Overview

Where you’ll go: Our photography guides have an intimate knowledge of the topography of Yosemite National Park and the Eastern Sierra. With an expert by your side, you’ll visit prime locations in the park that aren’t always highlighted on a map. We’ll meet at the gallery, and venture from there.

When we’ll head out: We’ll try and schedule your guided tour when the lighting is best for the photography Yosemite has to offer - sunrise and/or sunset. Start times vary, and we’ll plan the best time for you to go once you’ve signed up for your tour.

What you’ll learn: Depending on your level of experience, we can dive into the basics or head straight into more advanced techniques. From composition to lighting, proper exposure to focusing techniques, we’ll cater our lesson to your curiosities and desires. Seeking a location guide without the instruction? We can do that too.

How we prepare: In order to customize your guided tour, we’ll reach out to you to find out what your preferences are. Would you prefer a driving tour, or a bit of hiking? Depending on the time of year, a high country excursion, or adventure within the valley? Sunrise or sunset? This consultation helps us individualize your experience to try and meet your hopes and dreams.

Questions? Reach out and we’d be happy to help. To ask a question or arrange a guided tour, please email photoguide@anseladams.com or call (209) 372-4413

Booking Details

To have the most enjoyable and informative guiding session, we only schedule weekend sessions to start in the morning due to traffic conditions in the Park. This is effective April 1st-September 15th.
Also, we are not scheduling guiding sessions on national holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day).

When booking within two weeks of the guiding session, please call or email to check for availability.

Please call us at 209-372-4413 with any questions or concerns. We want you to have the best guiding session possible.

Guiding Details

When booking within two weeks of the guiding session, please call or email to check for availability.

NOTE: The gallery does not provide transportation during guided sessions. Usually, the staff photographer rides along with you in your vehicle. If you don't have room, you can follow him/her behind their car. If you don't have transportation, a walking guided session can be designed for you.
Attendees under the age of 18 need to have a parent or legal guardian present at the beginning of each class to sign a waiver of liability form.

We do not a break full day session into two 1/2-day sessions on separate days. Full-day sessions must be done on the same day. Please choose two 1/2-day sessions if you are wanting 4-hour sessions on different days. Please note: There is a substantial break in tuition for full day ($550 for 1-2 people) versus two half-day sessions ($750 for 1-2 people). You are not guaranteed the same staff photographer for both sessions if choosing two, 1/2-day sessions. For questions and to inquire about arranging a guided session, please email photoguide@anseladams.com or call (209) 372-4413.

A private guiding session with one of our gallery staff photographers in Yosemite National Park will allow you to learn about and photograph a selection of the prime locations within Yosemite National Park. From famous vistas of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley, to more intimate locations throughout the park, our staff photographers will lead you to areas to capture unique images and make the most of your photographic experience.

While in the field, our photographers can assist you with questions on composition and lighting, however these sessions are ultimately designed to allow you to take advantage of our photographer's intimate knowledge of the topography of Yosemite National Park and the Eastern Sierra.Sessions are typically set up around the best lighting for photography Yosemite has to offer - sunrise and/or sunset - so start times vary. You will be notified regarding start times and starting locations after signing up for your session.

A Note on "Tagging Along": For two main reasons, we do not allow family members/significant others/friends to tag along with paying participants.
1. Signing up for any of our guiding services pays for our expert guides to take you to many exclusive spots in Yosemite and/or being at prime locations at the best lighting for photography - regardless of participation.
2. All members of a guiding party need to be paying participants and sign our Acknowledgement of Risk form.

Cancellation Policy

The Ansel Adams Gallery Yosemite Photography Guiding - Private Session Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your scheduled Yosemite Photography Guiding - Private Session, please inform a gallery representative in writing via email no fewer than 48 hours prior to the scheduled initiation of the private guiding session for a partial refund that reflects a 20% non-refundable charge. Refunds can not be made for cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled initiation of the Yosemite Photography Guiding - Private Session, or for no shows, for any reason.

The Ansel Adams Gallery will evaluate requests on an individual basis for the Yosemite Photography Guiding - Private Session to be transferred to another person provided the guiding session is initiated at the same scheduled time, duration, and group size.

In the extremely rare event that The Ansel Adams Gallery needs to cancel the scheduled Yosemite Photography Guiding - Private Session, the gallery will refund your full payment. However, the Ansel Adams Gallery will not be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets, car rental charges, lodging reservations, or any other expense outside of the Yosemite Photography Guiding – Private Session payment fee.

The Ansel Adams Gallery highly recommends travel insurance to help with an unfortunate travel related event.

The Ansel Adams Gallery is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service.

Video Overview

Air Quality Index Announcement

The safety of our visitors and staff at The Ansel Adams Gallery is of utmost importance. During fire season, smoke can degrade the air quality in Yosemite. It can reduce visibility and poses health concerns for everybody, especially sensitive people. During this time our staff uses the AQI (air quality index) to determine if the air quality is at a safe level for our visitors and staff.

Here is how the AQI level in Yosemite Valley effects The Ansel Adams Gallery:

150 AQI, we will close our outdoor operations. The staff will notify any photography education class students at least one hour prior to the start of class.

300 AQI, we will close outdoor and indoor operations.

For more information please see the information below:

Air Quality Index for Yosemite Valley

National Park Service – Air Quality Monitoring in Yosemite

AirNow Fire and Smoke Map

Photography Education