Waterfall Trek at Bushkill Falls!
2023-10-20 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Bushkill Falls
Fall is my favorite season to photograph in, and my favorite subject to photograph during this time is waterfalls. There’s just something magical about heading down a forested trail, walking among the trees displaying their beautiful array of colors, then coming upon a waterfall that is surrounded by this beauty! Pennsylvania has so many stunning waterfalls for us to explore and capture amazing images-although not all are easily reached. Bushkill Falls contains a great selection of different opportunities to capture waterfalls and lovely streams, while traveling along an intricate boardwalk system that takes you through the gorge.
Join us for a full day of capturing a great variety of images in one of PA’s most photogenic and well-known spots! No special skills required! We will begin with a class via Zoom a few days before the event to go over all the details-including suggested gear (wide angle to mid-range telephoto will do), settings to use, composition tips, filter use and more! The only additional and recommended gear is a sturdy tripod that allows you to adjust the legs at different angles individually (without a brace in the center keeping them from being extended upward on an individual bases), a circular polarizer for each lens you bring, and possibly a Neutral density filter to enable long exposures of the flowing water. Feel free to contact me in advance with questions or for gear suggestions.
There will also be a follow up editing and image review session following the event via Zoom.
Note: the falls trail is a series of boardwalks and stairs=some very steep. We will move at a leisurely pace from shooting spot to shooting spot, stopping along the way, but participants should be in reasonably good shape to enjoy the day.
We will meet at the main entrance to Bushkill Falls. Transportation to and from the event is the responsibility of participants. Admission to Bushkill Falls is NOT included in the trek fee.
A minimum number of participants is needed to run this event.

2024 Fine Art Calendar Pre-Sale!
2023-11-06 08:00 - 2023-11-26 23:30
No ticket required. Click the “Buy Now” button below.
https://valeriehoffmanphotography.com/product/2024-fine-art-calendar/

Historic Bahr's Mill Photo Trek
2023-11-11 10:00 - 13:30
Located in Boyertown, PA, Bahr’s Mill is a stone mill building built in 1897 to house Jacob Bahr’s (pronounced Bear) woodworking and grist mill business.
It is part of a farm complex in the village of Gabelsville, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The Bahr’s mill was home to a linseed oil
mill from before 1828 until the 1890’s, and woodworking machinery was installed in the early 1870’s.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mill has been completely restored. The original woodworking & corn grinding equipment, water wheel and some of the blacksmithing equipment remain intact. You can find more info on the mill here: https://boyertownhistory.org/bahrs-mill
Endless compositions await inside! We will have over 3 hours to photographically explore all 3 floors of this historic mill. We will challenge your creative vision capturing the larger scenes, the smaller sections of historic machinery, right down to the smallest of tools and artifacts. Instruction will be given prior to the event during our Zoom class (Nov 7th), on composition, exposure, lighting and how to deal with the high dynamic range of scenes with bright window light against the lower lit mill.
This trek will be great for beginner’s as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. You can works with whatever gear you have, but a super-wide to midrange tele-and even a macro lens would be all you need; along with a tripod, of course. Full details covering what to bring, where to meet, etc will be sent via email about a week prior to the event. Questions will be answered during the Zoom class where we will review images taken at the mill and all the opportunities you will find.
Join us for our first-ever trek to this historic mill. A portion of the registration fee will cover your admission and go towards the preservation of the mill.

A Longwood Christmas Photo Trek
2023-12-19 16:00 - 20:00
Longwood Gardens is spectacular in any season, but it is transformed into a magical place during the holiday season. With more than 400,000 twinkling lights strung on nearly 40 miles of wire, this is a photographer’s paradise, and it has become an annual photo trek favorite. Join us as we make amazing images worthy of creating your own holiday cards and gifts!
We will meet at 4pm to ensure we are inside before the worst of the evening traffic, and to be set up and in place as the sun sets and the magic begins. We will continue photographing during the “Blue Hour”, which allows for more dramatic images. We will photograph the amazing light displays outside throughout the grounds, until the need for hot chocolate takes over. We will then take a short break indoors to warm back up, let our cameras begin acclimating to the warmer indoor temperatures, review our images, then head over to the conservatory to capture the beauty and glow on the inside-IF the crowds are not unbearable. If it is mobbed, we will continue to photograph outside.
This workshop is for beginners and more advanced photo enthusiasts. No special gear is required beyond a DSLR, camera strap and tripod(for outside). A Star filter would be helpful for creative affects of the lights. Fast Lenses, with apertures such as f/2.8 or 1.8 will be a huge benefit in the conservatory, and to create those beautiful Bokeh light effects..
A pre-trek class will be held via Zoom to go over all the details.Instruction will be given on shooting in full manual exposure, how to properly meter and photograph in low light-both outdoors and indoors, lens choice and why it matters; creative composition; HDR or High Dynamic Range Photography; and more! A detailed email will be sent prior to the Zoom session detailing everything you need to get ready. A post-trek image review also via Zoom is included in the registration cost.
This event is being scheduled on a week night to avoid the large weekend crowds. You should plan on arriving at least one half hour prior to workshop start time to allow for traffic and parking. Please plan your schedules accordingly.
Admission to Longwood is NOT included, as most attendees either are-or choose to become members of the gardens. Upon registration you should immediately go online and reserve a timed ticket.
A minimum number of participants is needed to run this event. The number of tickets shown on website does not necessarily reflect the number still available, as some participants choose to pay using Venmo or Cash app as opposed to PayPal.
In case of hazardous weather, the trek will take place on Wednesday December 20th, 2023. The workshop will take place in light rain or snow, as these are fantastic conditions for photographing holiday lights.
Please note: the images below were taken over several different years and visits to Longwood. These are all past displays and do not represent what the current displays will look like.

