The rolling farmland of the Palouse has a way of catching photographers off guard…
From a distance, it looks like a simple agricultural region in eastern Washington, but when you stand on a ridge and look across the hills, the land comes alive with waves of green and gold. Shadows drift across the valleys, barns pop against vibrant fields, and winding dirt roads carve leading lines into the horizon. For photographers, it’s a dreamscape that changes with every hour of light, making it an ideal area for a photography workshop.
Scott Setterberg with ColorTexturePhotoTours should know!
Scott has spent decades photographing his home terrain, and offers a Palouse photography workshop that’s an immersive exploration with personalized instruction. You’ll capture golden sunsets, refine your post-processing skills, and share the experience with a small group of like-minded photographers. This isn’t just a tour; it’s an all-inclusive adventure that reveals both the grandeur and the subtlety of Eastern Washington’s landscapes.
Let’s explore the Palouse and its photographic amenities in closer detail.
Table of Contents
- Why Eastern Washington is a Photographer’s Dream
- The Palouse – World-Famous Rolling Farmland
- Beyond the Palouse – Expanding the Adventure
- What Makes This Washington Photography Workshop Special
- The Experience – Comfort, Creativity, and Community
- Itinerary Highlights
- Workshop Details
- Why This Workshop is Worth It
- FAQ
Why Eastern Washington is a Photographer’s Dream
Eastern Washington often surprises first-time visitors. While the western side of the state is known for evergreen forests, rainy coastlines, and breathtaking scenery like Olympic National Park, the east opens into a high desert marked by dramatic cliffs, rolling farmland, and wide skies. The most fascinating part of this region is that its beauty is no accident of time—it was forged by the Missoula Floods during the last Ice Age. Massive torrents of water tore through the land, carving canyons, exposing basalt cliffs, and leaving behind waterfalls that still thunder today.
For photographers like you and me, this geologic history translates into variety. Within a single day, you can photograph reflective lakes surrounded by sheer rock walls, then turn your lens to vast fields that look painted with color. The contrast is striking, and the proximity of these environments makes the area unusually rewarding for a Washington photography workshop.
Light plays a critical role in Eastern Washington as well. Summer days are long, offering hours of golden light at sunrise and sunset. June, when the workshop is held annually, is especially photogenic. The Palouse hills glow in vibrant green, wildlife is active around the wetlands, and the skies often deliver dramatic clouds that add mood and depth to your images. This combination of geology, diversity, and seasonal light makes the region a magnet for photographers from across the world.
The Palouse – World-Famous Rolling Farmland
The Palouse is the centerpiece of this Washington photography workshop, and for good reason. This patchwork of farmland in southeastern Washington has become one of the most iconic landscapes for photographers. Its hills, shaped like ocean waves frozen in time, are constantly changing with the season and light. In June, fresh crops blanket the fields in emerald green, broken only by the warm tones of freshly tilled soil and the occasional barn or windmill.
What makes the Palouse especially captivating is the abstract nature of its patterns. Viewed from ground level, the fields are pastoral and charming. But from higher vantage points like Steptoe Butte, the land transforms into a canvas of color and shape. Photographers find endless compositions as shadows move with the shifting sun, creating a landscape that feels alive. No two shots look the same, even when taken just minutes apart.
Steptoe Butte itself deserves special mention. Rising above the farmland, it offers 360-degree views that are unrivaled. From here, you can capture the rolling hills stretching endlessly into the distance, framed by distant mountains on the horizon. Many participants describe photographing from Steptoe at sunset as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But the Palouse isn’t only about wide landscapes. Rural roads lined with wheat fields, solitary trees standing tall against the horizon, and rustic barns all make for intimate subjects. This variety ensures that photographers of every style—whether you prefer sweeping panoramas or fine details—will find inspiration.
Beyond the Palouse – Expanding the Adventure
While many tours stop at the Palouse, this Washington photography workshop goes much further, offering a richer and more varied experience.
One of the highlights is Palouse Falls, a 198-foot cascade that has been designated Washington’s state waterfall. Carved by the same Ice Age floods that shaped the Palouse hills, the falls plunge into a dramatic gorge of columnar basalt. Photographing here at sunset provides the chance to capture the warm glow of evening light hitting the spray and cliffs, creating dramatic and moody compositions.
Another unforgettable stop is White Bluffs along the Columbia River. This area, untouched since the 1940s due to its role in the Manhattan Project, feels otherworldly. Wind-swept dunes, colorful desert plants, and striking textures in the land create unique photographic opportunities. Many visitors remark on the sense of solitude here—it’s a place that encourages creative experimentation.
McNary Wildlife Refuge offers a quieter but equally rewarding experience. Morning light illuminates wetlands alive with bird activity, providing opportunities for both wildlife and landscape photography. It’s a reminder of the variety Eastern Washington holds—sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle, but always worth capturing.
Finally, Ancient Lakes adds yet another layer of diversity. Surrounded by jagged cliffs and dotted with waterfalls, it’s a playground for landscape photographers. The lakes reflect the sky, while the basalt walls and desert foliage provide endless possibilities for foreground interest. Hiking into this area is part of the adventure, and the payoff is extraordinary.
