I have long appreciated fine nature photography, but the possibility that I could make my own memorable images never occurred to me until I took my first Aperture Academy workshop. Now, I am immersed in nature photography (albeit still on the side) and enjoying every minute of it. The Aperture Academy team gets me to the right places, at the right times, and with the right friendly counsel to make images I can be proud of, while simultaneously demonstrating that I have LOTS more to learn. Fortunately, there's a bunch more workshops!

Educational, fun, relaxing, exciting, awesome - are some adjectives that come to my mind to describe my experience of the workshops with Aperture Academy so far. I have always had a desire and a passion for photography, but using the DSLR in the full or even semi-auto mode was daunting and confusing to say the least. I have had the DSLR for almost 7 years. Yes - used 10% of the camera's potential through the Auto mode. .....but the instructors at Aperture Academy through the hands-on workshops helped me over come that apprehension of utilizing the equipement to its maximum potential. I have learnt and used my DSLR the most in the last four months since I took the introduction class with Stephen Oachs in April this year, along with all of the workshops and personal interactions with the instructors.

My workshop experiences at Aperture Academy are some of the best times I've ever had. I'm constantly learning new techniques, from the wonderful group of teachers. My photography has blossomed, resulting in high quality photos that impress anyone who enters my home. I could not have evolved to where I am today without their assistance. The workshops are always a fun experience producing lifelong friendships and memories.

Do you want to learn how to take better photographs of iconic places and have fun at the same time? Then take a workshop from ApCad. At other workshops the instructors are interested in taking their own photos. Not at ApCad! Their professional instructors are interested in teaching you how to improve your compositions and photographic technique. Their students definitely walk away with great images. I can’t tell you how much I learned from the workshops I have taken (8 to date). All I can say is my images win more competitions now than ever before. Also another neat thing is once you arrive at the workshop hotel location the instructors use the ApCab to drive you to all the good locations. No muss no fuss!

I started getting into photography in junior high, but like most people of that time, photography with film was an expensive hobby. With digital cameras, I was able to go out and take lots of photos. But when I stepped up to a digital SLR, it was time to take my pictures to the next level. My wife suggested taking a workshop at this new place she had discovered - the Aperture Academy. I started off with the Night Owls one-day workshop, and had a blast. The instructors were knowledgable and helpful, and they brought us to all the interesting places to shoot. I now love taking these mini-vacations with the Aperture Academy and amaze my friends with my great gallery-worthy shots!

When I took my first workshop with Aperture Academy, I was totally new to photography. After the first workshop around the Marin Headlands, I had learned so much and enjoyed the company of everyone involved, that I was hooked. I have since been on many more workshops with them. I have been to some amazing places, taken some images that I love, and have met some wonderful friends. Because of that I will continue to attend their workshops and also use what I've learned to help others as well that are interested in photography.

I've always had a passing interest in photography, preferring photos to other forms of art. In the past couple of years I've finally had the opportunity to pursue photography as a hobby (and get some new art for the house). Unfortunately, I really didn't know where to go to take memorable photographs. I started searching for photo workshops in California and found Aperture Academy. I've thoroughly enjoyed the workshops I've been on. I've found the instructors knowledgeable, energetic, and friendly. Each time I take a workshop, I learn some new trick to improve my skills. I'll keep coming to the workshops to see new places and learn more about photography.

Before finding Aperture Academy, I went through a number of different workshops. Now, I don't even bother looking elsewhere. Stephen and his team are phenomenal instructors that made me feel like they actually cared about helping me improve my photography. Rather than the generic instruction I was used to in previous workshops, Stephen, Brian, and Scott answer questions and have helped me actually progress at my pace. After just a couple of workshops, I learned more than I had in my years of trial and error and regret not having found them sooner. I have enjoyed every workshop I've taken and always look forward to seeing what more they have to offer. And, in the end, Stephen and his team are just awesome - knowledgeable, friendly, down-to-earth, and fun. What more could I ask for?

I've taken several workshops with the Aperture Academy since starting with my first SLR camera last year. Each one has been an outstanding experience. Thanks to their personalized, hands-on approach, I'm already doing far more with photography than I ever expected.

I have been asked why I am a returning student of Aperture Academy workshops. The answer is simple: I feel that each workshop has improved my shooting skills tremendously. The combination of friendly and knowledgeable instructors with fantastic shooting locations in small groups is every photographer's dream and the Academy provides them all. Each workshop that I have attended is unique in terms of the opportunity to learn different aspects of landscape photography. From shooting San Francisco at night to the winter workshop in Yosemite, the variety keeps the classes even more interesting. Can't wait for the next workshop!

Thanks to Stephen and crew for creating workshops with rewarding experiences to develop technical skills and personal style of each student with the chance of meeting new friends with the same passion for photography. I appreciate that Aperture Academy's workshops are always pre-planned in regards to location, lighting and subject matter.

The workshops I have attended: Marin Headlands, Death Valley, Santa Cruz Botanical Gardens, San Francisco Zoo, Alaska Cruise (Glacier Bay, Juneau Whale Watching, Sitka Tongass Rainforest, Ketchikan Harbor and City Photo Walk) and the upcoming Grand Tetons.