Spring Beauty @ Hershey Gardens Photo Trek
2024-04-20 09:00 - 12:30
Hershey Gardens is one of those “off the radar” places for many photographers, but that’s certainly not for lack of beauty and photographic opportunities. Visiting during many different seasons, there is always a quiet beauty that awaits your wandering.
I absolutely love photographing in the spring, and Hershey offers a ton of gorgeous plantings-including rows and rows of tulips, that are perfect for quite a few hours of photography. The focus of this workshop will been on capturing the delicate beauty of the flowers. This is most easily done with a macro lens, but can certainly be accomplished with other lenses, as well. Hands-on instruction will be given on how to create stunning flower portraits, focusing in on the soft and unique details of each flower.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to make amazing images of larger plantings and scenes as we wander pathways lined with beautiful bushes and trees in bloom. An added bonus will be to spend some time in the butterfly house, capturing the delicate beauty of a variety of these lovely creatures.
Of course, another added bonus is the close proximity to Chocolate World-which for you chocolate lovers, is right across the street! 😁
If you are looking to learn macro photography, or improve your current skill level, then this workshop is for you! This is also for anyone looking for new opportunities to capture beautiful scenes in a very scenic environment. Open to all skill levels. Minimal gear required. We can work with whatever gear you have. A detailed list of suggested gear-such as a sturdy tripod that can go low to the ground, circular polarizers and lens hoods for each lens, and close up accessories if you do not have a macro lens are recommended.
A pre-trek class will be held about a week prior to the workshop via Zoom to go through all the details of the trip, and lots of shooting tips and techniques to get you ready. We will then meet at the gardens by opening time, ready to roll! After the event, there will be an image review, also via Zoom, where we will discuss tips to improve your images. Join us for this unique learning opportunity during the beauty of spring.
Participants kept to a small amount to allow for more one on one instruction. Don’t wait to register! A minimum number of participants is required to run the event.
Workshop will take place during a light rain. If severe weather is forecast, we will reschedule to the following Saturday

Bill's Old Bike Bark Photo Trek
2024-05-11 09:30 - 13:30
“In the wooded grove, on the hill just behind Bill’s Custom Cycles…the parts shop, Bill worked to make his dream materialize. Nestled there you will find his museum, Bill’s Old Bike Barn, a true collection of vintage motorcycles and Americana memorabilia.
At a glance, the green metal pole barn appears to be a storage building constructed to house equipment for the long harsh winter. Stepping over the threshold you are in yesteryear. First thoughts are, “Not in your wildest dreams!”
Bill Morris began to fulfill his life long dream and established Bill’s Old Bike Barn in 1998. Years later we have close to 200 amazing vintage motorcycles in a 55,000 square ft building filled with some of the most extraordinary antiques from all around the world. The museum is in a constant state of evolution as new items and collections are added regularly.” (from Bill’s website)
When I first visited Bill’s Old Bike Barn, I immediately stood in aw at the amazing collection, almost secretly hidden inside this nondescript building. The sheer size of the place is one thing, but the amazing contents are beyond words! You could easily spend several full days exploring all that Bill has collected through the years. My favorite part is “Billville”, the street of shops he has created that house displays of anything and everything. There is even a camera store with the largest view camera you may ever see(I think he told me it took 4 of them to get it in there!) and several models of cameras I had never even seen or even heard of before!
This will be a truly fun photographic adventure! Using whatever gear you have, you will learn to create unique and compelling images of some of one of the most interesting collections of Americana to be found! We will have a pre-trek class via zoom to go over all the details for the event, including pertinent shooting info and gear choices. A group image review will be held shortly after the event, for participants to share their favorite images, and get more feedback on composition and editing. Through the pre-trek class and during the event, instruction will be given on creative composition, lens choice and how perspective completely changes your scene, how to deal with the challenges of low light, as well as high dynamic range scenes. Join as we embark on a creative photographic journey into the past, and come away with stories and images you will love!
A few weeks prior to the event, you will receive an email with all the details. Don’t wait! Register to join us today!
Check out these virtual tours of the place! https://www.billsbikebarn.com/billsbik-VirtualTours-30.htm
Please note: there will also be a waterfall photo trek the day before at Ricketts Glen state park. If interested in staying up in the area and joining us for both, contact me for hotel suggestions.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Safari
2024-06-01 10:00 - 15:00
For those who love wildlife and dream of going on a photo safari, we have a great new Trek for you!
For over 50 years, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park has been fascinating visitors with its wild, exotic animals and adventure safaris. Nestled in the quiet country-side, Lake Tobias resounds with the sights and sounds of the jungles and grasslands of six continents. Mammals, reptiles and birds from around the world can be found here. Monkeys, tigers, ostriches and many other exciting creatures are presented in a zoo-type setting.
The safari tours are the main attraction, and the primary focus of our photo trek. Open-air cruisers take you across 150 acres of rolling hills where you see herds of wild and exotic animals from around the world. Tour guides travel with you through pasture land and wooded areas sharing information on the various species and their habitats. There are more than 400 animals in the safari fields, all roaming freely. This changing landscape makes each visit unique. Even multiple tours on the same day will offer different photographic opportunities as the animals move about. You will be amazed at how close you come to these animals! Many will stroll right beside our tour bus, allowing guests to touch and feed them-making for some fantastic photo opportunities! Animals are in such close proximity to the vehicle that a standard telephoto in the range of 18-200 will give good coverage for all displays throughout the day. There is also a reptile and exotic animal facility, where you will find large, custom-designed habitats housing snakes, lizards, amphibians, tropical birds, a sloth, lemurs and my personal favorites-Tamarins and Marmosets. A macro lens or 50mm would be great for the low-light inside.
Instruction will be given on how to best capture the animals, with emphasis placed on composition, exposure and lighting. Workshop is suitable for all levels of photo enthusiasts, and any camera gear you own. Information will be emailed to participants in advance to help with gear choice and other important information. We will also have a pre-trek class via Zoom, to review all the details of the trek-including images taken on location, all shooting info, gear used, etc. This will enable participants to be fully prepared to start capturing amazing images from the moment we see our first animals and onward.
The photo trek will run from 10am-3:00pm with a break for lunch. There are numerous pavilions where you can enjoy your own packed lunch, or purchase food at a variety of stations. Food lines tend to get long, so packing a picnic lunch is recommended.
Cost is $179. Fee for this workshop includes pre-trek zoom class, a post trek image review, admission to the park and tickets for two different safari rides-enabling the group more opportunities to see and photograph the animals on the tour, and, membership in our private Facebook group where you share and view images from other workshop participants, and gain encouraging feedback and continued learning opportunities.
Transportation to and from the park, as well as any food or beverage purchases is not included.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is located about 25 miles north of Harrisburg and four miles north of Halifax, just off Route 225. Address: 760 Tobias Rd, Halifax, PA
Please note that the safari ride can be VERY BUMMPY at times. If you have a bad back or other physical issues that a ride like this could further aggravate, this may not be in your best interest at this time. (In case of heavy rain or storms, the trek will be rescheduled to a future Saturday most conducive to the majority of the group.)

