Welcome to our Workshops! Mountaineer Photo Excursions is about teaching and learning in interesting and exciting locations. We have a full schedule of events already in place for 2023... Our 12th Year! We're also firming up locations and dates for 2024, '25 and beyond! Whether you like the beach, the mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, history or just visiting somewhere different, we have a workshop that will fit your interest. We don't just take you to beautiful places...we teach you to have a better understanding of how to use your cameras, as well as new photo techniques, to preserve and share your adventures!
Please review our descriptions, and also visit our photo galleries. You will see more from these locations, along with past workshops, and some previews from our scouting trips! We currently have destinations planned into 2025!
We are also doing photography classes! Check out our new "Classes" area on the website. Contact us at [email protected].
If you like what you see on our website, email us with "NEWSLETTER" as the subject or message, and we will add you to our "Mile Markers" email newsletter, which we share 6-7 times during the year.
Ron & Amanda will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will make adjustments to our activities and schedules as necessary. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Ron Gaskins and Amanda Haddox
Our Next Workshop...
2023
We are working on some exciting destinations for 2023, 2024, & 2025!
We'll share as we firm up the details.
Maryland West Virginia Pennsylvania Alaska Ohio Florida
Cedar Lakes Conf. Ctr. Photo Workshop – April 17-21, 2023
Focus on Learning Photography in West Virginia
With the natural and historical background of Cedar Lakes Conference Center, see a portion of West Virginia through your lens as you improve your digital photography skills.
This week-long workshop is appropriate for beginners to intermediate, but experienced photographers may also enjoy a review of skills, as well as learning new ones. Photography themes will include nature, travel, history, and wildlife, with an emphasis on capturing the best possible image in the camera, without dependence on post-processing.
With guidance from your instructor, Ron Gaskins, you will get to know your digital camera on a deeper level; get a better grasp on your camera’s controls; learn how to select the best lens and improve your technique with lessons on composition, exposure, black and white photography and much more!
You will expand your knowledge of digital photography with a range of classroom lessons, from lens selection to basic composition. Put what you’ve learned to use on photo walks along Cedar and Mirror Lakes, past the covered bridge, at the log cabin and more. Bring your favorite photos for a group critique and get tips on how to improve your work.
WHERE: Cedar Lakes Conference Center, in Ripley, WV.
WHEN: April 17-21, 2023; Monday-Friday.
WHO: We are accepting 12 participants for this workshop.
FEE: Commuter fee is $212.00. Lodging and meals are also available.
Commuter - $212.00
Adult Dorm Lodging - $434.60
Semi-Private Holt Lodge (with roommate) - $577.70
Private Holt Lodge - $816.20
REGISTER: Contact Cedar Lakes Conference Center; 304-372-7860, or Jennifer Groves, Education Coordinator, at [email protected] They can also fill out a registration request at www.cedarlakes.com/craft-
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Spring Waterfall Photo Workshop - May 5-7, 2023
(note New Dates)
Ricketts Glen State Park, Pa
Surrounded by the spring green of the trees, the aroma of the forest floor, the sound of rushing water as it races among the rocks on a downhill run…this is the environment of Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania. Come with Mountaineer Photo Excursions as we visit one of the hidden gems of the Keystone State to explore and photograph many of the 21 named waterfalls within this Park.
The scenery is stunning as the trails are cradled by the soaring trees as we descend the steep and rocky path along the waterfalls. We do encourage our “Workshoppers” to take proper precautions for this hike, such as wearing proper footwear, staying on the marked trail, and being in good physical condition.
We plan to walk one leg of the Falls Trail, which will include the 94-foot Ganoga Falls, the highest of the named waterfalls. Ricketts Glen State Park is over 13,000 acres across three counties, and also includes the Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark.
Our workshop will also include some man-made attractions! Amanda Haddox and Ron Gaskins have scouted the area and discovered an antique barn (with a unique flower garden) and a truly unique museum of motorcycles, cameras, motorcycles, Avon decanters, motorcycles, military memorabilia, motorcycles, telephones, and more! Did we mention motorcycles?
WHEN: May 5-7, 2023. We will begin on Friday evening with a meetup with introductions and orientation; a full day of photography on Saturday; and conclude our photography on early Sunday afternoon.
