If you enjoy my photography and would like to take similar pictures, consider joining one of my workshops! Workshops are a great way to improve your landscape photography skills, enjoy the camaraderie of being in a group of like minded people, or to simply be where the best photographic opportunities are without having to spend valuable time researching and scouting. I currently offer group photography workshops in West Virginia and the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
These workshops are beneficial for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Myself and my co-instructors have an intimate knowledge of each region we visit. We bring along many combined years of experience, so you can be sure that you are getting the very best an area has to offer based on dynamic weather conditions and seasons, while covering a variety of photography techniques and subject matter. Group workshops are much more than an avenue for learning about photography but are also a great way to meet similar people over a shared passion.
2026 Seneca Rocks Moonwalk Feb 28 + Mar 1st - Group Size 12 (10 spots open)
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Photo credit: David Johnston
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Photo credit: David Johnston
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David Johnston (https://www.facebook.com/david.s.johnston.92) and I are teaming up with professional slackliner and climber Wade Desai of Fourth Moon Camp to recreate Shoot the Moon over Seneca Rocks! The art of slacklining involves walking on a thin piece of webbing suspended in the air strung between two anchor points. A slackline that is at least 10 meters off the ground becomes known as a highline. We will have a viewpoint a quarter mile away from “Gunsight Notch” at Seneca Rocks as Wade and his crew walk across a one-inch wide highline anchored on either side of the notch, as the nearly-full moon rises behind him. The slackers will be balancing about 65 feet above the knife-edge cliffs and about 200 feet to the ground, about 900 feet above the valley floor!
A feat like this requires a huge amount of planning and coordination and has not been replicated in the eastern US. We have identified the precise times and locations where the event can be witnessed, and will coordinate with Wade and crew as they handle the logistics of climbing, rigging and getting in the right position. Leave all the planning to us and we will help you capture the photo of a lifetime!
What to expect
- We will meet at 2:30pm for a brief orientation and shoot until a bit after dark on the 28th and an hour later in the afternoon on the 1st.
- We will help you to get in place with your camera and settings.
- No strenuous hiking involved, at most 0.2 miles from a parking lot and a level field.
- Standing for long periods is involved but you can bring a fold out chair to sit in while waiting in the field, your partner is welcome to join us if they are not participating.
Checklist
- dSLR or Mirrorless camera with an interchangeable lens system.
- Recommended: Telephoto lens in the range of 200mm and above (more is definitely better here).
- Recommended but not necessary: Wide to mid-telephoto lens in the range of 30-70mm.
- Tripod
Workshop Rate
The workshop rate is $350 per person with a camera. To reserve a spot a $175 deposit is required with the remaining amount due by Feb 13th. Cancellation notices must be given by Feb 13th for a full refund, otherwise the workshop fee is retained in the case no-shows after this date. If we have to reschedule due to the weather, you may opt for a refund or move to a future date later this year. A backup date is set for 4/27/26 only. Fall dates will be added later in the year.
Refunds
We can’t control the weather, so refunds can be given in case the event has to be cancelled or you can transfer your credit to a future workshop. An extra condition has been added, with this being a rare workshop in February for us; the workshop with the highliners will only take place if the temperatures are above freezing. If we have to cancel due to the cold and not the clouds, we can still hold the workshop without the highliners at half the price ($175) if you still wish to join us to photograph the moonrise in the notch only. Send me a message through the contact form at the bottom of this page if you would like to sign up!
2026 Outer Banks: NC - March 19th-22nd - Group size 10 (1 Spot Open)
I'm joining my good friend, and fellow talented West Virginia photographer Randall Sanger for this one. The Outer Banks of North Carolina workshop features many opportunities to make incredible images. Some of the East Coast's most famous lighthouses, beautiful seascapes, stunning dunescapes, rugged fishing piers, and incredibly dark skies are perfect complements to sunrise, sunset and astrophotography.
We'll work on subjects such as long exposure, creative composition, filter use, panoramas and more. Workshop tuition is $595. You are responsible for lodging, meals and transportation. Send Randall an email to randy@randallsanger.com for additional information about signing up!
