Spring Waterfall Trek at Ricketts Glen
2026-05-16 07:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
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!
The 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.
Due 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.
Minimal 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.
Participants 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.
A 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.
If 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.
Cost 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.
Please 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.

Creative Flower Photography at Chanticleer Gardens
2026-06-06 08:00 - 11:30
Registration closing soon!!!
Within 30 minutes of Philadelphia, Chanticleer is one of the great gardens of the region. Chanticleer has been called the most romantic, imaginative, and exciting public garden in America. The garden is a study of textures and forms, where foliage trumps flowers, and even the drinking fountains are sculptural. The Chanticleer Foundation owns 47 acres, 35 of which are open to the public.

Join us as we spend the early morning hours exploring the gardens and making beautiful images in new and creative ways. We will work with a variety of lenses and focal lengths to fully explore how to capture the grand landscape as well as the intricate details of the smaller scenes of the gardens. Bring whatever lenses you have and learn how to use them to their fullest creative capability.
Demonstrations will be given on how to best compose your images for the greatest visual impact. Instruction will also be given on how to work with fill flash, reflectors and diffusers to creatively control the light. We will also discuss the use of filters to enhance and saturate colors, in-camera multiple exposures, intentional camera movement, and a few other creative techniques along the way. There will also be plenty of instruction on which aperture and shutter speed combinations to use to best convey the mood of the scene. Join us for this fun and informative Photo Walk in one of the areas premier gardens!
A lens hood and circular polarizer are highly recommended for each lens. Tripod is optional, but will be useful for macro photography. Workshop is for beginners as well as more advanced enthusiasts.

A minimum number of participants is needed to run this workshop. A detailed email will be sent out prior to the workshop to help you prepare. A pre-trek class via Zoom to go over details and shooting tips and techniques will also be held prior to the event. The Zoom class will tentatively be held Wednesday May 27th from 7 to approximately 8pm.

Fee includes the class and all instruction during the event. Also included is an image review, where you will receive tips on editing, as well as admission to a private Facebook group where you will be able to get ongoing support for your photographic learning, as part of a great community of photo enthusiasts!
Please Note: Admission to garden is not included in workshop cost, as some people may be, or choose to become garden members. You will need For more info about Chanticleer, visit their website: https://chanticleergarden.org
Participants should be comfortable with basic camera settings prior to the workshop. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Chanticleer is located at 786 Church Rd, Wayne, PA 19087

Birds and Bugs Photo Walk - Full Day of Photography At the Jersey Shore
2026-06-13 07:30 - 16:30 | Ocean City Welcome Center, 300 W 9th St, Ocean City, PA, 08226, United States
For those who love bird photography, there are few places on the east coast that provide more opportunities to photograph a large variety of species with so little effort. The Rookery at the Ocean City Welcome Center is a fantastic spot for photographing birds in flight, nesting birds, and possibly some babies, too! Species normally found there include great egrets, black-crowned night herons, glossy ibis, white ibis and more.
We will begin early in the morning at the rookery, and spend several hours photographing the birds from a variety of vantage points. When the group has had their fill, we will take a break and grab a bite to eat. After that, we will head to a local garden to photograph insects!
This will be a full day of fun and photography for all levels of photographers. We can work with whatever gear you have, but to best capture the birds up close, a minimum of 300mm lens is suggested. Telephoto lenses that extend to 400 or 600mm are ideal. If you do not have a long telephoto lens, there are a variety of places that rent them for the day or weekend. More details will be given a few weeks prior to the event. Full details will be given several weeks prior to the event. This will include lodging suggestions for those that may be traveling from several hours away. If interested in staying overnight, you should secure a hotel as soon as possible
A pre-trek class will take place via Zoom prior to the event to go through all the details for the day. We will review images of what you can expect to see and shoot, and instruction on all techniques to use throughout the day. Participants should be comfortable with their camera and how to change settings such as aperture, shutter speeds, ISO, focus points, etc.
Feedback and instruction on how to best capture birds in flight, and the macro world of insect photography will be given throughout the entirety of the day.
Workshop fee includes an image review following the workshop. Participants will share up to 3 images which we will review together. You will receive helpful feedback on your images, including suggestions you could make to improve the image, as well as editing tips to help bring out the best in your images. Registration fee also includes admission to our private Facebook group, where you will become part of a friendly and fun community of photo enthusiasts, be able to share images from the day, and interact with not only other participants from this workshop, but those who have participated in past workshops, as well. It is a fantastic way to stay in touch and continue the learning long beyond the event itself.
Event is weather-permitting. In case of rain, we will reschedule to the following day, Sunday June 14th or a later date mutually agreed upon. Same time
Transportation to Ocean City, meals and lodging are not included. We will carpool as we travel throughout the day.

Creative Flower and Insect Photography at Bondsville Mill Historic Park
2026-07-25 08:00 - 11:30
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.
The township acquired the mill in 2005 using its own open-space funds and began cleaning up the property and securing collapsed buildings.
Future 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).
A 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)
This 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!
Instruction 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.
Join us for this new and unique workshop in Downingtown, PA.
Pre-registration required.

Shooting Sports Like A Pro With The Reading Fightin' Phils
2026-07-31 18:30 - 21:30
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.
Instruction will be given on best settings to capture fast action, focus on moving subjects, composition, dealing with difficult light, and more.
And, 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!
Registration 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.
Note: the event ends after the fireworks display. Depending on the length of the actual game, 9:30 will not likely be the ending time.
Location: First Energy Stadium, 1900 Centre Ave, Reading, PA 19601

Macro Photography at Crow's Nest Preserve
2026-08-08 10:00 - 13:00
I am super-excited to announce that I will be partnering once again with Natural Lands Trust for a macro presentation this summer.
Thankful for any opportunity to partner with those working hard to preserve our natural resources.
Here are the details:
“Join flower and tiny bug enthusiast Valerie Hoffman for an immersive, three-hour macro photography workshop at Crow’s Nest Preserve. This hands-on program is perfect for anyone looking to capture the beauty of the smallest wonders in nature, from delicate flowers to buzzing insects.
Beginning with a presentation on the fundamentals of macro photography, Valerie will cover essential techniques. After the introduction, step outside and dive right in. Valerie will demonstrate, offering tips and tricks for getting the perfect shot. You’ll have the chance to explore and practice your new skills while Valerie walks around to provide individualized assistance and answer any questions.

Open to beginners or those with some experience in photography, this workshop is an exciting opportunity to learn new skills and gain confidence in your macro photography.”

Registration is directly through Natural Lands, and is open now. Visit to sign up. Limited space available.
https://wp.natlands.org/event/macro-photo-crowsnest-2026-0808/
