Wares & Public Offerings: Seminars & Workshops

I present both seminars and workshops on a variety of topics related to modern nature photography. Seminars are most commonly scheduled in late autumn to very early spring (November to March), with workshops scheduled during warmer months (normally May through September).

Past seminar topics have included:

Introductory Digital Nature Photography
Introductory Digital Wildlife Photography
Introductory Digital Bird Photography
Digital Workflow - Soup to Beans
Introductory Digital Image Editing
Digital Image Editing for Nature Photographers

2010 Calendar of Photo Tours & Instructional Events

1. Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen - Spring 2010

In spring of 2010 I am offering a new, extended Instructional Photo Tour of the Khutzeymateen Valley.

DATES: May 27 to June 3, 2010.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 6.
CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: SORRY - this trip is totally sold out. Registrations are now being accepted for the 2011 Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen Photo Tours (see information below).

2. Spirit Bears and the Great Bear Rainforest - Autumn 2010

2011 Calendar of Photo Tours & Instructional Events

1. Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen - Spring 2011

About the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary: Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary is located at the tip of a long, remote and pristine inlet on the northern coast of British Columbia. The sanctuary is closed to the public - only two licensed guides are allowed to lead very small groups into this majestic, globally unique ecosystem. The inlet is home to about 50 resident grizzlies, with many more passing through during the year. This remote piece of wilderness is set within one of the planet's few remaining completely intact temperate rainforests and offers a stunning, verdant backdrop to observe and photograph wild grizzlies as they interact with one another as they have for millennia. The bears themselves grant visitors with a very rare privilege: they allow humans fully and completely into their rich and behaviourally diverse daily lives. Be one of under 200 people - and far, far fewer photographers - annually gifted with the intimate experience of sharing the lives of the Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen.

In spring of 2011 I am offering two unique Photo Tours of the Khutzeymateen Inlet:

Photo Tour #1. Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen Instructional Photo Tour.

OVERVIEW: This is quite possibly the best grizzly viewing and instructional photo tour available anywhere! This photo tour combines a full day of professional photography instruction with 5 days of fabulous grizzly bear viewing and photography in the Khutzeymateen Inlet. Following our day of photography instruction in Prince Rupert, BC, we will travel to the Khutzeymateen via floatplane. We'll then stay aboard the beautiful Ocean Light II - a comfortable 71' ocean ketch (sailboat). We will be assisted by two professional bear guides during our 5 days of working intensely with the spectacular Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen (in the most magical setting imaginable)! This trip is simply an extraordinary experience and provides unsurpassed photographic opportunities!

This is an all-inclusive trip (once one arrives in Prince Rupert, BC) that includes 2 nights of accommodation in Prince Rupert, all meals in Prince Rupert, a full day of photo instruction in Prince Rupert prior to the trip, floatplane transport to and from the Khutzeymateen, and 5 full days in the Khutzeymateen photographing the bears.

DATES: May 23 to May 30, 2011.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 6.
CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: 5
COST: $4250 Canadian plus applicable taxes (please see important note below on taxation). Currency converter available here.
REGISTRATION: Contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca to reserve your spot!

MORE INFORMATION? Download THIS BROCHURE (PDF: 476 KB) for more information and details about this unique instructional photo tour.

Photo Tour #2. Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen - Just the Photo Op, Please!

OVERVIEW: This photo tour offers a reduced instructional component (no full day of instruction before the trip) and 4 full days spent photographing the Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen. It is geared toward photographers who primarily want access to the area and the bears in a non-crowded environment (all the photo tours are limited to 6 individuals to ensure everyone has good shooting angles) and who may not have the time for the longer instructional photo tour.

Note that accommodation and meals in Prince Rupert (one night) are NOT included in the price of this tour. As with the full instructional photo tour, floatplane transport into (and out of) the Khutzeymateen and all food and accommodation once there ARE included in the price. Note that all participants will receive detailed information and extensive photographic "tips and tricks" about the idiosyncrasies of shooting bears in the Khutzeymateen prior to the trip (to ensure that the quality of their shooting time is maximized).

DATES: May 29 to June 3, 2011.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 6.
CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: Sorry - this trip is SOLD OUT for 2011.
COST: $2899 Canadian plus applicable taxes (please see important note below on taxation). Currency converter available here.
REGISTRATION: Contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca to reserve your spot!

MORE INFORMATION? Download THIS BROCHURE (PDF: 434 KB) for more information and details about this amazing photo tour.

