Chasing Light and Waterfalls | Northern California Photographer
Chasing Waterfalls: Waterfalls & More Photography Workshop
It’s taken awhile to edit a few photos from the Waterfalls & More Photography Workshop held in April. Fortunately, the waterfalls were bursting! Unfortunately, the wildflowers I was hoping for had not quite appeared yet. Did that stop us? Heck, no!
There’s something undeniably magical about waterfalls—the way they roar, shimmer, and tumble through the landscape like nature’s own symphony. As someone who loves photography and being outdoors, I couldn’t resist sharing my loves through a workshop dedicated primarily to waterfall photography. After spending a week immersed in mist, moss, and motion blur, attendees walked away with more than just beautiful images. They gained new skills, a fresh creative spark, a deeper appreciation for the patience behind the shot, and new photography friends..
The Setting: Nature’s Studio
The workshop took place in a lush, forested region known for its network of scenic trails and hidden falls. Our group met early each morning in the lobby of our B&B, gear in tow and coffee in hand. We drove and hiked to our first location—a towering cascade surrounded by moss-covered rocks and dappled sunlight. By their enthusiasm, I could already tell this was going to be a marvelous day and week ahead.
Techniques and Takeaways
Emphasizing the importance of preparation—scouting locations, checking weather conditions, and understanding water flow patterns - we dove into camera settings, discussing how to achieve that silky-smooth water effect (or setting for retaining texture of the water) using long exposures, neutral density filters, and tripods.
A few things we covered:
Shutter Speed is King: To blur water and capture its motion, slower shutter speeds work best.
Filters Matter: ND filters will help when shooting in daylight without overexposing images.
Composition Counts: Framing waterfalls with natural elements—rocks, foliage, reflections—makes a huge difference in depth and storytelling.
We also covered focus stacking for depth of field, how to protect gear from mist (bring rain covers and microfiber cloths!), and the art of patient observation—waiting for light to shift, mist to rise, or leaves to settle into the perfect spot.
Beyond the Lens
What made this workshop so memorable wasn’t just the technical learning—it was the camaraderie. Being around fellow photography enthusiasts, sharing tips and challenges, and collectively gasping at a waterfall revealed around a bend, reminded me of why I picked up a camera in the first place.
By the end of the workshop, I was once again completely inspired.
Final Thoughts
If you ever get the chance to attend a photography workshop—especially one outdoors and hands-on—take it. Waterfall photography, in particular, teaches you how to slow down and connect with your surroundings. You’ll come away with more than just photos; you’ll have stories, skills, and a renewed sense of creativity.
Have you attended a nature photography workshop? Or do you have a favorite waterfall to shoot? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
The photos here are from the workshop held in April 2025. But, you can see more images from prior workshops through the links below:
Autumn Waterfalls Workshop
Photographing Waterfalls
Lower McCloud Falls
Participants - April 2025
The waterfalls were bursting! The image below shows where all that water was going!
Macro, anyone?
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As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape, nature, and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer several educational opportunities including workshops and photography mentoring. You can learn about them by going to SERVICES and WORKSHOPS. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.
Please CONTACT ME with any questions or to schedule your learning session.
Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.
(530) 633-7575
Join other advanced photographers who are recognized for their technical and creative work. Learn more HERE.
It’s taken awhile to edit a few photos from the Waterfalls & More Photography Workshop held in April. Fortunately, the waterfalls were bursting!