The Carrizo Plain National Monument is located in southeastern San Luis Obispo County and is a vast expanse of grasslands, wildflowers, and rolling hills. The area is home to photogenic wildlife, including antelopes, coyotes, and various bird species. The landscape is equally impressive, featuring rugged canyons, unique rock formations, and sweeping vistas.

Chuck Graham is an award-winning photographer with over 20 years of experience capturing stunning images of the natural world. In our workshop, Chuck will teach you the techniques and skills to capture beautiful landscape and wildlife photographs.

The workshop will start with a meet and greet, where Chuck will introduce himself and go over the itinerary for the day. The group will then explore the park, stopping at various locations to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife.

Chuck will provide hands-on instruction throughout the day, allowing participants to learn about camera settings, composition, and lighting. He will also teach participants how to photograph wildlife without disturbing their natural habitat or behaviors. We will include a break for lunch, and participants will also have the chance to ask questions and chat with Chuck about photography.

After the workshop, Chuck will also be available to review and provide feedback on the photographs taken throughout the day. This exclusive opportunity will allow participants to get valuable feedback from an experienced photographer.

Participants should bring their camera equipment, including a camera body, lenses, and a tripod. If you want to use your phone's camera for our workshop, that is ok too. We recommended that participants bring comfortable clothing, sunscreen, binoculars, and plenty of water for the day. Please bring a lunch too.

This workshop is for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced photographers. Whether you're just starting to take photos or looking to take your photography to the next level, we'll provide an excellent opportunity to learn from a seasoned photography professional and capture stunning images of the beautiful Carrizo Plain National Monument!

About Chuck Graham | Website

Chuck Graham is a freelance writer and photographer based in Carpinteria, CA. He’s been a beach lifeguard there for 30 years and has led kayak tours at the Channel Islands National Park for over 20 years. His work has been published in Backpacker, BBC Wildlife Magazine, National Geographic for Kids, National Geographic Books, Canoe & Kayak, Men’s Journal, Outdoor Photographer, Natural History, American Forests, High Country News, and Westways.

He pens the column Unpredictable Wilderness in the Coastal View News in Carpinteria, and Far-Flung Travel for the Montecito Journal. He’s also a frequent contributor to the Ojai Quarterly. His award-winning book, Carrizo Plain, Where the Mountains Meet the Grasslands, was released in January 2021. His second book- Hike The Channel Islands, was co-authored with John McKinney, and was released in Spring of 2022. Instagram: IG: @chuckgrahamphoto.

Logistics:

This trip is a photography workshop planned for 9 am - 7:30 pm. We will be driving cars, meeting first in Santa Maria for "check-in", then on to Santa Margarita where our Executive Director will provide a brief introduction to the day and will guide the group to the workshop site in Carrizo National Monument. We'll have a stop for flower-admiring and photos on the way.

We'll meet Chuck at Carrizo Plain National Monument at noon and have lunch. The workshop will formally begin around 1pm and will last until sunset, after which time we will head back the way we came. Because shooting may last until dusk, participants may want to stay at a motel in Santa Maria that evening.

Questions or additional information contact Connie Jenkins: jenkinsconniej@gmail.com

Refund policy-must cancel by 4/9 for a full refund.

CIR Membership Discounts:

As a valued CIR member, you'll receive a discount to our Carrizo Plain Trip based on your contributions to our organization within the past calendar year! Want to get discounted tickets and also receive our membership benefits?

Sign up to become a contributing member to our organization.

How To Use Your Discount Code:

After you click tickets, there is small highlighted text that says "enter promo code."