Landscapes of the Palouse in Spring NANPA Photo Tour (June 23-27, 2026)

Registration is now open

PRICE:

Early Registration: $845 NANPA/ASMP Members, $1045 non-members by January 31, 2026

After January 31, 2026: $945 NANPA/ASMP Members, $1145 non-members

If you are not currently a member, you may want to consider joining NANPA to take advantage of member pricing on all NANPA photo tours (1 year membership $100)

Maximum number of attendees:  10

Last date to register:  March 21, 2026 

DATES:

Preparatory Webinar for participants: June 2, 2026, 7 pm (ET) (optional)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 5:00 pm to Saturday, June 27, 2024 at 10 am.

Post event Image Sharing and Feedback Webinar for participants: August 25, 2026, 7 pm (ET) (optional)

Event Orientation and Meet & Greet

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 5:00 pm at the hotel meeting room

EVENT OVERVIEW: 

Join acclaimed photographer John Pedersen on this NANPA Photo Tour to experience and photograph the visually dynamic landscape, Americana, and farming life of America’s Tuscany – the Palouse region of Washington State.

The Palouse, located in southeastern Washington State, is renowned for its undulating landscape, scenes of rural America, farming and life in the country. Photographers flock from the world over to photograph this amazing area with wheat covered rolling hills reminiscent of Tuscany. Spring is a common time to photograph the Palouse when the wheat is a lush green color and the skies are blue overhead.  In addition to the various types of wheat, lentils and garbanzo crops are abundant in the area, adding a different shade of green and a varied texture to the fields.  Depending on the farmers planting, we may also be treated to vast fields of yellow canola flowers stretching into the distance. John will help you to “see” the shapes of the landscape and how to create compelling images from this beautiful landscape using a variety of different lenses and techniques.

In addition to landscapes, you will have the opportunity to capture scenes of Americana and rural life in the small towns around the region. We will be in the heart of America’s wheat basket, and you’ll have the chance to see and capture stories of farming life amongst the machinery, silos and railways that dominate the area.  Barns, both abandoned and in-use, are found all throughout the region and you will have the chance to view and photograph many of them to round out the photographic “story of the Palouse”.

 

YOUR TOUR LEADER:

John Pedersen

John Pedersen is a full-time professional photographer, workshop leader, author and creative educator based in Portland, Oregon. A lifelong resident of Oregon, John is intimately familiar with the popular and hidden photographic gems across the Pacific Northwest. John has been leading domestic and international photography workshops for many years to some of the most beautiful and iconic locations for photography. John has a passion for teaching and helping others grow their photographic knowledge and skills to fulfill their creative passions. He provides in-depth teaching and tutoring on a wide range of photographic topics.

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

Based in the Pacific Northwest, John has been conducting workshops in this area for many years, so he knows how to get participants to the best spots at the right time to make their trip rewarding and productive. Unlike some other photo tours, during this event, photographers will have the chance to photograph subjects beyond nature.

Photographing the Palouse at this time of the year means days can be long, with early sunrises and late sunsets. John will work with the group to provide enough time to recharge during the day ensuring that they have ample photography opportunities, yet retain enough energy to enjoy the experience.

The event will be based out of the small town of Colfax, WA. This town is centrally located to all the locations that we will visit, minimizing driving times in the mornings and evenings.

During this event, participants will have the opportunity to photograph the following:

Grand Landscapes
The Palouse has wide-open landscapes with an expansive sky overhead giving the opportunity for grand scenic landscape shots. The sheer size and scope of the land brings a sense of amazement and each photographer can work to capture this scenic area in whatever way they want to tell their story. Of course, having nice clouds in the sky will help, but even without them, there is a lot of beauty to capture in the land and open sky above.

Natural Abstracts
The rolling hills of the Palouse make an ideal subject to create natural abstract images using the curves and folds of the landscape and how it interacts with the light and shadows. From tight compositions to abstract panoramas, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Barns and Homesteads
The Palouse is famous for barns and homesteads, and we will visit and photograph several in the area. Many of the barns and houses are on private property, so mostly we will shoot these from the road. However, in some cases, we may be able to get up close and personal with them.

