Photography Classes/Workshops Start Here! Conveniently Located in Austin, TX Kevin's Book - Available on Amazon! Adobe Lightroom Classic Develop Module Online Class Photography Essentials - Online Class Photographers Weekend Boot Camp Photography 101 What to take after 101? Photography 201 TX Hill Country Spring Photography Retreat Flash / Speedlight Photography Workshop Spina Bifida Fundraiser Studio Lighting Workshop Studio Lighting Workshop Lightroom Classic Lightroom Classic Develop Module Adobe Photoshop Painting with Light Nature Essentials Photography Class - Online Rocky Mountain Photography Adventures Texas Bird Photography Ranch Workshop Fall Photography Fundamentals Workshop - TX Hill Country Private Instruction Wildlife Phtography Essentials Class - Online Photography Essentials 1+2- Online Class Black and White Photography - Online Class Photography Essentials of LIGHT - Online Class Photography: Finding Your Way - Creativity Workshop Photoshop for Photographers Online Class Series KGPhotoWorkshops BLOG iPhone Wildflower Photography Class 6 Photographers, 6 Fun Projects Water Droplet Photography Mastering the Fundamentals New "Learn by Doing" Workshops Light & Photography Photoshop Composite Photo Editing Workshop Real Estate Photography Workshop Photography: An Expression of Faith Adobe Lightroom Classic Online Class Adobe Lightroom Classic Tips and Techniques Online Class HDR - High Dynamic Range Photog. Beavers Bend Fall Workshops Photo Walk at State Capitol Wildflower Photography Class Other Events for Photographers
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• PERFECT for beginner and intermediate level photographers
• If you have been shooting in 'Auto' mode, you have been missing out on so many other great features in your camera. This class takes you beyond 'automatic'.
• Have you tried reading your camera manual and found it was no help? You're not alone! This class will help more than any camera user's manual.
• This is like taking our very popular Photography 101 Workshop, but in a beautiful locale with plenty of additional time to put your photography into practice!
• Activity: 50/50 mix of classroom instruction and photography
• Classroom instruction in the fundamentals of photography, how to use your camera most effectively, etc.
• We go out and explore the park to put into practice what you learn in class, discover what you need help with, ask questions, then learn more in class
• Numerous opportunities to get one-on-one help with the instructor over the four days in the daytime and in the evenings
• It's a great time of year to be at Beavers Bend!
• Stay at the Lakeview Lodge which has a beautiful view overlooking Broken Bow Lake, a perfect vantage point for enjoying sunrises over the lake.
• Idea: Take the workshop with a photographer friend and you can share a room and cut your lodging costs in half!
  

"Great experience. Kevin's a superb teacher."

Student Comments:

• "Excellent class! Kevin was great about covering the subject manner in detail. He took time with each of us, answering questions about the subject matter as well as each of our individual cameras/lenses. Beavers Bend Park was an awesome place to hold the class. Thank you Kevin!"
• "I came into the Beavers Bend Fall Photographers Boot Camp knowing nothing, other than I liked other's photography. I left the workshop with a wealth of usable knowledge, and an ability to create lovely photographs. I am very happy I went, and am excited about my new hobby."
• "I enjoyed participating in your class very much and you inspired me to get my first dslr camera. I'm a work in progress for sure but your class gave me the basics to take photography to the next step." Donna Ashalintubbi, Eagletown OK
• "Kevin is a fantastic teacher and has a great ability to communicate to all ability levels and backgrounds. He truly loves what he does and it shows. His sense of humor and positivity are great to work with. He has a great knowledge of the many camera bodies and lenses and their quirks and is able to adjust the walks in the park as the need arises due to weather because of his knowledge of the park which is a great benefit. I'd recommend this class to anyone - beginner and advanced alike!"
• "Beavers Bend provides a beautiful setting in which to hone photography skills, and having Kevin there to take us to all the best spots and provide coaching made the experience fun and valuable."

