BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-// - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260416T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260416T133000 DTSTAMP:20260604T164026 CREATED:20260115T233041Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T195430Z UID:5435-1776333600-1776346200@valeriehoffmanphotography.com SUMMARY:Spring Blooms Photo Trek-Date Change!!! DESCRIPTION:In April\, Longwood Gardens comes alive with spring bulbs and tulips in rainbows of color. Watch as spring color seemingly explodes to paint the landscape in vibrant hues. Tulips\, daffodils\, dogwoods\, wisteria and more herald spring’s arrival indoors and out. Breathe in the fresh spring air and relish the beauty as we photograph in the Idea Garden and Flower Garden Walk\, where more than 240\,000 tulips burst into bloom! \n\n\n\nThis Photo Trek will focus on creative composition and  learning to see more creatively. Our focus will be on composing gorgeous images of the grand landscape\, as well as getting up close and personal with the amazing details before our eyes. \n\n\n\nAmong the many techniques discussed will be how to creatively compose images to bring out the character of the subject\, learning to see and use light creatively\, using fill flash and diffusers to control harsh light\,  the use of circular polarizers to deepen color saturation and more\, in-camera multiple exposures and other creative techniques! \n\n\n\nGreat for all levels of photo enthusiasts with any camera gear. \n\n\n\nRecommended Gear: DSLR with fully charged batteries and lots of memory. Tripod and cable release. Circular polarizer. Lens hoods. Macro lens or close up accessories-helpful\, but not necessary. Knee pads. You will receive an email prior to the trek with detail on what to bring and all the details. A pre-trek zoom session will be held the week prior to go through teaching techniques and all the details. \nThis workshop is being held during the week to maximize photography apart from the huge weekend crowds. Trek is rain or shine. In the event of rain\, we will spend our time photographing inside the gorgeous conservatory. \n\n\n \nGroup is kept to a small number of participants in order to allow for plenty of personal assistance. A minimum number of participants is needed to run this trek. \n\n\n \nCost of workshop does not include admission to Longwood Gardens. Timed Tickets are necessary to enter the garden-for members as well as non-members during Spring Blooms. Please secure your timed ticket as soon as you register for this trek. DO NOT WAIT until the last minute! Longwood tickets sell out quickly! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n  URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/trek/spring-blooms-photo-trek/ LOCATION:Longwood Gardens\, 1001 Longwood Rd\, Kennett Square\, PA\, 19348\, United States CATEGORIES:Trek,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IMG_0219.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T153000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260419T120000 DTSTAMP:20260604T164026 CREATED:20260110T180034Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260110T181103Z UID:11119-1776439800-1776600000@valeriehoffmanphotography.com SUMMARY:NJ Night Skies Weekend Adventure Trek DESCRIPTION:  \nHave you ever looked up at the night sky\, and wished you could capture stunning images of the stars? \nAstro photography is a fascinating and fun photographic venture. But it can also be extremely challenging. Knowing where to go and when\, what gear to bring\, and being able to see\, focus\, and change camera settings in the dark can be intimidating and frustrating to a beginner. But\, capturing great images of the night skies is easier than you think! You just need a few key pieces of gear\, and a good understanding of some basic camera settings\, and you are off to discovering a whole new world! \nJoin us for our Night Skies photography workshop in South Jersey\, where we potentially plan on photographing the stars\, star trails and Milky Way above 2 different lighthouses and a WW1 military bunker! (plans are subject to change). We will be fully immersed in shooting and editing images from Friday before sunset until Sunday afternoon! \nThe workshop begins on Friday April 17th at 3:30pm and runs through Sunday the 19th at noon. There will be a pre-trek class being held via Zoom on Wednesday April 8th at 7pm. During the class we will review everything you need to know to come away with great images\, including what gear to bring\, what settings to use for a variety of shooting scenarios\, where we’ll go\, what we’ll see and more! \nWe can work with whatever gear you have\, but\, a camera that can be set fully manually (both exposure and focus)\, a sturdy tripod and a fast wide angle lens will give the best results. Your camera needs to have the ability to shoot at an ISO as high as 6400 or higher for best results\, but 3200 ISO would still work. \nThere will be hands-on\, detailed instruction given throughout the event\, but photographer’s should come with a good understanding of how to use their own camera\, and be able to change aperture\, shutter speeds\, ISO and focus without struggle-in the dark. Although we will make as many settings as we can before heading out\, the majority of the time you will be operating your gear in the dark(with the help of a faint flashlight)\, and you should be comfortable doing so. You should also be comfortable with being out -with the group\, for up to 4 hours or more in the dark\, potentially in chilly weather. This date was chosen to coincide with a New Moon\, so the moon’s brightness will not adversely affect the visibility of the stars. \nFriday night we will be out photographing as long as the conditions are suitable and the group has energy\, then return to our hotel for much needed rest. We will sleep in and rest until lunchtime on Saturday\, and are not currently planning on photographing any sunrises-unless we are still out:) We will try our best to capture sunset on both Friday and Saturday nights. \nHotel suggestions will be given upon registration. Hotel and meals are not included in the cost of