Fall is one of the most inherently picturesque and least crowded seasons to pursue compelling landscape photography in Yosemite National Park. Various species of trees turn at slightly different times, and they all vary a bit from year to year, so each season offers a unique tapestry of colors and compositions. This workshop will include intimate and grand landscapes teeming with fall colors from dogwoods, oaks, cottonwood trees, willows and ferns.
Fall colors season in Yosemite can also offer fall storms, which move through fast, and leave swirling fog, plus mist along the vertical granite walls and precariously perched trees. Passing clouds often catch sunrise and sunset light and color. Even the clear days offer a bonus , as heavy frost adorns thistles and ferns. Ground fog can form in meadows on cool nights and cold mornings. Sun rays filter through trees and pierce the fog as the sun rises. There can even be light snow, but fortunately the climate in Yosemite Valley is just warm enough that snow typically doesn’t stick around for long.
2025 is the 14th season that Lori Hibbett and I have been leading workshops in Yosemite National Park, and of the several dozen photography workshops we’ve led in the park, over 30 have been centered around Yosemite Valley. Along with our experiences living near and visiting the park for decades prior, we’ve learned the rhythms of the seasons, the weather, and the light during the day. Given this deep experience, we’re able to assess weather and sunrise/sunset forecasts, and watch unfolding weather and light, and deduce where to be next to position ourselves for superior photography opportunities.
When convenient we also like to time our Yosemite Fall Colors workshop to take advantage of a moon rise near El Capitan and Half Dome at sunset. 2025 will be one of those favorable years!
Sunsets and dinners are early this time of year, so we can spend time after dinner practicing night photography by moonlight if you like. Longer exposures at night uncover the movement of the water in the Merced River, and colorful leaves swirling and streaking through eddies alongside reflections of Yosemite’s iconic landmarks.
The photography opportunities can be spectacular! Every year is different, so this is one of our workshops that some of our clients repeat over and over again. It’s also one of our more popular workshops, so it tends to fill a little faster than most, so sign up early so you don’t miss out this opportunity to run around the park and photograph locations that we love to share with our clients. Lodging selection and prices tend to be better in advance as well.
No doubt everyone can show you a few photos from Yosemite National Park. I’m proud to show you 1000+ of mine to illustrate some portion of our experience there!
