Photography Workshop Schedule

A foggy valley with hills and buttes coming out of the fog under the sunrise clouds.

Since 2006, I’ve been leading landscape photography workshops, and night sky photo workshops 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 looking to be put into the best places at the best time when the conditions are right, these small-group workshops are designed to meet you where you are and help you grow.

All levels and people are welcome. Groups are small, usually ranging from 8 to 10 participants. I also offer 1:1, private small group instruction, and workshops for photography clubs. If you have any questions email me at bryan@bryanhansel.com.

Check out what past workshop attendees have to say.

2026 Photo Workshops Schedule

Waiting lists are available for sold out workshops. Sign up at the link to the workshop. I get between two and three cancellations per workshop, so get on that list. When I get a cancellation, I email the list letting everyone know there’s a spot available.

Date2026 Photography WorkshopsLocation
Jun 19–21North Shore of Lake Superior Wildflower – Sold out. Join the waitlistGrand Marais, MN
Jul 12–16Northern Night Sky – Sold out. Wait list available.Grand Marais, MN
Aug 9–13 Night Sky of the Gunflint – Sold out. Wait list available.Grand Marais, MN
Sep 30–Oct 4Lake Superior Fall Color – Sold out. Wait list available.Grand Marais, MN
Oct 7–11Badlands and Black Hills – Sold out. Wait list available.Wall and Custer, SD
Nov 6–8Shadows of November – Sold out. Wait list available.Grand Marais, MN
Dec 2–6Death Valley National Park – Sold out. Wait list available.Death Valley, CA

Pay your final payments: Final Payments

2026 Online Photography Workshops

Online photography workshops include multiple virtual classroom sessions. They’re a convenient way to dive deep into a subject without traveling to Grand Marais or a national park.

DateOnline Photo Workshops
2026: Nov 9, 11, 16, 18Online Lightroom ClassSpots available

This is the best learning experience I’ve had in years!

Judy from Winnipeg, MB

2027 Photography Workshop Schedule

The stars and northern lights over a stream and dock in northern Minnesota at a photography workshop.

Waiting lists are available for sold out workshops.

Date2027 Photography WorkshopsLocation
Jan 29–31Winter on Lake SuperiorSpots availableGrand Marais, MN
Apr 19–23Spring in the Great Smoky MountainsOnly 1 spot leftGatlinburg, TN
Apr 30–May 2Waterfalls of the North ShoreHalf FullGrand Marais, MN
May 6-8Milky Way Panos – Sold out. Join the waitlistGrand Marais, MN
Jun 16–20Flowers, Waterfalls & the Full Moon – Sold out. Join the waitlistGrand Marais, MN
Jul 6–10Northern Night Skies – Sold out. Join the waitlistGrand Marais, MN
Aug 1–5Night Skies of the Gunflint Trail – Sold out. Join the waitlistGrand Marais, MN
Sep 29–Oct 3Lake Superior Fall ColorHalf FullGrand Marais, MN
Nov 5–7Gales of NovemberSpots availableGrand Marais, MN
Dec 1–5Early Winter in Badlands – Sold out. Join the waitlistWall, SD

Pay your final payments here: Final Payments

Private Photography Workshops

Two evergreen-covered points coming together on a misty lake

Private and Small Group Workshops

Photograph rugged cliffs, crashing waves, waterfalls, boreal forest, the night sky, and the Sawtooth Mountains on Minnesota’s North Shore. These private and small group workshops are designed to help you create powerful landscape and nightscape images in some of the most scenic locations in North America.

Date1:1 Private and Small Group WorkshopsLocation
By request1:1 and Private Group Photo WorkshopsGrand Marais, MN
By request1:1 AND Private Group Astrophotography WorkshopsGrand Marais, MN
By requestClub & Camera Club Landscape Photo WorkshopsGrand Marais, MN

Photography club? Contact me to talk about workshops or presentations for your club.

Portfolio Reviews and Online Image Reviews

My online image review sessions offer constructive, personalized guidance to help you improve your photography.

DatePortfolio and Online Image Reviews
By requestOnline Portfolio Reviews
By requestOnline Image Reviews

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

Photography Workshops and Courses with Bryan Hansel

An island under a clouds turned purple with sunrise taken on a photography workshop.

Since 2006, I’ve been leading landscape photography workshops, and night sky photo workshops 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. I also offer 1:1 and private small group instruction. If you have any questions email me at bryan@bryanhansel.com.

Check out what past workshop attendees have to say.

Photo Workshop Types

Minnesota photography Workshops

These workshops blend classroom time, outdoor field time, and an image review session during the workshop dates.

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.

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Subscribe to More or Less About the Photo to get photography lessons I’ve learned that you can apply to your photography, and tips to help you improve. I publish every other week. Photography has enriched my life, and I hope that I can enrich yours.

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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