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.
2024-2025 Seneca Rocks Moonrise Photography Workshop December 12, 13th and Jan 11, 12th - Group Size 10
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Photo credit: David Johnston
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Photo credit: David Johnston
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Photo credit: David Johnston
David Johnston (https://www.facebook.com/david.s.johnston.92) and I have decided to team up for more moonrise outings at Seneca Rocks! The shoot is centered completely around photographing the near full moon rising through the famous “gunsight” notch between Seneca Rocks. The rocks themselves are a thin, massive structure protruding from the shadow of North Fork Mountain. Because the rocks are so thin among this mountainous landscape, planning apps alone such as TPE and Photopills are not accurate enough to predict the exact time and location of the moonrise in order to pull off this shot.
That’s where Dave comes in. He has spent countless hours learning how to predict the exact time and place within a distance of a few yards for the moonrise to be viewable within the notch.
Each workshop consists of two dates back to back in which viewing is possible in order to give us the best opportunity for at least one of those dates panning out with clear weather. We are also very flexible about rescheduling or canceling if both dates are plagued by cloudy skies. You will have 24 hours before the first workshop date to decide if it’s worth making the attempt based on the weather in which you can pull out for a full refund, or transfer to a future workshop or Seneca Rocks Moonrise. Essentially, only pay if you come out for the attempt! We recommend scheduling on the December date and keeping the January date in mind for a backup. The dates are December 12+13 and January 11+12.
What to expect
- We will meet in the late afternoon on these dates and shoot until dark.
- The workshop begins with a brief orientation on the first day and a visit to an uncommon viewpoint of the rocks before the moonrise.
- We will help you to get in place with your camera and settings!
- No strenuous hiking involved, just a short walk from a parking lot with nearby facilities.
- Some standing involved but you can bring a fold out chair to sit in while waiting in the field
Checklist
- dSLR or Mirrorless camera with an interchangeable lens system.
- Recommended: Telephoto lens in the range of 200mm and above
- Recommended: Wide to mid-telephoto lens in the range of 30-70mm.
- Tripod
Workshop Rate
If you would like to reserve a spot for this workshop, choose one of the two dates between Dec 12+13 or Jan 11+13. The rate is $180 per person with a camera with the option of joining us for one or both nights within the chosen dates. Lodging is not included but there are options right at Seneca Rocks and nearby Elkins, Davis or Petersburg.
The workshop rate does not include lodging, meals or transportation. Contact me via the form at the end of this page or email about signing up (choose one of the dates listed above that you're interested in).
2025 Outer Banks: NC - March 6th-9th - Group size 10
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 and additional information will be provided!
2025 Spring Wildflowers and Milky Way, Greenbrier River Valley. Group Size 6. April 25th-27th (6 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 Feb 1st 2024. 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.
2025 Potomac Highlands of WV, Summer’s End - Aug 21th - Aug 24th - Group Size 10 (10 spaces available)
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 this 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.
- There is a good amount of driving between destinations. Carpooling isn’t required but encouraged.
- Temperature extremes that 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, 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 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
Workshop rate is $575 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 and the remaining portion is due a month from the workshop date. Refunds can be issued up until 7/21/25, 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 averaging $119 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.
Contact me via the form at the end of this page or email about signing up.
2025 Autumn in the Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia - Oct 14-16th - Group Size 8
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 14th around 2pm through sunset. The next day will be from sunrise to sunset and the workshop will conclude after sunrise on the 16th. Most of our destinations will be within a short range of a parking lot. There will 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. No filters are needed, however, a circular polarizer is recommended 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 is $425 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.
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!"