Olympic Coast Wilderness Photography Backpacking Workshop: Shi Shi Beach to Ozette

3 Days, 2 Nights | Small Group | Olympic National Park | Physical Level : Moderate | $2,400 | June 11-13th 2027

June 11th - 13th | 2027 | 4 Days, 3 Nights

Master Coastal Landscape Photography Along the Wild Olympic Coast

Join my Olympic Wilderness Coast photography backpacking workshop, operated in partnership with Olympic Hiking Co., for an immersive adventure capturing the most dramatic sea stacks, tidal zones, and ancient rainforest coastlines in the United States. This field-based backpacking workshop is designed for photographers looking to master dynamic coastal compositions, long-exposure seascapes, tide-dependent shooting strategies, and wilderness landscape techniques along the raw edge of the Pacific.

Featured Photography Locations

Point of the Arches & Shi Shi Beach: Capture one of the most iconic seascape locations in North America. Photograph towering sea stacks, natural rock arches, intricate tidal channels, and golden hour reflections across vast, wet sandy beaches.

The Rugged Tidal Passage to the Ozette River: Experience a dynamic coastal landscape featuring sea caves, pristine tidepools teeming with marine life, rugged headland overland trails, and wild, driftwood-strewn beaches.

Ozette River & Cape Alava Coastline: Photograph the scenic river mouth, moody coastal fog, and the rugged shoreline leading past Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous United States, before transitioning into lush coastal boardwalk trails.

Workshop Highlights & Logistics

Tidal Timing & Golden Light: We align our entire photography schedule with the Pacific tides and optimal lighting conditions, ensuring you are in prime position to shoot dramatic low-tide sea stack reflections and glowing ocean sunsets.

Wilderness Beach Camping: Experience authentic Pacific Northwest wilderness by camping directly along the coastline, offering immediate tent-to-tripod access for twilight seascapes, vibrant sunsets, and misty coastal sunrises.

Backpack-Friendly Field Instruction: Receive personalized in-field coaching covering long-exposure water movement, ND filter usage, composition in chaotic coastal environments, protection of camera gear in marine conditions, and digital workflow strategies for high-contrast seascapes.

Who This Landscape Photography Workshop Is Perfect For

• Beginner to advanced photographers looking to combine wilderness backpacking with hands-on landscape instruction.

• Mirrorless, DSLR, or compact camera shooters eager to capture raw coastal elements.

• Hikers who want a safe, fully guided backpacking experience through tide-critical coastal wilderness.

Trip Details

• Price: $2,400 USD

• Duration: 3 Days, 2 Nights in Olympic National Park

• Mileage: 15.3 miles total one-way

• Elevation Profile: +1,126 feet gain, -1,143 feet loss

• Activity Rating: Moderate (occasional rocky scrambles, rope assists on overland headland trails, and tide-timed crossings)

What’s Included

• Professional photography instruction and hands-on field mentorship

• Professional wilderness backpacking guides from Olympic Hiking Co.

• Olympic National Park wilderness permits, camping fees, and entry passes

• Group backcountry gear, water filtration, and safety equipment

• Comprehensive pre-trip gear checklist and backpacking preparation support

3-Day Photography Itinerary

Day 1: Port Angeles to Shi Shi Beach & Point of the Arches

We depart Port Angeles for a scenic 2-hour drive to the trailhead. After gearing up, we embark on a relaxed 4.3-mile hike through coastal forest out to Shi Shi Beach. We set up our beachfront wilderness camp and spend the late afternoon and sunset shooting the dramatic silhouettes and reflection pools of Point of the Arches.

Day 2: Point of the Arches to the Ozette River

We begin our 5.5-mile trek navigating the tide-critical stretch between Point of the Arches and the Ozette River. Our pace allows ample time to photograph vibrant tidepool macro details, rugged headland passages, and sweeping ocean vistas. We establish camp near the mouth of the Ozette River in time for an evening coastal photography session.

Day 3: Ozette River Ford, Cape Alava, and Ozette Ranger Station

Our final morning starts with an instructional crossing of the Ozette River before continuing along the coast past Cape Alava. We photograph the wild coastline and forested boardwalk sections during our 5.6-mile hike back to the Ozette Ranger Station, concluding our wilderness photography journey before returning to Port Angeles.

Optional 5-Day Itinerary

Optional add on includes transportation from Seattle, and one night stay the day before the backpacking segment, and one night stay afterwards with transportation back to Seattle.

This turns the trip into June 10th - 14th.

Day 1: Seattle to Port Angeles

We depart Seattle at 11AM, taking the ferry to the Olympic Peninsula. We arrive at our hotel in Port Angeles, and go to a pre backpacking trip meeting with Olympic Hiking Co. Then sunset session at Hurricane Ridge.

Day 1: Port Angeles to Shi Shi Beach & Point of the Arches

We depart Port Angeles for a scenic 2-hour drive to the trailhead. After gearing up, we embark on a relaxed 4.3-mile hike through coastal forest out to Shi Shi Beach. We set up our beachfront wilderness camp and spend the late afternoon and sunset shooting the dramatic silhouettes and reflection pools of Point of the Arches.

Day 2: Point of the Arches to the Ozette River

We begin our 5.5-mile trek navigating the tide-critical stretch between Point of the Arches and the Ozette River. Our pace allows ample time to photograph vibrant tidepool macro details, rugged headland passages, and sweeping ocean vistas. We establish camp near the mouth of the Ozette River in time for an evening coastal photography session.

Day 3: Ozette River Ford, Cape Alava, and Ozette Ranger Station

Our final morning starts with an instructional crossing of the Ozette River before continuing along the coast past Cape Alava. We photograph the wild coastline and forested boardwalk sections during our 5.6-mile hike back to the Ozette Ranger Station, concluding our wilderness photography journey before returning to Port Angeles.

Optional add on will include an overnight stay in Port Angeles. We will be going over our photos for the weekend in our hotel which will include an editing session.

Day 4: Port Angeles to Seattle

We will depart Port Angeles at 9AM, and will be back in Seattle around 1-2PM.

Pricing & Booking

• Workshop Rate: $2,400 USD per person. (5-day package: $3,000)

• Deposit: 50% deposit required to secure your spot

• Final Balance: Remaining balance due 90 days prior to departure

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made more than 3 months before the trip departure date receive a 50% refund of the deposit. Cancellations made within 90 days of departure are non-refundable. Due to strict national park permit requirements and small group capacities, trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.