What Makes This Washington Photography Workshop Special
Many photography workshops focus solely on locations, but this one blends instruction, expertise, and comfort into the experience. Workshop leader Scott Setterberg, a photographer born and raised in Eastern Washington, has more than 35 years of experience photographing this area. Scott knows these landscapes intimately and has a gift for helping others see them in new ways. His local knowledge ensures participants visit the right places at the right times, often away from crowded viewpoints.
Instruction is tailored to every participant, too. Whether you’re just getting comfortable with exposure or eager to experiment with advanced techniques like intentional camera movement, you’ll receive guidance that matches your skill level. The workshop includes image reviews, one-on-one post-processing sessions, and lessons on filters, HDR, and creative composition. It’s an environment designed to help photographers grow while enjoying the journey.
The small group size—limited to six—adds another dimension. You’re not just another face in a crowd but part of a community of photographers sharing ideas, challenges, and breakthroughs. This intimacy allows for deeper connections, both with fellow participants and with the landscapes themselves.
The Experience – Comfort, Creativity, and Community
Travel workshops often mean trade-offs in comfort, but this one eliminates that concern. It’s fully all-inclusive, covering hotel accommodations, gourmet meals, private transportation, and park fees. That means you can focus entirely on your photography without worrying about logistics. After long days in the field, returning to a comfortable hotel along the Columbia River is a welcome luxury.
The food is as memorable as the landscapes. From welcome dinners to meals at some of the region’s best restaurants, the culinary side of the workshop is designed to complement the photographic experience. Sharing a meal with fellow participants becomes a highlight in itself, sparking conversations that often continue late into the evening.
Community is at the core of the workshop as well. Traveling with like-minded photographers creates an atmosphere of support and inspiration. Many participants come away not just with stronger portfolios, but with lasting friendships. Combined with the creative momentum of daily shooting and image reviews, it makes for an experience that is as enriching personally as it is artistically.
Itinerary Highlights
The itinerary is carefully designed to balance photography, learning, and a little relaxation, too!
- Day 1 begins with arrival in the Tri-Cities and a welcome dinner, followed by a sunset shoot at the Cable Bridge, the first of its kind ever constructed in the United States.
- Day 2 takes you to McNary Wildlife Refuge in the morning, with Palouse Falls for an unforgettable sunset.
- Day 3 combines history at the Reach Museum with an evening shoot at the White Bluffs.
- Day 4 features the dramatic landscapes of Ancient Lakes after a relaxed morning of editing and image reviews.
- Day 5 is devoted entirely to the Palouse, ending with the sweeping views from Steptoe Butte.
- Day 6 wraps up with a final breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Each day blends instruction, exploration, and creativity, ensuring you leave with both improved skills and unforgettable memories.
Workshop Details
The Palouse Eastern Washington photography workshop will be held June 14–19, 2026. Registration and final payment are due by April 15, 2026.
Pricing options include an all-inclusive package, a single supplement for those wanting their own room, and a “Do It Yourself” option for photographers who prefer to handle their own lodging and meals and drive their own vehicles. The group size is capped at six participants, with a two-person minimum, ensuring a personalized experience.
Cancellations and refunds are clearly outlined, with deposits non-refundable but flexible options available if the minimum is not met. This transparency, combined with the small group format, makes it easy for you to plan your Washington photography workshop with confidence.
Why This Workshop is Worth It
Investing in a photography workshop is about more than just adding new images to your portfolio. It’s about growth, connection, and experiencing a place in ways you might not manage alone. This Washington photography workshop offers access to both iconic and hidden locations, expert instruction, and a supportive creative environment.
The Palouse and Eastern Washington landscapes are on many photographers’ bucket lists, and experiencing them with a guide like Scott who knows the terrain so well, elevates the entire journey. Add in the comfort of all-inclusive amenities and the intimacy of a small group, and the value becomes clear.
Many past participants describe the workshop as transformative—not just in their photography, but in their relationship to the landscapes they capture. For anyone serious about improving their craft while experiencing one of the most unique regions in the country, this workshop is a rare opportunity!
FAQ
How challenging is hiking during the workshop?
The fitness level required is moderate. Participants should be able to walk about two miles roundtrip with camera gear on uneven terrain. Trails may include dirt, sand, gravel, and stairs, but the pace is reasonable, and there’s plenty of time to set up shots.
Is this Washington photography workshop suitable for beginners?
Yes. The only requirement is a basic understanding of your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Instruction is tailored to your level, so beginners will feel supported, while advanced photographers will be challenged to refine their skills.
What gear should I bring?
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a variety of lenses, a sturdy tripod, filters for creative control, and plenty of memory cards and batteries. Comfortable footwear and clothing for varied weather conditions are also recommended.
What’s included in the all-inclusive package?
Lodging, meals, snacks and water, park fees, private transportation (including airport transfers), professional instruction, and image reviews are all included. Airfare, travel insurance, gratuities, alcohol, and laundry services are not.
How large is the group?
The workshop is limited to six participants, ensuring each photographer receives personal attention and instruction.
Are Washington photography workshops available in other areas of the state?
Yes. ColorTexturePhotoTours offers a Washington Waterfalls photo workshop and an Olympic National Park photo workshop (in addition to workshops in Oregon and Costa Rica).
