Okay, so you probably won't see dinosaurs or faeries, but you will see some of the most beautiful scenery Washington has to offer. My "Fototrex" are one day photo tours to places like Mt. Rainier, Artist's Point (Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan), the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and some one day hikes along trails which offer some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. They are geared mostly for "amateur" and "advanced amateur" photographers. My goal is to help you become a better landscape/nature photographer by teaching you composition, use of nature's lighting, using slower shutter speeds. I will give you tips and tricks on how I achieve my images under some difficult lighting conditions. I am not a "tour guide", I am a photographer who loves the outdoors and nature and I would like to be your "host" on one of my "Fototrex". What I offer you is the chance, in small groups of 4 or 5 (no crowded tour buses) , to photograph some of the most beautiful scenery in the Pacific Northwest. If you are planning to visit the Seattle, WA area I hope you'll consider joining me for a day of photographing beautiful mountains, waterfalls, nature, and wildlife. I hope it will be an experience you'll never forget and that you'll have photographs that will make people say "WOW!" For more information and photos of these areas visit my "Fototrex" galleries or view my calendar for dates and availability. For more information call my cell phone at 206-387-5900 or send me email at fototrex@northwestscenescapes.net . Nature is my office so I don't always have cell phone reception , but voicemail is available. Leave me your number and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Mt. Rainier-Paradise/Sunrise: Sunrise is temporarily not available. Another popular area in Mt. Rainier National Park offering very photogenic views of the mountain and surrounding area. One of the best views of Mt. Rainier and the Emmons and Winthrop glaciers can be seen from here . From sunrise we'll be taking an easy 2.5 mile hike along the Wonderland Trail, looping around Shadow Lake. Several other smaller trails are available for leisurely hiking. Sunrise Visitor Center is only open from July to late September. For dates and availability check the calendar.
Artist's Point: (Picture Lake only until July or August due to severe winter weather) Artist Point is available on Mondays. If you are a "photo enthusiast" this is a "must see" and my personal favorite. This "trek" will take us to Artist's Point , one of the most popular places in Washington for photography. At an elevation of about 5000 feet, Artist's Point offers spectacular photo opportunities of Mount Baker (10,778 feet ) and Mt. Shuksan (9,131 feet). Nearby Picture Lake draws thousands of professional and amateur artists and photographers to "capture" Mt. Shuksan, the "most photographed mountain in the world". From Artist's Point we will hike to the base of the glacier on Mt. Baker (weather and trail conditions permitting). Due to the altitudes and nature of the weather in Washington, conditions can change rapidly on any of my "Fototrex". For a preview of Artist's Point , visit the gallery or check my calendar for dates.
The hike: Although most of the hike to the glacier is on level ground, it is about a 3-4 hour round trip, and at this altitude it can become a bit tiring. Other trails around Artist's Point can be quite steep in places. If you do not spend much time walking or hiking I strongly suggest consulting with your doctor.
Cost: $225 per person. $200 per person (couples or group of 2 or more). Special rates for a group of 5. All "Fototrex" are available by reservation only and require a $50 deposit. Please check availability before making any payments. Email fototrex@northwest-scenescapes.com for more information.
Welcome to Northwest Scenescapes "Fototrex" "Come see what you're missing"
Mt. Rainier-Paradise: Paradise is available on Fridays. Another "must see". An all day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park. Highlights of the tour include Longmire, Narada Falls, Christine Falls and the Paradise Visitors Center, and a leisurely hike along one of the many trails in the park. Due to reservation issues "overnight" stays in the park are not offered at this time. The long day will allow you to take plenty of photographs around the park (bring plenty of memory chips or film). Hiking on the trails is dependent on weather and trail conditions. For a preview visit the Mt. Rainier-Paradise gallery. Paradise/Sunrise combination "trex" are also available. For availability and dates check the calendar.
