March 15-20, 2026

Wally the team mascot for the 2026 workshops

Join me on the stunning southern Oregon coast for a week of photography, creativity, and community. This intimate workshop is designed for photographers ready to go beyond single images and dive into building a cohesive body of work.

We’ll base ourselves in a shared house in Bandon, giving us a chance to live, work, and talk photography together. With just five participants, you’ll get plenty of one-on-one feedback and time to dig deep into your creative process.

Each day, we’ll explore the rugged coastline—from sea stacks to shifting tides—chasing light and refining your vision. Afternoons and evenings are dedicated to editing, sequencing, and group discussions as you shape a small portfolio of images that reflect your personal point of view.

Whether you’re looking to explore a new project or push your existing work further, this workshop offers the space, support, and inspiration to take your photography to the next level.

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Workshop Details

This workshop is designed for photographers who want to go beyond isolated images and explore the process of creating a small, focused body of work. Whether you’re starting a new project, continuing a personal series, or simply curious about developing your photographic voice, this week offers space, structure, and support to help you do just that. The workshop is the week of March 15-20, 2026.

A Week of Exploration and Creation

Each day, we’ll photograph a range of locations along the stunning southern Oregon coast. From the iconic sea stacks of Bandon to lesser-known stretches of beach, forested trails, tide pools, and fishing docks, we’ll chase light, weather, and inspiration across changing landscapes. Some mornings might start early to catch first light; other evenings may stretch late to make the most of a dramatic sunset. The goal is to experiment—not just with location, but with time of day, point of view, and subject matter.

Developing Your Vision

Back at the house, our focus shifts to refining what you’ve captured. We’ll gather around laptops and monitors, working through editing sessions that emphasize not just technical adjustments but creative intent. You’ll cull and refine your images daily, learning how to make strong selections that support the story or theme emerging in your work.

Each participant will have the chance to build a small portfolio throughout the week—anywhere from 5 to 15 images—that works together as a unified, expressive body of work. Along the way, we’ll incorporate group and one-on-one feedback sessions to help clarify your direction and challenge you to dig deeper.

Creative Exercises and Conceptual Play

Throughout the week, we’ll also mix in exercises designed to spark new ways of seeing and thinking. These might include:

Vision-building prompts to help clarify your ideas
Guided sequencing challenges
Rephotographing exercises to explore variation and intent
Creative seeing assignments that push you outside your comfort zone

These are fun, low-pressure, and designed to open doors creatively—perfect for both newer project-builders and seasoned photographers looking to reconnect with their work.

Presentation and Possibility

As your portfolio takes shape, we’ll explore potential presentation methods—from traditional prints to contact sheets, zines, slideshows, or digital galleries. We’ll brainstorm together what best fits your work and how format can reinforce meaning. You’ll leave the week with a clearer understanding of your project’s direction, and a real plan for how to continue or share it moving forward.

A Shared Space for Ideas and Support

Our group will stay together in a single house, offering opportunities for informal discussion, idea-sharing, and spontaneous feedback. Some of the best conversations happen over coffee in the morning or around the dinner table at night. The energy of a small, focused group makes this a rich and rewarding environment to create in.

Whether you come with a project in mind or simply a desire to make more intentional work, this workshop will help you explore what matters in your photography—and how to express it more clearly.

Amazing Locations and Landscapes

Some of the most beautiful landcapes to photograph

Focal lengths from 14mm to 400mm

You can photograph with any focal length in this environment and get amazing images.

Open, supportive, and thought-provoking conversations

You are awesome so why wouldn’t the discussions in the car also be awesome!

Chance to build community through shared dialogue

You always can use more friends who can support your art and photography. Just think just of the reunions you’ll have.

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Pricing Information

Join Today!

Price $3500 pay in full or $500 deposit with total balance due by January 16, 2026.

You have the option to either:

Pay in full at the time of registration, or
Pay $500 upfront, with the remaining balance split into two payments of $1500 due 90 and 60 days before the workshop start date.

Your registration includes a $500 non-refundable fee, which is part of your initial payment and will be applied toward the total cost of the workshop.

