Historic Lansdowne Theater Photo Trek
2026-04-11 10:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
History-
The Lansdowne Theater is a historic theatre building located in the commercial district of Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The Lansdowne first opened on June 1, 1927, as a turn-of-the-century movie house. Its elaborate and ornate style earned it acclaim as “the best example of suburban theatre construction around Philadelphia.” For more than a half-century, it thrived as one of the premier hosts to movies and stage performances alike, before an electrical fire forced its doors to close in 1987.
At long last, calls to reopen the Lansdowne have been answered. A multi-million-dollar renovation project has restored the theater’s original charm and décor, empowering the majestic theater to continue its century-long legacy. With its grand re-opening in 2025, The Lansdowne looks to reclaim its status as one of Philadelphia’s foremost suburban theaters and entertainment hubs, welcoming guests back with open arms. (from the website)
Over the years I was able to take part in several photography workshops here-and even lead a few of my own. These were incredibly well received by photo enthusiasts who love to photograph abandoned or almost abandoned places, and other architectural jewels. Even with the peeling paint, construction lights and other visible decay, the theatre was a great place to create some fantastic images. The centerpiece was the gorgeous chandelier, which remained in tact, and was a highlight to capture during the visit. Here a few “before” images

Now that the theater has been restored, we’ve secured a private-access opportunity to photograph this amazing place once again!
Join me for a unique, educational and fun, architecturally-focused photographic event! We’ll discuss everything you need to know to capture beautiful images of this architectural gem on a pre-trek zoom. Focus will be on nailing exposure in very tricky lighting conditions, creative composition, creating panoramic images, emphasizing the beautiful details of the space and more!
There will also be a post trek image review where participants can share their images and get tips on editing, composition and more. Join us!
Pre-registration is required. A minimum number of participants is needed to run the event. Register now to secure your spot! Register by Thursday April 9th at 6pm to join the pre-trek zoom information class.
The Lansdowne Theater is located at 31 N Lansdowne Ave, Lansdowne, PA

Spring Blooms Photo Trek-Date Change!!!
2026-04-16 10:00 - 13:30 | Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, United States
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!

This 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.

Among 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!

Great for all levels of photo enthusiasts with any camera gear.

Recommended 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.
This 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.

Group 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.

Cost 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!

NJ Night Skies Weekend Adventure Trek
2026-04-17 15:30 - 2026-04-19 12:00
Have you ever looked up at the night sky, and wished you could capture stunning images of the stars?
Astro 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!
Join 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!
The 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!
We 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.
There 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.
Friday 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.
Hotel 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.
We will still be out shooting even if it is cloudy, but will reschedule if high threat of rain.
Space 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
If 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.
In case of inclement weather, the workshop will be rescheduled.
Note: Save $20 by paying by VENMO or CASH app! Just contact me to register. Valerie@ValerieHoffmanPhotography.com

Wonders of Waterfall Photography in the Delaware Water Gap
2026-05-08 08:00 - 17:00
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.
Join 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.
During 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.
This workshop is great for beginners as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts.
Registration deadline is April 30th. Don’t wait-register today!
Note: 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.
Also 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!
Below are shots from our potential waterfall spots.

Delaware Water Gap Weekend Adventure! Waterfalls and Luna Parc!!!
2026-05-08 08:00 - 2026-05-09 16:00
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.
On day one, we will meet bright and early in the DWG, and spend a full day photographing the beautiful waterfalls and streams in the Delaware Water Gap. Potential stops will be Bushkill, Childs Park, Dingman’s Falls and stream, Marshall’s Falls, and Raymondskill Falls.
Then on day 2, we have reserved a special visit to Luna Parc-the amazing private residence of Ricky Boscarino. We will photograph there in the morning, then head back over to the PA side of the Gap to continue our waterfall adventure where we left off.
And for those who will be participating for both days (you can register for Friday or Saturday separately), weather permitting, there will be an additional option to drive a few minutes into New York to photograph the awesome, curvy road at Hawk’s Nest, to capture long exposures of car trails heading up and down the highway!
Hotel suggestions will be sent after registration. 2 double rooms have been reserved. First registrants get room option!
If you would like to join us for a single day-Friday or Saturday, see separate event listings.
Note: 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.

Creative Photo Trek to Luna Parc!
2026-05-09 11:00 - 14:00
Join us for a private workshop to one of the most interesting and unique places you’ll ever visit!
Discover Luna Parc, a unique artistic playground tucked away on 8.5 wooded acres in northern New Jersey. Created by multimedia artist Richard “Ricky” Boscarino, Luna Parc is filled with colorful, quirky buildings and outdoor sculptures made from everything you can imagine—metal, glass, clay, and even bowling balls and license plates.
During this workshop, you’ll get access to this 5,000 square foot museum and home, exploring both the unusual architecture and the fascinating interior filled with thousands of curious objects. From detailed mosaics to eclectic art pieces, you’ll discover a treasure trove of quirky, fascinating objects and artwork offering endless photo opportunities. There’s no shortage of interesting subjects to shoot! Whether you’re new to photography or a seasoned pro, Luna Parc is the perfect playground to spark your creativity and capture something truly unique and fun.
No special gear is needed. A wide angle to midrange zoom lens is all you’ll need. You could even use your phone!
We will begin our workshop with a Zoom session where we will go through all the details of the workshop, including detailed instruction on composition and exposure settings.
After the workshop, we will have a participant image review on zoom, along with a variety of editing tips and tricks to make your images pop.
A detailed email with details and location info will be sent prior to the event.
Please note: there are 11 levels (not floors) to the museum. Participants must be able to walk up and down many flights of stairs, as well as walking on some uneven ground outdoors. As the majority of our time will be inside, event will be held rain or shine.
A minimum number of participants is needed to run this workshop, as the cost to tour is a greater than normal cost.
Note: 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.
Ticket price does include admission to grounds for this exclusive event. Deadline to register is May 1st!
If you’d like more info, check out this great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ifmCqRxWg&t=25s

Spring Waterfall Trek at Ricketts Glen
2026-05-16 07:30 - 15:30
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.

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 will open shortly. Stay tuned for registration announcement. I’ll post the link here when available
