April Sunrise Nature Photography Workshop with Paulette Donnellon
Capture the Magic of Sunrise in Anza-Borrego with Award-Winning Photographer Paulette Donnellon
Experience the desert at its most magical hour in this inspiring sunrise photography workshop led by Paulette Donnellon. Learn to capture Anza-Borrego’s breathtaking light, dramatic landscapes, and unique wildlife while gaining expert techniques to elevate your nature photography.
What to expect:
- Learn professional tips for capturing the desert’s captivating wildlife, intricate plant life, and expansive landscapes.
- Master timing for the Golden Hour and Blue Hour and refine your composition and cropping techniques.
- Discover essential safety practices for desert photography and ways to photograph responsibly while protecting this fragile ecosystem.
- Return to the ABF office for a post-session presentation, where Paulette will review the morning’s lessons and demonstrate photo-editing techniques to enhance your images.
Who should attend:
- Photographers of all levels
- Nature enthusiasts interested in landscape, wildlife, or plant photography
- Those looking to perfect their photo editing skills
- Anyone eager to explore Anza-Borrego Desert State Park through a photographic lens
Cancelled- please view our calendar for other workshops.
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 5:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (End time is approximate)
Location: Meet at the Anza-Borrego Foundation Administrative Office: 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #122, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004. We’ll then carpool and/or caravan to the field site in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Cost:
ABF Member: $85
Non-Member: $100
Student: $50
Cancellation Policy & Scholarships: Please see our FAQs page to read our cancellation policy and learn about scholarship options.
What Previous Attendees Are Saying:
“Paulette’s photography workshop is worth the early rise as the desert wakes up into a blossom of color and beauty. It’s a busy morning, bring everything you have as Paulette points out the shifting lights and colors.”
“This was my first opportunity for such an event and I thoroughly enjoyed it. [Paulette’s] knowledge of the area plants and animals is invaluable my biggest take away was all the hitting hidden beauty in the desert!”
“Paulette was very generous about sharing her expertise. Her suggestions for compositions in the field and her immediate feedback onsite were terrific. I appreciated her sharing post processing techniques as well. It was stunning to see the amazing range of colorand beauty in the desert. I look forward to attending more workshops in the future. Thank you for an amazing day.”
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 has served as a trustee for eight years 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 the flora, fauna and landscape features of Anza-Borrego. You can check out her photos on Instagram at @photogpaulette.
Keep cozy and stylish with this marbled green beanie, featuring a faux leather patch adorned with a vintage-inspired bighorn sheep design.
Ideal for cool mornings, hikes, or everyday wear, this beanie offers both warmth and a nod to the iconic bighorn sheep that roam the park’s rugged landscapes.