If the balance is not received by the due date, your registration may be forfeited and your spot offered to someone on the waitlist. Additional information about refunds, travel insurnace and policies are listed below. Cancellation with less than 60 days will only be refunded if the spot can be filled from a waitlist. Please look into travel insurance.

Price includes

The workshop fee covers: lodging (we all stay in the same house) check-in on March 15th and check-out on March 20th, transporation durning the workshop and to and from Seattle/Portland, all in-the-field instruction, image reviews, follow-up zoom session and group discussions throughout the week.

You’ll get hands-on guidance with composition, light, and visual storytelling, voice, vision and processing your work, as well as opportunities for feedback during our image review session.

Not included in the price

The workshop fee includes instruction, accommodations, and all ground transportation from Seattle to Bandon and throughout the workshop week. However, there are a few things not covered:

Travel to and from Seattle – You’ll need to arrange your own travel to meet us in Seattle at the start of the workshop and return home from Seattle at the end.
Meals – Food and beverages are not included. The house has a fully equipped kitchen, and we’ll have the flexibility to cook, eat out, or plan group meals depending on everyone’s preferences.
Travel insurance – Strongly recommended in case of unforeseen changes, illness, or emergencies.
Gear and Equipment – You’ll need to bring any and all equipment you plan on using during the week.

If you’re unsure about travel logistics or want help coordinating with fellow participants, I’m happy to assist with planning and suggestions.

What to expect

This workshop is all about spending quality time behind the camera, exploring the raw beauty of the southern Oregon coast. From tidepools and sea stacks to weathered docks and shifting dunes, the coast offers a diverse and ever-changing palette of textures, tones, and light. We’ll spend a lot of time walking and photographing—sometimes along beaches, other times through rocky headlands or tucked-away coves. The goal is to slow down, look closely, and let your creativity lead the way.

We travel as a single group throughout the week, which means you don’t need to worry about directions or logistics—I want you focused entirely on your photography, your creative process, and enjoying the experience. Expect a mix of spontaneous stops and thoughtfully chosen locations, with plenty of time to explore each one fully.

This time of year, the weather along the coast can be wonderfully dramatic. You might get soft fog in the morning, moody overcast skies at mid-day, and then golden light or crashing waves at sunset. Temperatures can range from the high 40s to low 60s, and the wind is always a possibility. Rain is common but often passes quickly, and those changes in weather often bring the best light and most interesting conditions. In short: come prepared for just about anything, and you’ll be rewarded.

We’ll be walking more than in some other workshops, often covering anywhere from a quarter-mile to a couple of miles a day. Most terrain is fairly easy, but there will be sand, uneven trails, and the occasional scramble. Good footwear, layers, and a flexible attitude will go a long way.

You’re responsible for carrying your own camera gear, so pack thoughtfully. We shoot in all conditions—rain, wind, or shine—because good light doesn’t wait for perfect weather. This workshop is about working with what the coast gives us, being open to surprise, and making images that matter to you.

And yes—there will be laughter, coffee, and probably a few wet socks.

What you will need

It may sound a little strange to put on the list but come excited and ready for some adventures. I don’t know what we will see or find, but I am so excited to spend time with everyone attending.

The cost of the workshop doesn’t include meals, drinks, snacks, etc. You will be responsible for those expenses. I will stop at a grocery store in Bandon as needed to buy any supplies you might need, such as food, drinks and snacks. I will have a large cooler in the car, and the house has a full kitchen.

You will want to bring appropriate clothing for the weather which can vary hour to hour. Sunglasses and a hat are nice to have with you.

As for your camera gear, bring your usual kit. Again, we won’t be hiking very much on this workshop (there are a few short walks but nothing with elevation).

Here is a list to consider

Camera Body(ies) (Digital or Film)
A variety of lenses. While you might think wide-angle, some of the best of the Palouse images are done with telephoto lenses compressing the never-ending rolling hills. I will have from 14-400mm in my bag.
Tripod
Extra Batteries/charger (You will be suprised at how much you might photograph. I will have some portable chargers in the car, but extra batteries are always good).
A Circular Polarizer is an excellent filter to have on a trip like this. Graduated ND filters are nice, but a polarizer is important.
Laptop
Memory cards and readers
Hiking shoes/boots
Sunscreen/bug spray (If you need it)
Water and snacks
Extra layers you can easily add and remove as needed
Rain Jacket (sometimes we get big rain for a spell)

Travel & Accomodations

We’ll be staying in a large house in Bandon Oregon. Each person will have a private sleeping area, but we will have shared bathrooms. The house has amazing views, full kitchen, pool table, and just steps from the beach.