2026 Cape Cod, MA - April 16-19th - Group Size 10 (Full)
Join me and my co-leader, Randall Sanger, for a classic coastal photography workshop on Cape Cod!
We will be focusing on the dramatic beauty of the Outer Cape—home to iconic lighthouses, sweeping marshes, and ever-changing coastal scenes that have inspired artists for generations. April offers the perfect window to capture the early spring Milky Way, all while avoiding the summer crowds and biting bugs.
What to expect
- Small group size for a more personalized experience, with two instructors available to assist as much or as little as needed.
- Workshop runs April 16–19th
- Begins at 3:00 PM on April 16
- Concludes after sunrise on April 19
- Full days of shooting from sunrise to sunset (weather permitting), with breaks for meals and rest.
- Night shoots will be planned when skies are clear—Milky Way photography may begin as early as 2:00 AM.
- Guidance provided on camera settings, exposure, composition, and more. We also encourage a collaborative learning environment within the group.
- Most photo locations are easily accessible and near parking. Some areas involve walking in loose sand and standing for extended periods.
- Weather in April can range from moderate to cold, especially at night. Rain is possible—we may shoot in light rain, so come prepared.
- Carpooling is encouraged, but not required.
Checklist
- Digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
- Wide-angle lens (11–30mm, f/2.8–3.5)
- Telephoto lens (50–200mm+)
- Tripod
- Lens filters (polarizer and ND filters—optional but recommended)
- Headlamp (for night shooting)
- Wet and cold weather clothing, including a windbreaker
- Spare charged batteries & memory cards
- Laptop with Lightroom/Photoshop for optional editing sessions
Workshop Rate
- $950 per person
- Alumni discount: 10% off
- Deposit: $475 due upon registration to reserve your spot
- Remaining balance: Due by February 1, 2026
Refund policy:
- Full refund (minus 20% admin fee) available until March 23, 2026
- After March 23, a refund can only be issued if your spot is filled
- Otherwise, the balance can be credited toward a future workshop
Lodging
We will have a group rate ($119/night pre-tax) at the Four Points by Sheraton in Eastham, MA. Lodging, meals, and transportation are not included in the workshop fee.
This workshop is currently FULL but you can contact me to be added to the wait-list in case a spot becomes available!
2026 Spring Wildflowers and Milky Way, Greenbrier River Valley. Group Size 6. April 24-26th (3 spots open)
The early bird gets the worm! In this case it means we are treated to the early emerging spring wildflowers blooming across the mountainsides of Pocahontas and Greenbrier Counts in West Virginia. This time of the year also marks the beginning of Milky Way photography in the early mornings. Between landscapes, waterfalls and some rural countryside scenes we will be focusing on the many native wildflowers that are just beginning to make an appearance. Weather permitting, we will have the opportunity to photograph the core of the milky way in the early mornings right in the middle of dark sky country where we are among the IDS designated Dark Sky Parks of Watoga State Park and Droop Mountain Battlefield. I will help you get the most of these opportunities whether you are a beginner or seasoned photographer looking for new inspiration.
What to expect
- Small group size for more individual instruction
- Learn at your own pace - I can assist as much or as little as needed with camera settings, exposure, composition and more throughout the workshop. Often we all learn from each other within the group experience.
- Most destinations are not very strenuous and close to a parking lot
- Temperature extremes that can still hover near freezing at night to 70-80’s in the day
- Rain - it is spring, so expect some precipitation and anticipate shooting in light rain - this can be great for wildflower photography with cloudy skies and added water droplets.
- There will be at least one classroom session where we can cover some photo editing.
- Very limited wifi and cell phone service as we are in the National Radio Quiet Zone
- There is a good amount of driving between destinations. Carpooling isn’t required but encouraged.
Checklist
- A digital camera; dSLR or Mirrorless
- I am open to other types of cameras, even cell phones, ask first!
