Fall 2026 Photography Classes

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Do you have a nice camera? Would you like to learn how to take better pictures?

I offer two Photography Classes for beginners and intermediate photographers who are getting started and want to take better pictures. This fall I am offering these classes both in Burlington (through Burlington Parks and Rec) and in La Conner at my Gallery at 306 Morris Street. Here are the details:

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera – Beginners Class

Capturing decent images with your new camera is easy, just set it on “Auto Mode” and shoot away. Moving your photography up to the next level where you get consistently good shots starts with understanding how to set your exposure manually. This is NOT difficult to do.

What the class teaches:

  • Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO. These 3 settings will be explained in detail with lots of examples and images.
  • How to Shoot in Manual Mode – Once you go Manual you’ll never go back!
  • Depth of Field: You’ll learn how a photographer changes this in an image.
  • Bracketing Exposure is capturing multiple images of the same subject with different exposures.
  • A Circular Polarizer is an optical filter that screws onto the end of the lens.
  • Raw vs. Jpeg – We’ll discuss this as well as an overview of editing a RAW image file.

Prerequisites: You must be familiar with your camera, taking pictures in Auto Mode, image review, etc.Equipment Required: A DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with interchangeable lenses. 

Dates of classes in Burlington:

  • Wednesday, September 23, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, October 14, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, November 4, 6pm to 8pm

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Intermediate Class

What the class teaches:

  • Photo Composition: We will cover cool tips and ideas of how to compose interesting images
  • Lenses and Focusing: Different lens focal lengths and what they are best for
  • You’ll learn the technique of Focus & Recompose
  • Sharper Images: Blurry images can be avoided by following one simple rule
  • Hyper-focal Distance: How to extend your depth of field in landscape images.
  • We will take time to practice these skills outdoors
  • How to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way.
    • Discuss all the equipment needed
    • Exact camera and lens settings, Walk through setting up out in the field!
    • Locations for night sky imaging and more!

Prerequisites: You must be completely comfortable with shooting in Manual Mode.  

Dates of classes in Burlington:

  • Wednesday, September 30, 6pm to 8pm
  • Monday, October 28, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, November 18, 6pm to 8pm

Burlington Parks and Recreation – Maiben House 219 S. Skagit Street, Burlington

Classes are 1.5 to 2 hours long. Cost of each class is: $45 All Photo Classes at Burlington are held on Wednesday Nights at 6pm.

To register for Photography Classes with Andy Porter in Burlington through Burlington Parks and Recreation, Click here!

Andy Porter Photography Gallery – 306 Morris Street, La Conner

Classes are 1.5 to 2 hours long. Cost of each class is: $50 All Photo Classes at Andy Porter Photography Gallery are held on Saturdays at 10am.

Beginners Photography Class in La Conner

  • September 26. Saturday at 10am
  • October 17, Saturday at 10am
  • November 7, Saturday at 10am

Intermediate Photography Class in La Conner

  • October 10. Saturday at 10am
  • November 14. Saturday at 10am

To register for Photography Classes with Andy Porter in La Conner Click Here!

Hozomeen Mountain

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Hozomeen Mountain is a double-summited peak on the east side of Ross Lake in the North Cascades of Washington State. The name “Hozomeen” comes from the Salish word meaning “sharp like a knife,” referring to both the sharp peaks of the mountains and also chert, a type of rock commonly worked into sharp-edged tools by early Native Americans and First Nation members.

Hozomeen lies at the north end of Ross Lake, near the U.S.-Canada border. Getting there involves either a long hike or boat ride. I’ve had the good fortune to have visited the area twice.

Hozomeen Mountain is very close to Desolation Peak, which has a rather famous Fire Lookout. From Ross Lake the hike is 4.5 miles and 4,500 feet elevation to the top of Desolation Peak. The views are amazing!

Ross Lake from Desolation Peak
Desolation Peak Fire Lookout
Desolation Lookout and Hozomeen Mtn
Hozomeen Mtn from Desolation Peak

Another time I managed to get a boat ride to Hozomeen and hiked up to Hozomeen Lake. Here are some images from the trip:

Hozomeen Mtn from Ross Lake
Hozomeen Lake

Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia entry about Hozomeen Mountain:

History

The name “Hozomeen” is derived from Salish, a geographically broad language group of the indigenous bands of southern British Columbia and northern Washington State. The name appeared on a sketch map prepared for members of the first boundary survey of the 49th parallel, ca. 1857-1860, designating the name of the mountain. The map was drawn by Thiusoloc, one of surveyor and topographer Henry Custer’s Salish guides, and like other geographic features labeled on the map, it recorded Salish place names.[3] According to Annie York, a native Salish speaker, “Hozomeen” refers to “sharp, like a sharp knife.”[4] and links the name to the ca. 9,000 year long tradition of indigenous use of Hozomeen chert (a flint-like mineral) to make a variety of subsistence and hunting tools.[5]

