See more…create more
Photography workshops, online courses, and mentoring rooted in the garden — with Lori Lankford.
The magic is always there.
I want to help you find it.
I am an artist and a teacher. Everything I do — in the field, in front of a screen, on location in a wildflower meadow or crouched over a single bloom — comes back to one question: what do you see when you really look? A water drop on a petal can hold as much beauty as a sweeping landscape. The magic is always there. I want to help you find it.
My work is rooted in natural light — learning to read it, chase it, and let it transform what your camera captures. And once the shooting is done, I bring twenty-five years of Adobe editing expertise to help you take that raw image and turn it into something that feels like art. That journey — from snapshot to finished image — is where real transformation happens, and it is what I love to teach most.
Whether you are standing in a vast open landscape or watching light move across the smallest detail, this is your invitation to see the world a little differently. There is a path here for you.
Upcoming Workshops
Brandywine Valley, October 2026, Ladies Retreat/Registration Open
The Brandywine Valley in autumn is one of the most beautiful places to photograph in the country — rolling countryside, estate gardens, and the warm golden light of the season.
Join me for stunning fall color!
Texas Hill Country, April 2027, Ladies Retreat/Registration Open!
Bluebonnets and wildflowers in full bloom, and wide open light in the Texas Hill Country.
Click here for all the details!
Historic Gardens of Connecticut · Full
A rare opportunity to photograph some of Connecticut's most beautiful historic and estate gardens in peak summer bloom. Sold out — click for future dates.
Schedule a small-group workshop rooted in slowing down and seeing clearly.
ONLINE
self-study programs
Learn on your own schedule. These self-paced courses are open year-round and designed to give you skills you will actually use — whether you are just picking up a camera or looking to refine what you already know.
Editing with Lightroom
A complete walkthrough of every Lightroom tool — built around real workflow, not just theory. By the end you will have a clear, repeatable editing process that brings out the best in every image you shoot. Open Enrollment
Light Pad Photography
Discover an entirely new way to photograph flowers — using a light pad to create luminous, graphic, and painterly images unlike anything you can achieve with natural light alone. This course covers both the shooting and the editing side, step by step. Open Enrollment
Flower Photography
Everything I know about flower photography in one place — ten years of technique, light, composition, and editing distilled into a course you can move through at your own pace. Perfect for beginners and intermediate photographers who want to photograph flowers in a more intentional, beautiful way. Open Enrollment
Dive into the world of artistic editing! Master a three-step process to create stunning flower images using Lightroom and Photoshop. Basic Lightroom and Photoshop editing knowledge are needed to get the most out of the course.
Signature Course
A Year of Creative Photography
12-month program of creative photography lessons, live video learning sessions, image feedback, and a supportive learning community!
For 2026, you can choose the path that fits you best:
✨ Full Course Package (50 spots only)
Join the full experience with live sessions, personalized image reviews, and direct Q&A support. This small group setting ensures plenty of one-on-one input, encouragement, and guidance throughout the year.
✨ Self-Study Option
Prefer to learn on your own schedule? The self-study option gives you access to the same rich content and lessons — without the live commitment. Work through the material at your own pace while still gaining the tools and ideas to elevate your photography.
1:1 Mentoring
Sometimes the most useful thing is simply someone who will look at your work with fresh eyes and tell you honestly what they see.
One-on-one mentoring sessions are fully customized to wherever you are in your photography practice.
We can work on any combination of the following:
• Portfolio review and feedback
• Editing support — Lightroom, Photoshop, style development
• Visual style and creative direction
• Photography business development
• Book creation and printing guidance
We start with a free consultation to talk through what you need and make sure we are a good fit. No commitment required.
What People Are Saying
“Lori’s garden is stunning, and her workshop is so special! From the moment you arrive, you are immersed in the beauty of the garden and Lori’s hands-on support. I enjoy taking classes online from Lori and getting to be in her garden was a special treat!”
— Jill “Lori’s courses in flower photography, light-pad, and editing of flowers are exceptional. She is detailed in her instruction and really gets you excited about the lessons. The courses are one of a kind. Your images will be transformed after using her process and workflows.”
— Sally“The course A Year of Creative Photography changed me and my photography. It brought out my inner artistic spirit that I did not know I had. The course is so engaging, challenges you in good ways, and helps you grow as an artist! “
— SarahMEET Me
I have been a photographer for twenty-five years, and I have spent most of that time learning to see more carefully — in my own garden, in historic estates, in public gardens across the United States, and everywhere in between. Teaching photography came naturally out of that same impulse.
I love breaking down what looks complicated into something approachable and making the technical side of Lightroom, Photoshop, and camera settings feel manageable for real people with real lives. My workshops and courses are rooted in natural light, patient observation, and the belief that beautiful photography is less about gear and more about slowing down enough to actually look. Whether we work together online, in a garden workshop, or one-on-one, my goal is the same: to help you find more beauty in what you already see. I hope you will join me.
Not ready to commit to a course? Come spend time in the garden first. Main St Gardener is my YouTube channel — a free, ongoing look at growing, photographing, and finding beauty in a cutting garden through the seasons. It is where I share the day-to-day of the work that underlies everything I teach. Subscribe and come grow with me.