2. Orcas, Humpbacks and More: Aquatic Mammals of the Central Pacific Coast - Summer 2011

In the summer of 2011 I am offering an all-new Instructional Photo Tour featuring the aquatic mammals found in the nutrient-rich waters in Johnstone Strait off the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

About Johnstone's Strait: The northern tip of Vancouver Island - and Johnstone's Strait - is an incredibly rich and abundant wildlife area. During the summer months it is home to a wide variety of marine mammals as the Pacific Ocean delivers nutrients to the numerous channels and inlets of the region. Orcas (or Killer Whales), dolphins, porpoises, sea lions and sea otters assemble to feed on the Pacific salmon that are returning to their natal rivers. Humpback Whales and coastal seabirds feed on the nutrients stirred up by the strong tidal currents. The region offers unparalleled opportunities to photograph a diverse array of unique wildlife in a setting of tremendous beauty.

OVERVIEW: This photo tour combines a full day of professional photography instruction with 7 days of fabulous aquatic mammal viewing and photography in the Johnstone Strait region. Following our day of photography instruction in Port McNeill, BC, we will board the beautiful Ocean Light II - a comfortable 71' ocean ketch (sailboat). We will be assisted by a professional whale and aquatic mammal guide during our 7 days of cruising the picturesque waters off the northern tip of Vancouver Island. This trip is simply an extraordinary experience and provides unsurpassed photographic opportunities!

This is an all-inclusive trip (once one arrives in Port McNeill, BC) that includes 2 nights of accommodation in Port McNeill, all meals in Port McNeill, a full day of photo instruction in Port McNeill prior to the trip, and 7 full days aboard the Ocean Light II.

DATES: August 17 to 26, 2011.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 6.
CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: 6
COST: $3600 Canadian plus applicable taxes (please see important note below on taxation). Currency converter available here.
REGISTRATION: Contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca to reserve your spot!
MORE INFORMATION? A detailed brochure will be available for this trip by no later than December 31, 2009 (or send email to: seminars@naturalart.ca)

3. Spirit Bears and the Great Bear Rainforest - Autumn 2011

In the autumn of 2011 I am offering 2 Spirit Bears and the Great Bear Rainforest Instructional Photo Tours.

OVERVIEW: Don't miss out on this amazing and unforgettable trip! The Spirit Bears and the Great Bear Rainforest Instructional Photo Tour 2010 combines a full day of professional photography instruction with 8 days of touring the Great Bear Rainforest in search of Spirit Bears, Grizzlies, several species of whales - all while travelling through some of the most photogenic scenery on Planet Earth! You will be given the tools and the opportunity to capture breath-taking, professional quality images of rare, endangered bears and absolutely stunning scenery.

This is an all-inclusive trip (once one arrives in Prince Rupert/Bella Bella, BC) that includes 2 nights of accommodation in Prince Rupert (or Bella Bella), all meals in Prince Rupert (or Bella Bella), a full day of photo instruction in Prince Rupert (or Bella Bella) prior to the trip, floatplane transport to and from the Ocean Light II sailboat, and 7 full days aboard the Ocean Light II in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada.

DATES: Trip #1 (Prince Rupert to Bella Bella): September 24 to October 3, 2011; Trip #2 (Bella Bella to Prince Rupert): October 2 to 11, 2011.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Each trip limited to 6.
CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: 6 for trip #1; 5 for trip #2.
COST: $4900 Canadian plus applicable taxes (please see important note below on taxation). Currency converter available here.
REGISTRATION: Contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca to reserve your spot!

MORE INFORMATION? Download THIS BROCHURE (PDF: 535 KB) for more information and details about this unforgettable tour of discovery.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON A PENDING TAXATION CHANGE: Currently the only tax applicable to the above photo tours is a 5% federal tax called the GST. As of July 1st, 2010 the Federal Gov't of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are combining the federal GST AND the provincial sales tax (which is currently not applicable to these tours) and calling it a Harmonized Sales Tax (or HST). Once this occurs it applies to nearly everything purchased in British Columbia. This will mean that the new HST will be the current GST of 5% plus the provincial sales tax of 7%, so it will be a 12% tax. However, anything purchased and paid in full BEFORE April 30, 2010 will have only the 5% GST applied to it. So, bottom line - those choosing to pay for any of the above tours in full before April 30 (and normally full payment isn't required until 90 days prior to the trip) will save 7% on the total trip price.