Architectural Photography Trek_Bryn Athyn Historic District_SOLD OUT!
2024-07-18 12:00 - 17:00
This event is now sold out! Please contact me to be put on a Wait List or first to hear about another trip
“Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, was founded as a religious community in the late 19th century by members of a Christian denomination known as the New Church. Just a mile from the Philadelphia border, this small borough is home to some of the area’s most remarkable architecture, buildings that reflect the religious faith and vision of the community’s earliest residents.
The Bryn Athyn Historic District includes three family residences—father John Pitcairn’s Beaux-Arts mansion, Cairnwood, and sons Harold and Raymond’s residences, Cairncrest and Glencairn, respectively—and the renowned Bryn Athyn Cathedral. All were constructed between 1892 and 1938. The Bryn Athyn Historic District was designated as a National Historic Landmark on October 6, 2008.” (from their website)
For this event, we will photograph in two of the three historical and beautiful architectural wonders (Cairnwood is currently undergoing renovations). Join us for an afternoon of photography on our private tours of both the Bryn Athyn Cathedral and Glencairn Museum. Participants will have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful grounds as well as interiors. For the museum, we will have private access to the amazing architecture of the first floor, as well as views from the limited access tower!
Prior to the workshop, there will be a class via Zoom, where we will review images from areas we will photograph in, and go through details on how to best capture the architectural details. We will cover composition, lens and other gear choice, exposure settings and more; everything you need to come away with incredible images of these spaces of your own!
Following the workshop, an image review/editing session will also be held via zoom to share tips on editing the bracketed images to bring out the best details in the final images.
Group will be kept to a minimum to allow for plenty of space to photograph and give hands-on assistance.
Registration is required, and tickets will likely sell out quickly for this our first workshop to this amazing historic gem.

Pro Cycle Racing at the Velodrome
2024-07-19 17:00 - 21:00 | Valley Preferred Cycle Center
The World Series of Bicycling is the premiere cycling series in the world. For each of the past 40 summers, the Lehigh Valley has been home to the greatest local and international cyclists in the world. In past years, as many as 15 different nations have been represented, and 12 Olympians have taken part in the World Series of Bicycling. Nowhere else in the region can you see that level of competition.

Come enjoy a fun evening learning to capture pro cycle racing at its finest at the Velodrome/Valley Preferred Cycle Center in Trexlertown, PA. We will teach you everything you need to know to come away with great images! You will learn how to capture and freeze motion, use flash creatively, create images using Panning techniques, zoom blurs and more!

We will have “Press Passes” which will allow us to photograph from virtually anywhere around and within the track!

A DSLR or mirrorless camera and zoom in the range of 18-55 or 18-200 is all you need. Lenses that open up to f/2.8 or the 50mm f/ 1.8 will work best in the lower light. Bring any camera with fully charged batteries and lots of memory cards! This event is weather permitting. Events cannot take place in the rain. In the event of bad weather, we will reschedule to another Friday night. (tentatively Aug 26th)

To help you better prepare, there will be a pre-trek class held via Zoom on Thursday July 11th, from 6:30-7:30pm. The class is mandatory. If you are unable to make the zoom session, it will be recorded and available later that evening.

Registration includes the pre-trek class and entrance to all races for the evening! Also include a post-trek group image review, as well as membership to our private Facebook group to continue the learning as part of a fun and friendly community!

A minimum number of participants is needed to run this workshop.A detailed informational letter will be sent upon registration. There are a limited number of spots available, so don’t wait to sign up!

Valley Preferred Cycling Center, 1151 Mosser Rd, Breinigsville, PA 18031
Rain date: TBD

Using Lenses Creatively @ Longwood Gardens
2024-08-14 18:30 - 2024-08-21 20:30 | Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, United States
Different from my normal workshops, I will be leading this workshop for Longwood Gardens. Registration is through Longwood Gardens, not me personally. There will be two online components as well as on location shooting in the gardens in the early hours of the morning!
Here are the details from the Longwood website:
“What lens should I use?” may be one of the first questions you consider when preparing for a photography shoot.
Join expert photographer Valerie Hoffman in learning all about lenses—from their unique qualities to their creative opportunities—and get your lens questions answered. Lens choice is probably the most important decision you can make regarding image quality and artistic style—and when choosing your gear, you can and should base your decision on desired (and more creative) results. Learn how to customize your photography experience and build your artist toolkit!
Course Schedule
Online Orientation
Wednesday, August 14, 6:30–7:30 pm
Onsite Session
Saturday, August 17, 7:00–10:00 am
Online Critique Session
Wednesday, August 21, 6:30–8:30 pm
Inclement weather date: August, 18, 2024
Full course content includes both the online and the onsite components.
Location
Onsite at Longwood Gardens with additional online sessions.
This program will take place partially or entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather and wear footwear suited for walking on uneven paths and through wet areas.
To register for this event, follow this link: https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/all-about-lenses
Registration closes soon!

Historic Bowmansville Roller Mill Photo workshop
2024-09-21 10:00 - 13:00
In the 1700 and 1800s, Lancaster County was an important milling center due to the availability of water power along our many streams. The Bowmansville Roller Mill is an important example of this industry. It provided the farmers in this area with both animal feed and flour. It is the last remaining example of a combination of grist and sawmills in Brecknock Township. Machinery from the 1850 grist mill and the 1888 roller mill are fully intact. It is the only known mill in the area to have both still.
The mill contains examples of three centuries of milling techniques: the millstones, the roller mills, and the sawmill. There are four sets of millstones. These stones were used for corn and wheat.
The Bowmansville Roller Mill was both a custom and a commercial mill. Some of the farmers had their grain milled and returned to them. However, other loads of grain were purchased by the Von Niedas, milled, and bagged. These large bags of flour or feed were then bought by farmers and other people in the area as needed. When the water level in the millrace was high and the harvest was plentiful, the mill ran almost continuously. During the three or four months of harvest, the farmers brought their grain to the mill by the wagon load. There the grain was loaded into barrels and lifted by pulley to the assigned compartment, or storage bin, on the upper levels of the mill. Several days later, the farmers returned to the mill for their grain.
The Bowmansville Roller Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, which recognized the preservation efforts of former owner Stewart Kean, who restored the mill with local men. (information taken from Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County article)
Join me as part of the first ever photography workshop at the mill! You will love the images you create as you photographically explore all four floors of this gorgeous mill. There will be a zoom session on Wednesday September 18th to go through all important details of the event. Instruction will be given on creative composition, exposure settings and how to handle high dynamic range lighting. We will also use artificial lighting where needed to open up shadows and control contrast in your scene.
An informational email will be sent about a week prior to the on location workshop with gear suggestions, and all other details for the event. A participant image review will follow via zoom the following week. Registration includes entrance to the mill, both zoom sessions, and hands-on instruction throughout our time at the mill.