the workshop. We are planning on carpooling together to locations. Passengers should come prepared to share gas expenses with their driver. \nWe will still be out shooting even if it is cloudy\, but will reschedule if high threat of rain. \nSpace is limited\, and will likely sell out. If you are interested in joining us\, don’t wait to register! A detailed informational email will be sent upon registration to help you prepare. Meeting/hotel location TBD \nIf you attended this event in previous years\, contact me for an Alumni discounted rate. Also\, if you are unable to make it for both nights and would like to join us for Friday or Saturday\, contact me and we can work out details! I’d like to make this an opportunity for anyone who would like to join us to be able to do so. \nIn case of inclement weather\, the workshop will be rescheduled. \nNote: Save $20 by paying by VENMO or CASH app! Just contact me to register. Valerie@ValerieHoffmanPhotography.com \n  URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/trek/nj-night-skies-weekend-adventure-trek-2/ CATEGORIES:Trek,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9176073-Enhanced-NR.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T170000 DTSTAMP:20260604T164026 CREATED:20260324T164412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T195812Z UID:13289-1778227200-1778259600@valeriehoffmanphotography.com SUMMARY:Wonders of Waterfall Photography in the Delaware Water Gap DESCRIPTION:One of my favorite times to photograph waterfalls is in the early spring\, when the leaves just have that amazing early green glow\, the temps are (usually) mild\, and there is often mist and fog in the early morning air. Perfect conditions for waterfall photography. And the Delaware Water Gap is a great place to photograph a bunch of beautiful waterfalls with minimal physical effort. \nJoin us for a full day of waterfall photography on a weekday to avoid the crowds. We will meet early to begin our adventure. Potential stops will be Bushkill\, Childs Park\, Dingman’s Falls and stream\, Marshall’s Falls\, and Raymondskill Falls and more. \nDuring our pre-workshop Zoom session\, you will learn everything you need to know to capture stunning waterfall images. Focus will be on the creative use of shutter speed to capture soft silky water\, composition\, depth of field\, dealing with high contrast light\, creative use of filters and more. Suggested gear will also be discussed. Minimal gear is needed-mainly a sturdy tripod and wide angle to mid-range zoom. \nThis workshop is great for beginners as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. \nRegistration deadline is April 30th. Don’t wait-register today! \nNote: Number of tickets on website does not reflect actual number of tickets sold\, as many people choose to pay with Venmo or CASH app. Contact me directly if that is how you would like to pay. \nAlso consider staying overnight in the area and joining us for an incredible 3 hour shoot in the amazing Luna Parc-home to artist Ricky Boscarino. His private residence is open only a small handful of times per year. Check out more details and registration in separate event listing! \nBelow are shots from our potential waterfall spots. URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/trek/wonders-of-waterfall-photography/ CATEGORIES:Trek,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/B9266808.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T073000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T153000 DTSTAMP:20260604T164026 CREATED:20220408T202426Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T195825Z UID:7736-1778916600-1778945400@valeriehoffmanphotography.com SUMMARY:Spring Waterfall Trek at Ricketts Glen DESCRIPTION:Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania\, encompassing more than 13\,000 acres in Luzerne\, Sullivan and Columbia continues. It is also a premiere place to hike and photograph waterfalls! \nThe Falls Trail is a 3 1/2 to 7 mile trail through the Glens Natural Area\, a National Natural Landmark. The trail boasts a series of wild\, free-flowing waterfalls-the tallest of which is the 94-foot Gangoga Falls. There are 22 named waterfalls along the trail\, and countless gorgeous cascades along the stream in between. The area is an absolute treasure and a favorite destination of those who love photographing the stunning beauty waterfalls. The falls pictured here are a small sample of those along the trail-but necessarily all that will be seen on our trek. \nDue to the moderate difficulty of the trail\, and the desire to make this trek accessible to most levels of physical ability\, we will only be covering approximately half of the trail. How we proceed will depend on the level of fitness of the group as a whole. One additional falls lies near the entrance to the lower portion of the trail\, and is a must-see. \nMinimal gear is required. Workshop participants can use a variety of lenses and focal lengths – the best ranging from super-wide to mid-range telephoto. Circular polarizers\, lens hoods and a sturdy tripod along with several lens cloths\, spare batteries\, and a cable release are the primary pieces of necessary gear. Neutral density filters to slow the flow of the water are also highly recommended. \nParticipants should be able to walk at least 3-4 miles over sometimes slippery and rocky\, root-covered terrain-most likely all downhill. Our pace will be slow and easy\, as determined by the physical level of the group. Sturdy hiking boots-preferably waterproof\, must be worn. Absolutely no sandals or sneakers-both of which would be hazardous to hike in along this trail. We also recommend using at least one hiking pole to help ensure hiking stability. The trail can be steep and narrow in places. Probably not a great fit if you are afraid of heights. All that being said\, the trail is safe and manageable for all those in reasonably good health. Again\, the pace will be slow and steady. Bad knees are not a good fit for this trail. Feel free to contact me if you have any concern about physical issues. \nA detailed email with a complete list of recommended gear and suggested personal items will be sent prior