Sunset Nature Photography Workshop With Paulette Donnellon
Join us for a chance to photograph Anza-Borrego during a beautiful desert sunset. This is the workshop you’ve all been waiting for – a chance to learn from award-winning photographer, Paulette Donnellon! We’ll meet in the afternoon at the Anza-Borrego Foundation Administrative Office to hear a presentation by Paulette on her professional tips for capturing the personalities of animals, the intricate details of plants, and the stunning landscapes of the desert. She’ll also walk us through how to process photographs using Lightroom, with plenty of time for questions. Then, we’ll hop in our vehicles and carpool and/or caravan to our field site at Mine Wash & Grapevine Canyon, with ample time to catch the sunset. This is your opportunity to look at the desert like Paulette, who knows where and when to get the perfect shot. She’ll discuss the timing of certain events, including the Golden Hour and the Blue Hour, and you’ll practice creating perfect compositions and cropping photos. Paulette will also talk about safety when venturing out in the desert and how to best photograph the desert’s uniqueness.
- Capture the Desert’s Beauty at Sunset – Learn to shoot stunning landscapes and wildlife during the perfect golden hour.
- Learn from an Award-Winning Photographer – Get expert tips from Paulette Donnellon to elevate your photography.
- Hands-On Field Experience – Practice new skills with real-time guidance in a breathtaking desert setting.
- Join a Creative Community – Connect with fellow photographers while supporting outdoor education and conservation.
REGISTER TODAY!
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (end time is approximate)
Location: Meet at the Anza-Borrego Foundation office: 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #122, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004 (located in “The Mall”, next to Kendall’s Café). We’ll then carpool and/or caravan to the field site (Mine Wash/Grapevine Canyon).
Cost:
ABF Member: $75
Non-member: $90
Student: $40
*Please note that as the Anza-Borrego Foundation is a non-profit organization, all program costs are used to support current and future education programs, including subsidized programs that seek to increase access to the outdoors.
Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial hardship. If you’d like to request a scholarship, please reach out to [email protected] with a two–three paragraph description about why you’d like to attend this program and your need for a scholarship.
What to bring:
Please bring plenty of water, layers, long pants, closed-toe hiking shoes, and your choice of camera (this can be anything from a professional camera to a cell phone).
About the Instructor:
Paulette Donnellon is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer whose image of an Eastern Collared Lizard is featured on the 2024 America the Beautiful National Park Pass. When she isn’t out in nature taking photos, she is employed by LEGO® Education and serves as a trustee for the San Diego County Board of Education and as an Executive Board member of Anza-Borrego Foundation. Paulette served nine years in the U.S. Army and was deployed during Desert Storm. She is incredibly knowledgeable about Anza-Borrego’s flora, fauna and landscape features. You can check out her photos on Instagram at @photogpaulette.
Cancellation:
Cancellation requests must be received seven days before the event if you wish to receive a refund. Field trips may be cancelled due to unsafe weather, road conditions or low attendance, with 24-hour notice, if possible. If ABF cancels a program, we will issue a full refund or credit.
