Breakout Sessions
Lightchasers is proud to work with some of the top brands in photography and will be featuring multiple Breakout Sessions with our partners.
Lightchasers Mixer
Our Thursday afternoon advance check-in has become a staple of the Lightchasers weekend, allowing early arrivers the chance to get their passes and swag and reconnect with friends. This year we’re taking that check-in even further with our official Lightchasers Mixer! Attendees will be able to check in, as usual, but this time we’ll be hosting it at an exclusive event held at the Kootenai Brown Historical Park!
Here, attendees will be able to explore the incredible grounds and heritage buildings, take photos, meet some presenters past and present, visit with friends in a casual environment and enjoy snacks and drinks. This event is complimentary and will be taking place from 3-6pm on Thursday the 21st.
Location:
Kootenai Brown Historical Park - 1037 Bev McLachlin Drive
Note: there will be no access to the Community Hall on Thursday for attendees.
BRAND EXPO
One of our core tenets for Lightchasers is to break down barriers to access and that includes interactions with your favourite brands. We are very fortunate to be supported by all of our incredible brand partners and our Brand Expo allows you to interact directly with representatives from Fujifilm, McBain, Kase Filters, Sony, Nikon, The Camera Store, Tamron, OM System, Canon, Sigma, Amplis, and f-stop as well as photo tour groups like Discover Churchill, Wildlife Photography Tours and Focus Photo Tours. From free sensor cleanings to new product demos, touch and try experiences, to opportunities to try out new gear in the field, and just asking questions and chatting with reps, our Brand Expo allows you opportunities to interact with our partners in ways you won’t find anywhere else.
Brand Expo Hours
Friday 9-10:30am, 1-3pm
Saturday 9-11am, 1-3pm
Sunday 9-11am, 1-2pm
Foto Foundations and Gear Guidance
Join Lightchasers founder and McBain Camera Ambassador, Shane Turgeon, and McBain Camera General Manager, Rene Rodrigue, and Jim Brompton from Kase Filters for a series of 20-30 minute talks discussing the fundamentals and foundations of photography and the gear we need.
Mastering Modern Filter Techniques - with Kase
Friday 1:30pm
Join master landscape photographer Jim Brompton for an in‑depth, practical demonstration of the newest Kase Filters and how they can transform your fieldwork. This session will break down the real-world benefits of using filters at capture—improving dynamic range control, reducing post‑processing time, and enabling more intentional, expressive image-making.
Jim will walk through the full range of filter densities, when and why to use each one, and how to build a reliable, efficient filter workflow in challenging conditions. You’ll also see firsthand the speed and convenience of Kase’s magnetic system, designed for photographers who want precision without slowing down their creative momentum.
Whether you’re new to filters or looking to refine your technique, this talk delivers clear, field-tested insights you can put into practice immediately. (BEGINNER)
Gear Guidance
Three Sticks and a Quick Plate – Which Tripod and Head is right for you - with Rene Rodrigue
Friday 2pm
There are a stunning number of different tripods to choose from, and far more tripod heads, too. How is someone ever supposed to pick which one would work for them? We’re here to help! Aluminum versus carbon fibre, ball head versus gear head, either way, we’ll sort out what’s important and what’s not. (BEGINNER)
Compositional Foundations - with Shane Turgeon
Saturday 1:30pm
So, you’ve picked up a camera for the first time (or the first time in a long time!) but you might be asking yourself, “where do I point it? What makes a good photo? What do people mean by the Rule of Third or leading lines?” This talk covers all of the basics you need to start creating compelling photos and dialing in your time in the field and in post. Rules are made to be broken, and this applies to photography as well, but you have to learn those rules to know how and when to break them effectively.
(BEGINNER)
Gear Guidance
The Little Things to Make Life Easier - Rene Rodrigue
Saturday 2pm
As photographers, we all love gadgets, doodads, and bags, especially if they help get the shot. We’re here to open your eyes to some cool things you may have never known existed, and we’ll help you figure out how to separate photographic snake-oil from genuinely useful bits of kit. (BEGINNER)
Milky Way 101 - with Shane Turgeon
Sunday 1:30pm
The milky way is the focal point for most night sky photography but many beginners struggle to know exactly what they’re looking at and what their target should be when starting out. This session discusses identifying and finding the milky way core, it’s seasonal positioning and why it never looks quite the same, depending on whose photos you’re looking at. We’ll also cover basic settings and compositional considerations. (INTERMEDIATE)
Portfolio Reviews
Feedback. It’s something we’re all hungry for when it comes to our photography. But finding opportunities for meaningful and constructive feedback is increasingly hard in a world of social media platitudes or positive comments from non-photographer friends and family members. To help you improve your images and your eye, some of our presenters have generously offered to review a selection of photos from our attendees each morning. Participants are to have their photos ready to show on a tablet, laptop or in print and each review is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes to help ensure everyone has an opportunity for feedback.
