Oregon Fall Colors Photo Tour
The Oregon Fall Colors photography tour features the best waterfalls in Oregon during peak fall color season. Along with awesome cascades, we will explore and photograph the world-famous Columbia River Gorge, beautiful old-growth forests, rushing streams, rustic bridges, and pristine Pacific Northwest flora.
You will improve your photo skills with personalized, professional photography instruction, and enhance your digital workflow and editing skills with one-on-one post processing instruction. You will use various exposure techniques and filters and learn ways to improve your compositions. You will also do some focus stacking, HDR processing, and image reviews, as well. Aside from the technical stuff, you will rest well in award-winning hotels, enjoy delicious gourmet cuisine, travel comfortably in private transportation, and have a ton of fun!
Photographers of all skill levels are welcome. The only requirement is a basic understanding of your DSLR, SLR, or mirrorless camera.
Fitness Level: Moderate
Participation requires that travelers be able to walk unassisted for four miles over uneven, potentially muddy and slippery trails, and up-and-down inclines with moderate altitude gain. There are hikes over a variety of terrain including pavement, gravel, and dirt trails with large roots, rocks, and stairs, and daily excursions can be more challenging during inclement weather.
TOUR DATES, PRICES & REGISTRATION
Registration & Final Payment Deadline: October 1, 2024
Do It Yourself (DIY) Price: $2,175.00 (Credit Cards) / $2,100.00 (Checks)
DIY price includes professional photography and post processing instruction, image reviews, location expertise, snacks, and water. Price does NOT include airfare to and from Portland International Airport, ground transportation, lodging, meals, park fees, travel insurance, gratuities to instructor, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Lodging: Double or Single Occupancy
I have blocks of rooms holding at nice hotels in Cascade Locks and Salem with discounted rates that include delicious breakfasts. If you would like to take advantage of this, rates are shown below.
Double Occupancy - $450.00 (Credit Cards) / $425.00 (Checks)
All-Inclusive Price: $3,475.00 (Credit Cards) / $3,375.00 (Checks)
Single Supplement: Additional $950.00 (Credit Cards) / $875.00 (Checks)
Single supplement applies to all-inclusive tour participants that are traveling alone and prefer their own hotel rooms rather than sharing rooms with another guest or when sharing rooms is not available.
Deposit / Payments
$1,000.00 non-refundable deposit is due with registration. Remaining balance is due on the Registration & Final Payment deadline listed above.
Availability
6 Person Maximum / 5 Spots Left. After the registration deadline, if only one person has registered and that person chose the DIY option, that person can do the tour as a private tour for an additional $1,000.00, reschedule to a different tour within 365 days, or cancel the tour with a full refund of payments, minus the deposit.
Cancellations & Refunds
Deposits are non-refundable. For refunds, we require that a cancellation request in writing be received before 11:59pm Pacific Time on the Registration & Final Payment date. If we receive your written cancellation request before the Registration & Final Payment deadline and can refill your space, we will refund all payments, minus any discounts given to refill your space. If we cannot refill your space, we will refund 50% of all payments. No refunds are given, nor cancellations allowed after the Registration & Final Payment Deadline date. No partial refunds are given for unused services. There is a $50.00 charge for all returned payments. Please see our complete Liability & Cancellation Policy.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive in Portland / Columbia River Gorge / Starvation Creek / White River Falls / Cascade Locks
We set out by private transfer from Portland, Oregon to the world-famous Columbia River Gorge and photograph the colorful and little known, Starvation Creek. After shooting, we'll travel to spectacular White River Falls, an outstanding double-tiered waterfall that drops into a rugged basalt gorge near an abandoned hydroelectric power station that once energized and irrigated the region. We'll shoot the falls and capture the incredible sunset, then have a great dinner and get checked into our award-winning hotel along the mighty Columbia River. Note: Please schedule flight arrival at Portland International Airport (PDX) no later than 11A.
Day 2 - Columbia River Gorge / Wahclella Falls / Highway 35 / Cascade Locks
After breakfast, we set out by private transfer to Wahclella Falls to photograph two beautiful waterfalls and all the gorgeous scenery between them. After shooting for a few hours, we will have and great lunch, then explore and photograph along Highway 35. Afterwards, we will enjoy another fantastic dinner and return to our hotel and do some editing and post processing.
Day 3 - Columbia River Gorge / Multnomah Falls / Horsetail & Ponytail Falls / Wahkeena Falls / Latourell Falls / Salem
After breakfast we will travel by private transfer to photograph all the incredible waterfalls and landscapes in the Columbia River Gorge. We start with the most famous waterfall in Oregon, Multnomah Falls. This 620' tall, two-tiered beauty is the most visited natural attraction in the Pacific Northwest. After shooting, we will travel down the Scenic Columbia River Highway to Horsetail & Ponytail Falls and spend some time photographing both falls. We will break for lunch, then travel to photograph beautiful Wahkeena Falls, magnificent Latourell Falls, and a couple other stunning fall landscapes. After the long day of shooting, we will drive to Salem, check into our hotel, and have another incredible dinner.
Days 4 & 5 - Silver Falls State Park / Salem
After breakfast, post processing instruction and editing images, we set out to by private transfer to Silverton for lunch, then continue to Silver Falls State Park. Silver Falls State Park is known as the crown jewel of the Oregon State parks system, and once you visit, you'll know why. Silver Falls State Park is a scenic treasure known for the Trail of Ten Falls, and we will photograph several of the gorgeous cascades, as well as lush old growth forests, cool bridges, and rushing streams. It takes two days to properly explore and photograph this amazing location. After shooting each day, we will return to our hotel and enjoy delicious dinners at Salem's best restaurants.
Day 6 - Depart Portland
After breakfast, we'll travel by private transfer to Portland International Airport (PDX), where you'll catch your flight home. Please schedule your flight departure from Portland International Airport (PDX) no earlier than 12P.
