The middle of June is a fun time on the north shore. The summer is just starting and the spring wildflowers have reached peak. Grand Marais is lively, the lupine bloom has started and the waterfalls have assumed the summer flow rates. The trees are green, the weather is usually pleasant, calm and sunny with fair weather cumulus clouds forming in the afternoon. During this Lake Superior macro photography workshop, we’ll spend our time photographing the wildflowers and pink lady slippers (if we’re lucky). You’ll have the chance to photograph some of the famous waterfalls in the area as well. We’ll also photograph sunrise over Lake Superior from Artist’s Point and the Grand Marais harbor. The classroom topics include macro photography and digital darkroom processing for flowers.

Dates: June 19-21, 2026

Price: $ 499 ($250 nonrefundable deposit due on registration. Final payment is due 90 days before the workshop)

Location: Grand Marais, Minnesota

This event is in cooperation with and under a Special Use Permit from the U.S.  Forest Service, Gunflint Ranger District.

What You Will Learn

This hands-on workshop is designed to help you master the art of macro photography in the inspiring landscapes of Minnesota’s North Shore. Whether you’re new to close-up work or looking to refine your skills, you’ll gain the knowledge and techniques needed to create stunning images of wildflowers and intimate landscapes.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll learn:

• Macro Photography Techniques: How to use macro lenses, extension tubes, close-up filters, and teleconverters to achieve sharp, detailed close-ups.
• Creative Composition: Tips for framing and composing compelling macro images in the field.
• Focus Stacking: Capture multiple exposures for enhanced depth of field and learn how to process them in Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Helicon Focus.
• Natural Light Mastery: Make the most of soft morning light, shaded forest scenes, and reflected light to enhance color and texture in your photos.
• Post-Processing for Flowers: Workflow techniques for editing flower and macro photos to bring out natural beauty without overdoing it.
• Field Experience: Practical shooting sessions at prime wildflower locations and waterfalls, with personalized instruction and feedback.
• Image Review: Group critique session to discuss your work, receive suggestions, and celebrate progress.

Whether you’re photographing a delicate pink lady slipper or a dramatic sunrise over Lake Superior, you’ll leave with stronger technical skills, a sharper creative eye, and a collection of images you’ll be proud to share.

Itinerary

This Lake Superior macro photography workshop combines classroom time with field-work and a final review. You’ll learn photography techniques for capturing wild flowers. The techniques focus on macro photography. I’ll cover macro lenses, close-up filters, extension tubes, teleconverters and I’ll explain what that monster of a lens in the attached images accomplished. With the small group size, there’s plenty of time for one-on-one instruction.

Day 1

We start the day with a classroom session on the basics of macro photography using a macro lens or extension tubes, either are acceptable for this workshop. We also discuss focus stacking. After the classroom session, we break for lunch and then meet up for a field session photographing wildflowers.

Day 2

We’ll start the day by capturing the sunrise over Lake Superior. After breakfast, we meet in the classroom for an image processing demo that includes instruction on focus stacking in Photoshop and Lightroom Classic via Helicon Focus. After lunch, we’re in the field the entire day photographing wild flowers. Destinations may include Cascade River State Park, which also offers awesome waterfalls to photograph, and the Cook County Wildflower Sanctuary. We’ll try to find pink lady slippers and as many variety of flowers as we can. The day ends at 5pm.

Day 3

We’ll start the day photographing sunrise and more wild flowers. After a break for breakfast and checkout, we’ll meet back in the classroom at 9am for an image review. The workshop ends at 11am.

Additional Information

Workshop type: This is a Minnesota photography workshop. It has classroom time, outdoor field time, and an image review session during the workshop dates. Learn more about workshop types.

Maximum number of participants: 10

Level: This workshop is for all levels of photographers and works best for photographers using digital cameras.

Activity level: Expect up to 2-mile round trips on moderate terrain. Some days may have a total of 4 miles of hiking. Most of the hikes are easy to moderate in difficulty. Some of the potential hikes may have sections that some would consider harder, but based on the standard difficulty ratings they are easy to moderate. Sometimes participants decide to skip some of the hikes and photograph closer to the cars. This is okay. If you have questions, please, phone me.

What’s included in the workshop fee: Quality small group and one-on-one instruction. Conference room for classroom time. Fun!

What’s not included in the workshop fee: Transportation to Grand Marais and photography locations. Carpooling is highly recommended. Lodging. Meals and drinks. Park permits.

Lodging partner: The lodging partner is within walking distance of downtown Grand Marais. After you register, you’ll receive information about booking your room in the room block. You’ll need to make your room registration separately from the workshop fee.

Workshop Dates: June 19-21, 2026

Check-in date: June 18

Check-out date: June 21

Getting to Grand Marais: Grand Marais, Minnesota is 110 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota on Highway 61. Duluth boasts a small international airport. It’s 260 miles north of Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has an international airport that also acts as a regional hub. Grand Marais is 128 kilometers south of Thunder Bay, Ontario on Highway 61. Thunder Bay has a small airport. Car rentals are available at the airports.

Weather: The average temps are 44°F for lows and 63°F for highs for the month of October.

Equipment list: After registration, you will receive a suggested equipment list and participant package. The package will discuss equipment options, photography techniques and more.

Registration and Cancellation Policies

Please, read the Registration and Cancellation Policies at the link. There are no exceptions to the policy.