Thanks for the good times!

I came to Aperture Academy looking to improve my photography. The workshops have become about so much more to me. I call these workshops "photography adventures" because the generous flow of information from the instructors combined with the process of getting to all these amazing locations has allowed me to expand my knowledge of photography and to experience the world with new eyes. Thanks for helping me to make beautiful pictures!

San Francisco Marin Headlands. That was my first workshop with the Aperture Academy when I was only 13, shooting with a dinky little Lumix. Now, Im almost 16 years old, shooting Canon, about to sign up for my 6th ApCad class, and have even started up my own portrait photography business. Because of the Aperture Academy family, I have honed my photography skills (I still have yet to learn much much more), made many good friends, and had a whole lot of fun going on workshops and partying it up at every Open House. I hope to one day go on every single Aperture Academy workshop and continuously improve my abilities with my camera. Ive learned so much from looking through the lens of my dear Canon. The world truly becomes a whole different place. Ive been with the Aperture Academy since the beginning and I hope to be there for years to come.

I came to the Aperture Academy with some experience and am pleasantly surprised at how much I learn from every workshop I take. Some of the quick tips the instructors have given are real gems. I love seeing new locations that I wouldn't visit myself and seeing them through the experienced eyes of all the teachers.

I'm totally addicted to the workshops and I hope I can take them all!

What Aperture Academy has done for me is to turn a lifelong interest in photography into a full blown obsession. I think what makes the team at Aperture Academy so special is their ability to challenge photographers of all levels in an environment that is positive and fun for all the participants. Stephen, Scott, Brian & the rest of the Aperture team combine an extensive photographic background with an intimate knowledge of the most beautiful places in the American West. Their enthusiasm is infectious.

The only downside to the workshops is how weak my pre-Aperture Academy photography now looks. Thanks guys!

Ever since my first workshop in Aperture Academy, I haven't been able to stop myself from coming back! I learn something new every time and the experience keeps on getting better and better. My first workshop was at the SF Zoo and I was totally lost with my camera but I ended up learning so much that I felt like a pro by the end. Of course I didn't stop there, and I'm so glad I didn't.

Watch out Aperture Academy, I'll be back!

Returning to photography after many years of the usual hobby picture taking to document events important to me, has, because of the expertise that Stephen, Brian, Scott so enthusiastically share, rekindled a latent passion. The time spent "on location" with the ApCad folks is now the joy of my life! My photography had nowhere to go but up and so it has! Every question is answered in a way that leaves the questioner's psyche intact! All the more remarkable since I have the dubious distinction of being the eldest elder thus far!

The ApCad folks make me feel welcomed, and valued, all the while encouraging me to reach higher and showing me how to get there! Doesn't get any better than that! Hope to be toting more of my stuff on another adventure with you, not too long from now!

When I signed up for the first workshop a year ago, I did not know what to expect. After my first San Francisco night owls workshop my skills catapulted to the next level instantly. Thereafter, every workshop was an amazing journey to the new and exciting world of photography. The instructors are just amazing people and great teachers and mentors. Most importantly, after every workshop you end up making a few good friends for life. Simply an amazing program!

My first workshop with Aperture Academy was the NightOwls workshop on July 9, 2010. I had a lot of fun that night, and came away excited about the photos I'd taken and the knowledge I had obtained from the Aperture instructors. I found the instructors on the Aperture workshops to be both very knowledgeable and patient, as well as fun. Since then I've attended the Marine Headlands, SF Zoo Wildlife, Yosemite in the Winter workshops, and most recently the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls workshop. Additionally, I'm looking forward to the Grand Tetons trip in the fall, which I'm currently registered. I've found the really cool thing about these workshops, is that there is a lot of enthusiasm not only from the Aperture instructors, but also from the other "students" with the workshop. Personally, I've found that the Aperture instructors were able to compliment the artistic side of my photography as well as well as address the technical issues involved in digital photography... all while having a fun time.

When I first started with Aperture Academy, I was very new to photography, especially the technical aspects and functions of the camera. Now, not only have I learned so much, but I have had the opportunity to capture some great images. The Yellowstone workshop was a highlight for me as I learned so much about composition, had a great time, and was able to capture some incredible images. The instructors at Aperture Academy know how to help you get the most out of every workshop and have helped me develop a true passion for photography. Thanks for all the knowledge and for putting together amazing workshops.

My first Aperture Academy Workshop was also my first introduction to shooting a DSLR and to the art and science of photography. If the camera wasn't a point and shoot or on Program I had no idea what to do. Now, thanks to Aperture Academy, I'm totally hooked on photography, can use my DSLR in Manual mode, know how to post process, and am even proud to show off my art. Stephen, Brian, Scott and the rest of the team provide so much more than photography lessons. They are all incredibly knowledgable about not only photography but the incredible landscapes around us. The workshops are really nature photography adventures. I love the workshops and will keep coming back!