Photography Workshops and Courses with Bryan Hansel
Since 2006, I’ve been leading landscape photography workshops, night sky photo tours, and online photography classes across Minnesota, the Midwest, and some of America’s most iconic national parks. Whether you’re a beginner looking to master your camera or an advanced photographer chasing light, these small-group workshops are designed to meet you where you are and help you grow.
Each photography workshop blends instruction, hands-on learning in beautiful locations, and a supportive environment where questions are encouraged. My in-person workshops take place in scenic destinations like the North Shore of Lake Superior, Bayfield Peninsula, Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, and Death Valley. Online photo classes make it easy to learn from anywhere.
Workshops are fun, flexible, and focused on giving you real-world skills to improve your photography. If you’re ready to build your portfolio and shoot with more confidence, explore the schedule below.
All levels and people are welcome. Groups are small, usually ranging from 8 to 10 participants. If you have any questions email me at bryan@bryanhansel.com.
Check out what past workshop attendees have to say.
This is the best learning experience I’ve had in years!
Judy from Winnipeg, MB
Photography Workshop Schedule
2026 Destination Photo Workshops
May 28-31: Bayfield Peninsula Photography Workshop – Sold out. Join the waitlist
Oct 7–11: Badlands and Black Hills – Sold out. Join the waitlist
Dec 2–6: Death Valley National Park – Sold out. Join the waitlist
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Pay your final payments: Final Payments
2026 Minnesota Photo Workshops
April 24–26: Waterfall Photo Workshop –Sold out. Join the waitlist
May 13–17: Early Season Milky Way on the North Shore – Sold out. Join the waitlist
June 19–21: North Shore of Lake Superior Wildflower – Sold out. Wait list available.
July 12–16: Northern Night Sky – Sold out. Wait list available.
Aug 9–13: Night Sky of the Gunflint – Sold out. Wait list available.
Sept 30–Oct 4: Lake Superior Fall Color – Sold out. Wait list available.
Nov 6–8: Shadows of November – Sold out. Wait list available.
Private and Small Group Workshops
Private Photo Workshops: 1:1 and small groups in the Grand Marais, MN area.
Private Astrophotography Workshops: 1:1 and small group workshops in one of the darkest areas of the country.
Portfolio Reviews
Online Portfolio Reviews: Contact me for availability.
2026 Online Photo Workshops
November 9, 11, 16, 18, 2026 (four sessions): Online Lightroom Class – Spots available
Online Image Review
Online Image Reviews: Contact me for availability.
2027 Minnesota Photo Workshops
Registration opens in April.
Feb: Winter on Lake Superior
Apr: Waterfalls of the North Shore
May: Milky Way Panoramas
Jun: TBD
Jul: Northern Night Skies
Aug: Night Skies of the Gunflint Trail
Sep: TBD
Oct: Lake Superior Fall Color
Nov: Gales of November
2027 Destination Photo Workshops
Apr: Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains
Others TBD
Photo Workshop Types
Minnesota photography Workshops
These workshops blend classroom time, outdoor field time, and an image review session during the workshop dates. Starting in 2025, many of my 3-day workshops are now 4 days long—based on participant feedback—to allow for more in-depth instruction on image processing and personalized feedback.
Destination Photo Workshops
These immersive workshops focus entirely on fieldwork and experiential learning to help you get the best photos in some of America’s most stunning locations. The goal is to build your skills in real-world shooting conditions by spending your time practicing and using your photography knowledge, equipment and skills while making the most of the light and landscapes we encounter. You’ll receive in-field feedback as I check in with you or when you flag me down.
Schedules are often packed with shooting opportunities and allow minimal downtime to take advantage of the conditions as they occur. Some workshops may include short breaks, but you shouldn’t count on much free time. See each workshop’s tentative itinerary for specific details.
Destination workshops are best suited for photographers who’ve attended one of my Minnesota workshops or have equivalent experience. Pre-recorded presentation videos are available before the trip, but they’re optional.
Online Photography Workshops
These include multiple virtual classroom sessions and, depending on the topic, may include up to two weeks of at-home practice between meetings. They’re a convenient way to dive deep into a subject without traveling to Grand Marais or a national park.
Private and Small Group – Grand Marais Area
These custom, outdoor-only sessions are tailored to your skill level and learning goals. They’re a great way to focus on exactly what you want to improve.
Photography Club Photo Workshops
Club workshops are designed specifically for your photography club. You bring your club, and I’ll set up the hotel, conference room, and provide classroom presentations and guiding.
Permits & Authorization
I hold all the proper permits. I’m an authorized permittee of the National Park Service and hold a Special Use Permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
By the way, I hope you hear this all the time, but your workshop changed my life. Thank you for that!
Jeremy from Bayfield, WI
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Bryan is an expert teacher who knows how to meet you where you are and help you grow from there. I am grateful for his teaching and guidance.
Lindsey from Duluth, MN