Eastern Sierras Photography Art Retreat 2026

Photography Art Retreat

March 25th–29th, 2026

Led by Jess Santos and Ryan Oswald

This retreat takes you into the rugged beauty of the Eastern Sierras, where soaring peaks and quiet alpine lakes echo the spirit of the painters who once sought grandeur in wild landscapes. Our 5-day art retreat is designed to help you slow down, build concepts before stepping into the field and create a body of work that feels intentional and expressive.

This is more than a workshop. It is a chance to study process, drawing inspiration from classical art to guide how you compose, use color and bring mood into your images. Together we will explore how principles like color harmony, visual pathways and storytelling transform the feeling of this unique landscape into lasting artistic photographs.

Workshop Details

Location: Eastern Sierras
Dates: March 25-29, 2026
Group Size: Limited to 8 students
Hiking Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (up to 2 miles over rocky or sandy terrain)

What This Journey Looks Like

Our days will flow between field studies and classroom sessions. Sunrise and sunset shoots offer practice in applying concepts of composition and color, while midday sessions focus on lessons in visual design, critique and editing. Each exercise is meant to help you think like an artist, connecting inspiration to creation. When conditions keep us inside, we will continue with group critique, editing, and one-on-one mentorship so growth never pauses.

Why This Retreat is Different

The focus is not a checklist of famous locations but a process rooted in art and vision. Instead of rushing for postcard moments, we take time to study how light, shape and rhythm move through the frame. With a small group, you receive focused mentorship and the chance to refine your artistic voice.

We also include a post-retreat Zoom editing session, recorded for your convenience, to bring everything together from concept to final image.

Ideal For

Photographers seeking to grow beyond habits and create with intention
Artists who want to apply classical principles to modern photography
Creatives curious about color theory, storytelling and visual rhythm
All levels of experience, with the emphasis on vision rather than gear

Ready to Create in the Sierras?

This retreat is an opportunity to approach photography as an artist’s craft in the Eastern Sierras. If you are ready to strengthen your process, refine your vision and create work that carries depth, we would love to have you join us. Enrollment is limited to ensure a small, mentorship-focused group.

Reserve your place today and begin your artistic journey.

Composition & Visual Design

How to see like an artist and recognize balance, rhythm and flow

Creating visual pathways that guide the viewer’s eye with intention

Designing strong compositions using hierarchy, weight and spatial relationships

Building tension and harmony within your frame

Simplifying busy landscapes through rhythm, repetition and gesture

Using edges and transitions (sfumato) to create cohesion and reduce distractions

Pre-visualizing your images through sketching and concept mapping

Color & Light

Applying color harmony and contrast using painterly palettes

Understanding complementary, analogous and triadic color systems

Using temperature shifts to shape mood and emotional tone

Sculpting depth with tonal design and chiaroscuro

Creating natural subject separation with thoughtful light placement

Reading and responding to changing light in the field

Story & Intent

Framing images that convey a clear story or emotional idea

Identifying the true subject and removing competing elements

Creating images that feel alive through gesture, pattern and movement

Learning plein air practices to build a connection with your scene

Designing cohesive series and visual narratives

Developing a personal visual language that feels uniquely yours

Field Craft & Editing Process

Building a repeatable workflow for composition and light

Concept-driven decision making rather than relying on luck

Editing techniques that support your design instead of overpowering it

Sketch-overs and guided critique to strengthen your artistic eye

Constructing a final image with intention from field to finish

Reviewing your work like an art critic to grow intentionally
This workshop includes:

Airbnb Accommodation based on single occupancy rooms.

Photography Instruction, Post-Processing Instruction, Image Critiques

Permits, Park Fees and any entry fees

NEW! Post Workshop Zoom Editing Session

This workshop does NOT include:

Ground Transportation or Airfare from your home to Las Vegas, NV and all shooting locations.

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Meals, drinks and snacks
You will need to bring the following with you:

DSLR or Mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens

A wide angle fast lens, you will need a minimum of 24mm and f/2.8 lens (although I would recommend a 16mm)

A mid range lens (24-70mm or similar)

A telephoto lens (recommended 200mm at a minimum)

A sturdy tripod, if you'd like a recommendation on tripods, I use a Slik USA Pro CF 734 Legs with 200DQ Ballhead this is a great lightweight and sturdy option, it also gets low enough to the ground to create some great compositions. (Slik is giving 15% discount to anyone wishing to upgrade their gear, use code missjess15)

Laptop for post processing sessions

Memory cards, external hard drive

Extra Batteries and chargers

Rain fly for your camera & bag

Shutter release cable

Headlamp (white light recommended, preferably without a red light)

If you have filters please bring them as we can show you how and when to use them. If you'd like a recommendation on filters, I use the Cokin EVO System with Polarizer (Z Series), Soft Grad 3 Stop, Reverse Grad 3 Stop, ND 6, ND 10, Clear Sky Filter. Cokin is giving a 15% discount to those wishing to add their filter to their gear kit, use code missjess15)
You will need sturdy hiking shoes. Although most locations won't require an extreme amount of hiking you will still need sturdy shoes with good grip.

Lots of layers. Temperatures in the mountains vary widely, a lot of times it can be over 70F during the day and as low as 40F during the night, so layers are a must. Wind might also be a factor in the temperature.

A warm jacket. Again temperatures at night can drop significantly especially when it is windy.
Once a deposit is paid it is not refundable, it may however be transferred to a future workshop when a spot is available, if cancelled 60 days or more prior to workshop start date.

If moving to a different workshop the switch must be secured within a year of cancellation.

If cancelled less than 60 days before workshop start date the deposit is not refundable and cannot be transferred.

$2,999.00

Quantity

Eastern Sierras Photography Art Retreat 2026

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

ADVENTURE INCLUSIONS

NECESSARY GEAR

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

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