Explore

verb | ex·plore | \ik-ˈsplȯr\
Travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it.

Create

verb | cre·ate | \krē-ˈāt, ˈkrē-ˌ\
To cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.

Grow

verb | \ˈgrō\
To become better or improved in some way: to become more developed, mature, etc.

Photo Tours

  • Newfoundland Puffins, Gannets and More Trip 1

    Jun 25th 2020 - Jun 30th 2020
    Newfoundland provides some of the best opportunities to photograph the Atlantic Puffin, Northern Gannet, and other majestic seabirds. On this tour, we go straight to the nesting colonies where these birds have been carrying on life for centuries.
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    6 participants
    Just Opened!

  • Newfoundland Puffins, Gannets and More Trip 2

    Jul 2nd 2020 - Jul 7th 2020
    Newfoundland provides some of the best opportunities to photograph the Atlantic Puffin, Northern Gannet, and other majestic seabirds. On this tour, we go straight to the nesting colonies where these birds have been carrying on life for centuries.
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    6 participants
    Just Opened!

  • The Magic of Monarchs

    Feb 19th 2020 - Feb 23rd 2020
    Our world is blessed with many unique and amazing natural splendors. One of those is the magical and mysterious migration of the Monarch butterfly where virtually the entire world’s population flies to one tiny mountain area deep in the heart of Mexico to roost among the mighty Oyamel Fir trees. Join us as we experience this incredible wildlife spectacle.
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    10 participants
    Over half full!

  • Costa Rica – Osa Peninsula

    Apr 6th 2019 - Apr 16th 2019
    Osa Penninsula is Costa Rica’s most remote and wild destination. With Corcovado National Park covering nearly half of the peninsula. It contains an astounding diversity of wildlife, including large populations of Tapir, Jaguar, Giant Anteaters, Macaws, and so much more. Join us for a journey into the true wilds of Costa Rica.
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    8 participants
    Only a few spots remain!!!

  • Costa Rica – Cloud Forest

    Mar 25th 2020 - Apr 4th 2020
    With such a diversity of subject matter it’s no wonder Costa Rica is such a popular destination. From the beautiful scenery and plants, to incredible birds, reptiles, insects, and even poison dart frogs Costa Rica has something for everyone. It should come as no surprise to anyone that it is one of our favorite places on the globe!
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    8 participants
    Registration open now!

  • Wildlife of Tanzania

    Jan 23rd 2020 - Feb 5th 2020
    An epic adventure awaits… Photographing the hunt of a lion, the birth of Wildebeests, the explosion of a Cheetah running at full speed, the sublime connection within a herd of elephants, the gentle gaze of giraffes – this is where memories of a lifetime are created! Join us as we experience life on the dark continent in all it’s wild glory!
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    8 participants
    Full Send us an email if yo are interested in getting on the "Early Announce List" for 2021

  • Birds & Wildlife of Ecuador

    Nov 30th 2019 - Dec 9th 2019
    Join us for a spectacular photographic adventure to Ecuador. Experience the wonders of the Andean cloudforest as we photograph birds and other wildlife of the Tandayapa Valley and Sumaco foothills. Then join us for an optional extension to the most biologically diverse place in the world, deep in the heart of the Amazon!
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    8 participants
    Full - Accepting waitlist

  • Kenya – The Great Migration

    Aug 15th 2020 - Aug 26th 2020
    The Great Migration – one of the most spectacular wildlife spectacles on earth! Millions of wildebeests, zebras and other species span the landscape as far as the eye can see, ultimately converging and crossing the Mara River. Kenya is a land of plenty this time of year overflowing with life. Journey with us as we witness this incredible display!
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    7 participants
    Registration Now Open!

  • Yellowstone in Winter

    Jan 12th 2020 - Jan 18th 2020
    Yellowstone is beautiful in its own right but then add the magic of snow and it becomes a wonderland. Travel with us by private snowcoach as we look for bison, elk, Big Horn Sheep, coyotes, beavers and more. Frost covered wildlife, steam-veiled geysers, frozen waterfalls – this is a photographic adventure like no other.
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    6 participants
    Only one spot available!

