Explore
verb | ex·plore | /ik'splôr/
Travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it.
Travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it.
Create
verb | cre·ate | /kre-ãt/
To cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
To cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
Grow
verb | grow | / grõ /
To become better or improved in some way: to become more developed, mature, etc.
To become better or improved in some way: to become more developed, mature, etc.
Photo Tours
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Costa Rica – Cloud Forest 2022
Mar 25th 2022 - Apr 4th 2022With 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! -
Alaska Brown Bears and More – 2022
Jun 12th 2022 - Jun 19th 2022Are you ready to walk with bears? Join us for an epic Alaska adventure to photograph Brown Bears inside the iconic Lake Clark National Park. From intimate bear portraits and interesting behaviors to beautiful “animalscapes” of bears in the snow-capped mountain vistas, the photographic opportunities of this trip are amazing! -
Newfoundland Puffins, Gannets and More – June Trip 2022
Jun 26th 2022 - Jul 1st 2022Newfoundland 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. -
Newfoundland Puffins, Gannets and More – July Trip 2022
Jul 2nd 2022 - Jul 7th 2022Newfoundland 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. -
Kenya – The Great Migration, 2022
Aug 4th 2022 - Aug 15th 2022The 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! -
Brazil – Jaguars and More, Trip 1 2022
Aug 31st 2022 - Sep 11th 2022Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest seasonal wetland, is home to the highest density of Jaguars in the world. On our first day we had 12 encounters with 7 different cats. Get ready to experience Jaguars, Giant River Otters, and a stunning array of birds and other wildlife that concentrate here. -
Brazil – Jaguars and More, Trip 2 2022
Sep 12th 2022 - Sep 22nd 2022Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest seasonal wetland, is home to the highest density of Jaguars in the world. On our first day we had 12 encounters with 7 different cats. Get ready to experience Jaguars, Giant River Otters, and a stunning array of birds and other wildlife that concentrate here. -
Yellowstone in Fall 2022
Oct 1st 2022 - Oct 8th 2022The Greater Yellowstone Area has been called the Serengeti of North America. It is home to large herds of majestic grazing animals, as well as the predators that prey on them. When you add to that the raw scenic beauty you have a truly epic place. -
The Cypress Swamps of Louisiana and Texas
Nov 7th 2022 - Nov 13th 2022This little-known location is simply one of the most compelling and visually exciting places we have ever visited. We are beyond excited to share this enchanted forest with you. It is a photographer’s dream, with sculpted cypress trees draped with Spanish moss hanging from every limb. -
The Ultimate Yellowstone in Winter 2023 – Trip 1
Jan 10th 2023 - Jan 19th 2023Experience the ultimate Yellowstone in Winter! Unlike most tours, we work from three locations, allowing us to cover all the park has to offer this time of year. We work the interior from snowcoach out of West Yellowstone and Mammoth and finish up in Lamar Valley via private bus. All this access maximizes our opportunities to photograph both the austere scenery and wildlife such as wolves, bison, big horn, otters, bobcats, moose, foxes, coyotes and more. -
The Ultimate Yellowstone in Winter 2023 – Trip 2
Jan 19th 2023 - Jan 28th 2023Experience the ultimate Yellowstone in Winter! Unlike most tours, we work from three locations, allowing us to cover all the park has to offer this time of year. We work the interior from snowcoach out of West Yellowstone and Mammoth and finish up in Lamar Valley via private bus. All this access maximizes our opportunities to photograph both the austere scenery and wildlife such as wolves, bison, big horn, otters, bobcats, moose, foxes, coyotes and more. -
Tanzania Wildlife Safari
Feb 4th 2023 - Feb 15th 2023An 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 – Africa is where memories of a lifetime are created! Join us for this luxury safari as we experience life on the dark continent in all it’s wild glory! -
Birds & Wildlife of Ecuador 2023
Mar 25th 2023 - Apr 4th 2023Join 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. -
Costa Rica – Cloud Forest 2023
Mar 13th 2023 - Mar 24th 2023With 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! -
Alaska Brown Bears and More – 2023
Jun 25th 2023 - Jun 30th 2023Are you ready to walk with bears? Join us for an epic Alaska adventure to photograph Brown Bears inside the iconic Lake Clark National Park. From intimate bear portraits and interesting behaviors to beautiful “animalscapes” of bears in the snow-capped mountain vistas, the photographic opportunities of this trip are amazing! -
Newfoundland Puffins, Gannets and More – Trip 1, 2023
Jul 8th 2023 - Jul 13th 2023Newfoundland 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. -
Newfoundland Puffins, Gannets and More – Trip 2, 2023
Jul 14th 2023 - Jul 19th 2023Newfoundland 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. -
Kenya – The Great Migration 2023
Aug 9th 2023 - Aug 20th 2023The 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! -
Brazil – Jaguars and More, 2023
Sep 3rd 2023 - Sep 13th 2023Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest seasonal wetland, is home to the highest density of Jaguars in the world. On our first day we had 12 encounters with 7 different cats. Get ready to experience Jaguars, Giant River Otters, and a stunning array of birds and other wildlife that concentrate here. -
The Cypress Swamps of Louisiana and Texas 2023
Nov 7th 2023 - Nov 13th 2023This little-known location is simply one of the most compelling and visually exciting places we have ever visited. We are beyond excited to share this enchanted forest with you. It is a photographer’s dream, with sculpted cypress trees draped with Spanish moss hanging from every limb. -
Galapagos Islands
Nov 1st 2024 - Nov 30th 2024If 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.
