Photography workshops for women
Find your eye. Trust what you see.
Focused Eye runs small, comfortable photography workshops for women in San Francisco, Sedona and Lake Powell, with longer journeys to Hawaii and the Oregon coast, led by photographers Diane Bentley Raymond and Sarah Lyons Glabman. Never more than 10 women, two coaches, and comfort planned into every day.
- Group size
- Up to 10 women
- Coaches
- Two, on every trip
- Where
- San Francisco to Hawaii
- Levels
- Novice to seasoned
Three ways to shoot with us
From San Francisco to the Hawaiian coast
Focused Eye runs a two to three day San Francisco workshop, a three to four day Sedona & Lake Powell workshop, and five to six day Society Journeys to Hawaii and the Oregon coast. San Francisco and Arizona open in late 2027; the longer journeys follow in 2028.
Late 2027 San Francisco Workshop
Two to three days shooting the city Diane has photographed every morning for years. Come meet us, learn the light, and leave with photographs you love.
From $2,000 per person See the details
Late 2027 Sedona & Lake Powell
Three to four days of red rock and canyon light, with a private van between locations so you are never more than a short walk from the shot.
From $4,000 per person See the details
2028 Society Journeys
Our five to six day journeys to Hawaii and the Oregon coast. Ten seats, two coaches, by application. Members for life after their first trip.
From $7,000 per person, by application See the detailsWhat it feels like
A workshop built around your comfort
Five guests per coach
Two coaches and never more than 10 women, so every question gets a real answer and nobody gets left behind.
Comfort, planned in
A private van, short walks, good hotels and a welcome gift when you arrive. Time to shop, rest or enjoy a drink with a view.
Every level, one family
Seasoned photographers and first-timers share the same trip. Come for the photographs, stay for the women you meet.
"I'll be comfortable here. I can learn here. My way of seeing matters."
Your coaches
Taught by two working photographers
Diane Bentley Raymond: San Francisco fine-art and aerial photographer, with work on the cover of Trope Publishing’s Above and Across San Francisco and a second book due in 2027.
Sarah Lyons Glabman: Fine-art landscape and wildlife photographer with nearly two decades behind the camera, from hundreds of magazine covers to SLG.Art.
They coach every workshop together, and they plan the kind of trip they would want to take themselves.
Through their lens
Learn from photographers whose work you'll want on your wall
A few favorites from Diane's and Sarah's galleries: San Francisco from above and through the fog, the Southwest's red rock and slot canyons, and wildlife from Africa. Swipe through.
From the journal
Practical guides for better photographs
Golden Hour Photography: Settings and Tips That Work
The best camera settings for golden hour, when it happens, and simple tips for warm, glowing photographs with a camera or a phone.
How to Choose a Photography Workshop: 9 Questions to Ask
Group size, instructor, pacing, what is included and the refund policy. Nine questions to ask before you book a photography workshop or tour.
What to Pack for a Photography Retreat: The Complete Checklist
A practical packing checklist for a photography retreat or workshop trip: camera gear, batteries and cards, clothing, comfort items and what to leave at home.
Questions women ask us
Who are Focused Eye workshops for?
Two kinds of women, and they travel well together: accomplished photographers who want beautiful places without roughing it, and beginners who want a warm, patient group to learn with. Every level is welcome and nobody gets left behind.
Who teaches the workshops?
Diane Bentley Raymond, a San Francisco fine-art and aerial photographer, and Sarah Lyons Glabman, an Arizona-based fine-art landscape and wildlife photographer with nearly two decades behind the camera. Both coach on every workshop.
How big are the groups?
Never more than 10 women, with two coaches. That is five guests per coach, so you get real, personal help all day.
How much walking is involved?
Very little. We drive the group in a private van and choose locations you can reach comfortably, so nobody pays for a trip and then sits part of it out. No rental cars, no long hikes.
Is it all shooting and classroom time?
No. There is coaching in the field and about an hour a day reviewing your photos together, but there is also real downtime to shop, rest or enjoy a drink with a view. You can join us or do your own thing.
Do I need an expensive camera?
No. Bring the camera you own and we will help you get the most out of it before you think about buying anything.
Why women only?
Because comfort changes how people learn. In a small group of women who share your curiosity, it is easier to ask the question, try the new setting and enjoy the trip.
When are the first workshops?
San Francisco and Sedona & Lake Powell are planned for late 2027, when the light in both places is at its best. Hawaii and the Oregon coast follow in 2028. Join the waitlist to hear first when dates are announced.
Founding waitlist
Be first when the doors open
The first Focused Eye workshops open to the waitlist before anyone else, at founding prices. Add your name and tell us what you would love first.