Waterfall and Fall Colors Photography at Hickory Run State Park!
2024-10-12 08:00 - 15:00 | Hickory Run State Park
Fall is my favorite season to photograph in, and my favorite subject to photograph during this time is waterfalls. There’s just something magical about heading down a forested trail, walking among the trees displaying their beautiful array of colors, then coming upon a waterfall that is surrounded by this beauty! Pennsylvania has so many stunning waterfalls for us to explore and capture amazing images-although not all are easily reached. Hickory Run contains a bunch of different opportunities to capture waterfalls big and small, flowing streams, a cute little chapel, a beautiful lake and more, that most people with a reasonable amount of physical ability can explore with minimal effort exerted.
Join us for a full day of capturing a great variety of images in a gorgeous state park! No special skills required! We will begin with a class via Zoom a few days before the event to go over all the details-including suggested gear (wide angle to mid-range telephoto will do), settings to use, composition tips, filter use and more! The only additional and recommended gear is a sturdy tripod that you are able to adjust the legs at different angles individually (without a brace in the center keeping them from being extended upward on an individual bases), a circular polarizer for each lens you bring, and possibly a Neutral density filter to enable long exposures of the flowing water. Feel free to contact me in advance with questions or for suggestions.
We will then meet shortly after sunrise to begin our adventure, then continue to photograph at a variety of locations, taking a break for lunch at a local restaurant nearby. We will then return to the park to continue to capture as many amazing locations and images as we can. Val will be there giving hands-on instruction throughout the entire day.
About a week or so after the event, we will gather once again on Zoom for editing tops and image review.
The group will travel on their own and meet at the starting location-which will be shared upon registration. Where we go and the order we head there will be flexible.
A minimum number of participants is needed to run this event.

The Mill at Anselma Photo Trek
2024-10-26 10:00 - 13:00
Nestled along Pickering Creek in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, the Mill at Anselma is an extraordinary historic site demonstrating over 250 years of Chester County’s industrial history. The 22-acre property and surviving historical buildings demonstrate a heritage engineered to last.
The Mill retains its original Colonial-Era power train and multiple layers of industrial equipment ranging from the late 1700s to the mid-1900s. The Mill at Anselma is the last custom grain mill in America that can still produce a product with its original wooden engineering.
Join me as we spend several hours photographing this historic mill complex. The creative possibilities are overflowing. Instruction will be given on creative composition, creative exposure settings and how to best capture the high dynamic range light, how to use artificial light to fill in shadows and more!
We will begin with a pre-trek class via Zoom, to go over all the details along with shooting tips and techniques. Hands-on instruction will continue throughout the workshop. Afterwards, there will be an image review held via Zoom where the learning will continue as we go through composition, exposure settings etc and discuss any ways images might have been improved.
Space is limited. Register today!
The Mill at Anselma is located at 1730 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425

Autumn Nature Photography @ Longwood Gardens Abbondi Property
2024-11-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, United States
Please note: Registration for this event is through Longwood Gardens. Follow this link to register:
https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/autumn-nature-photography
Autumn is a fleeting season full of rich, vibrant colors and gorgeous natural lands ready to capture with your camera.
Get a chance to photograph one of the most breathtaking parts of Longwood—a natural area adjacent to the Gardens, not usually open to guests. An untouched autumnal landscape, the property is full of color and life during this time of year, and you’ll be able to capture the striking architecture of its plants—and any potential wildlife that you might encounter.
Course Schedule
Online Orientation
Monday, November 4, 6:30–7:30 pm
On-site Shoot
Wednesday, November 6, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Inclement Weather Date
Friday, November 8, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Online Review
Wednesday, November 20, 6:30–8:30 pm
Full course content includes both the online and the onsite components.
Location
Online via Zoom
Onsite throughout the Abbondi property
This program will take place partially or entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather and wear footwear suited for walking on uneven paths and through wet areas.

National Christmas Center Photo Trek
2024-11-09 10:00 - 13:30
Enjoy treasures from Christmas past at The National Christmas Center!
The original National Christmas Center of Paradise officially closed its doors in January of 2018. For over 19 years, this beloved tourist destination shared the magic of Christmas, both religious and secular, its history, memories and traditions with thousands of visitors. After a search for someone who could purchase the center’s collections and keep the spirit of Christmas alive, the search ended when Stone Gables Estate purchased the entire Christmas collection. This collection is one of the largest collections of historical Christmas memorabilia in the United States.
Until its permanent home is ready, visitors can now enjoy over 18,000+ square feet of nostalgic Christmas décor in lights, trees, stores, and renowned artifacts at the National Christmas Center which is housed a short distance from Stone Gables Estate. Seventeen-foot-tall, real-life buildings with artistic architectural features depict the streets of Columbia, Pennsylvania as they were in the 1950s. Featured storefronts include a walk-in Woolworth’s Store, a Boy’s Toy Store, a Girl’s Toy Store, the Sweet Shoppe featuring Klein Chocolates, Miesse Candies, Byers Bakery, and much more!
Peer in the windows of shops which include Joe – The Motorists’ Friend, Eichhorn’s Store for Men, Watt, and Shand, Dave Barton’s Barbershop, The Train Store, and more!
Old favorites such as the animated Tudor Towne which tells the story of forgiveness, a “choir” of over 900 Gurley candles, Pennsylvania handmade Byers’ Choice carolers, Santa’s from around the world, over 1,000 nativities from around the world depicted in their native culture, and much more will bring back many nostalgic memories and joys of childhood gone by.
New to the National Christmas Center collection is the Toy Soldier store with over 5,000 hand-painted soldiers as part of the world’s finest collection of brass and wood models including ships, planes, trains, and automobiles. Also new to the National Christmas Center collection is Anastasia’s Doll Emporium, a collection of the finest dolls and dollhouses around the world. Antiques such as Santa’s, scales, popcorn machines, barber chairs, and more will bring back fond memories.
Another must-see on display is a world-class builder’s model of the Titanic in the Titanic Museum. The Titanic model is 22 feet long, 9 feet tall, and weighs 5,500 lbs. It has eight miles of fiber optic lighting and was constructed according to the original plans of the original Titanic ship. This is a one-of-a-kind display with original plans and photos. (from their website)
There are so many wonderful things to see and photograph here at the new museum! It was a thrill to wander the new displays in preparation for this workshop, and I’m looking forward to bringing a group here for the first time to photograph all the treasures of Christmas and more that the museum holds!
You will spend your time capturing great images of the displays with a variety of lenses, using a variety of techniques and exposure settings. Emphasis will be on creative compositions, and capturing all the detail in semi-challenging light. There will be a pre-trek class via Zoom to go over all the details, with tons of images and shooting tips and techniques. Hands on instruction will continue during our visit. An image review to further the learning process will take place soon after the event, also via Zoom. A detailed email will be sent a few weeks prior to the event.
A minimum number of participants is needed to run this workshop. Space is limited, so register today.
Registration fee covers the cost to enter the museum.
Address for the National Christmas Center: 3950 East Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057.
USE THIS ADDRESS-DO NOT GOOGLE IT!
Below are just a few of the many options from the 49+ displays!