to the trek\, to help participants prepare. A pre-trek Zoom class will be held on Tuesday\, May 12th to review images\, camera gear\, shooting tips\, and all details. The class will be recorded for anyone who has a conflict\, but it is highly recommended that you attend live if at all possible. \nIf traveling from a distance\,  contact me for suggestions on hotels in the area. There are many in the Wilkes Barre area\, about a half an hour away. \nCost of the workshop includes the pre-trek Zoom class\, instruction throughout the entire event\, and will also include a post-trek image review\, where participants will be able to share images and receive helpful feedback and post processing tips. Additionally\, you will also be invited to join our private Facebook group\, where workshop participants can share their images and interact with fellow photographers. These offer excellent opportunities to be in community with a fun and friendly group of photographers\, and continue your learning opportunities. \nPlease note: workshop will take place in a light rain-because that’s when waterfalls are at their finest. If severe weather is forecast\, we will reschedule. URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/trek/spring-waterfall-trek-at-ricketts-glen/ CATEGORIES:Trek,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0014-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T113000 DTSTAMP:20260604T164026 CREATED:20260602T180022Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T180104Z UID:13634-1784966400-1784979000@valeriehoffmanphotography.com SUMMARY:Creative Flower and Insect Photography at Bondsville Mill Historic Park DESCRIPTION:In the early 1800s\, Abraham Bond established Bondsville as a factory village. During the Civil War\, the mill produced uniforms for Union soldiers. By 1927\, the Collins & Aikman Corporation purchased the property and produced automobile upholstery cloth. During its heyday around World War II\, the mill employed three shifts\, largely producing canvas military ware for stretchers\, tank and jeep covers\, tents\, haversacks\, and water-pail buckets. \nThe township acquired the mill in 2005 using its own open-space funds and began cleaning up the property and securing collapsed buildings. \nFuture plans include the conversion of an old quarry and coal dump into an outdoor amphitheater for meetings and nature programs like ornitherapy (relaxing with birds). \nA pollinator garden provides an opportunity to see or photograph butterflies. There’s also a certified monarch butterfly waystation where over 200 have been tagged and released annually for the past three years. Usually the first stop for new visitors\, Bondsville’s Memorial Garden is dedicated to the WWII-era mill workers. The park also has a quarter-mile gravel nature trail that loops around the mill buildings and along Beaver Creek. A trail also leads to the water tower and a loop to the north of the property through old spruce\, maple and oak forest. (info from their website) \nThis is such a fun place to visit and spend time photographing a huge variety of subjects. You can spend hours photographing the historic buildings from a variety of angles\, while including the beautiful garden in the frames. There are a ton of pollinators that also kept you occupied for hours. Those interested in capturing unique images of historic buildings\, beautiful gardens and the pollinators that visit them will love this workshop! \nInstruction will be given on how to create depth in your images\, by including great foreground\, mid-ground and then background subjects. Instruction will also be given on creative flower portraits\, macro flower and insect photography\, dealing with harsh lighting\, and more. We will cover everything you need to know on a pre-trek zoom session about a week before the event. Registration fee also covers a post-trek image review along with editing tips to help improve your images. \nJoin us for this new and unique workshop in Downingtown\, PA. \nPre-registration required. URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/trek/creative-flower-and-insect-photography-at-bondsville-mill-historic-park/ CATEGORIES:Trek ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/B7211507.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T213000 DTSTAMP:20260604T164026 CREATED:20250611T233024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T173348Z UID:8189-1785522600-1785533400@valeriehoffmanphotography.com SUMMARY:Shooting Sports Like A Pro With The Reading Fightin' Phils DESCRIPTION:What better way to enjoy a summer evening than spending an evening at a baseball game? And for the photo enthusiast\, what better way to enjoy the game than capturing the action like the pros in the press area! We will have special access during the entire game to shoot in the press areas along the first and third base dugouts. We will also be able to shoot from a variety of locations throughout the stadium. Instruction will be given prior to the event during a pre-trek Zoom class\, and throughout to help you capture the action with whatever gear\, and whatever level of photographic knowledge you have. \nInstruction will be given on best settings to capture fast action\, focus on moving subjects\, composition\, dealing with difficult light\, and more. \nAnd\, as an added bonus\, there will be a spectacular fireworks display after the game that we will photograph from a great location. Don’t miss this fun and fantastic opportunity to capture baseball images like a pro! \nRegistration fee includes pre-trek zoom class\, admission to stadium\, press passes\, instruction throughout the evening and fireworks show! Also included is a post-trek image review. \nNote: the event ends after the fireworks display. Depending on the length of the actual game\, 9:30 will not likely be the ending time. \nLocation: First Energy Stadium\, 1900 Centre Ave\, Reading\, PA 19601 URL:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/trek/shooting-sports-like-a-pro-with-the-reading-fightin-phils-2/ CATEGORIES:Photo Walk,Trek ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/P8021262.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR