
Joel Wolfson has been teaching photography since 1985 and enjoys sharing his experience and skills with his workshop participants. He conveys these in an easy to understand manner. Joel also loves to travel and thoroughly researches locations before organizing workshops and insists on very small groups to provide individual attention.
More about Joel
Barb Satink Wolfson, our naturalist guide, received her Master’s Degree in Forest Ecology. She was a backcountry ranger with the National Park Service where she conducted interpretive courses, led Junior Ranger programs and educated park visitors about the environment.
Unlike most workshops we focus on individual attention and keep our groups very small, typically 8-10 participants or fewer. Our naturalist accompanies us on location so you can learn more than photography if you wish. We offer photography and digital imaging workshops throughout the year both at our studio in Flagstaff and around the world. We also offer photo guiding and private workshops.
Download our latest brochure HERE!
Inside the Workshops -- Blog of Tuscany Workshop
See the blog for a virtual tour of our recent Villages of Tuscany workshop.
Italy 2011 Note that the blog goes from most recent entry to oldest.
For those new to digital photography.
Do you love to take photos but don't quite understand your digital camera? What is a pixel anyway?
This is an introduction to digital photography. You'll walk away understanding how to take your camera off full automatic and use the controls on your camera to your creative advantage. We start with the basics and then alternate shooting in the field with classroom work to reinforce the techniques you learn. We evaluate the photos you shot and learn the creative ways to capture the kind of images you really want.
We only accept very small groups so we can emphasize individualized instruction with a hands-on learn-by-doing approach.
$129 per person includes full day workshop both field and classroom, light snacks, and beverages.
Have lots of photos and want to organize them but aren't sure the best way to go about it? Then this seminar is for you
Joel will show you how to organize and optimize your digital photos with Lightroom as your central hub. Find out why it is the best tool for organizing, optimizing, searching and even printing or posting to your favorite social or photo website. If you want to continue learning Lightroom in depth there will be a follow-up hands on comprehensive workshop on Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3. See listing below in the workshop schedule
Sponsored by National Camera Exchange- $40 ($20 with 2 day Lightroom workshop) per person includes evening seminar, tips, techniques, Q&A, snacks.
To Register Call National Camera at 763-546-6831
Join us for a special evening with travel photography expert Joel Wolfson as he takes us on his private tour of Italy presenting some of his favorite images on the big screen. As you travel along, he will share stories and techniques behind the images providing useful tips on how to take your own stunning travel photos. Time will be allowed for a Question and Answer period after the presentation.
Sponsored by National Camera Exchange- $25 per person includes evening seminar, tips, techniques, Q&A, snacks.
To Register Call National Camera at 763-546-6831
We recommend you take the Introduction to Lightroom offered on Friday, along with this workshop.
Drawing on his 26 years experience in digital imaging, Joel leads you through a two day hands-on comprehensive workshop where you'll learn how to optimize your camera's capture settings, then quickly download and adjust multiple images non-destructively. Use the best keyword and “metadata” strategies to organize and find images, and then output to web, print, pdf, or slide shows. Complement this with solid storage and backup strategies to protect your digital archive.
We'll show you how to do all of this quickly and effectively so you can spend less time in front of your computer and more time shooting.
Highlights of what we'll cover:
Special Rate- Sponsored by National Camera Exchange- $229 per person includes 2 day hands-on comprehensive workshop, lunch both days.
Call National Camera Exchange at 763-546-6831 to Register
Our most requested new workshop and tour (Sicily) is now finalized and we're taking sign-ups! Join us for an amazing journey through another Italian mecca of culture and cuisine. If you want to be notified when we have the details and pricing be sure you are on our workshop mailing list. You can subscribe to our email list at the bottom of any page on the website. We've designed activities and tours for the non-photographer or travel companion as well...
Download Villages of Sicily brochure here!
Please Call us to sign up or for more info (928) 526-3726
Creative Essentials with Topaz Plug-ins, presented by Joel Wolfson
When: Thu, November 10, 4pm – 5pm Central Time/3pm - 4pm Mtn Time
Sponsored by: Topaz Labs
Duration: 40 min. Presentation, 20 min. Q&A
There are a myriad of choices when it comes to deciding how to optimize your images once you've captured them. Join me as I distill down my creative workflow to the essentials for producing images with a creative edge. I will demonstrate Topaz Adjust, its monochrome counterpart, B&W Effects and more, to show how I integrate them into my color and black and white work.
Limited space available.
Creative Optimization with Topaz Plug-ins, presented by Joel Wolfson
When: Thu, February 23, 3pm – 4pm Central Time/2pm - 3pm Mtn Time
Sponsored by: Topaz Labs
Duration: 45 min. Presentation, 15 min. Q&A
Ever ask yourself what are the best plug-ins to use for this image? And what is the best way to use them? Join professional photographer Joel Wolfson as he shows you how he integrates some more of his favorite Topaz plug-ins with Lightroom and Photoshop to create the extra touches necessary for outstanding images. Joel will demonstrate Remask, StarEffects, and more while he shows you how he uses a plug-in workflow to a creative end.
Creative Visualization- From Concept to Final Image, presented by Joel Wolfson
When: Thu, Nov 8, 4pm – 5pm Central Time/3pm - 4pm Mtn Time
Sponsored by: Topaz Labs
Duration: 45 min. Presentation, 15 min. Q&A
Defined as "the ability to anticipate a finished image before making the exposure" by Ansel Adams, Visualization is a central topic in photography. Join professional photographer Joel Wolfson as he explores the idea of Visualization from his initial image concept to his final image. Joel will demonstrate Adjust, B&W Effects, Detail and more while he shows you how he visualizes not only the final image, but also the steps and tools he will need to reach that creative end.
