PhotoPills is one of the most powerful photography planning tools available, but its extensive feature set can feel overwhelming. This online course teaches you the complete workflow for planning successful shoots from initial location research and understanding key concepts, to mastering PhotoPills’ most useful features, to confidently using the Planner tool with real-world examples.

Course Details

This is an online Zoom class.

• Date & Time: January 26, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Central Time
• Investment: $50 per person
• Format: Live instruction via Zoom, limited to 25 participants
• Recording Included: Can’t attend live? You’ll receive full access to the class recording
• Prerequisites: Completion of one of my photography workshops or online courses, or equivalent outdoor photography experience

What You’ll Learn

This hands-on PhotoPills course covers essential planning techniques for landscape and astrophotography:

• Pre-Planning Research: Gather critical location data (elevations, access, timing) before opening PhotoPills
• Essential Concepts: Understand azimuth, elevation, and how PhotoPills uses these for shot planning
• Location Scouting: Use the Planner tool to find optimal sunrise, sunset, and Milky Way shooting locations
• Sun and Moon Pills: Predict golden hour, blue hour, twilights, and moon phases for any date
• Technical Precision: Master the Exposure Calculator, Depth of Field Calculator, and Hyperfocal Table
• The Find Feature: Calculate exactly when the sun or moon will align with your composition
• Augmented Reality: Use AR features for effective shot visualization and on-location focusing
• Workflow Integration: Save plans, create shoot schedules, and integrate with your calendar system

We’ll work through real-world planning scenarios using familiar Minnesota locations like Split Rock Lighthouse, Grand Marais Lighthouse, and Clearwater Lake on the Gunflint Trail, plus iconic destinations including the Badlands and Grand Tetons.

My Teaching Approach

This course combines foundational concepts with hands-on application. We’ll start with essential planning techniques and terminology, then systematically work through PhotoPills’ key features before diving deep into the Planner tool. We’ll spend nearly half the class learning to plan actual shoots. You’ll see real examples at six different locations, watch demonstration videos, and have time for questions throughout. By the end of this 90-minute session, you’ll understand both how PhotoPills works and how to apply it to your own photography locations.

Registration and Cancellation Policies

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