What to bring: Food is available for purchase, at either the Visitor Center or the Paradise Inn (presently being renovated. Opening in May 2008). Snacks are also available at the Visitor Center. I suggest bringing a water bottle for any hiking. Again, weather can change quickly, and even in the summer temperatures can drop drastically . Bring appropriate clothing.
What's included: Transportation to and from the park, entry fees, and dinner at the Paradise Inn. Take a look at the menu.
Cost: $250 per person. $200 per person (couples or group of 2 or more). Special rates for a group of 5. All "Fototrex" are available by reservation only and require a $50 deposit. Please check availability before making any payments. Email fototrex@northwestscenescapes.net for more information.
Mt. St. Helens: Mt. St. Helens is available on Wednesdays. Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Site, located in Southern Washington, erupted in 1980 causing massive devastation to thousands of acres of forest. This "trek" will offer you the opportunity to see this devastation "first hand". We will be visiting the "Windy Ridge" location in the site. It offers excellent viewing of the mountain, the "blast zone" and Spirit Lake. On a clear day you will have views of Mt. Adams to the east, Mt. Rainier to the north, and Mt. Hood (Oregon) to the south. Special arrangements can be made for a combined one day "trek" to Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier (either Sunrise or Paradise). To view a brief tour of Mt. St. Helens, or to check my calendar of "fototrex" dates, visit the gallery.
Cost: $250 per person. $200 per person (couples or group of 2 or more). Special rates for a group of 5. All "Fototrex" are available by reservation only and require a $50 deposit. Please check availability before making any payments. Email fototrex@northwestscenescapes.net for more information.
1) Your camera! A 35mm, DSLR or even a P&S camera will do. For more versatility and control I strongly suggest more than a P&S. If you have a video camera, bring it along.(After all we're after award winning photos). Batteries! A typical day on one of my "fototrex" is very long so you'll need plenty! Memory chips if you're shooting digital and lots of film if using 35mm. If available the prices are very high for these items. There are lots of things to see and photograph so you don't want to be caught short on these items. On a typical day I take about 600 photos. I don't want to miss anything!
2) A tripod. (You'll need one for the long exposures of waterfalls etc.) I will show you some tips for using things in nature for a tripod. To be honest I very seldom use a tripod but carry one with me.
3) Lenses! Most of the landscapes and waterfalls I shoot are taken with a 18-55mm lens. This is a must have. I recommend a high quality 70-300mm lens. If you have a longer lens bring it. We don't want to get too close to the animals. A macro lens will be useful for photographing the flora in the areas we'll be hiking.
4) Filters. I generally don't shoot with filters but I recommend at least that you bring a polarizer and a neutral density filter. They will be quite useful at times.
5) A photo backpack or good camera bag. We may be hiking for hours (weather and trail conditions permitting) so don't bring more than you feel like carrying. I personally use a Tamarac camera backpack.
Note: Keep in mind that most of the areas on my "fototrex" are designated wilderness areas. THESE ARE NOT STROLLS THROUGH YOUR LOCAL CITY PARK OR ZOO! The animals (Eagles, hawks, bears, mountain goats, deer and many other animals inhabit these areas) are wild and some can be quite dangerous. More people are injured in these areas by deer than any other animal. Please obey the rules of the National Park or forest that we'll be in. We will be in the "high country" or "sub alpine" areas. Vegetation is very fragile here. Mostly we will be required to stay "on trail" but in areas we will be climbing over rocky terrain, downed trees, and through dense underbrush. Although much of what we will photograph has easy access some do not. NO SMALL CHILDREN!
Disclaimers and releases: Due to insurance regulations, you will be required to sign medical and liability releases before going on one of my "trex". Please read the medical release (PDF). Please read the liability release (PDF)
The Olympic Peninsula: Trex to the Olympic Peninsula are presently in the planning stages. I'm investigating areas such as Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest and areas along the Pacific Coast. This '"trek" will include overnight accommodations.