Americana / Rural life
There are several quintessential picturesque rural towns in the area. We will visit a few of them to photograph the sights of life in a rural farming town:

• See the wheat come in from the fields to the huge grain silos, to then be loaded on to grain trains.
• Local post offices and cafes where citizens gather to socialize.
• Antiques and architecture from the 30’s-60’s.

This is Americana at its finest.

Farming
There are different crops grown in the area, but the various varieties of wheat are the stars of the show. We will be out amongst the wheat fields (on public roads) and the wheat will be 1’-2’ high in most areas, providing a green carpet over the undulating hills.  Various farm equipment will be out tending to the fields in preparation for the harvest and we may have the chance to photograph some of that in action.  Yellow canola is often planted in this area and provides a colorful, painterly aspect to the beautiful landscape. 

NEAREST AIRPORT(S):

• Spokane, Washington Airport (GEG) is a little over 1 hour drive away from Colfax, WA

Transportation to and from the hotel and during the event is not included and is the attendees’ responsibility.

Car Rental:  Car rental is available at the airport. A normal passenger car will be appropriate. All roads and parking will be on paved or slightly graveled areas. No 4×4 or other special vehicle needs required.

EVENT TRANSPORTATION:

Transportation to and from the airport is not included and is the attendees’ responsibility.

Ride Sharing: We will depart daily from the hotel. Ride sharing is recommended to keep the total number of vehicles down to a manageable size. You are welcome to either drive or ride with someone. This is a great way to meet and have fun with fellow photographers during the event. If you are a passenger in another participant’s car it is customary to offer the driver some gas money and chip in towards any vehicle admission/parking fee as a courtesy.

Note that NANPA, and John Pedersen, do not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assume no liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

LODGING:

We will be based in Colfax, Washington during this photo tour.

Lodging is not included in the event fee, but NANPA is holding a block of hotel rooms for event participants for the rate of $165.99 per night + tax at a hotel in Colfax, WA. Hotel details will be shared with registered participants.

Check-in time is any time after 3:00 pm.
Check-out time is noon

The last date to book a room in the NANPA room block is March 21, 2026.

MEALS:

One group brunch will be included (TBD on day/location). All other meals are your responsibility. The hotel does offer a small breakfast and there is a supermarket across the street from the hotel.  Colfax is a small farming community and has a limited restaurant choice.  If you have dietary restrictions or other limitations, please research the meal options.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS:

Some of the locations that we will most likely photograph include:

• Steptoe Butte

Steptoe Butte is one of the highlights of the area rising 3600’ over the landscape to give expansive views of the rolling wheat fields. The light and shadows during the evening are the highlight of this location, accentuating the shape of the landscape. A telephoto lens will allow you to isolate areas and create beautiful images.

• Garfield, Oaksdale, Endicott, Palouse

Small towns located around the Colfax area that we will visit. These towns have one post office, maybe one café and are typically dominated by grain silos, railways, and older buildings. They are the quintessential “small town America” from the 1950’s. Tons of great photographic potential.

• Dahmen Barn

An old barn south of Colfax, it is now owned by an artist consortium and features expansive property with a fence surrounding it that is made of old iron wagon and tractor wheels. Great for macros and interesting photographs. Plus, there are farming sculptures and typically old cast-off items great for photographing.

• Wheat Fields

We will spend time out in the wheat fields capturing the beauty of the rolling landscape as well as the light/shadows that develop at different times of the day. Various locations will provide an immersive experience and allow for a wide range of photography

• Barns/Homesteads

The Palouse has many old barns and homesteads. We will visit and photograph several of them during the event. A few of them we can get on the property and get up close. Others we will have to shoot from the road as they are on private property.

Your leader will have visited the areas prior to the event and the field trip locations will be based on what is most photogenic at the time, weather conditions, etc.  These will be announced on Tuesday afternoon during the Orientation.