• "Kevin's workshop was better than I had expected or imagined. First, the organization was incredible. Despite making adjustments for impromptu photo ops or lighting, everything was still organized. Having class time to review basics and apply knowledge to trip conditions was good as well. Kevin also allows you to be comfortable asking anything and will work with you to achieve the picture you want to capture. The park was so beautiful and having locations already scouted for photo opportunities was great."
  
  Click Here for More Student Comments

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If you are wanting to learn photography, this is the workshop for you! 

Learn photography and put what you learn into practice in a beautiful resort park!  Plus, it's a great "get away" spot. Make this your mini-vacation in the Fall! (Don't worry, this is not a "boot camp" where you exercise!  This is a workshop where you will learn the fundamentals of photography!  No pushups required, though we will do some hiking!)

This is a comprehensive workshop on photography. We will cover most of the same topics covered in our very popular Photography 101 Workshop, but this is SO MUCH MORE than a "classroom" experience. Learn photography in a 50/50 mix of classroom teaching and great photographic adventures and hikes in truly beautiful country. 

We will be there in the Fall, which is a beautiful time of year. The colors are starting to turn, but we're not there specifically to photograph "Fall colors". We're there to teach the fundamentals of photography in a beautiful place. On the morning when you check out of the Lodge, you might want to spend a little more time photographing the park before you leave.

• FOUR FULL DAYS
• 50% Classroom instruction combined with 50% photography in the park to reinforce what is learned in class
• Learn how to:
  • Select the right lens and equipment to use to get the perfect shot
  • Take photos with a "soft background" making the subject in the photo really stand out
  • Shoot images with more vibrant colors
  • Photograph waterfalls to get that soft water flow effect
  • Make your images "pop" through creative use of light
  • Break the "rules" and shoot some really fun images that others will ask "Wow!  How did you do that??"
  • Compose your photographs to be more visually pleasing
  • Take consistently sharper photographs
  • Much much more...
     
• We'll be covering:
  • The fundamentals of photography
  • Composition
  • The art of "seeing"
  • The Digital Revolution
  • The Camera
  • The Shutter
  • The Aperture
  • ISO settings
  • Exposure
  • Metering
  • Manual and Automatic
    Exposure Modes
  • Color Temperature
  • White Balance
  • Lenses & Focal Length
  • Depth of Field
  • Digital Imaging - Sensors, File Types, Capabilities, Limitations
  • RAW vs JPG
  • Light
  • Perspective
  • Creative and Fun Techniques
  • Portraits
  • Nature / Landscape / Wildlife Photography
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography
  

 

 

	Special Benefits for Our Students
	Color Inc is an excellent professional photography lab specializing in photographic printing, press printing, gallery wrapped canvas, mounting, and much more! My students receive special discounts!
	Bring your photos to life! All of my students receive 15% OFF Topaz Products, plus one student in each workshop wins a FREE Topaz product! Wide range of products for image enhancement and excellent artistic effects.
	HDR (High Dynamic Range Photography) All of my students receive 25% OFF Photomatix Pro or Photomatix Essentials! Create stunning photographs of high contrast scenes. (For Mac or PC)
	HDR (High Dynamic Range Photography) All of my students receive discounts off AuroraHDR! Great software for creating outstanding High Dynamic Range (HDR) images! (For Mac or PC)
	Powerful image editing software! Noise reduction, black and white conversion, image enhancements and much more!
	ThinkTank Photo - Inventive Camera Bags for All of Your Gear - The Choice of Working Professionals For all friends of Kevin Gourley Photography Workshops, follow this link to their website and you will receive a free gift with your order of $50 or more!
	Do MORE with your photography using these specialized programs from HeliconSoft! All of my students receive 20% OFF HeliconSoft Products! Achieve super depth-of-field images (Helicon Focus), remote control your camera (Helicon Remote), etc.
	Alien Skin Software makes creative tools for photographers and graphic designers! All of my students receive 10% OFF Alien Skin Software Products! Powerful yet simple tools that render beautiful pictures.

 

Who should choose the Fall Photographers Boot Camp?