Historic Mascot/Ressler Roller Mills Photo Trek
2024-11-16 10:00 - 13:00
Each year the Mascot Roller Mills and Ressler Family Home welcomes more than 12,000 visitors to this historic site nestled in the heart of a thriving Amish community in eastern Lancaster County. The remarkably preserved water-powered grain mill sends visitors back in time to learn about milling history along the banks of scenic Mill Creek.

The adjacent 1855 miller’s house, once home to three generations of Resslers, offers a charming look at early 20th century housekeeping and family life. The home is preserved just as it was when siblings Franklin and Anna Ressler offered their neighbors the finest flour, along with neighborly hospitality.
We invite you to visit us and journey back to a simpler time when milling was a staple of the Lancaster County farming community. (from their website)
And I invite you to join me for a wonderful time of photographing the many interesting aspects of the mill. Hands-on instruction will be given on creative composition, exposure settings, HDR imaging and how to deal with contrasty light. This will be a great workshop for beginners as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts!
We will begin with a pre-trek zoom, where we will go over all the details for the event-including available subjects, gear choice, settings and more. We will also follow up the workshop with a group image review also via zoom, to get further helpful tips for editing, composition, etc.
A minimum number of participants is required to run this workshop. Registration closes one week prior to event, so don’t wait-sign up today!

Creative Photography Workshop at Longwood Gardens
2025-01-25 10:00 - 14:00
Tired of sitting around staring out the window at the cold, gray skies, longing for Spring? Me, too, and I have a great way to chase away those winter blues for you!
At Longwood Gardens, winter is anything but cold and dreary! Step inside the warm 4-acre conservatory and the new West Conservatory. Feel the warmth and breathe in the scents of Spring! Discover vibrant orchids and countless other spring beauties crafted into exquisite arrangements and forms.
Join us as we photographically explore the beauty and intricate delicateness of a wide variety of flowers and plants. We will spend the morning photographing exclusively in the main and potentially west conservatory. The emphasis of this workshop will be on capturing the beauty we see in a more creative way. We will focus on the big scenes by creating depth in our larger, landscape images. We will do this by using a variety of creative compositional techniques. For those interested in the tiny details, we will also discuss and practice Macro & Close UP photography techniques. These will include best practices for photographing without the use of a tripod (which are no longer able to be used indoors:(
Suggestions will be given for recommended gear-but you will be shown how to come away with great images with whatever gear you have. Additionally, we will discuss white balance, exposure and depth of field, how to find or create a clean background, overcoming focusing challenges with Focus Stacking, dealing with contrasty light, use of fill flash, creative composition, and more! We will also explore how to take your creative possibilities to a new level with Soft-Focus lenses, accessories and In-Camera Double Exposures.
Working with whatever camera gear you have, you will receive hands-on instruction and feedback, as well as learn in a fun and friendly environment. A wide angle, telephoto, macro lens or close focusing accessory are recommended for this Trek, but again, we will work with whatever gear you have. A detailed email will be sent prior to the event with everything you will need to know.
To help facilitate the learning process in a way that allows for more in-field shooting, there will be a pre-trek Zoom class the week prior to the workshop. As an added value to help round out your learning from the event, we will have a post-trek image review, also via Zoom. Participants will be able to share images and get feedback during the image review, and as part of our private Facebook group-for our workshop attendees only!
Group size is kept small to give the greatest opportunity for learning. Sells out quickly! Sign up now to secure your spot!
Admission to the gardens is not included in the cost of the workshop. Longwood Gardens members do not need a Timed Ticket. All non-members do need to go online and get your timed ticket for 10am. https://longwoodgardens.org
In case of inclement winter weather, we will reschedule for Saturday, February 1st.
Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
(Note: Images shown are from a variety of years and not an exact representation of what is currently on display)

Lightroom Classic Learning Center Series Part 1
2025-02-08 10:00 - 12:00
Let’s learn Lightroom!
This will be a series of at least 3, most likely 4 classes that will build on one another. We will be working primarily with Lightroom Classic CC (LrC) – which is the most robust of the 3 different Adobe Lightroom programs. This is a subscription-based program that runs approximately $15/month, and includes LrC, the full version of Photoshop, and Lightroom mobile, cloud-based storage and more. There are options to how much storage you can get, and whether you pay for 6 months or the full annual fee.
If you are a new user, you can sign up online: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom-classic.html or by calling this number to purchase by phone: 800-585-0774
Note: I do not receive any commission from adobe. I am only including the info here, because, this is arguably one of the most confusing processes you will ever go through in order to understand the differences in programs and plans, and I want you to get the appropriate plan without wasting a ton of time. Also note: if you are currently subscribed to one of the other plans, you can call them and easily get your plan changed.
Who Are These Classes For?
Capturing an image is only half of the creative process. The majority of all images can be greatly improved with some basic editing/post processing. And if you shoot in the RAW file format, then you absolutely need to apply post processing to your images. Unlike JPG files-which have color, contrast, sharpening, white balance and more settings all applied in-camera, RAW files have nothing applied to them in-camera, and require at least some measure of editing to make them look pop. If you believe that editing is wrongful manipulation-then these classes are obviously not for you:)
Overview of series:
The lessons will take you from beginner to power-user in no time flat. Lessons will begin with an understanding of how LrC works, what the LrC catalog is, how to easily and non-destructively edit your images, and the more advanced editing tools that are part of the program. It is my intention to also include a demonstration of the “Remove Distractions” feature that is in Photoshop at some point along the way. More specific details will be part of the description for each lesson.
Each online lesson will be recorded, and participants will receive a link to the recording to enable them to work through the material at their own pace. Practice files will also be included, as well as a detailed set of notes
Lesson 1 – Getting Started Right, The Catalog and Organization
The ultimate goal of this class is to get you very comfortable with what LrC is, what it does, how to get around, best practices for organization and backing up, and simple steps for cleaning up any mess you’ve created with your existing catalog and images in the past
Proposed Topics:

Which Lightroom app should I use – there are 3 options
What to do once the software is downloaded and installed
What is a LR catalog? How many catalogs should you use?
Where to store your Lightroom catalog
Where to store catalog backups (catalog preferences)
Getting organized BEFORE getting started with importing and editing. Dos and Don’ts.
Deciding where to store your images
Have a Back up strategy for your images -3,2,1 method. Protect your priceless images! Backblaze back up cloud info
Catalog Updates-How to know if there’s an update, how to update, what happens, messages, how it names and saves new catalog
Catalog preferences and Catalog Settings recommendations (File menu)
How To Import Images into LR catalog – from card, card reader, internal & external drives
Understanding the Import dialog box. Critical things to watch out for
Folder structure considerations
Setting up your personal metadata to be applied on import
Catalog overview-how to get around LR, modules, Library panels and sections
Using Solo Mode for panels
Adding keywords to images-how and why
Rating images-how and why
Color labels -how and why to use them
How to easily find images using keywords, stars, metadata, etc
How to sort images (I uses chronological Z to A)
Thumbnails- info
How to search metadata – options
Working with images – how to sort them in for viewing in catalog
Sorting through images after import. Selecting Keepers and Rejects
Rating and labeling images if we didn’t get through that in lesson 1
For those who have been using LR but have a mess in the their catalog-how to clean up and re-link the unlinked images
Questions

Unless you have been fully immersed in using Lightroom for years, I promise you will gain valuable info in this lesson.
Join us on Saturday March 15 for Lesson 2! See event listing

Lightroom Classic Learning Center Series-All 4 Lessons
2025-03-01 09:45 - 2025-03-29 12:00
Opportunity to grab all four lessons from the Lightroom Classic Learning Series at a discounted rate! Sale ends March 13th!!!
Please Note: Lesson 1 & 2 have already taken place, but the recording, notes, etc are still available for sale! Join lessons 3 &4 LIVE!
Lesson 1 – Saturday February 8th, 10am to 12pm
Lesson 2 – Saturday March 1st, 10am-12pm
Lesson 3 – Saturday March 15th, 10a,-12pm
Lesson 4 – Saturday March 29th, 10am-12pm
See descriptions in individual events. Once series is completed, classes will be on sale in the Store at a higher cost.
If you would like to pay by CASH app or VENMO, send me a note through the contact form and I’ll share my info.

Lightroom Classic Learning Center Series Part 2
2025-03-01 10:00 - 12:00
Lesson 2 – The Develop Module Proposed Topics

Getting around the Develop module
Organizing by creating Collections, Collection Sets
How to find images previously imported using sorting options
Creating a Quick slideshow
Quick Develop in Library module
Overview of Develop module
Navigator image preview
Snapshots and History panels
Two types of edits-global and local
Camera RAW profiles
Presets – what they are and how to use them. How to create your own
Viewing, using the histogram
Creating and using Virtual copies
Crop Tool – overlays, eliminate distractions
Basic Panel editing tools – Auto adjustments, B/W conversion, Camera Profiles, Profile presets,
Setting White balance,
Tone adjustments-Exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks
Presence Adjustments – Texture, clarity, dehire, vibrance, saturation,
Calibration panel
Effects – Adding a vignette for a finishing touch
Lens corrections – Settings and how to use
Syncing adjustments across multiple images
Resetting individual and all settings

Join us for Lesson 3 mom Saturday March 15th! See event listing for details

Lightroom Classic Learning Center Series Part 3
2025-03-15 10:00 - 12:00
Let’s learn Lightroom!
This will be a series of at least 3, most likely 4 classes that will build on one another. We will be working primarily with Lightroom Classic CC (LrC) – which is the most robust of the 3 different Adobe Lightroom programs. This is a subscription-based program that runs approximately $15/month, and includes LrC, the full version of Photoshop, and Lightroom mobile, cloud-based storage and more. There are options to how much storage you can get, and whether you pay for 6 months or the full annual fee.
If you are a new user, you can sign up online: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom-classic.html or by calling this number to purchase by phone: 800-585-0774
Note: I do not receive any commission from adobe. I am only including the info here, because, this is arguably one of the most confusing processes you will ever go through in order to understand the differences in programs and plans, and I want you to get the appropriate plan without wasting a ton of time. Also note: if you are currently subscribed to one of the other plans, you can call them and easily get your plan changed.
Who Are These Classes For?
Capturing an image is only half of the creative process. The majority of all images can be greatly improved with some basic editing/post processing. And if you shoot in the RAW file format, then you absolutely need to apply post processing to your images. Unlike JPG files-which have color, contrast, sharpening, white balance and more settings all applied in-camera, RAW files have nothing applied to them in-camera, and require at least some measure of editing to make them look pop. If you believe that editing is wrongful manipulation-then these classes are obviously not for you:)
Overview of series:
The lessons will take you from beginner to power-user in no time flat. Lessons will begin with an understanding of how LrC works, what the LrC catalog is, how to easily and non-destructively edit your images, and the more advanced editing tools that are part of the program. It is my intention to also include a demonstration of the “Remove Distractions” feature that is in Photoshop at some point along the way. More specific details will be part of the description for each lesson.
Each online lesson will be recorded, and participants will receive a link to the recording to enable them to work through the material at their own pace. Practice files will also be included, as well as a detailed set of notes
Topics: Local Adjustments-Adding the WOW factor