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:

Please note this is a preliminary schedule showing some of the locations and possible cadence of our days.  Weather, local conditions and other factors will dictate the final schedule which you will receive during the Meet and Greet.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

• Meet and greet, welcome
• Sunset Shoot

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – Thursday June 25, 2026

• Morning: Sunrise location, Barns / Americana

• Afternoon: Americana Locations
• Evening: Steptoe Butte

Friday, June 26, 2026

• Morning: Dahmen Barn, Webber House
• Afternoon: Image Review
• Evening: Sunset location

Saturday, June 27, 2026

• Morning: Sunrise location
• Group Breakfast
• The event wraps up at 10 am.
• Hotel check out time is noon.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

The fitness level for this event is low.  We will be close to our vehicles most of the time and what walking we do will be over fairly level and mostly even ground.

If you have respiratory issues, please be aware that this is farming country and there is a moderate amount of dust in the air from the dirt roads and fields.

Staying hydrated is important to keep up energy and fitness, so all participants will be encouraged to bring water bottles with them during the day when we are out.

WEATHER &  CLOTHING

During this photo tour, the weather should be fairly warm and dry.  Low temperatures average around 50 degrees with high temperatures averaging in the mid-80’s.  Some years though temps have risen into the 90’s during the day.  If there is excessive heat, we will manage our energy and take frequent breaks to ensure everyone stays hydrated and rested. If temperatures become excessive, we will stay indoors for the health and safety of the participants.

Light and baggy clothing is best to protect you from the elements and airborne dust.  A light jacket may be needed for cooler mornings and evenings.  Depending on your own temperature, a warm hat and light gloves for early mornings may also be welcome. Don’t forget a hat to protect your head and ears from the sun!

CAMERA GEAR:

• Camera Bodies
• Wide angle lens
• Medium Telephoto Lens (70-200mm)
• Super-Telephoto Lens (100-600mm)
• Some desirable shots of the rolling hills from Steptoe Butte will benefit from a 400mm lens or longer
• Tele-converter if you have one
• Graduated Neutral Density and circular polarizer filters
• A good tripod and a remote trigger will also be very helpful.
• Laptop or tablet to review your images and (optional) a portable hard drive to backup images

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

• Headlamp for early mornings and late evenings
• Cleaning blower or cloths. Nightly cleaning is recommended
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Camera owner’s manual (printed or on e-reader)

GENERAL:

We will be based in Colfax, Washington during this photo tour.

Please keep in mind that this NANPA Event is designed to be a photo tour, not a photo workshop. In other words, there are no formal instruction sessions planned, there are no assignments, you will not be receiving any handouts or the like. Your leader John has experience teaching photography and is available to answer questions and give you guidance. If you need help, please advocate for yourself, and speak up and ask for help – John is happy to help. Be aware that many of your fellow participants may also be accomplished photographers in their own right and may be able to help you too.  Part of the photo tour experience is the camaraderie that comes from sharing experiences and lessons learned among participants.

This tour is open for 10 participants to give each plenty of time with the leader and to retain flexibility based on weather and the best opportunities.

This event is designed for all levels of photographers – amateur, intermediate, advanced and professional – interested in improving their photography skills or looking for location guidance to capture images of this part of eastern Washington State.  If you are new to photography, be sure to ask John for help. He will be available to answer questions, explain techniques and in general help you improve your photographic skills.  If you already have plenty of photography experience, He will ensure that you’re in the best locations at the best times for those perfect shots.

Please know your camera before you arrive and bring your manual, just in case we need to look up something.

Attendance and participation at NANPA Photo Tours is limited to registered attendees only.  Anyone wishing to participate in any portion of, or travel with a registered attendee during the group event must contact the NANPA office and pay the full registration fee.

NANPA Photo Tour Cancellation and No Refund Policy:  

NANPA will not offer any refunds for registrations for this event regardless of when the cancellation is made or the reason for the cancellation. NANPA reserves the right to cancel any event or activity due to insufficient registration or any unforeseen circumstances. NANPA will offer refunds if NANPA has to cancel the event. It also has the right to substitute presenters if those originally scheduled cannot attend. Registrants may purchase event insurance as part of the registration process through NANPA’s partner, Allianz. More information on this option will be shown during the checkout process for the event registration.

NOTE:  If you do not purchase event insurance at the time that you pay for your registration, you will NOT be able to go back and purchase it with Allianz later.

If you choose to purchase travel insurance separately, you can do so with your own insurance carrier, or NANPA members can receive a special travel insurance rate through USI Affinity/Travel Insurance Services.