Anyone wanting to learn the fundamentals of photography, including (but not limited to) beginners!  By the end of this class you will be well-versed in all the fundamentals of photography and techniques for creating great images with your camera.  If you have taken our Photography 101 Workshop, our classroom sessions will be mostly a review of topics covered in the 101 class, but you might still enjoy reviewing those topics here! Over the course of 4 days, you'll be learning photography in classroom and then going out and photographing the park. This encompasses about 2 days worth of classroom instruction and 2 days worth of photographing the park.

 

You could also take our 'Rekindle' Workshop/Retreat for Photographers!

Make sure you check out our 'Rekindle' Workshop/Retreat. This workshop/retreat takes place right after the Fall Photographers Boot Camp. You could actually register for both!

 

When You Register

When you register, you will need to call the Lakeview Lodge to book your room. (We'll remind you.)

The workshop price just covers the cost of the workshop itself. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own lodging, meals, and transportation.

Accommodations: Lakeview Lodge, Beavers Bend State Resort Park, Oklahoma

The rooms of Lakeview Lodge each have a million-dollar view, sitting high above Broken Bow Lake. Refined country furnishings, cable TV and in-room coffee service are among the many features standard in each room. Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast by the fireplace in the Great Room or relax on the Balcony Terrace.

The rooms are very reasonably priced. Students can book their room by calling the Lakeview Lodge at 580-494-6179. You must pay a deposit equal to the value of one night's accommodation and tax. You would need to check in the day before the workshop starts, and check out the morning after it ends. Make sure you book your room, checking in on Oct 14, and checking out on Oct 19th, 2016.

Bringing Someone With You

A bit different from many workshops, you are welcome to bring someone with you.  Since you are booking your own travel and accommodations and you are free to travel in your own vehicle, a spouse or companion is welcome to join you.  As workshop non-participants they may not participate in the class, any of the workshop group teaching sessions, but they are welcome to go on our hikes with you but they may not take any photographs during our outings if they accompany you. If they want to participate in the class using their own camera, they will need to register for the workshop!  Remember, the class sizes are limited.

F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

I'll add answers to this section as I get questions ...  :-)

Q:   I see your business is based in Austin, Texas but I don't live anywhere near Austin.  Can I still take this course?
A:  Absolutely!  You can come from anywhere to take this destination workshop at Beavers Bend State Resort Park in Southeast Oklahoma.

Q:  I live in Austin, Texas.  Can I drive to Beavers Bend or should I fly?
A:  Drive!   Beavers Bend is about 380 miles from Austin, just about a 6.5 hour drive.  If you drive and leave at Noon, you can get there by 7pm!   No complicated flight arrangements needed.

Q: What will the temperatures be like?
A:  Hard to predict exactly, of course.   It's the Fall!   Temperatures will likely be cool, but it's possible the highs could be in the 80's or maybe just the 60's.   Bring clothing for both possibilities.  Layers are good, in case it is a chilly morning and then the temperatures warm up.   Pack a rain jacket and umbrella just in case it rains.

Q: Will there be Fall Colors?
A: They say peak Fall colors are in late October into early November.  The main point of these workshops is not really "Fall Colors" but rather is about learning photography while in a beautiful park in the Fall. It is a pretty time of year to be there! Of course we can never guarantee what the weather will bring us, but the key with photography is to make the best of whatever weather we experience!

Q: What if I have to cancel?
A: For cancellations made before June 1, 2016, a Cancellation Fee of $99 will be charged. For cancellations made on or after June 1, 2016, a $199 Cancellation Fee will be charged. For cancellations made after August 1, 2016, cancellation forfeits the full amount paid unless a new registration fills your vacated space, then only a $99 Cancellation Processing Fee is charged.