Saturday 10-11am
William Neill
Sunday 10-11am
William Neill
Field Sessions
Our field sessions are designed around the fact that everyone experiences a location differently. Instead of putting you in a prescribed spot with a subject, theme or model where you mimic what an instructor tells you to do, our sessions are designed to let you explore an area and to engage with your own creativity and ability to see and respond to the landscape emotionally; to look deeper and to come away with images that are more personally satisfying than technically perfect or commercially appealing.
These are not formal workshops. Presenters in attendance are there to help answer questions or provide insight to their methods but not to tell you what to shoot or how to see. In order to ensure ample opportunities for attendees to attend at least one, and possibly two field sessions, and in order to minimize impact on the areas where our sessions take place, we do have attendance caps in place. We also highly encourage people to carpool to our shooting locations to minimize parking impacts.
We also know that many attendees may be more inclined to explore the area on their own during these times and we welcome and encourage you to do so if group shooting scenarios aren’t your cup of tea! Each of these locations as well as Waterton National Park, Castle Provincial Park, the Pass and the surrounding prairies provide many great photography opportunities for the solo explorer outside of our scheduled sessions.
Whether you’re joining us for group sessions or exploring on your own, please practice leave no trace principles and pack out whatever you pack in.
This year we have five brand new sessions in four new locations as well as spots at some of our favourite locations from the past for those who are joining us for the first time or who couldn’t attend these sessions in previous years. Sessions are limited to TWO per person and sign ups will go live on April 4th at 10am MT.
Field Session Etiquette: you are but one of many people enjoying these particular sessions. Please be mindful of other people’s space and time. Try to avoid being in anyone else’s shots, move around frequently and don’t hold one spot all to yourself. Be courteous and helpful to your fellow attendees.
Beauvais Bird Walk
Presented by Nikon
Saturday Morning 7am-9am
Bird nerds pack your long lenses and gear up for a leisurely stroll through the Beauvais Lake meadows to photograph the returning songbirds and waterfowl - and maybe even a moose or two! Located just a short 15 minutes from Pincher Creek, this leisurely stroll over relatively easy terrain will be a perfect way to ease into your conference day, losing yourself in the moment while enjoying the walk and the creatures you see along the way.
Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location.
Presenters in attendance: Travis Layton, Shane Turgeon
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 22km (20mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: long focal length lens, bear spray
Red Rock Canyon NEW!
Saturday Morning 7am-9am
Located in beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park, Red Rock Canyon is a stunning and easily accessed area with ample parking and smooth terrain. Hosted by Monika Deviat, attendees will be able to take their time photographing smooth water over the beautiful red rocks that line the canyon from a variety of angles. Wildflowers are abundant in the area and make sure to bring some longer focal length lenses for potential wildlife sightings on the way in and filters to smooth out the waters of the canyon! While not an official part of the session, attendees are encouraged to come to the park early to explore the Red Rock and Akamina Parkways in search of wildlife before the session begins.
Note: A valid Parks pass is required for this session, not included.
Presenters in attendance: Sandra Bartocha, Eric Bennett, William Neill, Myrna Pearman
Physical difficulty level: easy
Distance from Pincher Creek: 56km (40mins)
Attendance cap: 30
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, valid Parks pass (not included)
An Evening with Adam Gibbs NEW!
Saturday Evening 7-8:30pm
Grab some popcorn and settle in for an evening of photography tales in vintage cinema style! World-renowned and award-winning landscape photographer, Adam Gibbs, shares his photography wisdom and adventures on his popular YouTube channel, Quiet Light and he will be speaking at the classic Fox Theatre in downtown Pincher Creek. Join Adam for an exclusive evening where he'll be sharing some of his favourite stories and YouTube adventures on the big screen! This session is available to the general public for $25 but free as one of your two Field Session choices for Lightchasers Conference attendees.
Presenters in attendance: Adam Gibbs
Physical difficulty level: N/A
Distance from Pincher Creek: 0km
Attendance cap: 80
Recommended gear: popcorn, soda, candy bars
Allison Creek Falls NEW!
Saturday Evening 7pm-9pm
Recently completed trail work now gives visitors access to this once hard-to-access location. Allison Creek Falls is a beautiful, multi-tiered, cascading waterfall that looks incredible in any season. The falls are located 500m from the parking area at the Atlas Staging Area, down a sometimes steep, switchback, single-track, mountain path. Just remember, what goes down, must come up and the hike back up may require some extra time. But the effort is worth it as the falls allow for stunning wide-angle shots or closer, more intimate captures of the flowing water.
Presenters in attendance: Shane Turgeon
Physical difficulty level: moderate to hard
Distance from Pincher Creek: 63km (55mins)
Attendance cap: 30
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, rubber boots, bear spray, hiking poles for those who require extra stability
Beaver Mines Lake (North Shore)/Glamping Resorts Ltd NEW!
Saturday Evening from 8-10pm
A Lightchasers exclusive! This location has previously been inaccessible by the general public and now, thanks to our friends at Glamping Resorts, the incredible views of Table Mountain from the north shore of Beaver Mines Lake are available to us in this incredible session. If the winds are calm, attendees will not only be able to get beautiful mountain reflections but also have access to an abandoned plane crash to use as a unique foreground opportunity!