WHERE:
From Syracuse, NY - 2 hrs, 49 minutes; 167 miles
From Pittsburgh, PA – 4 hrs; 244 miles
From Richmond, VA – 5 hrs, 28 minutes; 324 miles
From Columbus, OH – 6 hrs, 32 minutes; 436 miles
From Charleston, WV – 6 hrs; 42 minutes; 441 miles
LODGING: Clients will enjoy their stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Bloomsburg, PA. Mountaineer Photo Excursions has reserved a block of rooms, each equipped with two Queen beds. Your lodging cost is included in the workshop registration fee. Two participants sharing a room will receive a shared discount fee. Non-participants may stay with a participant at no charge but may not accompany us on our field trips.
WHO: We are welcoming a maximum of 10 people for the Ricketts Glen photo workshop.
FEE: Registration is OPEN! Our “Early Bird” discount fee is $685.00, a 15% discount! To receive the Early Bird discount fee, you must register and pay your fee in full no later than March 15 at 11:00 pm. After that date, our Regular Fee of $810.00 will be in effect. A $400.00 deposit will hold your spot. All registration is managed by Mountaineer Photo Excursions, as well as your motel reservations; lodging, admission to selected venues, and photography instruction are included. Meals and local transportation are not included. All registration will close on April 5 at 11:00 pm.
CONTACT: [email protected] with questions or to register for this workshop, or call 304-532-0070.
For examples of what we may see, please visit our Ricketts Glen photo gallery here...
https://www.mountaineerphotoexcursions.com/p26338600
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Southern Shores of Maryland – July 7-9, 2023
Join Mountaineer Photo Excursions, and instructors Ron Gaskins and Amanda Haddox, for our photography workshop exploring the “Southern Shores of Maryland!” Have you ever wandered through a maze of giant sunflowers? Have you seen sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay? Have you visited an historical museum, then crossed over to an island to walk in the same paths of which you’ve learned? Have you been within reach of the most exciting aircraft used to defend our nation? Have you seen what a sunset and starry night looked like in 1836? Do you want to see the first settlers of Maryland, and how they carved out a community that became the first State Capitol?
The area known as the Southern Shores is located on a peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay. St. Mary's County covers most of this land and includes several small State Parks. There is also an attraction, Historic St. Mary's City, the site of the state's first capitol. In addition, it was the location of a community formed by the earliest Catholic settlers.
Chesapeake Bay has lighthouses, and we plan to visit a couple of them. After a visit to the St. Clement's Museum, we'll take a water taxi over to the island to see the lighthouse located there, known as the Blackistone Island Light, During the Civil War, Confederate forces planned to destroy the lighthouse to keep it from aiding Union forces. When Keeper Jerome McWilliams learned of the plan, he pleaded with the Confederates to spare the structure as his wife was close to childbirth and moving her off the island would endanger both her life and that of the unborn child. The Confederate officer had compassion on the couple and instead of tearing down the lighthouse opted to confiscate the supply of oil and destroy the lantern and lens.
On a more modern note, we will stop at the Patuxent Naval Air Museum. Visitors are welcome to get a close look at 25 different Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, many of which are one-of-a-kind test aircraft and prototypes. Also, on the flightline is the cupola from the Cedar Point lighthouse, which once stood watch at the confluence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. The museum’s Test and Evaluation Hall is one of the most unique and iconic buildings in both Lexington Park and the Southern Maryland area. The T&E Hall features multiple aircraft, from a replica Curtiss A-1 Triad to the Lockheed Martin X-35C Joint Strike Fighter prototype, along with galleries such as the History of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Naval Aviation in Space, and the upcoming Women in Aviation exhibit.
We plan to kick off our workshop weekend at Goldpetal Farms and their Sunflower Maze! Enjoy flowers, pollinators, birds, and the occasional critter; have fun exploring the maze and the gardens; and capture magic moments with your camera in a beautiful, happy place.
Do you want to improve your photography? Let us take you there! As we visit and view these sites and others, Amanda and Ron will share their experience and knowledge of photography, giving you opportunities to create your own memorable images of this amazing piece of Maryland’s geography, wildlife, and history! Admission to selected locations will be included.
WHEN: July 7-9, 2023; Beginning Friday evening at 6:00 pm; a full day on Saturday concluding early afternoon on Sunday.
WHERE: St. Mary’s City in Maryland is located:
From Charleston, WV – 6 hours, 21 minutes / 373 miles
From Pittsburgh, PA – 5 hours, 21 minutes / 304 miles
From Washington, DC – 1 hour, 35 minutes / 54 miles
From Roanoke, VA – 4 hours, 22 minutes / 244 miles
From Cumberland, MD – 3 hours, 30 minutes / 195 miles
LODGING: Clients will enjoy a two-night stay at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Lexington Park, MD. A block of rooms has been reserved by Mountaineer Photo Excursions, furnished with one King bed. A limited number of rooms with two King beds are also available. Two participants sharing a room will receive a discount on their registration fee.