Hozomeen North Peak (the main summit) 8,066 feet, was first climbed on September 6, 1904 by Sledge Tatum and George E. Loudon, Jr. of the Boundary Survey, from the northeast.[6] Other routes exist on the South Ridge and Southwest Buttress. The north summit is Washington’s fourth steepest peak, with an average angle from the summit of 38.86°

Hozomeen South Peak elevation 8,003 feet (2,439 m),[7] lies approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of the higher North Peak. It was first climbed on May 30, 1947 by Fred Beckey, Melvin Marcus, Jerry O’Neil, Ken Prestrud, Herb Staley, and Charles Welsh, via the Southwest Route. While lower than the North Peak, it has a north face which is “almost completely vertical for 1,000 feet.”[6] This makes it the steepest peak in Washington with an average steepness angle of 42.62° from the summit.

Wildflowers of Washington 2026 Calendar

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The Wildflowers of Washington State 2026 Scenic Calendar is here!

13 wonderfully colorful of Washingtons Wildflowers.

Printed on a 100lb bond glossy sheet, each sheet is 8″ x 12″. No cropping and no borders! Calendars are ring bound!

The Calendar is available locally at the Andy Porter Photography Gallery located at 306 Morris Street in La Conner. We are open every day, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm.

Order your copy today! $25.00

January – Pasayten Wildflowers
February – Columbia Hills
March – Palouse Orange Poppies
April – Mt Baker
May – Methow Valley
June – Mt Rainier and Avalanche Lillies
July – Lake Ann
August – Sahale Arm Trail
September – Sun Mountain
October – Goat Rocks Wilderness
November – Old Wagon Road
December – Spider Meadows
Back Cover- Snow Grass Flats

Crown Point Vista, Grand Coulee

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Recently I was on a night sky photography journey in Eastern Washington, near Steamboat Rock and Banks Lake. Always on the lookout for a night sky vista, I stumbled upon Crown Point Vista and spent 2 nights there, on the Autumnal Equinox.

The Crown Point Vista was first envisioned in 1946 as a way to attract tourists. You can see the original design here, in this article: Grand Point Vista – A Forgotten Dream

The night-time scenery is magical at the Vista, the stars are very bright. To the north there was a faint glow of the Aurora. Satellites streak across. Sundial, generator or astronomical observatory, who can say?

Photography Classes in Burlington

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Andy Porter Photography Classes – Burlington Parks and Rec Fall / Winter 2025

Starting in September, 2025 I will continue teaching Photography Classes in Burlington, through Parks and Rec. The Photo Classes will be held at the Maiben House.

Registration is through Burlington Parks and Rec. Seating is limited for each class. At the link below you can see the entire class schedule and register for classes.

Here is the link to the Burlington Parks and Recreation Catalog of classes.

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Beginners Level 1  

Capturing decent images with your new DSLR camera is easy, just set it on “Auto Mode” and shoot away. Moving your photography up to the next level where you get consistently good shots starts with understanding how to set your exposure manually.  This is NOT difficult to do. 

What the class teaches:

  • How to Shoot in Manual Mode
  • Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO. These 3 settings will be explained in detail with lots of examples and images.
  • Depth of Field: You’ll learn how a photographer changes this in an image.
  • Bracketing Exposure is capturing multiple images of the same subject with different exposures.
  • A Circular Polarizer is an optical filter that screws onto the end of the lens.
  • Raw vs. Jpeg – We’ll discuss this as well as an overview of editing a RAW image file.

Prerequisites: You must be familiar with your camera, taking pictures in Auto Mode, image review, etc.

Equipment Required: A DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with interchangeable lenses. 

Dates: 

  • Wednesday, September 17, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, October 8, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, November 5, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, December 3, 6pm to 8pm

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Intermediate Level 

In this class we will discuss different lenses, focal lengths and what they do; we’ll delve deeper into depth of field and how to master control over how much of what’s in front of you is in focus. Then we’ll cover the use of different shutter speeds to create stunning, unique images.

What the class teaches:

  • Lenses and Focusing: Different lens focal lengths and what they are best for
  • You’ll learn the technique of Focus & Recompose
  • Sharper Images: Blurry images can be avoided by following one simple rule
  • Hyper-focal Distance: How to extend your depth of field in landscape images.
  • We will take time to practice these skills outdoors
  • We will cover in detail how to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way.
  • Discuss all the equipment needed
  • Exact camera and lens settings, Walk through setting up out in the field!
  • Locations for night sky imaging and more!

Prerequisites: You must be completely comfortable with shooting in Manual Mode.  

Dates:

  • Wednesday, October 22, 6pm to 8pm
  • Monday, November 17, 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday, December 10, 6pm to 8pm

To register for one of there classes CLICK HERE!