 

 

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Students Are Talking About Our Workshops at Beavers Bend

• "Hi Kevin, once again, just want to say what an awesome experience it was to take your photography class at Beavers Bend. Really a good time!"
• "Excellent class! Kevin was great about covering the subject manner in detail. He took time with each of us, answering questions about the subject matter as well as each of our individual cameras/lenses. Beavers Bend Park was an awesome place to hold the class. Thank you Kevin!"
• "The Beaver Bend Bootcamp was perfect. The combination of class time and hands on "in the field" time was extremely helpful to me. Kevin is thorough and patient. He is readily available to answer questions and help solve problems. I'm excited that I have gotten off the Auto exposure button and understanding a lot of the other functions of my camera. He and Gail are wonderful hosts."
• "I enjoyed participating in your class very much and you inspired me to get my first dslr camera. I'm a work in progress for sure but your class gave me the basics to take photography to the next step." Donna Ashalintubbi, Eagletown OK
• "Interested in photography? Take a class with Kevin. He's fantastic."
• "Great teacher! Very patient and always making sure I understood. Learning in the classroom and then going out and applying what we learned was so helpful!! Would recommend this class to a friend for sure!"
• "Even though I am pretty familiar with basic photography, the course really brought me up to speed with digital techniques and familiarization with my own equipment and its capabilities."
• "I came into the Beavers Bend Fall Photographers Boot Camp knowing nothing, other than I liked other's photography. I left the workshop with a wealth of usable knowledge, and an ability to create lovely photographs. I am very happy I went, and am excited about my new hobby."
• "I just wanted to tell you again how much I enjoyed the workshop. I felt like I got a lot out of it and I loved your teaching style."
• "I learned a lot of technical things about photography, but the personal experiences that Kevin shared really touched my heart! It was great to see the positive things people are giving back to the communities in which they live. I'd recommend this class to anyone who has a desire to make new friends & see the world in a new way."
• "Kevin Gourley has it together from beginning to end! His attention to detail has you prepared for anything so that your experience is at it's best. The information is great and he presents it with humor. We had a great time! Kevin and Gail are very nice people and a joy to be with. I would recommend any of Kevin's classes!"
• "Kevin is a great instructor. I really appreciated how organized Kevin was and how he truly maximized our instructional time by adapting the schedule for the weather. The classroom location with nearby trails made it easy to run outside and put the classroom training to use."
• "The Beavers Bend Fall Photographers Boot Camp at Beaver's Bend was an amazing experience. I had already taken Kevin Gourley's Photography 101 class, but found I still learned a lot going through it the second time. The added benefit of the hands-on experience and ability to ask questions on the spot really helped me understand how to adjust my camera settings. Kevin did an amazing job of adjusting the schedule to the rainy weather we experienced so that we were able to be in the field as much as possible. Kevin and Gail explored the park ahead of time and knew exactly where to take us to get some amazing shots. They are great hosts and really know how get a group of complete strangers to gel. I came away from this workshop knowing much more about photography and made some great new friends. Thank you!"

• "Kevin is a fantastic teacher and has a great ability to communicate to all ability levels and backgrounds. He truly loves what he does and it shows. His sense of humor and positivity are great to work with. He has a great knowledge of the many camera bodies and lenses and their quirks and is able to adjust the walks in the park as the need arises due to weather because of his knowledge of the park which is a great benefit. I'd recommend this class to anyone - beginner and advanced alike!"
• "Beavers Bend provides a beautiful setting in which to hone photography skills, and having Kevin there to take us to all the best spots and provide coaching made the experience fun and valuable."
• "Kevin's workshop was better than I had expected or imagined. First, the organization was incredible. Despite making adjustments for impromptu photo ops or lighting, everything was still organized. Having class time to review basics and apply knowledge to trip conditions was good as well. Kevin also allows you to be comfortable asking anything and will work with you to achieve the picture you want to capture. The park was so beautiful and having locations already scouted for photo opportunities was great."
• "To me, taking a class like this is like hiring a guide to take you hunting or fishing. You may be comfortable using your equipment, but you may not know the best place to take it for the end result you desire. In this case, amazing photographs!! Kevin was very knowledgeable about the park, and knew what places were best to photograph and the best time of day to be at those location. Kevin's teaching skills and photography know how were like an added bonus when you were stumped by your camera. Kevin offers a positive learning environment where you are encouraged to ask questions and never made to feel like you should know the answer already. My advice to anyone interested in learning or furthering their photography know how? Take Kevin's Classes!"