Using shortcuts to speed up workflow
Remove tool – difference between new Content Aware Healing, Heal, Clone tools
Masking- the power of “local” editing-Select Subject, Select Sky, Select Background, Select Object
Radial Gradient
Linear Gradient
Adjustment Brush
Select People Mask
Adaptive AI Portrait Presets
Range Masks
Color Mixer – Hue, Saturation, Luminance, Black and White mixer
Color Grading – adjusting color in highlights, shadows and midtones
Lens Blur
Lens Corrections panel – removing chromatic aberrations, lens profiles
Exporting images – saving edited changes, exporting for social media
Adding a watermark

Join us for Lesson 4 on Saturday March 29th! See event listing for details

Mack Trucks Historical Museum Friday March 21, 2025
2025-03-21 10:30 - 14:30
What year did the Mack Senior model debut? When was the first Mack diesel engine produced? When did Mack adopt the bulldog as its mascot? If you’ve got questions – there’s a pretty good chance the Mack Trucks Historical Museum has the answers within their archives. The Mack Museum was born as a non-profit corporation in 1984 and commemorates Mack history through photos, memorabilia and a collection of vintage Mack truck models. In addition to being the authority on all things Mack, the Mack Trucks Historical Museum also restores and preserves vintage Mack Trucks and memorabilia for all to enjoy.
Continuing in our Museum Photography workshop series, join us as we take a photographic tour of one of the coolest and little known museums around. We will spend approximately four hours photographing some of the most powerful – and photographic trucks ever made. You will see everything from work trucks, to fire trucks to everything in between-including MEGATRON, from the Transformers movie!
Special instructions will be given on dealing with exposures in high contrast scenes, exposure bracketing, creative control using aperture and focus point, how to create high dynamic range images, focusing stacking and more! This is a great place to shoot macro, super wide and anything in between! You’ll be thrilled by all the creative compositions you’ll come away with and the fun you will have!
This workshop is geared for entry level and more advanced photo enthusiasts. No special gear is needed. A sturdy tripod is highly recommended, as are lens hoods and a circular polarizer for each lens. Demonstration will be given on the post-trek zoom on how to merge bracketed exposures into High Dynamic Range Images(HDR) in Lightroom Classic, and how to give your images a unique, creative look through post processing.
This trek is on sale through March 18th. Cost of the workshop INCLUDES a pre-trek Zoom session where we will go over tips, exposure settings, lens choice, etc. Admission to the museum and hands-on instruction during the workshop, as well as the post trek image review via Zoom are all included in registration cost!
In case of inclement weather, we will reschedule tentatively to Friday April 4th, same time. 10:30am-2:30pm
A minimum number of participants is needed to run this event. Please register early to confirm!
Location: Mack Truck Museum, 2402 Lehigh Parkway South, Allentown, PA 18103 Use address below!!!
(from website: Use GPS address 11 Grammes Road, Allentown, PA 18103)

Lightroom Classic Learning Series Lesson 4
2025-03-29 10:00 - 12:00
This will be a series of 4 classes that will build on one another. We will be working primarily with Lightroom Classic CC (LrC) – which is the most robust of the 3 different Adobe Lightroom programs. This is a subscription-based program that runs approximately $15/month, and includes LrC, the full version of Photoshop, and Lightroom mobile, cloud-based storage and more. There are options to how much storage you can get, and whether you pay for 6 months or the full annual fee.
If you are a new user, you can sign up online: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom-classic.html or by calling this number to purchase by phone: 800-585-0774
Note: I do not receive any commission from adobe. I am only including the info here, because, this is arguably one of the most confusing processes you will ever go through in order to understand the differences in programs and plans, and I want you to get the appropriate plan without wasting a ton of time. Also note: if you are currently subscribed to one of the other plans, you can call them and easily get your plan changed.
Who Are These Classes For?
Capturing an image is only half of the creative process. The majority of all images can be greatly improved with some basic editing/post processing. And if you shoot in the RAW file format, then you absolutely need to apply post processing to your images. Unlike JPG files-which have color, contrast, sharpening, white balance and more settings all applied in-camera, RAW files have nothing applied to them in-camera, and require at least some measure of editing to make them look pop. If you believe that editing is wrongful manipulation-then these classes are obviously not for you:)
Overview of series:
The lessons will take you from beginner to power-user in no time flat. Lessons will begin with an understanding of how LrC works, what the LrC catalog is, how to easily and non-destructively edit your images, and the more advanced editing tools that are part of the program. It is my intention to also include a demonstration of the “Remove Distractions” feature that is in Photoshop at some point along the way. More specific details will be part of the description for each lesson.
Each online lesson will be recorded, and participants will receive a link to the recording to enable them to work through the material at their own pace. Practice files will also be included, as well as a detailed set of notes. Don’t worry if you missed any of the past lessons. You can find them in the Store.
Topics: Develop and Remaining Modules and More

Lens Corrections panel – removing chromatic aberrations, lens profiles
Transform
Color Grading – adjusting color in highlights, shadows and mid-tones
New Lens Blur
Lens Corrections panel – removing chromatic aberrations, lens profiles
Noise Reduction
Sharpening
Transform
Merge To HDR
Merge to Panorama
HDR Panoramas
Automatically matching exposures for HDR and panorama stitching
Upscaling images using Enhance Super Resolution
Red-eye removal
Slideshow Module – Getting started creating a slide show
Map Module – what it is and does
Removing distractions easily in Photoshop
Using Lightroom CC to sync photos for sharing

Creative Flower Photography at Chanticleer Gardens
2025-05-30 16:00 - 19:00
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 late afternoon/early evening 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, as well as a tripod, cable release and plenty of memory cards. Workshop is for beginners as well as more advanced enthusiasts. Specific details will be emailed upon registration.

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 Tuesday May 27th, from 7 to approximately 8pm. The class will be recorded and available to those who are unable to make that time-but being there live is highly encouraged.

Fee includes the class and all instruction during the event, 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. For more info about Chanticleer, visit their website: https://chanticleergarden.org
This is not a lesson on how to you use your individual camera. 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
2025-06-07 | 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. A wide angle to mid-range lens would also work well for closer wildlife at the zoo.
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 6th or a later date. Same time
Transportation to Ocean City, meals and lodging are not included. We will carpool as we travel throughout the day.

