Acadia Fall Foliage & Coastal Photography Workshop
Peak autumn color, lakes and streams, and the coastal and historic details that broaden what Acadia offers in autumn.
Workshop overview
About the Acadia National Park photography workshop
Autumn arrives decisively in Acadia. Color spreads across hillsides, in the forest, and around ponds, but the park offers far more than foliage. Rocky shoreline, inland lakes and streams, carriage roads, stone bridges, and the working details of coastal towns create a wide range of photographic subjects.
This workshop is built around long stretches in the field. We photograph mornings and evenings, often working a scene through changing light before moving on to another area. The pace allows time to fully photograph a location and return home with a strong set of images.
Participants come with a range of experience, and guidance happens in the field. Newer photographers can get help with fundamentals like exposure, composition, and working with a tripod in real conditions. More experienced photographers often focus on refining decisions as scenes evolve, simplifying complex situations, and improving how elements come together within the frame. Andy Cook is present throughout the workshop, not to make his own images, but to help participants make stronger photographs, offering feedback when it's useful and stepping back when things are working.
Workshop highlights
More than fall color
Fall color is part of the draw, but it's not the only focus. Many of the strongest photographs here come from using color as one element within a larger scene that includes rock, water, and man-made features, rather than treating foliage as the subject by itself.
From shoreline to forest
The workshop moves between coastal and inland locations. Shoreline, ponds, streams, and forested areas each photograph differently, and the week naturally shifts between them as light and conditions change.
Field-focused instruction
Most guidance happens on location while scenes are unfolding. Questions and ideas are worked through at the tripod, with time to apply them in changing conditions. Image review and processing help are available when time allows, but we prioritize making photographs in the field and coming home with strong, workable images.
Workshop itinerary and schedule
Overview
The workshop begins Monday evening with introductions, then runs from Tuesday morning through Friday evening.
-
Monday, October 9
— Introductions and discussion.
-
Tuesday–Friday, October 10–13
Field sessions, with midday time generally used for rest, travel between locations, and questions or image review when time allows.
-
Friday, October 13
The workshop concludes after photographing Friday evening.
Lodging
Cromwell Harbor Motel359 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Lodging website · 800-544-3201 (reservations) · 207-288-3201 (info)
What to expect
- Morning: We'll be in position before first light and stay through sunrise. Sometimes we relocate to a second location before breakfast.
- Midday: A lighter stretch of the day, often used for rest and travel between locations. When we're at the hotel, there may be time for post processing questions and limited image review, but the emphasis stays on being ready for the next field session.
- Evening: Evenings are a core part of the workshop, with extended time on location as light changes. Because Bar Harbor can be busy, group dinners aren't scheduled every night. Participants can eat on their own or in small groups. This helps us keep the focus on photographing rather than logistics.
Registration
Join us to photograph Acadia National Park.
→ Register for the Acadia fall workshop
On the next page, you'll find secure PayPal buttons. You can check out as a guest using your credit or debit card—no PayPal account required.
Workshop details
- Experience level
- Beginner to advanced. Participants should be comfortable working independently at times, as the group often spreads out while shooting.
- Group size
- Small group (target of 8 participants) to allow for individual instruction.
- Effort
- Easy. Two carriage road walks of about one mile each way with mild elevation gain, plus shoreline exploration on uneven terrain (sand and rock). One location may require a short scramble of about four feet onto a rock shelf using hands.
- Conditions
- Mornings may be very chilly.
Getting to the workshop
Air travel
Likely airport choices include Bangor (ME), Portland (ME), Manchester (NH), and Boston (MA).
Drive times:
Bar Harbor to Bangor: ~1 hr 30 min
Bar Harbor to Portland: ~3 hr 45 min
Bar Harbor to Manchester: ~5 hr
Bar Harbor to Boston: ~4 hr 35 min
Driving and carpooling
Roads are paved and a standard rental car is sufficient. We encourage participants to carpool during the workshop to limit impact and simplify logistics.
Recommended gear
Lenses
A useful range is roughly 18mm to 400mm (full-frame equivalent). This covers wide coastal scenes, tighter shoreline details, and compressed fall compositions inland.
Filters
Bring a polarizer and a 6-stop (or stronger) neutral density filter.
Footwear and weather
Hiking boots are recommended. Rain is possible—bring an umbrella and rainproof clothing. Mornings can be cold, so layers matter.
Note: Photographing Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is not part of the workshop. If desired, participants should photograph it before or after the workshop.
Workshop community
FAQ
- How much post-processing instruction is included?
-
Post-processing support is available, but it isn’t the focus of the workshop. When time allows, Andy can help with questions or walk through basic processing decisions, especially as they relate to work made in the field. Most learning happens on location, with the emphasis on making strong captures that hold up well once you’re home and editing on your own.
- How fast-paced is the workshop day to day?
-
The workshop follows a rhythm around morning and evening light. We're out early for sunrise and return to the field again in the evening, with most travel, rest, and questions happening mid-day. Some days involve longer stretches at a single location, while others include a bit more moving. The pace is active but measured, with enough time to work scenes as conditions change.
- How physically demanding is the workshop?
-
Overall it's easy, with a few short “watch your footing” moments. We do two carriage road walks of about a mile each way with mild elevation gain. Coastal locations can involve uneven terrain, sand, rounded rock, and occasionally slick surfaces. One location requires a short scramble of a few feet onto a rock shelf using hands. If you're comfortable walking carefully on natural ground, you should be fine.
- What are October conditions like in Acadia—should I expect cold and rain?
-
Yes, mornings can be very chilly, and weather can change quickly. Rain is always possible. Layers matter more than people expect, especially near the water. If you plan for cold hands, wind, and damp conditions, you'll stay warmer and enjoy shooting longer. Some locations actually photograph best in light drizzle.
- Is Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse part of the workshop?
-
No. It's extremely popular and can be crowded during peak season. If you want to photograph it, we recommend doing so before or after the workshop when you can manage timing and crowds on your own terms. During the workshop, we focus on locations where the group can work comfortably.