- Wide angle lens with a fast aperture preferably in the range of 11-30mm and f/2.8 to f/3.5
- Lens filters - polarizer (optional), 10 stop ND Filter (even more optional)
- Mid-telephoto lens macro or not in the range of 50-120mm
- Tripod
- Headlamp for night
- Wet and cold weather gear (rain jacket, hiking pants, shoes/boots for variable terrain, etc)
- Spare charged batteries and SD cards for your camera
- Laptop with Lightroom and/or Photoshop for the photo editing portion (optional)
Workshop Rate
Workshop rate is $375 per person and does not include lodging, transportation or meals. Alumni get a 10% discount. A deposit of $150 is due immediately to reserve your spot and the remaining portion is due Mar 31st 2026. Refunds can be issued up until April 1st, minus a 20% administration fee. Beyond April 1st, a refund can only be issued only if I can fill the empty spot before the workshop date. Otherwise, the fee can be used toward a future class or workshop. We will have a group lodging rate with the Marlinton Motor Inn in Marlinton, WV. You don’t have to stay here, but this will be our central meeting point between all daily excursions.
Contact me via the form at the end of this page or email about signing up.
2026 Potomac Highlands of WV, Summer’s End - Sept 10th - Sept 13th - Group Size 10 (9 spots open)
Dark skies, mesmerizing waterfalls, lush scenery and breathtaking mountain sunsets/sunrises abound in this workshop at the end of Summer in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia! The timing of this workshop was chosen to coincide with thinner, end of Summer crowds leaving us with perfect weather conditions for a variety of photography. These shorter days actually allow us to cover more ground, as night time approaches earlier for more time with the Milky Way and morning sunrises are pushed later providing us with a little more rest time!
I am joined again in his workshop with David Johnston as my co-instructor with his years of experience with photography and intimate knowledge of the area.
Potential destinations include Dolly Sods, Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley, Seneca Rocks, North Fork Mountain, Spruce Knob and surrounding locales.
What to expect
- Small group size spread out over 2 instructors for more one on one time.
- Learn at your own pace - we can assist as much or as little as needed with camera settings, exposure, composition and more throughout the workshop. Often we all learn from each other within the group experience.
- There will be at least one classroom session to cover photo editing.
- Most destinations are a short distance from a parking lot, though there is some hiking required over uneven, rough terrain with a couple brief elevation climbs and long periods of standing.
- We shoot from sunrise until after dark every full day.
- There is a good amount of driving between destinations. Carpooling isn’t required but encouraged.
- Temperature extremes can hover near freezing at night, even in late Summer, to 70-80’s in the day
Checklist
- A digital camera; dSLR or Mirrorless
- I am open to other types of cameras, even cell phones
- Wide angle lens with a fast aperture preferably in the range of 11-30mm and f/2.8 to f/3.5
- Lens filters - polarizer for water (optional), 10 stop ND Filter (even more optional)
- Mid-telephoto lens in the range of 50-120mm; longer telephoto ranges optional
- Tripod
- Headlamp for night
- Cold weather gear (rain jacket, hiking pants, shoes/boots for variable terrain, etc)
- We may be walking in ankle deep water
- Spare charged batteries and SD cards for your camera
- Laptop with Lightroom and/or Photoshop for the photo editing portion (optional)
Workshop Rate
The workshop rate is $590 per person and does not include lodging, transportation or meals.
Alumni get a 10% discount. A deposit of $250 is due immediately to reserve your spot with the remaining portion due a month from the workshop date. Refunds can be issued up until 7/31/25, minus a 20% administration fee. Beyond that date, a refund can only be issued only if I can fill the empty spot before the workshop date. Otherwise, the fee can be used toward a future class or workshop.
We will have a group lodging rate with the Canaan Valley Resort Lodge, balcony rooms with a view at $119 - 129 a night before taxes and a $9 per night resort fee. You don’t have to stay here, but this will be our central meeting point between all daily excursions.
2026 Autumn in the Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia - Oct 13-15th - Group Size 10 (10 spots open)
Join me and my co-instructor Randall Sanger for a photo tour of one of the most colorful autumn destinations in West Virginia! This 3 day workshop will take us to see the steam engines of Cass, ethereal misty mornings in the valley, colorful river cascades, and miles of mountain views with potential surprises along the way. This workshop is scheduled through the middle of the week in order to avoid the weekend crowds during prime Fall season.
