There is no substitute for hands-on experience.
Books, videos, and online tutorials can teach you the fundamentals of photography, but they can’t look over your shoulder, answer your questions in real time, or help you overcome the challenges that every photographer encounters in the field.
Captured Wilderness Photography workshops are designed to bridge that gap by combining practical instruction with real-world experience. Rather than sitting in a classroom, you’ll be learning where photography actually happens – in forests, wetlands, parks, nature preserves, and beneath the night sky.
To ensure every participant receives plenty of individual attention, each workshop is intentionally limited to a maximum of six participants, giving you ample opportunity to ask questions, receive one-to-one guidance, and learn at your own pace. Whether you’re taking your first steps beyond Auto mode or looking to refine techniques you’ve been using for years, the aim is simple: to help you become a more confident photographer while enjoying everything nature has to offer.
Photography is a skill best learned by doing. My role is simply to help shorten the learning curve by sharing the knowledge, experience, and lessons I’ve gained over years spent photographing Michigan’s wildlife, landscapes, and night skies.
The goal isn’t to make you photograph like me. It’s to help you become a better version of yourself as a photographer.
Photography workshops don't have to cost a fortune to be worthwhile. My aim is to provide high-quality, practical instruction at a fair and transparent price, while keeping group sizes small enough that everyone has the opportunity to ask questions, receive individual guidance, and enjoy a relaxed day in the field. The pricing below applies to all regular workshops and private one-to-one instruction.
Half Day
4 Hours
Limited to 6 Participants
Perfect for photographers looking to move beyond Auto mode, ask questions, develop new skills, and enjoy a relaxed day learning in the field alongside a small group of like-minded people.
Full Day
8 Hours
Limited to 6 Participants
Spend a full day developing your photography skills with more time for practical instruction, individual guidance, and the opportunity to photograph a wider variety of subjects in a relaxed small-group environment.
One-to-One Instruction
8 Hours
One Participant Only
A fully personalised workshop tailored to your experience, equipment, interests, and photographic goals, with individual instruction and guidance throughout the day.
Whether your interest is birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or insects, this workshop focuses on the techniques used to photograph wildlife in its natural environment.
Topics typically include camera settings, autofocus techniques, exposure, composition, fieldcraft, and making the most of the available light while working responsibly around wild animals.
Workshops are held at a variety of Metro Detroit area parks and nature reserves where opportunities to photograph wildlife are regularly available.Specific locations are confirmed before each workshop.
Landscape photography is about far more than simply pointing a camera at a beautiful view. This workshop covers composition, exposure, filters, focal length, and learning to work with changing light and weather conditions to create stronger landscape images.
Regular workshops are held at scenic locations throughout the Metro Detroit area and nearby State Parks. Longer-distance landscape workshops, including lighthouse tours and autumn colour tours, are offered separately as Special Photography Workshops.
Specific locations are confirmed before each workshop.
Learn the techniques used to photograph the Milky Way, star trails, moonlit landscapes, and other night sky subjects.
Topics include camera settings, focusing in darkness, composition, exposure, planning, and working safely after dark.
Regular night sky workshops are normally conducted at Port Crescent State Park, Port Austin, Michigan, although alternative locations may occasionally be used depending on weather and observing conditions.
The meeting location is confirmed before each workshop.
Discover the smaller side of nature by photographing flowers, fungi, insects, spiders, and the countless details that often go unnoticed.
This workshop covers close-up focusing techniques, depth of field, lighting, composition, and practical methods for producing sharp macro images both handheld and with support equipment.
Regular workshops are held at local parks and nature reserves throughout the Metro Detroit area.
Specific locations are confirmed before each workshop.
Photography in the field is unpredictable by nature. My job is to provide practical instruction, guidance, and individual attention throughout your workshop, but weather, wildlife, light, and other natural conditions are outside anyone’s control.
The following information applies to all regular Captured Wilderness photography workshops unless otherwise stated.
Your workshop fee covers photography instruction for the duration of the workshop, including practical guidance with camera settings, exposure, focusing, composition, field techniques, and other topics relevant to the workshop you have selected.
Small group workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants, allowing plenty of opportunity to ask questions and receive individual guidance throughout the workshop.
Private One-to-One workshops provide individual instruction tailored as far as practical to your experience, equipment, and the areas of photography you would particularly like to work on.
Workshop fees do not include transportation, accommodation, meals or refreshments, park admission or vehicle entry fees, parking fees, permits, equipment rental, or other personal expenses unless specifically stated otherwise.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the workshop location and for any costs associated with entering, parking at, or using the location.
Participants must provide their own photographic equipment. A DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera is required for all workshops.
Your camera should allow manual control of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, and you should bring at least one interchangeable lens appropriate to the type of photography being covered.
You do not need professional or expensive equipment. Entry-level DSLR and mirrorless cameras are perfectly suitable, provided they offer the necessary manual controls and interchangeable lenses.
Additional equipment recommendations will depend on the workshop. A longer telephoto lens may be useful for wildlife photography, for example, while macro photography will require suitable close-focusing equipment. Night sky photography will generally require a suitable wide-angle lens and a sturdy tripod.
Participants should also come prepared for the expected conditions, including suitable clothing and footwear, drinking water, weather protection, and any personal items they may require during the workshop.
If you’re unsure whether your camera, lenses, or other equipment are suitable for a particular workshop, please use the Ask About This Workshop button before booking. I’ll be happy to discuss what you already have and whether it is suitable for the workshop you’re considering.
Film cameras, fixed-lens cameras, instant cameras, and smartphones are not suitable for these workshops.
Workshops take place outdoors and may involve walking over uneven ground, trails, grass, sand, mud, snow, or other natural surfaces depending on the location, season, and weather.
If you have mobility concerns or other requirements that may affect your ability to participate, please contact me before booking. I can provide information about the expected conditions and terrain so you can make an informed decision about whether a particular workshop and location will be suitable.
Wild animals don’t work for Captured Wilderness, don’t read schedules, and have absolutely no interest in whether we’ve arranged a photography workshop.
Wildlife sightings, animal behavior, weather conditions, clear skies, sunsets, astronomical conditions, and specific photographic opportunities cannot be guaranteed.
Workshop locations, dates, and times are selected to provide reasonable opportunities based on the type of photography being taught, but nature ultimately decides what conditions we encounter.
The purpose of the workshop is to teach practical techniques and field skills that can help you recognize and make the most of the photographic opportunities that do present themselves.
Small group workshops require a minimum of three participants to proceed and are limited to a maximum of six participants.
If fewer than three people have booked a group workshop, the workshop may be postponed or cancelled. Participants affected by a postponement or cancellation will be contacted before the scheduled workshop.
Ready to join a workshop? Booking your place is quick and easy.
Click the Book Your Workshop button below to open the online booking system, where you can choose the workshop you’re interested in and request a place.
At present, regular workshops are conducted on Saturdays and Sundays. Available dates are shown during the booking process.
Group workshops require a minimum of three participants. If fewer than three people book a workshop, it may be postponed or cancelled. If this happens, you’ll be contacted as soon as possible to discuss the available options.
Payment can be made online during booking, or on the day of the workshop by cash or credit/debit card using my Square™ terminal.
If you’re unsure which workshop is right for you, or you have any questions before booking, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
