Presented by UCR ARTS California Museum of Photography
Location: UCR Botanic Gardens

Registration closes on Saturday, May 17 at 5pm.

Join us for a photo walk through the stunning UCR Botanic Gardens, inspired by the legendary photographer Ansel Adams. We’ll begin by viewing iconic examples of Adams’ landscape and nature photography, exploring the composition and exposure techniques he used to capture breathtaking moments in the natural world.

Then, guided by photographer Steffanie A. Padilla, you’ll head outdoors to put those techniques into practice. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, this is a chance to engage creatively with the landscape and capture your own inspired images.

Steffanie A. Padilla is a professional photographer with over 15 years of experience in portraiture and documentary, specializing in black-and-white film. She holds a BFA in Fine Art Photography from California State University, Long Beach, and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She currently works as the Museum Education Program Coordinator at the California Museum of Photography at UCR ARTS, where she develops programs that connect people of all ages to the power of the photographic image.

What to Bring:
• Any type of camera — digital, phone, or film
• Water, sunscreen, comfortable hiking shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing

Audience:
Open to ages 18+ at any skill level. No photography experience necessary — just a curiosity for nature and image-making.

Accessibility:
The Botanic Gardens include both paved and unpaved paths with varying terrain. We are committed to making this event as accessible as possible. If you have specific access needs or questions about the route, please contact lindsey.hammel@ucr.edu. 

Parking:

We ask that workshop participants please park in Lot 10 or Lot 13 instead of the Botanic Gardens lot to allow for Botanic Gardens visitors to have access to the lot. 

• Lot 10 – $3.50/hour, 2 hours at a time can be purchased.
  • Approximately 5 minute walk to Botanic Gardens
  • https://app.parkmobile.io/zone/start?internalZoneCode=9322461
• Lot 13 Blue – FREE (no permit required) ON WEEKENDS*
  • This includes the BS2 parking structure.
  • Approximately 10-15 minutes walk to Botanic Gardens.
• Lot 13 Red – $1.75/hour // $16 all day via ParkMobile
  • https://app.parkmobile.io/venue/ucr-daily-red-parking/events

Visitor Parking page:  https://transportation.ucr.edu/visitor-parking

Credits:

Framing Nature: A Photo Walk Inspired by Ansel Adams is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Lost in the Wilderness: Ansel Adams in the 1960s, on view at the California Museum of Photography through September 28, 2025. Programs at UCR ARTS are supported by the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at UCR and by the City of Riverside.