Acadia Photography Workshop 2024
October 15-20, 2024
Join me in October for five days of all-out photography in one of America's most beautiful national parks. I'll be taking you to many of my favorite places in Acadia, as well as giving you personal tips and instruction to help improve your photography skills. We'll visit all the most iconic places in Acadia, as well as some lesser known spots– I've been photographing Autumn in Acadia since 2006 and know my way around the park better than most. The second to third week of October is always the best time for fall colors and if you've never been to New England in autumn, you're in for a real treat.
Along the way, I'll also be teaching you landscape photography– about light and how important it is, choosing the right lens for any given subject, using your camera in full manual mode to create better, artistic images, working with whatever weather we're given, essential and non-essential gear and more.
We'll be rising early every morning to meet at 5:30 and photograph the sunrise (which is around 6:50am) in a different part of Acadia each day, then heading back to the hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, we'll head out again for more photography, break for lunch, then shoot some more until after the sun goes down around 6pm. When the photography is done, we'll head into the small town of Bar Harbor for dinner together before calling it a night and getting some sleep, then doing it all over again the next day. For those that are interested, after dinner I can show you how I process my photos in Lightroom and Photoshop and prep photos for printing, websites or social media.
This isn't a strenuous trip, but you should be in good health and be able to climb over the rocks and boulders along the Atlantic coast– which can sometimes be wet and slippery (Acadia is on an island so there's plenty of coastline for us to photograph), as well as hiking in the woods and on trails. Some of the locations we'll be visiting are close to the road so there won’t always be lots of hiking involved, but we’ll be hiking up to photograph some of the vistas too, sometimes up to two miles. Bring sturdy hiking boots and warm clothes. Acadia can get cold in the Fall, though it can warm up nicely during the day too.
As we get closer to October, I'll send you tips for what to pack, what camera gear I'm bringing (to give you an idea of what to bring, and what not to bring), and more.
The cost for this workshop is $2600. This includes all excursions, instruction, park passes and transportation to each location. It also includes accommodation at my favorite Bar Harbor hotel, just minutes from the national park. I'm one of the only photographers to include accommodation and transportation in the cost, so if you're comparing workshops, make sure you add in the cost of a hotel and transportation for any other workshops you’re considering. Hotel costs on your own can add well over $1,000 to your trip.
You would need to cover the cost of any lunch and dinner each day, transportation to and from Bar Harbor, trip insurance and any other incidental expenses. If you’d like to arrive early, or stay beyond the workshop dates, I can usually get you a healthy discount on your hotel room for any extra days you’d need.
I want this to be the trip of a lifetime for you, where you get to spend several days in a beautiful part of the country at a beautiful time of the year, learning about photography and growing your passion for landscape photography, and enjoying the company and camaraderie of other like-minded photographers. Check out images made by some of the photographers who attended the workshop in October 2023.
If you're interested in joining us this October, send me an email or fill out the link below and I’ll forward a registration form to you.
What past participants have said…
“I must say, thank you for an awesome time in Acadia. Thank you for the pointers on how to use the manual settings on my camera: it has opened up a whole new world to me! 🙂. I only just downloaded the images last evening, so will spend the rest of the week going through them. Thank you again for the week and my official introduction to professional landscape photography! It was most enjoyable and encouraging.
Let me know when you might be doing another one ! 🙂. I'm in!!”
Clement, Nassau, The Bahamas
“The trip was fantastic!”
Bharat, Palm Harbor, Florida
“Just wanted to drop a note to let you know that I had a wonderful time at the workshop and it did not disappoint. Keep me posted on any new workshops you may be doing next year.”
Andy, Fresh Meadow, New York
“Many thanks for a great workshop at Acadia NP. The wisdom from your years of trips to Acadia and even more years behind a camera is evident. I have no suggestions for improvement. What's more, you have the right temperament for working with newly acquainted groups of people who have photography in common but come from all over with their different experiences, opinions and expectations. Hats-off to you for a job well done!”
John, Toronto, Canada
“Thanks for a very productive tour. I really enjoyed the diversity of Acadia’s landscapes. But, most notable was you: your enthusiasm, supportive nature, guidance and friendly personality. Wish you lots of success!!
Job well done and big thanks.”
Alan, San Jose, California
“One of the positive impact of COVID on the workshop was the small group size. I felt that really helped in developing a good deal of camaraderie, and more importantly, you were able to spend more time with us individually. I also appreciated the tips, suggestions, and second set of eyes (you) as I have a tendency to have tunnel vision and you helped me see things I would not have seen otherwise. One example that stood out for me was the "cotton candy" skies post-sunset at Otter Cliffs.
Additionally, the social aspect of the workshop meant a great deal. Having our meals together (especially our blueberry breakfasts lol) and carpooling really was a good way to break the ice and get to know each other. We are all still in touch and networking, and to an extent that I haven't experienced in other workshops - this is a very positive thing for me!
For days, we went from before sunrise to late night, long hours in the field taking pictures. And because of the time we had in the field, the places you took us, the timing of the pictures so the lighting is good, etc., I walked away from the workshop with some very good pictures that I'm enjoying now and still do (one of my favorites is blown up and is hanging above my couch lol). Given the amount of time spent out shooting, and the fact that the cost of the workshop included the hotel, plus transportation (thank you for carpooling!), I thought it was one of the highest value workshops. In other words, I got my money's worth :)
Mike, overall, it was a fantastic workshop and I have really enjoyed it. So much so that when I received your email about your plans for the 2021 workshop, I'm thinking of doing it again! :)”
Vicki, Calera, Alabama
“It had what I look for in a workshop - a photographer whose work and approach to photography I respect, the camaraderie of fellow photographers, a great venue with plenty of opportunity to capture an image worth displaying and an opportunity to learn. I liked the way he gave everyone the attention they needed and the way he listened to suggestions and acted on them. It was great fun and I came away a better photographer. Thanks, Michael.”
Mike, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
“Thank you for deciding to lead the workshop in such a stressful year! It was absolutely the BEST thing I could've done for my creative soul and spirit! Grateful for it all!”
Alicia, St Louis, Missouri
Michael Hudson has been a professional photographer since 1989- his whole working life. He has been photographing Acadia every October since 2006 and has been leading workshops there since 2017. He is the author of The Photographer's Guide to Acadia and Under October Skies (Autumn in Acadia), which is sold in the Acadia visitor center. His photos have been seen in calendars, on websites, in magazines and even on the Acadia annual visitors pass. Recently, one of his photos was used as the cover image on the official Bar Harbor Visitor’s Guide. He's passionate about Acadia and teaching others to enjoy the outdoors through photography.