Photo Walk @ PHS Meadowbrook Farm NEW DATE!
2025-06-21 10:00 - 13:00
PHS Meadowbrook Farm is home to a variety of unique and unusual plants and flowers from around the world.
Take in the calming water features and experience the sweeping colors of fresh seasonal flowers. Walk the estate and see an eclectic mix of vibrant plants including tropicals, cacti and other foliage. Explore the whimsical, statuesque trees featuring cloud and espalier pruning throughout the property. Sit on benches in various garden locations to take in their serene beauty, see the sights and hear the sounds of the hummingbirds, chipmunks, frogs, and other wildlife that visit Meadowbrook Farm.
We will enjoy a photo walk among all areas of the beautiful gardens. Instruction will be given on a variety of techniques to capture creative scenes and close up details of flowers, plants and insects. Join me in exploring this lesser known but beautiful garden in the greater Philadelphia region.
Fee includes instruction throughout our visit to the gardens. We will meet there at 10am sharp.
Location: 1633 Washington Lane

Meadowbrook, PA 19046-1132

Photo Walk_ Second Mountain Sunflowers
2025-07-15 08:00 - 17:00
Join us as we explore the beautiful sunflower fields at Second Mountain Sunflowers!
Instruction will be given on composing more creatively, how aperture and depth of field affect the impact of the image, how different focal lengths also provide more impactful images. For those interested, we will work on shooting some macro images, focusing on the tiny insects and bees that can be found amongst the flowers. No special camera gear is needed. Come with what you have and learn to use it more creatively.
Location: Orwigsburg
Second Mountain rotates fields for their sunflowers. And exact location will be shared closer to the event.
Admission to gardens is $10 and is not included in registration

Photo Walk at the Kimberton Fair
2025-07-25 18:30 - 21:30
Join us for an evening of summer fun at the Kimberton Fair, in Kimberton, PA (near Phoenixville).
As the sun goes down, the amusement ride lights will begin to glow – and that’s when the photographic fun begins! You will learn the art of nightscape photography using the “blue hour” as a beautiful backdrop for the amusement rides and vendor stands. Then, as we begin using longer exposures, you will see a kaleidoscope of shapes and patterns appear before your eyes! We will move around the grounds capturing the amazing play of light till it is time for the fireworks display- at which time we will be already set up in the best spot to now add the fireworks to our amusement ride light painting fun.
This photo walk is for beginners as well as more advanced enthusiasts. We will teach you the settings and techniques you need to capture amazing images! A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a wide angle zoom lens, sturdy tripod, cable release, and a small flash light are all you’ll need!
The is a weather-permitting event. In case of inclement weather, we will move the workshop to the following evening, Saturday July 26th, same time. (Note: the event planners have the final say on when fireworks will be shot off.)
More details will be given prior to the event via email. We will also have a pre-event zoom session to go through some shooting details on composition, exposure, technique, etc to help you get ready for the event. Join us for a fun night of creative photography!
Please Note: amusement rides vary from year to year. We may not have the same rides as pictured below.
Register using CASH app or VENMO and save $5! Simply email me at: Valerie@ValerieHoffmanPhotography.com (or use website contact form, and I’ll send you the info!)

Olympus/OM System Focus Event_Computational Features
2025-07-26 18:30 - 22:00
If you follow my posts on social media, you know that I absolutely LOVE using Olympus/OM System cameras. Olympus/OM System cameras have a number of unique features that allow users to create stunning images with ease. Computational features such as Live Composite, Live Time, Live ND, Live Bulb, Graduated ND, Hi-Res shooting, in-camera Focus Stacking, and HDR mode are just some of the fantastic features built into most Olympus/OM System cameras.
Live Composite-which I use a ton, is great for star trails, fireworks, light painting, moving clouds and more!
There are also Live Time and Live Build modes.
In-camera Focus Bracketing and Image stacking – I also use a ton for insect and other macro photography. You can set the camera to shoot a series of images at different focus points automatically. One option is to have the camera automatically merge up to 15 images together into a single image-IN-CAMERA! Other camera systems now offer Focus Bracketing, but none merge and image for you in-camera.
Other neat features exclusive to OM System cameras are Live ND and the new Live GradND. Skip carrying filters and use the in-camera features to simulate slower shutter speeds for motion, moving water, etc. The new GradND features offers the simulation of using a graduated ND filter, to hold back the sky at sunrise, etc.
HDR Mode as use it, shoots 3 images at two stops apart-with a single press of the button. You can choose to have the camera create an HDR image in-camera, although I don’t like those results as much, so I simply merge them in Lightroom Classic myself. In-camera double exposures and image overlay are yet another neat feature.
A newer feature is Hi-Res Mode. The computational features of the camera will take a series of images that are then merged together in-camera to give up to an 80MP file! This feature is available for shooting hand-held as well as on a tripod-with varying file size outputs.
Those are a few of the features that cause me to love having made the switch to Olympus almost 8 years ago, and reasons I would likely never switch to another system. Oh, and they are so much smaller and lighter(and in most cases less expensive! -but that’s not part of this class:)
We will meet to photograph landscape, flowers and insects using the Focus Bracketing and stacking features. We’ll slow moving water and moving clouds with the Live ND feature. We’ll shoot sunset with Live GradND. And we’ll also do some star trails and light painting using the Live Time, Live Bulb and Live composite features. And set up some Hi-Res images, as well.
Instruction will be given on how to set the cameras and make adjustments for each feature.
Note: not all cameras have all features.
Also note: Everyone is welcome to join us! If you are thinking about a new camera and would like to learn more about these features-sign up!
Location: Hopewell Lake Boat Launch, French Creek State Park. https://g.co/kgs/y9G9xP1
More details will be given via email prior to the event.
Below are some examples using computational features

Live Composite

Live Composite

Live Composite

Live Composite

Live Composite_star trails

Live Composite_lightning

Live Composite_moving clouds

Light Painting_Live Composite

Fireflies_Live Composite

Live Time

Live Time

Live Time

Live Bulb

Live ND

Live ND

Live ND

Live ND

In-camera Focus Bracketing

In-camera Focus Bracketing

HDR_3 images 2 stops apart

Hi Res Mode_77MP

Double Exposure_Image Overlay

Double Exposure_Image Overlay

Double Exposure_Image Overlay

Sunflower Photography Photo Walk_September Farm
2025-08-02 09:00 - 11:30
Join us as we explore the beautiful sunflower fields at September Farm. Instruction will be given on composing more creatively, how aperture and depth of field affect the impact of the image, how different focal lengths also provide more impactful images. For those interested, we will work on shooting some macro images, focusing on the tiny insects and bees that can be found amongst the flowers. No special camera gear is needed. Come with what you have and learn to use it more creatively.
September Farm Cheese is located at 5287 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA 19344