Optimizing Images of People Using Topaz Plug-Ins, presented by Joel Wolfson
When: Tue Dec 18 3pm - 4pm Mtn Time/4pm – 5pm Central Time/5pm - 6pm Eastern Time
Sponsored by: Topaz Labs
Duration: 45 min. Presentation, 15 min. Q&A
We don't always have the luxury of setting up ideal lighting and using professional models when photographing people. Join internationally published photographer Joel Wolfson as he shows you how he optimizes images of real people shot in all kinds of situations. From street photography to an informal portrait, Joel will show you his favorite techniques using Topaz Adjust, the NEW Topaz Detail and Topaz B&W Effects to get just the right emphasis and character for creating compelling images of people.
Call or email for more information
Email: Click Here to send us an email
Phone: (928) 526-3726
Customer Toll Free: 1 (866) WOLFSON [1-866-965-3766]
CANCELATION POLICY- DOMESTIC WORKSHOPS
Your workshop or seminar fee can be charged to your credit card or paid by check. If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the workshop date you will receive a refund of tuition less a $50 handling fee ($25 for Digital Photo Basics). If you cancel from 59-30 days before the workshop or seminar you will receive a refund minus handling fee only if we fill your spot. There are no refunds if you cancel 30 or fewer days before the workshop. If we have to cancel a workshop you will be given a full refund.
CANCELATION POLICY- OVERSEAS WORKSHOPS
Please call or email for complete information on our overseas cancelation and refund policies.

Also see our May 2011 workshop in Tuscany
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"Better than any expectations!" "The balance was just perfect and as always your scouting of locations was breathtaking." |
Join internationally published photographer Joel Wolfson and his wife Barb (Naturalist and Instructor) as they take you on a first class creative journey through one of the most stunning regions in Europe, the Luberon region of Provence, France. Joel distills his decades of experience into easy to understand concepts, both creative and technical. A very small group, the benefit of two instructors, and the beautiful atmosphere are conducive to learning new ways to express the villages and countryside of Provence in your images. Based in such a magnificent setting - this program is designed for both the photographer wishing to increase his or her skills utilizing Joel's effective and progressive teaching techniques as well as for the traveler wishing to experience a fine vacation with deluxe lodging, excellent dining experiences, knowledgeable guides and visits to fascinating places. All of this in a small group to allow for maximum individual attention and a fabulous experience. Staying in a hilltop village in the Luberon region, made famous by Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence,” we’ll take photo treks to nearby villages and scenic areas, such as Roussillon and the Pont du Gard. We’ll photograph the beautiful Provençal countryside, architecture, people, and even your food if you like! We’ll indulge in exquisite local cuisine, fabulous wine, and experience Provençal hospitality. All levels welcome! We've designed the activities and tours so that spouses and friends that are not photographers will enjoy the experience just as much. Space is limited to only 8 photo participants- contact us for a booking form today! A deposit of $500 will hold your place.** Program details: $4095 ($3995 cash/check/bank transfer) per person double occupancy (single supplement $875) *Examples of locales we will experience and photograph include: Medieval cities and towns full of fantastic architecture, monasteries, olive groves and mills, vineyards and wineries including tastings; as well as ancient Roman ruins and aqueducts. |
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"Best travel experience of my life…and it got me shooting again. Thanks!." "Everything was better than I expected!" "Having done several workshops in the past, I can safely say that this was the most enjoyable and beneficial. You really provide individualized attention in the field and in the classroom." See the article about us and our workshops in Italian Living by Serenella Leoni |
You don't need a camera to fall in love with this unique region of Tuscany. Have Mauro and Angelo serve you their mother's homemade pasta. She makes it fresh daily for their charming and intimate restaurant- just one of many local dining experiences in our tour. We've designed this so that whether or not you're a photographer you'll be part of a fine vacation with superb lodging, amazing and authentic local cuisine and wine, knowledgeable guides and visits to fascinating places. All of this in a very small group to allow for maximum individual attention and a fabulous experience.
Join internationally published photographer Joel Wolfson and the husband and wife team of Michelle and Brad Daniels as they take you on a first class creative journey through one of the most stunning regions on earth, the Val d'Orcia Tuscany. Joel distills his decades of experience into easy to understand concepts, both creative and technical. A small group (limited to 12), the benefit of two instructors, and the beautiful atmosphere are conducive to learning new ways to express the villages and countryside of Tuscany in your images. Based in such a magnificent setting - this program is designed for both the photographer wishing to increase his or her skills utilizing Joel's effective and progressive teaching techniques as well as for the traveler wishing to experience a wonderful vacation. We’ll be staying in a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Val D’Orcia in Tuscany and taking photo treks to nearby villages, some only known by locals and some classics such as Siena, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, as well as photographing vineyards, olive orchards, architecture, people and the Tuscan countryside. Not to mention exquisite meals made by locals, famous Italian hospitality, and wonderful wine. For a look at our blog of last May's trip click here. For a slideshow of our recent Tuscan workshop click here. We've designed the activities and tours so that spouses and friends that are not photographers will enjoy the experience just as much. All levels welcome! Space is limited to only 12 participants- so sign up soon! A deposit of $500 will hold your place. Bookings are on a first come first served basis. Make your reservation today to guarantee a place on this very special and unforgettable program... Call us at 928-526-3726 or 866-WOLFSON [866-965-3766]. Program details: Price is $4395 per person dbl occupancy (we will accept deposits to hold your place) Scroll down for contact info to register. *Examples of locales we will experience and photograph include: Medieval cities and towns full of fantastic architecture, local farms, monasteries, olive groves and mills, vineyards and wineries including tastings; flowering fields dotted with poppies, cypress lined drives and magnificent estates and gardens. |
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