Illuminights: Chinese Lantern Festival at Zoo Atlanta

What cameras can be used for this class?

Black and white photo of a person holding a Canon EOS 6D camera pointed toward the viewer.
A person holding a smartphone taking a photo of an airplane wing outside the window, with clouds below.
Black Sony mirrorless camera with a large lens attached, shown from an angled perspective.
A hand holding a vintage camera with a lens attached, against a plain background.

Any Camera!
DSLR, Mirrorless, Smartphone, Film

Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights this season!

Atlanta’s cherished holiday tradition is back, showcasing vistas of brilliantly illuminated wildlife and captivating sights that celebrate the wonders of nature. This year, we’re introducing new lanterns and experiences, transforming the Zoo into a nighttime wonderland.

Looking for things to do in Atlanta this holiday season? This holiday lights event is your answer. Whether you’re making memories with family, looking to impress on a date night, or enjoying a night out with friends, your holidays glow in the splendors of nature. Enjoy a mile-long stroll of stunning contemplation of the wildlife of our planet and creatures of our imagination, from luminous leopards to a towering fiery phoenix. There are lanterns around every corner of the Zoo this holiday season.

Colorful illuminated dragon lantern sculpture at night with purple and pink hues, decorated with flower and leaf designs.

Enjoy a mile-long stroll of stunning contemplation of the wildlife of our planet and creatures of our imagination, from luminous leopards to a towering fiery phoenix. There are lanterns around every corner of the Zoo this holiday season.

Warm up with hot cocoa (signature holiday spirits available for ages 21 and up!). Make merry with a marshmallow roast by the fire. And around every corner, find photo ops sure to sparkle on your social.

While most animals go indoors for the night, a select few species who typically spend time in their habitats after dark may be visible. These may include giant pandas (indoor dayroom habitats), Chilean flamingos, and Huacaya alpacas.

Illuminated lantern sculpture of an octopus with large, expressive eyes at night, surrounded by a dark landscape with trees and a blue-lit background.

We’ll capture the magic of these elegantly crafted lanterns around the museum, as Larry will guide you through the magic!

We’ll cover:

  • Best settings for night photography

  • Low light without tripods

  • Composition

  • Metering for glowing subjects and contrasting light

  • and more!

Illuminated green and yellow snake lanterns lining a pathway at night with visitors walking underneath. Tall trees surround the area, and the sky is dark.

Ticket Options

Option 1: You can choose for ASoP to purchase your ticket through you at registration

Option 2: You have a Zoo Membership and will reserve your own ticket

If you have a membership to Zoo Atlanta, please purchase your discounted ticket directly through their website. Be sure to choose January 11 at 5:30 PM.

Weather and Rescheduling:

Atlanta School of Photography will not be liable to refund tickets to the Zoo Atlanta if the workshop is re-scheduled due to inclement weather. We will work with the Zoo to reschedule any tickets purchased through us and will keep an eye on the weather a week in advance in case we need to reschedule. Please note this before purchasing your ticket.

Please plan to arrive at 5:15 PM for an introduction as we will enter the Zoo at 5:30 PM sharp due to timed ticketing. 

More info

Required Materials:

Registered students will be asked to bring a tripod.

Any questions? Contact us here!