EXPLORE Meetups - Lenspiration

What is an EXPLORE Meetup?

An EXPLORE Meetup is an opportunity for you to join James for a day (or half a day) exploring and photographing epic locations in pursuit of calendar-worthy photos.

With the specific moments of sunrise and sunset as our only hard deadlines, and with capturing beauty as our main objective, we will let the particulars of the location and the elements of nature dictate our schedule. We're there to explore! If there's a specific genre of photography you want to gain more experience in, bring your questions along with you (we don't have to focus on landscape photography exclusively). Or, don't bring any questions at all and just soak in what happens to come up while shooting with a professional photographer in the field.

Some shooting locations may already be familiar to James. Some may not. Regardless, we'll do our best to walk away with fine art that's worth showcasing in a portfolio! Click here to view slideshows of past events.

Unless otherwise indicated on a specific event's details page, here are some things we'll likely encounter:

What it's like to do professional landscape photography
Real-life location scouting
Maximizing cloud types, weather patterns, natural lighting situations, ect.
Tracking sun or moon positioning for intentional placement in a photograph
Previsualizing scenes
In-the-field composition coaching
Getting things right in-camera for HDR or panoramic composites
Experimenting with James' photography gear
Pick James' brain on any photography topic
Fellowship with Christian photographers in the beauty of God's creation

Unless otherwise indicated on a specific event's details page, here's what the typical pricing system looks like:

Full day: $199/photographer (sunrise and sunset)
Half day: $99/photographer (6 hours surrounding sunrise or sunset)

Lenspiration Members receive 50% off at checkout when they are logged into their account.

Participant is responsible for their own transportation, food, housing, parking fees, entrance fees, etc. Payment is typically non-refundable except for emergencies or if the event is canceled.

Unless otherwise indicated on a specific event's details page, here's what a full-day Meet Up schedule typically looks like:

1 hour before sunrise, arrive at pre-arranged meet up location
Photograph morning blue hour
Photograph sunrise
Photograph morning golden hour
Breakfast
Devotions
Explore mid-day locations
Lunch
Download photos
Scout for sunset location
Dinner
Photograph evening golden hour
Photograph sunset
Photograph evening blue hour
Photograph night sky as time allows

Any type of camera (DSLR or mirrorless recommended)
Attendees under the age of 18 are encouraged to attend with a guardian
Reasonable fitness level (for exploring rough terrain and hiking up to 5 miles)
Signed Liability Release Form
- Age 18 or older: Liability Release Form (download here)
- Under the age of 18: Minor Liability Release Form (download here)

A camera (DSLR or mirrorless camera recommended)
A tripod
Camera lenses and accessories (wide angle recommended)
Camera bag (large enough to carry your gear, a water bottle or anything else you would take on a short hike)
A laptop for photo editing (if you have one; we may or may not end up using it)
A method for taking notes
Wrist watch
Flashlight
Sun protection
Water for an entire day in the outdoors
Bible (for devotions after morning golden hour)
Food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Snacks for inbetween
Comfortable outdoor footwear (waterproof hiking shoes recommended)
Guys: polos or colored t-shirts & durable pants such as jeans or cargo pants. Long pants recommended due to shooting environment.
Gals: loose-fitting tops with high necklines, and skirts, culottes or pants of modest cut, fit and length. Durable, outdoor clothing recommended.