Workshops
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Texas Birds & Wildlife – Trip 1
May 8th 2022 - May 14th 2022Join us as we travel to South Texas to some of the most iconic bird photography blinds in and around the Rio Grande Valley. Here, we will photograph highly coveted species such as Green Jays, Painted Buntings, Northern Cardinals and many more in beautiful settings. -
Texas Birds & Wildlife – Trip 2
May 14th 2022 - May 20th 2022Join us as we travel to South Texas to some of the most iconic bird photography blinds in and around the Rio Grande Valley. Here, we will photograph highly coveted species such as Green Jays, Painted Buntings, Northern Cardinals and many more in beautiful settings. -
Flight School – Bosque Del Apache
Nov 26th 2022 - Nov 30th 2022It’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. -
Macro at Steve and Nicole’s House
May 1st 2021 - Oct 1st 2021One 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! -
Raptors in Flight Simcoe, Ontario
Jan 29th 2022 - Jan 30th 2022We are proud to offer this exciting photographic experience. We offer this workshop 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. At 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! -
Winter Birds at Steve and Nicole’s House Trip 1, 2023
Dec 29th 2022 - Dec 31st 2022We have spent the last few years creating a bird photography paradise at our home here in Howell, Michigan. We are now ready to share this experience with a few lucky photographers. We have two awesome photo blinds setup right here on our property. -
Winter Birds at Steve and Nicole’s House – Trip 2, 2023
Dec 31st 2022 - Jan 2nd 2023We have spent the last few years creating a bird photography paradise at our home here in Howell, Michigan. We are now ready to share this experience with a few lucky photographers. We have two awesome photo blinds setup right here on our property. -
Spring Birds at Steve and Nicole’s House Trip 1
May 12th 2023 - May 13th 2023We have spent the last few years creating a bird photography paradise at our home here in Howell, Michigan. We are now ready to share this experience with a few lucky photographers. This workshop is timed to take advantage of the flowering trees that will be in full bloom at this time of the year. -
Spring Birds at Steve and Nicole’s House Trip 2
May 14th 2023 - May 15th 2023We have spent the last few years creating a bird photography paradise at our home here in Howell, Michigan. We are now ready to share this experience with a few lucky photographers. This workshop is timed to take advantage of the flowering trees that will be in full bloom at this time of the year. -
Birds of Prey Model Shoot at The Howell Nature Center
Oct 22nd 2023 - Oct 23rd 2023These 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! -
Fall in Michigan’s Pictured Rocks
Oct 6th 2023 - Oct 9th 2023Ablaze 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. -
Spring in the Smokies
Apr 21st 2023 - Apr 25th 2023Spring 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. -
Custom Photo Tours and Experiences
Jan 1st 2020 - Jan 31st 2060Do 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.
Upcoming Tours and Workshops
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Tours Currently in The Planning Stages
Texas Bird Blinds April 2022
Alaska's Grizzlies June 12-19 2022
Kenya/Wildebeest and Uganda/Gorillas August 2022
Galapagos and Machu Picchu 2023
Madagascar 2023
Borneo 2023
Get Notified Early
Our trips fill up very quickly. For advance notice of an upcoming trip sign up below.
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!