What to expect
- The workshop will begin on the 13th around 2pm through sunset.
- The next day will be from sunrise to sunset and the workshop will conclude after sunrise on the 15th.
- Most of our destinations will be within a short range of a parking lot. There may be more strenuous options available for the group or parts of the group.
- We recommend a dSLR or mirrorless camera with an interchangeable lens system, as well as a steady tripod. A circular polarizer is recommended, but not necessary for shooting water and we can show you how to take advantage of your ND filters.
- A wide angle lens at least to 35mm and a mid-telephoto zoom around 50-200mm for shooting the trains at Cass.
Workshop Rate
Workshop rate is $450 per person and does not include lodging, transportation or meals. A deposit of $250 is due upfront in order to secure your spot. The remaining amount will be due 1 month before the workshop. You can cancel for a full refund until then. If a cancellation is needed within a month of the workshop I can offer a full refund only if I am able to fill the spot, otherwise, any fees paid can be used toward a future workshop. Alumni of my workshops are eligible for a 10% discount. We have a group lodging rate with the Marlinton Motor Inn in Marlinton, WV. Further information will be emailed to you once your deposit has been received. You don’t have to stay here, but this will be our central meeting point between all daily excursions.
Private Workshops
Group settings may not be very everyone. For a more individualized experience on your time - please contact me about setting up a private workshop! Generally, I will suggest doing these in the New River Gorge National Park, Canaan Valley, or the Greenbrier River Valley areas of West Virginia for the best experiences. I currently do not do group workshops in the New River Gorge, but this is a good opportunity to join me with a small private group on your time. I can also travel anywhere and tailor an experience to you - whether you just want to be at the right places at the right time, tour an area or learn a particular aspect of landscape or terrestrial astro photography. I can even meet you for an afternoon over coffee if you want to learn the fundamentals of using your camera or photo editing. Prices vary based on location, time, travel needs, etc.
Contact form
Testimonials
"Thanks so much to Jesse Thornton and David Johnston for all the planning! These WV photographers are AMAZING! Not sure what was better for me... taking the photos or listening to them share their story, their knowledge and the PLANNING involved."
"Thank you for leading a wonderful workshop and sharing your knowledge, tips, and tricks! I feel more inspired and confident!"
"Thanks for all the patience and instruction. Great time, much learned!"
"The workshop with Jesse was wonderful. I learned many things that I will continue to put into practice. Although I had been in the area once before, every place we went was new to me. We stopped at several places off the beaten path. Jesse was very knowledgeable about the area, plants in bloom and where to get interesting images. I'm very happy that I decided to do the workshop."
"Beautiful, Gorgeous, Stunning - were words expressed during our first Dark Sky photography workshop hosted by the Watoga State Park Foundation and conducted by Jesse Thornton."
Testimonials
"I highly recommend Jesse if you want to go to a workshop. besides being a good guy he spends a lot of time preparing and is always available for questions and to help folks get set up for good shots. He makes sure everyone knows what to expect. the Seneca Rocks workshop I just attended was a prime example. we were shooting the moon in the notch at Seneca Rocks and he had everything meticulously planned so we could move and get set up as the moon rose in the notch."
"I'd like to give a big shout out to Randall Sanger and Jesse Thornton for a great workshop in the Outer Banks this past weekend. They are friendly and helpful and took us to some great places to shoot."
"A tour of a lifetime that took us to waterfalls, overlooks, ghost towns and bridges! Jesse was a great photography tour guide!"
" Never enjoyed something so much while being hungry, cold and having a full bladder. Thank you so much!
"It was a fantastic workshop and weekend. Dave and Jesse did an outstanding job guiding us, teaching us and challenging us (both physically and mentally!). What a great group of people we had the pleasure of meeting! We will definitely join again! Jesse, if your success is based on your talents, your caring and down-to-earth nature and your sharing your knowledge with others, then you have already succeeded! And Dave was an added bonus for all the same reasons! What a great person he is also. P.S. Today seems rather boring after the weekend! I'm ready to get back out in nature already! Thank you again for a perfect time!"