  • Galapagos Islands

    Oct 28th 2020 - Nov 7th 2020
    If you are like most people a trip to the Galapagos Islands is very likely on your “bucket list”. If you are a nature photographer probably doubly so! And so it should be, because The Galapagos Islands are nature photography Nirvana! Experience what it is like to photograph and walk among wildlife that is completely accepting of your presence.
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    14 participants
    Already over half full!!!

  • Tours Currently in The Planning Stages

    Winter in Yellowstone January 2020
    Alaska’s Grizzlies June 2020
    Wildebeest Crossing the Mara River August 2020
    Brazil – Jaguars, the Pantanal September 2020
    Peru – Machu Picchu and the Amazon 2020

    Get Notified Early

    Our trips fill up very quickly. For advance notice of an upcoming trip sign up below.

Workshops

  • Spring in the Smokies

    Apr 20th 2019 - Apr 24th 2019
    Spring is our absolute favorite time to be in the Smokies. This workshop is timed to coincide with the peak of spring wildflower season. The flower photography will be rounded out with birds, bears and waterfalls. Everyone from beginning photographers through advanced amateurs will enjoy this experience. The price also includes lodging in a beautiful log cabin five minutes from the park.
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    9 participants
    Full accepting waitlist!

  • Spring in the Northwoods Wildflowers and More

    May 24th 2019 - May 28th 2019
    There’s no better way to learn photography and hone your skills than in the field. We designed this hands-on workshop to coincide with peak wildflower season in Northern Michigan where we’ll have a burst of amazing subjects. From macro photography to bird photography and waterfalls, this will be a great chance to immerse yourself in an array of new skills.
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    10 participants
    1 spot just opened up

  • Fall in Michigan’s Pictured Rocks

    Oct 11th 2019 - Oct 15th 2019
    Ablaze with color in the fall, Pictured Rocks is a photographer’s dream. This hands-on workshop captures the beauty! Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this location has it all: 15 miles of 200-foot-tall colorful sandstone cliff, beautiful fall color, dozens of photogenic waterfalls, and scenic quiet lakes blanketed in fog. This is a wonderful place to develop and hone your photography skills.
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    10 participants
    Full - Accepting Waitlist

  • Flight School – Bosque Del Apache

    Jan 3rd 2020 - Jan 7th 2020
    It’s time for Flight School! Bosque is the premiere location to learn, practice and hone your flight photography skills. With tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese and the backdrop of gorgeous New Mexico landscapes, you will be immersed in a target-rich environment with real time field and classroom instruction and feedback.
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    8 participants
    Full - Accepting waitlist

  • Raptors in Flight Simcoe, Ontario

    May 11th 2019 - May 12th 2019
    We are proud to offer this exciting photographic experience. The workshop will be offered 4 times a year, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each workshop we will have two three hour sessions participants will have the opportunity to photograph a total of six Raptors in flight and six Raptors on beautiful perches. Want to get an idea of the possibilities… check out the client gallery!
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    10 participants
    All 2019 shoots are full. Send us an email to get on our early announce list to pre-register for 2020

  • Macro at Steve and Nicole’s House

    May 1st 2019 - Oct 31st 2019
    One of the things to love about Macro Photography is that it’s very accessible. It doesn’t require a lot of equipment and you can spend your entire life in a meadow behind your house and never exhaust the possibilities. Learn how during these ongoing, very unique semi-private workshops. Come out to our home and spend the morning in the field shooting with us!
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    6 participants
    Click on details to get added to the list

  • Birds of Prey Model Shoot at The Howell Nature Center

    Oct 26th 2019 - Oct 27th 2019
    These world class raptor workshops are one of the main fundraisers for The Howell Nature Center. The Center rehabilitates and releases back into the wild thousands of injured and orphaned animals each year. 100% of the proceeds go to the Nature center! The workshops take place four times a year, two in the fall, and two in the winter. Register early as these sessions always fill up!
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    45 participants
    Registration available

  • Custom Photo Tours and Experiences

    Jan 1st 2016 - Jan 31st 2060
    Do you learn better in a one on one setting? Do you have a certain skill or specialty you want to work on? Perhaps a private half day workshop is the answer. Additionally we are happy to give you an estimate on a custom Workshop or Photo Tour to your dream destination, anywhere in the world.
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    1 participants

Tours vs Workshops Difference

Photo Tours

Tours are more location based. Photo tours are typically longer and always to amazing photographic destinations. The focus of a photo tour is photography plain and simple. Tours are about total immersion in a place and our creative process.