WHO: Ron and Amanda are welcoming a maximum of 10 people for this workshop.
FEE: Registration is OPEN! Our “Early Bird” discount fee is $635.00, a 15% discount! To receive the Early Bird discount fee, you must register and pay your fee in full no later than May 3, 2023, at 11:00 pm. After that date, our regular fee of $750 will be in effect. A $400.00 deposit will confirm your spot. Registration is managed by Mountaineer Photo Excursions, as well as your motel reservations; lodging, admission to selected venues, and instruction are included in our fee. Meals and local transportation are not included. All registration will close on June 3, 2023, at 11:00 pm.
CONTACT: [email protected] or 304-532-0070, to learn more or to register.
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Great Alaska Grizzly Adventure – September 22 -28, 2023
This Workshop is FULL!
We Will Make a 2nd Trip in 2024!
Mountaineer Photo Excursions has traveled to many locations in the eastern United States! We’ve been North to Maine and South to Florida, as well as East to the North Carolina coast! Now, Amanda Haddox and Ron Gaskins are traveling further than ever, to our “Great Alaska Grizzly Adventure!” and we want you to join us!
This will be a special wildlife adventure, as we expect to show you grizzly bears fishing for salmon and grazing for blueberries; grizzly bears wandering through the grass; grizzly bears swimming in glacier-fed lakes; grizzly bear cubs rolling over each other. Beyond the wildlife, the environment presents dramatic landscapes like no other... the colorful tundra, accented by ponds and rivers; snow-capped mountains and rushing waterfalls!
Would you like to wake up to a stunning sunrise over the Alaskan mountains, board a bush plane and fly over the brilliantly colored autumn Alaskan tundra, or watch grizzly bears leisurely grazing for blueberries or fishing for salmon? After a full day of exploration and photography, would you like to return to the lodge for a delicious hot dinner, as you watch the sun set across the largest lake in the state?
We will be traveling to “The Last Frontier” in September 2023. Don’t delay! If you want to learn more, if you want to join us on our “Great Alaska Grizzly Adventure,” click HERE! Do you want to improve your photography? Let us take you there!
ATTENTION! Due to the overwhelming interest in our "Great Alaska Grizzly Adventure," we will offer a second trip in September 2024! Registration for this Second Alaska Adventure 2024 will open in January 2023! Due to the significant fluctuations in fuel and related travel costs, we cannot set a firm fee at this time. We hope to be able to do so soon.
We will update when we have additional information. If you have a serious interest in the 2024 Alaska workshop, please contact [email protected].
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The Bridges of Ashtabula County, OH - Oct. 20-22, 2023
Mountaineer Photo Excursions is excited to offer this new location for autumn of 2023. Ashtabula County in northern Ohio is well known for its wineries and the Lake Erie shoreline. However, what really caught our attention are the 19 historic covered bridges that call this area home! Plus, we have timed this weekend photo workshop to be at the peak of fall, where the spectacular orange, red and yellow leaves will create the perfect autumn background.
These bridges are a combination of past and present. We’ll kick off the weekend by photographing the Ashtabula Lift Bridge as it is illuminated against the twilight blue sky of the nearby waterfront. The Smolen-Gulf bridge was built in 2008 and is the longest covered bridge in the United States, at a length of 613 feet. This is not a concrete and steel structure but is constructed of wooden beams. On the other hand, the Liberty Street Bridge is America’s shortest drive-through bridge, at a span of just 18 feet! The oldest documented covered bridges in the county date back to 1867 and 1868. During our weekend photo workshop, Mountaineer Photo Excursions will visit many of these covered bridges, as well as a few other local attractions.
We mentioned the Lake Erie shore, and one of our stops will take us to a beachfront park with a view of the lake and a lighthouse at sunset. During our scouting trip, we discovered an apple orchard with a wide variety of products, such as hot & cold apple cider, apple & pumpkin pies, apple cider donuts, cookies, muffins, and more. Are you hungry yet? Another stop will be at the Old Mill Winery. The mill was built in the 1860s and retains the rustic charm of days past. It will make a great destination for a late lunch on Sunday!
Mountaineer Photo Excursions has reserved a block of rooms at a nearby hotel to provide you with a convenient location for lodging for our weekend. In addition, we will be providing local transportation in the Super Van, a 15-passenger deluxe travel van. With the Super Van, you won’t have to be concerned about navigating and parking in unfamiliar areas. Instructors Amanda Haddox and Ron Gaskins will share their photography experience and knowledge during the weekend.
