March 7th, 2026
Learn to Take Control of Your Camera in the Field
If you’ve ever come home from a day of photographing wildlife feeling like your camera made all the decisions for you, this workshop is designed to change that.
This March, I’m hosting a small-group Nature & Wildlife Photography Workshop at one of Southeast Michigan’s premier wildlife photography locations. The focus is simple and intentional: learning how to use your camera properly, understanding why your images succeed or fail, and building confidence photographing birds and wildlife in real-world conditions.
This is not a lecture hall or a slideshow. It’s hands-on, in the field, and built around practical skill development rather than theory for theory’s sake.
What This Workshop Covers
During the workshop, we’ll spend time photographing a variety of species, including songbirds, birds of prey, and aquatic birds. While we’re shooting, I’ll walk you through how to take full control of your camera using manual mode, rather than relying on guesswork or automatic settings.
Key topics include:
- Understanding the Exposure Triangle
- How ISO, aperture, and shutter speed work individually
- How those three settings interact with each other
- How to adjust exposure intentionally based on light, subject movement, and conditions
- Making camera decisions confidently in changing field environments
The goal is not just to explain the settings, but to help you understand how and when to use them so they become second nature.
Group Size and Format
This is a small-group workshop, limited to 10 participants. Keeping the group size small allows for individual guidance, questions, and real-time feedback while we’re shooting.
This is a supportive learning environment, whether you’re new to wildlife photography or looking to strengthen your fundamentals.
Cost
Introductory workshop rate: $100 per person
(Regular rate is $200 per person, per day)
This introductory pricing is being offered to make the workshop accessible and to allow participants to experience the format firsthand.
Required Equipment
Participants must bring the following:
- A digital camera with interchangeable lenses
- A telephoto or super-telephoto lens suitable for wildlife photography
- At least one spare battery
- At least one spare SD card
- A tripod
This workshop assumes you already own and are familiar with your basic camera controls. While all experience levels are welcome, this is not a point-and-shoot or smartphone photography class.
What to Expect
You can expect a calm, focused, and practical learning experience. I’ll explain concepts clearly, answer questions as they arise, and help you apply what you’re learning immediately while photographing live subjects.
There’s no pressure to “get the shot” and no competition. The emphasis is on understanding your tools, reading the scene, and building skills you can carry forward into your own photography.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is ideal for:
- Photographers who want to move beyond auto modes
- Beginners who want a solid foundation in manual exposure
- Hobbyists looking to improve consistency and confidence
- Nature and wildlife photographers who prefer learning by doing
Who This Workshop Is Not For
This workshop may not be a good fit if:
- You do not have a camera with interchangeable lenses
- You are only interested in advanced post-processing
- You are looking for a large, lecture-style class
How to Register
Registration details and final logistics will be provided upon sign-up. Space is limited, and once the group is full, registration will close. Click the button below to send a message in order to secure your place.
Once I receive your email, and provided the workshop has not already reached capacity, I will send you an email invoice to secure your place in the workshop.
Payment is required in full to confirm registration. Because group size is limited and spaces cannot easily be refilled at short notice, payments are non-refundable if cancellation occurs within one week of the workshop start date.
This policy is in place to ensure that spaces are reserved for participants who are genuinely committed to attending. That said, I understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and I will always review unavoidable or exceptional situations on a case-by-case basis.
Clear expectations protect everyone’s time and ensure the workshop runs smoothly for all involved.
If you’re ready to understand your camera, stop guessing, and start making intentional decisions in the field, this workshop is designed to give you that foundation.