Our role during a photo tour is to take care of the travel logistics and all of the little details so you can focus on creating images. But, most importantly we will make sure you are in great locations at the right time to create great images. While Steve will often be shooting during a photo tour his images will always be secondary to your images. His main purpose will be to help you get great images. Steve will always be available to answer questions or help solve a problem.

Instruction is a large part of a photo tour. But to get the most out of a photo tour, participants in most tours will want to have an understanding of basic camera operation.

Photo Workshops

Workshops are definitely more instruction based than a tour. Shorter and more intense, workshops are super-charged with creativity and learning.

Group sizes are kept smaller (usually eight or less) in order to provide for more one on one instruction. The main thrust of one of our workshops will always be to spend quality time out in the field learning. Learning to see, learning new techniques, learning to identify and solve photographic problems, and of course making great images. Steve's role during a workshop will be to help you find and create great images, and to help you see and solve potential problems in the field.

Steve rarely shoots during a workshop and when he does, it will be near the end of the workshop and then to demonstrate how he would solve a problem or handle a particular situation.

The Goal

In the end photography is about seeing, and more importantly, it’s about effectively communicating your vision, and your message, through the images you create. During the course of either a workshop or a photo tour Steve will share with you how he sees, and give you an insight into how you see.

After either experience you will more effectively communicate your vision. Your work will speak more clearly without technical flaws and visual distractions that detract from your chosen message.

Hope to see you soon!

Testimonials

"What a fabulous trip! Exceeded my expectations in every way. Your enthusiasm for making great pictures shines and your personal commitment to make sure each of us had a super experience was really apparent! I learned a lot and will never forget our African photo safari."

-- Lewis D. - Tanzania 2014 -

"I just wanted to say thanks for a great workshop this weekend. I had a great time and learned a lot that I can begin putting into practice immediately. You are a great teacher and your creative eye for catching the beauty of God's creation is exceptional. I will talk up your workshops whenever possible."

-- Val H. - Spring in the Northwoods 2011 -

"Once again Steve I would like to thank you for yet another great adventure! If you ever need a testimonial letter please let me know. I would be thrilled to write one for you."

-- Alan W. - The Galapagos Islands 2012, Costa Rica 2013 & Africa 2014 -

"Thanks for making the Costa Rica trip both rewarding and fun! Thanks also for seeing to it I got there and back in one piece - airport lines and all. You are a good man!"

-- Betty A. - Costa Rica 2016 & Smokey Mountains 2013 -

"Thanks so much my trip to Costa Rica it was excellent in every way. The trip was well planned both for the accommodations and variety of photo opportunities. Although this was advertised as a photo tour (not a workshop) you could not help yourself from teaching to ensure everyone would return with good pictures. "

-- Keith M. - Costa Rica 2014 &Tanzania 2015 -

"Cara and I continue to talk about the trip. We really appreciate all your efforts to make it so successful. The safaris guides were excellent. A great choice of guides on your part. This was our first trip to Africa and we could not have asked for a better introduction to its wildlife. The safari itinerary you put together was great."

-- Alan and Cara - Tanzania 2015 & The Galapagos Islands 2012 -

"Steve, in a word, the trip to Costa Rica was ....Epic! We had the opportunity to get truly outstanding photos, which is only possible when proper planning, organization and execution of a photo tour happens, like with this one! This was my first trip with you, but I promise it won't be the last. Thanks again for a fun and outstanding photo and birding experience!"

-- Mike W. -Costa Rica 2016, Yellowstone 2016, The Galapagos 2017, Africa 2018 Ecuador 2018