The Andy Porter Gallery is located at 306 Morris Street, in La Conner. Were open 7 days a week with a wide array of Aluminum and Canvas prints, as well as an assortment of Night Lights, magnets and Greeting Cards!

Baker River, North Cascades

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The Baker River drains the west side of the North Cascades range, merging with the Skagit River near Concrete.

There are two dams on the river, creating Baker Lake and Lake Shannon.

The Baker Lake Road extends 25 miles North from Highway 20 ending in a parking area along side Baker River. There are trails along the Baker River and around the lake.

I’ve been visiting Baker River for 20 years, been there in every season and weather condition. Here are a few images!

Please visit AndyPorterImages.com for info on classes and prints!

  • Mt Baker from Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River Sunset
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake Boat Ramp
  • Baker Lake
  • Mt Shuksan
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River
  • Baker River Salmon
  • Baker River
  • Baker River Salmon
  • Mt Baker
  • Baker River
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Camped at Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River
  • https://andyporterimages.com/skagit-valley/
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River Bridge
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker Lake
  • Mt Baker and Star Trails
  • Baker River
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker Lake
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River Trail
  • Baker River Bridge
  • Baker Lake Road
  • Baker River Trail
  • Mt Baker and Boulder Creek
  • Baker River Salmon

Amphitheater Mountain, Pasayten Wilderness

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Amphitheater Mountain is located in the Pasayten Wilderness of Washington State. The Wilderness is located along the border with Canada.

Stretching east for 50 miles from Ross Lake and the Cascade Crest, the Pasayten Wilderness is some of the most remote and beautiful wilderness in Washington.

Ross Lake

Amphitheater Mountain is about 1 mile south of the Canadian Border, on the Boundary Trail. Depending upon your route, its about 25 miles, one way to get there.

Amphitheater Mountain – July
Amphitheater Mountain – Fall

I visited there twice, in July and then October of the same year.

The orange needled trees in some of the pictures are Larch. In the summer the needles on the larch are bright green, like an evergreen…but in October they turn bright orange! Larch are found at an elevation of 5,000 to 7,000 feet.

Amphitheater Mountain is huge! There are so many views!

Amphitheater from Cathedral Pass
Amphitheater from Upper Cathedral Lake

Amphitheater Mountain on left, Cathedral Peak on right
Amphitheater Panorama

Prints on Aluminum, Canvas or Paper are available in many sizes for these and more magical images of the Pasayten and North Cascades. Here is the link to shop.

The Andy Porter Photography Gallery in La Conner is now open! See a wide display of Aluminum Prints, Night Lights, magnets and Cards! Classes are also available! 306 Morris Street, La Conner, WA 98257

Waipio Fruitshack

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I drove past the fruitshack on my way to sunrise at Waipio Valley Overlook. On the Big Island, Hawaii.

When the sunrise was finished I made my way back, stopped to gather some images.

Wow, just wow!

Photography Workshops and Photoshop Editing Classes

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I am very happy yo to now be offering both Photography Classes and Photoshop Editing Classes now in La Conner. The classes will be help at the Andy Porter Gallery, 306 Morris Street, La Conner, WA 98257

There are 3 Basic Photography Classes, here is a link with detailed descriptions of each class as well as dates/times and registration.

Photoshop Editing Classes

There are 2 Photoshop editing Classes.

The first class, Introduction to Photoshop, is all about editing your images. How to get your images to look like the scene you actually saw with your eyes. The Class takes two sessions or class periods.

I am offering a second Photoshop class as well, a 3 session class where we will do a series of creative assignments where you will learn advanced Photoshop Skills while having fun.

Details for each class, dates, times and registration are all on this link, click here!

Important Note:

To attend the Photoshop Classes you MUST

  • Bring your own laptop computer
  • Have a current subscription to Adobe Photoshop

Andy Porter Gallery in La Conner

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I am very happy to announce the opening of the Andy Porter Photography Gallery! It is located in La Conner, Washington, near the mouth of the Skagit River.

The Gallery has Aluminum Prints, Magnets, Greeting and Post Cards as well as really cool Night Lights for sale! Winter Gallery Hours are from 11am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday.

I will be teaching Photography and Photo Editing Classes at the Gallery as well. You can see Class Descriptions, dates and times and register for classes here.

La Conner has a long and interesting history as a center for art. Fish Town was home to an Artists Colony for 20 years. The Northwest Museum of Art is here as well as a host of galleries and shops.

The town is named after Louisa Ann Conner. The Skagit Valley Daffodil and Tulip Festival arrive every spring, March/April, and the valley comes alive with color.

Please stop in and say Hello the next time you’re in town!

The Andy Porter Photography Gallery is located at 306 Morris Street, La Conner Washington, 98257