You are responsible for any cost and expense getting to Seattle. You are also responsibe for hotel (if staying in Seattle around your flight times), food, drinks and other costs. The cost of the workshop includues travel from Seattle to Bandon.

Silly Dog Studios dba/Daniel J Gregory Photography is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or travel emergencies. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. There are several options for purchase a good one is Travelex.

In the event that Silly Dog Studios dba/Daniel J Gregory Photography must cancel a workshop, all fees and deposits are refunded in full or may be transferred to another workshop. Particpants are still responsible for any losses regarding flights, travel, lodging or other undefined expense. Again, consider travel insurance to remove any concerns.

We will send you a detailed information document about two months before your workshop. This document will include more specifics about what to pack and bring with you.

Guidelines

We treat each other with mutual respect.

We do not engage in disruptive or unsafe behavior that disturbs others, threaten others physically, or engage in verbal harassment.

We don’t act unreasonably or interfere with others’ use of the facilities (online or in-person) or class time.

When providing feedback, we provide honest, open dialogs about our work and the work of others in a respectful manner.

Silly Dog Studios does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran.

Silly Dog Studios values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of people in our community. Encouraging and protecting diversity creates an environment that promotes freedom of thought and shared learning.

Please note that anyone who violates these guidelines will be removed from a workshop, course, or program. No refunds will be given.

Can I be put on a waitlist?

Absolutely. Life happens and we want to make sure that we can get you in a workshop if at all possible. If the workshop is full, we will take down your name and contact you if a spot becomes available.

Are there prerequisites for this workshop?

For almost all of the workshops there are no prerequisites, and that includes this one.

In the event a workshop does require some advanced or prior knowledge it will be specifically called out on the workshop registration page.

If you are ever concerned about the specific topics or technical requirements for a workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to answer any of your questions so that you can feel great about your decision to sign up.

Do you offer payment plans?

Some workshops do have a non-refundable, transferable deposit, but unless noted, a workshop payment is due in full at the time of registration. We do understand that sometimes it makes sense to be able to pay for the cost of a workshop over time. If you want to discuss that as an option, please contact us and we can figure out something that will work for you to be able to attend the workshop.

What happens if I sign up and then can't make it to the workshop? Are there refunds?

The short answer is we don’t provide refunds on workshops, classes and courses.

Our approach is that your payment for the program is a commitment to participate, just as it is our commitment to provide the best experience possible. It is a commitment on both our parts.

Cancellations
If you need to cancel:

More than 60 days before the workshop: A $500 fee will be retained, but any additional payments will be refunded.
Less than 60 days before the workshop: No refunds are available unless we can fill your spot. If your space is filled, we’ll refund your payment minus the non-refundable deposit.

Please note that no refunds will be given for missed days, late arrivals, early departures, or weather-related interruptions.

Travel insurance can really help cover you in those moments, and I highly recommend it.

What happens if something happens to me and the workshop can't run?

I reserve the right to cancel the workshop if we don’t meet the minimum number of participants (I normally run a workshop even if just one person registrations, there are exceptions to this at times) or in the case of an emergency. If I’m unable to lead the workshop myself, I’ll do everything I can to bring in a trusted replacement first. If for some reason the workshop is fully canceled, you’ll have the option of a full refund or applying your payment to a future workshop. Please note that I can’t cover any travel expenses, so I strongly recommend travel insurance just in case plans change on your end or mine.

Do you offer any discounts?

Some workshops do offer an early-bird rate. The early bird rate, when offered, will be automatically calculated in the price. The rate is available for workshops with early-bird pricing until four weeks before the workshop start date.

I also offer a discount for alums and referrals for some workshops. These are not automatically applied. If you want an alum or referral discount, please get in touch with me before registering for your discount code.

Alum discounts may not be used for any online class or workshops except for the Meaningful Image full-length course.