up to your phone's automatic settings.
Creative Perspective — Discover how changing your position, angle, and point of view can transform an ordinary scene into a more interesting photograph.
Nature & Wildlife Photography — Learn how to approach and photograph flowers, mushrooms, landscapes, wildlife, and other natural subjects.
Editing — Learn simple techniques for improving your photos and bringing out the details, color, and character you saw when you took the picture.
Creative Storytelling — Learn how to create images that don't just document a place, but communicate what it felt like to be there.
The goal isn't to turn you into a technical photographer. It's to help you see differently, photograph with intention, and get much better results from the camera you already carry.
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Keep it simple. You don't need expensive photography equipment to participate—just bring your smartphone and come ready to explore.
📱 Your Smartphone — Bring the phone you'll be using to take photos. Make sure it's fully charged and has some available storage.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes — We'll be outdoors exploring trails and natural areas, so wear shoes appropriate for uneven terrain.
🧥 Weather-Appropriate Clothing — Sierra Nevada weather can change quickly. Dress in layers and come prepared for the conditions.
💧 Water & Snacks — Bring enough water and any snacks you'll need during the class.
🔋 Portable Charger — Optional, but recommended if you'll be taking lots of photos throughout the day.
That's it! No DSLR, mirrorless camera, special lenses, or expensive accessories required.
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Your photography guide, Courtney Risdon, is a former photography guide at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite, where he guided photography experiences for visitors from around the world.
Over the years, he has led hundreds of photography tours and workshops for photographers of every skill level—from complete beginners to world-class professionals. His work has also received multiple awards.
That experience has shaped a teaching style that is practical, approachable, and focused on helping each photographer get the most from their own camera—including the smartphone they already carry.
Rather than simply teaching technical settings, Courtney will help you see light, recognize strong compositions, find creative perspectives, and make intentional photographic decisions while you're actually out in the field.
Whether you're taking your first steps into photography or looking to refine skills you've already developed, you'll learn in a relaxed, hands-on environment while exploring the beautiful Sierra Nevada.
Come ready to explore, learn, and see the landscape through a photographer's eye.
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What type of smartphone do I need?
The class is designed for modern smartphones with a built-in camera, including both iPhone and Android devices. You'll learn how to get the best results from the phone you already own.
Do I need any photography experience?
Not at all. These classes are designed for all experience levels, from complete beginners to people who already take photos but want to get better results from their smartphone.
Do I need to download any special apps?
No. Special photography apps or equipment are not required. We'll focus on techniques you can use with your phone's built-in camera and cover simple editing techniques you can use to improve your images.
Can I bring a different camera?
These classes are specifically designed around smartphone photography, so the instruction will focus on getting the most from your phone. If you're interested in learning with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, check out our upcoming field photography workshops.
Will we be photographing real subjects outdoors?
These are hands-on field classes. You'll be photographing real landscapes, plants, flowers, mushrooms, wildlife, and other natural subjects while learning how to recognize and create stronger images.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Classes run rain or shine, including during winter weather, unless there is an active lightning storm or conditions make it unsafe to be outdoors. Sierra Nevada weather can change quickly, so come prepared for the conditions.
How large are the classes?
Class size is limited to a maximum of 8 participants, allowing plenty of opportunity for hands-on instruction, questions, and individual guidance.
Where do we meet?
Classes take place throughout Tuolumne County in the Sierra Nevada. We typically meet near Twain Harte, California, but the exact meeting location varies depending on the season, trail conditions, and road conditions. You'll receive the specific meeting location and details for your class after booking.
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Maximum Group Size
Classes are limited to a maximum of 8 participants.Classes run rain or shine, including during winter weather, unless there is an active lightning storm or conditions make it unsafe to hold the class. Sierra Nevada weather can change quickly, so please come prepared for the conditions.
Cancellations & Transfers
Because class sizes are limited to 8 participants, cancellations can leave a spot that we are unable to fill. For this reason, payments are non-refundable once processed.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us at least 7 days before your scheduled class. With 7 or more days' notice, we'll transfer your payment as a credit toward another available class, subject to availability.
Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 7 days before your scheduled class are not eligible for a transfer or refund. We understand that unexpected circumstances happen and may make exceptions for emergencies at our discretion.
If we need to cancel a class because of unsafe weather or conditions, you'll have the option to transfer your payment to another available class or receive a full refund.
Liability Waiver
All participants are required to review and accept our California liability waiver before participating.