There is potential for wildlife and birding in the area as well as intimate scenes of water reflections and trees. A true wonderland for photographers.
Presenters in attendance: Jesse Villemaire
Physical difficulty level: moderate to hard
Distance from Pincher Creek: 40km (35mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to longer focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, rubber boots, bear spray, hiking poles for those who require extra stability
Sunset on Limber Pine Ridge
Presented by Fujifilm
Saturday Evening 8-10pm
Not for the faint of heart, Sunset on Limber Pine Ridge is an exclusive opportunity to explore the majesty of a group of ancient limber pines located on private property that overlooks a scenic valley covered in wildflowers with the mountains in the background. This session involves a 2km hike through uneven fields and up a very steep embankment and is not recommended for those who aren’t experienced hikers or those with limited mobility. As this is located on private property, may involve potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife and a more difficult experience overall, participation in this session is limited and will be monitored with check ins and check outs.
Presenters in attendance: Eric Bennett, Jillian Brown, Joe Desjardins, Myrna Pearman
Physical difficulty level: hard to extreme
Distance from Pincher Creek: 11km (13 mins)
Attendance cap: 25
Recommended gear: Hiking boots, wide to medium focal length lenses, tripod (though not necessary), bear spray
Butcher Lake
Presented By PHOTONews Canada/Amplis Foto
Saturday evening 8-10pm
Butcher Lake is a beautiful location, especially when the winds are calm and the water flat. Loons call out in the evening air and wildflowers line the shore. And across the road from Butcher Lake lies a larger field of wildflowers equally impressive in its splendor. This location is easily accessible to all though exploring close to the lake shore may be steep and does require caution.
Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution while driving during twilight and night hours as deer are everywhere.
Presenters in attendance: Sandra Bartocha, William Neill, Maggie Parisé
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 34km (27 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, tripod, CPL and ND filters, bear spray
Astro at Lundbreck Falls
Saturday night from 11pm-1am
Since year one, Lundbreck Falls has been one of our most popular field session locations but it takes on an entirely new look and feel at night under the light of the moon! Practice long exposures in a whole new light, focusing in the dark and working with a Move Shoot Move star tracker.
Lundbreck is a stunning double waterfall located a mere 20 minute drive from Pincher Creek that also features a great old trestle bridge that makes for wonderful compositions as well. This location is easily accessible by all but does feature some stairs down to the lower level that may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, especially in the dark.
Note: there is limited to no cell service at this location.
Presenters in attendance: Monika Deviat
Physical difficulty level: moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 26km (21 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: headlamp,flashlight, tripod, memory card
Lynx Creek Campground
Sunday Morning 7am-9am
The Lynx Creek area is a beautiful, relaxing spot in Castle Provincial Park. The campground is nestled right along Lynx Creek and features many smaller cascades perfect for intimate jagged rock and water shots. Attendees can stroll along the creek for multiple vantage points and creek flow should be higher during the spring meaning more water will be flowing over the rocks than at other times of the year. Wildflowers and birds should also be plentiful in the campground to round out your morning photography pursuits!
Note: There is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location.
Presenters in attendance: Travis Layton, Peter Baumgarten, William Neill
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 46km (40mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: Wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, rubber boots
In the Field with Fujifilm!
Limber Pine: The South Ridge New!
Presented by Fujifilm
Saturday and Sunday Mornings from 7am-9am (exclusive)
Join Fujifilm for an exclusive opportunity to try their incredible GFX100RF in a stunning new location overlooking old limber pine trees, rolling hills and distant mountains. Space in these sessions is extremely limited and use of the GFX100RF is required. The session will be overseen by a Fujifilm representative who can answer any technical questions you may have about the GFX100RF you'll be using.
Presenters/staff in attendance: Frank Crockett
Physical difficulty level: moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 11km (13 mins)
Attendance cap: Saturday - 10, Sunday - 10
Recommended gear: a GFX100RF camera and lenses are provided for you at this session. Bring hiking boots, tripod (though not necessary), memory card, bear spray
In the Field with Fujifilm! Lundbreck Falls
Presented by Fujifilm
Saturday and Sunday Mornings from 7am-9am (exclusive)
Lundbreck Falls is a stunning double waterfall located a mere 20 minute drive from Pincher Creek. The waterfalls can be photographed from a variety of angles and offer a chance for both grand scenic and more intimate shots. This beautiful spot also features a great old trestle bridge that makes for wonderful compositions as well. A variety of birds also frequent this location. This location is easily accessible by all but does feature some stairs down to the lower level that may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. The falls are bathed in soft morning light around 7am but early birds may want to catch a reverse sunrise over the falls at 530am.
Note: there is limited to no cell service at this location.
Presenters in attendance: Maggie Parisé
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 26km (21 mins)
Attendance cap: Saturday - 10, Sunday - 40
Recommended gear: CPL and ND filters, tripod, memory card
I found the conference to be unique in that there were diverse landscape genre presenters supported by a number of appropriate companies with their products. Less a workshop and more facilitation.Jan Lyall
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