Laguna Beach Coastal Photography Workshop
Discover the Art of Coastal Photography
Join photographers Lyle Lansdell and John Hallam for an immersive two-day photography workshop along the spectacular coastline of Laguna Beach, California, where dramatic cliffs, tide pools, crashing waves, and ever-changing light create the perfect outdoor classroom.
With two experienced instructors and a maximum of eight participants, every photographer receives personalized coaching, real-time feedback, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions while photographing some of Southern California's most iconic coastal locations.
This experience is designed to help you move beyond simply taking pictures of beautiful scenery. You will learn how to slow down, read the light, choose stronger compositions, and make creative decisions with confidence in real coastal conditions.
Over the weekend, we will photograph during two of the most rewarding times of day: Saturday a photo walk, then evening golden hour and sunset, followed by a Sunday morning sunrise field session. These sessions are timed to help you understand how light changes, how the coastline responds, and how to adapt your camera settings and compositions as the scene evolves.
With two instructors and a small group of only eight photographers, you will receive practical guidance, personal feedback, and plenty of time to practice. Whether you use a mirrorless camera, DSLR, or Leica system, you will leave with a stronger understanding of exposure, composition, lens choice, filters, coastal light, and visual storytelling.
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How to master exposure in bright skies, dark foregrounds, reflections, and changing coastal light.
How to read weather, tides, sun direction, wave movement, and natural patterns before choosing a composition.
How to use leading lines, foreground interest, depth, negative space, shape, texture, and visual balance.
How to work the scene by refining your position, angle, focal length, timing, and subject placement.
How to select the right lens for wide seascapes, intimate coastal details, portraits, and layered compositions.
How to use circular polarizer and neutral density filters for reflections, water movement, sky control, and long exposures.
How to approach coastal portraiture with natural light, environmental context, and thoughtful background choices.
How to create photographs that feel intentional, expressive, and connected to place.Description text goes here
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Saturday Afternoon & Sunset
Begin with practical instruction focused on camera settings, exposure decisions, composition, and coastal shooting strategy.
Move into a guided coastal photography walk with real-time coaching and hands-on practice.
Photograph golden hour and sunset while learning how to respond to changing light, water movement, and foreground elements.
Sunday Sunrise Session
Start early for a sunrise field session designed around soft morning light, atmosphere, and quiet coastal compositions.
Receive personalized coaching in the field as you adjust exposure, refine framing, and strengthen visual flow.
Practice advanced composition choices and leave with practical techniques you can apply to future landscape, travel, and coastal photography.
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Two instructors: More individual attention, more perspectives, and more opportunities for field coaching.
Small group format: Limited to 8 photographers to ensure personal instruction and a collaborative learning environment.
Real-world learning: You will practice in actual coastal conditions rather than simply watching demonstrations.
Creative development: The focus is not only technical accuracy, but also composition, timing, mood, and storytelling.
Follow-up critique: A post-workshop online image review will help reinforce what you learned and identify next steps for growth.
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This workshop is ideal for beginners who want to become more confident with their camera, intermediate photographers who want stronger coastal images, and experienced photographers who want to refine their approach to light, composition, and storytelling. If you enjoy landscapes, travel, seascapes, environmental portraits, or simply want to photograph Laguna Beach with more purpose, this workshop is for you.
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Two-day photography workshop in Laguna Beach.
Instruction and guided field sessions with Lyle Lansdell and John Hallam.
Saturday coastal walk, sunset and Sunday sunrise shooting sessions.
Personalized coaching during the workshop.
Photography Principles Guide.
Follow-up online image critique.
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If you're traveling to Laguna Beach for the workshop, John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is the closest and most convenient airport, located approximately 20 miles from our workshop locations.
We recommend staying in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point, all of which provide convenient access to the workshop while offering a variety of hotels, restaurants, and coastal attractions. Laguna Beach offers the shortest drive to our photography locations, while Newport Beach and Dana Point provide additional lodging options within a scenic drive of the workshop.
Specific meeting locations, parking information, and a detailed itinerary will be provided to registered participants prior to the workshop.
Reserve Your Spot
Space is limited to 8 photographers to ensure a personal, hands-on experience. If you are ready to improve your coastal photography, strengthen your creative eye, and experience Laguna Beach during its most beautiful light, we would love to have you join us.
Early Bird Registration: $300 through August 10, 2026
Standard Registration: $350 after August 10, 2026
September 12–13, 2026 | Laguna Beach, CA | Limited to 8 photographers
Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 2:30p to 8:00p
Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 6:00a to 8:30a
Why Laguna Beach?
Laguna Beach offers one of California's most diverse coastal landscapes. From rugged cliffs and crashing surf to tide pools, palm-lined overlooks, intimate coastal details, and dramatic sunsets, the coastline provides endless opportunities to explore composition, light, texture, and storytelling—all within a comfortable walking distance.
As photographers who have spent years exploring and photographing the Laguna Beach coastline, we'll guide you to locations that offer exceptional photographic opportunities while helping you understand how changing tides, weather, and light shape every scene throughout the day.
Rather than simply visiting scenic viewpoints, you'll learn why certain locations work best at specific times of day, how to anticipate changing conditions, and when patience and timing make all the difference in creating memorable photographs.