OAKHURST — The Yosemite Photography Weekend is the first-of-its-kind experience offered in partnership with Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux resort located at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, and The Ansel Adams Gallery, an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service operated in Yosemite Valley by the Ansel Adams family since 1902.
Participants will follow in the footsteps of the visionary Ansel Adams, learning his innovative techniques adapted for digital cameras while visiting the iconic park scenes he made famous, and enjoy a Five Diamond stay at the nearby luxury property. This expert-guided curated instructional program is for photography enthusiasts at all levels.
The Ansel Adams Photography Weekend is offered June 9 to 11 (one spot left) and November 4 to 6, 2023, and is priced at $2,700 double occupancy; and $2,350 single occupancy.
The weekend package includes elegant accommodations inclusive of all meals and transportation to and from the park. During a full-day guided experience in the park, participants will gain insight into the artistic creativity of Ansel Adams through a curated discussion and presentation of Adams’ fine print original photographs. They will also visit Yosemite’s most picturesque locations, where they will be taught how to best use their cameras to incorporate Adams’ photographic techniques and compositions.
Designed for beginning photographers, hobbyists, and Ansel Adams enthusiasts, participants will have the opportunity to frame in their own lens the scenes made famous by Adams and replicate his awe-inspiring use of light. They will be transported to an “outside classroom” for a walking tour of Cooks Meadow where digital camera techniques and compositional theory will be discussed. Then the group will be transported to other scenic areas of Yosemite Valley to have the opportunity to put their skills to the test.
Participants will receive a detailed list of required and recommended equipment, which includes wide angle and zoom lens, filters, a tripod and a carrying bag.
Back at Château du Sureau, the weekend will commence with a welcome reception and group dinner. While in-residence, guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations, expansive grounds and gardens to explore, an outdoor pool, and all-inclusive inspired dining moments throughout their stay at The Elderberry House and Cellar Bar. Specialty treatments may also be reserved in Spa du Sureau.
A detailed itinerary and equipment list for the November 4 to 6, 2023 weekend can be found here:
Yosemite Photography Weekend Itinerary November (PDF)
Rates are exclusive of tax and 22% service fees, and reservations must be reserved seven days in advance.
In the event of forecasted heavy rain, participants will have the option of reserving a 2024 experience or requesting a full refund. A 50% advance deposit is required. Cancellations are allowed up to 14 days prior to the event.
Guests can book by clicking here.
About Château du Sureau
Nestled across nine-sprawling acres of rolling foothills at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, Château du Sureau blends the charm and beauty of France’s Provencal region with central California’s verdant landscape. This luxurious hideaway features ten elegantly appointed guestrooms inspired by the South of France in addition to the private Villa du Sureau.
The Elderberry House offers an inventive menu from Culinary Director Chris Flint showcasing the finest local, seasonal, and organic ingredients sourced locally, and is complemented by a premier wine list. That caliber of dining is a rarity for the destination, and Chef Chris’ new role as Culinary Director is a major reason diners have the opportunity to experience a Michelin-starred quality menu. The three-course and six-course menus can be found here.
Château du Sureau features a full-service spa, outdoor pool, and expansive gardens and grounds provide moments of wellness and tranquility. Beyond the estate’s gates, an adventure travelers’ paradise awaits, from Yosemite National Park just 16 miles away to scenic hiking, biking and fishing excursions. Château du Sureau is a member of Relais & Châteaux and a AAA Five Diamond hotel.
About The Ansel Adams Gallery
From its origin in 1902 in a tent in the California wilderness, Best’s Studio, now operating as The Ansel Adams Gallery, has evolved into a center that celebrates the arts and grandeur of our environment. The Gallery strives to cultivate aesthetic appreciation and a concern for our natural world by offering visitors a unique variety of crafts, books, fine arts, and an extraordinary collection of Ansel Adams original photographs. With over 70 years of photography educational programming started by Ansel Adams, the Gallery hosts classes, workshops, and private photo tours to help visitors make the most of their Yosemite experience.
Featured image courtesy of The Ansel Adams Gallery.
Check out this great documentary about Ansel Adams!