WHEN: Registration is now OPEN! October 20-22, 2023; Friday evening, full day on Saturday, and finishing early afternoon on Sunday.
WHERE: Ashtabula County, OH. Home to 27 miles of shoreline, 19 covered bridges, over two dozen wineries, four scenic rivers, two state parks, and more!
Charleston, WV --- 4 hours, 20 minutes; 288 miles
Pittsburgh, PA --- 2 hours, 3 minutes; 123 miles
Cumberland, MD --- 3 hours, 46 minutes; 222 miles
Louisville, KY --- 6 hours, 2 minutes; 395 miles
Indianapolis, IN --- 5 hours, 28 minutes; 363 miles
Lansing, MI --- 4 hours, 19 minutes; 284 miles
Columbus, OH --- 2 hours, 50 minutes; 189 miles
WHO: Ron & Amanda will welcome 10 participants on this workshop. Our standard Liability Waiver must be signed to participate in this event.
LODGING: We have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Austinburg, OH. The rooms are all furnished with two beds. Lodging is included in the registration fee, and Mountaineer Photo Excursions will make your reservations. Two participants sharing a room will receive a discount. A non-participant may share a room at no additional cost, but non-participants may not accompany us during our field trips.
FEE: From now until Monday, August 21 at 11:00 pm, we are offering an “Early Bird” discount fee of just $560.00; a 15% discount. After that date, our regular fee of $660.00 will apply until September 19 at 11:00 pm, when all registration will close. Your registration fee includes lodging for two nights at our selected hotel, admission to all selected venues, local transportation, and photography instruction during the event. It does not include meals. Our preferred method of payment is your credit card via our PayPal invoice. We will accept checks from prior clients. Our cancellation policy may be viewed on our “About Us” page on our website.
CONTACT: [email protected] to register or to learn more!
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2024
Florida Keys Winter Escape - January 2024
Not looking forward to another long, cold, gray winter? Mountaineer Photo Excursions can arrange for your escape! Join instructors Amanda Haddox and Ron Gaskins as they guide you through the islands of the Florida Keys and offer photography instruction along the way.
Leave the snow and cold behind and come enjoy the beaches and warm waters in places with romantic names such as Key Largo, Islamorada, Big Pine Key, Dry Tortugas, and Marathon. We will be exploring these places in search of stunning landscapes, amazing wildlife, their unique history, and their special stories as we record the memories of this trip with our cameras!
There’s no shortage of stunning locations and exciting activities to explore and photograph as we travel through the Florida Keys. While we haven’t confirmed everything that will be included in our workshop, we are looking at some of these…
A glass bottom boat cruise, from which we can view the coral reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the only undersea park in the United States. We may even see sharks and sea turtles;
An airboat ride through the Everglades Alligator Farm. The Alligator Farm provides shows, feeding demonstrations, and viewing of many alligators;
A non-profit research center that is a home to dolphins and sea lions. While some have been raised on site, additional animals needing rescue have been re-homed here. Visitors can observe staff working with the dolphins in interactive training, games, exercise, and more;
We can also add some amazing settings for sunrise and sunset images! We are working on options for local travel and lodging now, but Amanda and Ron have already scouted their way from Miami all the way through the Keys, and have first hand experiences to share with you!
We will be sharing more details soon but start dreaming of this Winter Escape now!
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Great Alaska Grizzly Adventure II - Sept. 8-14, 2024
Mountaineer Photo Excursions has been to the “Last Frontier,” and you can go, too! Ron and Amanda have scouted and led a workshop in Alaska, and will return in September 2024.
From all the places we’ve visited and all the states in which we have led photography workshops, one location has been mentioned again and again…Alaska! We are excited to offer this opportunity once again to photograph this amazing destination and the grizzly bears that make it their home!
How do we put you in front of all this wildlife and wild country? We have engaged an experienced Alaskan outfitter to provide not only direction, but also transportation. Our guides have identified well over 100 specific locations where the various wildlife can be found. To take us where the “wild things” are, we can take advantage of multiple aircraft and watercraft. With their four aircraft and 14 boats staged in different locations, we can go wherever the wildlife may be.
Our workshops dates are September 8-14, 2024. During our workshop, your registration fee will cover your local transportation, lodging, meals, and photography instruction. You will be responsible for your own travel arrangements and expenses to/from Anchorage and Iliamna, AK.
If you are seriously interested in this amazing photography workshop and want to know all the details, please click HERE.
Don’t delay. Our first Alaska workshop sold out in just days!
Do you want to improve your photography? Let us take you there!
www.MountaineerPhotoExcursions.com [email protected]
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