Bald Eagle Workshop Review with Travis Layton (Trav in the Bush)
Campbell River, British Columbia | July 10–12, 2025
A Personal Review
Quick note before we start
This review is based on my personal experience, and someone else’s experience may look completely different. I review workshops through the lens of my framework and criteria, which you can read here:
👉 https://www.mywildlifechronicles.com/journal/how-i-review-photography-workshops-and-the-framework-i-use
If you’re curious why I do workshops and why I review them, you can read that here:
👉 https://www.mywildlifechronicles.com/journal/why-i-do-photography-workshops-and-review-them
At a Glance
Travis Layton (Travis in the Bush)
Type: Workshop
Workshop instructor: Travis Layton (https://www.travinthebush.com/)
Primary subject: Bald eagles
Accommodations included?: No
Food included?: Box lunch on the boat only. Allergen needs are assessed in the pre-trip questionnaire.
Group size: 4 (three shooters and one spouse)
Shooting schedule: Midday
Physical demands: No walking or hiking, shooting from a boat, sometimes in choppy water
Overall feel: Shooting is intense because bald eagles are everywhere, but the workshop vibe was very supportive and casual. No pressure to perform. Just have fun.
Best fit for: New and experienced photographers who love bald eagles in flight and don’t mind shooting during midday light
What This Workshop Was
This was a bald eagle workshop located in the beautiful town of Campbell River, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. My husband, Trevor, and I took the opportunity to drive up from Spokane since neither of us had ever been to Vancouver Island, and we could make the drive in about 11 hours. It was a gorgeous drive. While I was at the workshop, Trevor hired a local fishing charter and came home with lingcod, rockfish, and salmon.
The workshop centered around what locals call “The Eagle Show.” Hundreds of eagles gather near a remote island outside of Campbell River during the hake migration. Strong currents push the fish to the surface, and the eagle feeding frenzy begins. It was intense, and the show absolutely did not disappoint.
The workshop ran for three days and followed a consistent structure: classroom-style sessions in the morning for a few hours, followed by afternoon shooting on the boat. This was exactly how the workshop was marketed. Travis’ description of what we would witness during this special event was accurate, and seeing hundreds of eagles feeding in high-speed tidal rapids was every bit as dramatic as promised.
Why I Chose This Workshop
I love watching online tutorials and YouTube videos when I’m learning something new, though it can definitely feel overwhelming with all the options out there. That said, I tend to narrow down my favorites fairly quickly, and Travis’ online style was one I gravitated toward naturally.
I started watching his YouTube videos (https://www.youtube.com/@travinthebush) and found him funny, relatable, and easy to learn from. One day in late February 2025, I decided to check out his website and discovered that he offered workshops. This was the first time it really clicked for me that I could go to a “wildlife photography school” of sorts. Ohhhh… it’s on. And I was excited.
At the time, I couldn’t find any online reviews of his workshops, so all I had to go on was his website and his content. I decided to reach out with questions galore (yes, I am that pre-sales person). Travis called me within about 20 minutes and spent time walking through what to expect and whether the workshop would be a good fit for me.
So why did I choose this as my first workshop? Being brand spanking new to wildlife photography, I thought birds in flight were supposed to be the ultimate goal (I think a little differently now). How could I go wrong with hundreds of BIF?
But more than that, Travis’ pre-sales support was warm, inviting, thoughtful, and prompt. That sealed the deal.
The Eagle Show off of Vancouver Island. Yes…all of those little dots in the distance are eagles!
Workshop vs Tour, and How That Shaped the Experience
I draw a clear distinction between workshops and tours. In my mind, workshops include intentional instruction alongside access to a location or species, while tours tend to focus primarily on access. Neither is inherently better, but the distinction matters to me because it shapes expectations around teaching, support, and learning.
Travis’ Bald Eagle Workshop was very clearly a workshop. We had class every morning for about 1.5–2 hours, and the classroom content evolved based on participant questions. While Travis came prepared with slides, he let conversations flow and adjusted based on what we wanted to learn.
The classroom sessions were held in a dedicated community center space that Travis had arranged ahead of time. He showed up each day with drinks and treats, which sounds small but mattered. He asked thoughtful questions to understand where each of us was in terms of experience, both in the field and in post-processing, and used that to guide discussion. We talked strategy, camera settings, and how to get the most out of what was coming later in the day.
Shooting on location on the boat at the Bald Eagle Workshop
Field instruction followed the same pattern. On the boat ride out, we talked through shooting ideas and ways to maximize our time on location. Once on site, Travis was constantly communicating shot opportunities and explaining what to look for. If you were having gear or settings issues, he was at your side immediately.
At one point, my Canon R5 Mark II (which I’d only had for a few weeks) started overheating. Even though Travis is a Nikon shooter, he was quickly online researching ways to help mitigate the issue. I felt incredibly supported.
One thing I really appreciated was how mindful Travis was of his own shooting. While I expect any workshop leader to take some photos (how could you not?), I don’t expect it to interfere with participant needs. Travis only shot when the group was settled and working independently, and even then he asked if we were okay with it. That felt thoughtful and respectful. Overall, the instruction was incredibly helpful and relatable.
Ethics
One thing to keep in mind is that when I booked this workshop, I had no idea wildlife photography ethics were even a thing and how much I would grow to care about it. Intuitively, I did know, however, that I wanted our subjects to be safe.
I do remember Travis mentioning during our pre-sales call that he was very aware of how popular the area was becoming during this seasonal event, and that he would continue offering the workshop only as long as operators remained non-disruptive. At the time, I thought he meant competition for shooting opportunities. I now understand that he was talking about wildlife impact.
There was no chasing or baiting, and Travis ensured we remained respectful. The shooting area was quite large, and while other operators were present, I never saw more than a handful at any given time. Looking back now, with a better understanding of wildlife ethics, nothing about the experience gives me pause.
There were many trees filled with bald eagles digesting and waiting to return to the feeding frenzy.
Time of Day and Light
Shooting during early morning or late evening wasn’t an option for this workshop. Because access to the shooting location depended on tides and boat safety, departure times were determined by the captain. All three days, we left around lunchtime and were back by late afternoon.
On the first day, the sun was quite bright, which helped with maintaining high shutter speeds. The second day was cloudy and rainy, and that ended up being my favorite day to shoot. I got my best images then.
If golden hour shooting is a requirement for you, this likely isn’t the right workshop. For me, understanding that distinction now is an important part of setting expectations.
Day 1 - Bright skies but still beautiful shots.
Day 2- Rainy but was so worth it.
Logistics
Lodging, breakfast, and dinner were not included in the workshop price. Lunch was provided on the boat. Trevor and I had no trouble finding an Airbnb in Campbell River and stayed in a lovely spot right on the water.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36238619?source_impression_id=p3_1772360094_P3mrLwfUDZwI8ewI
Boat transport was handled by Discovery West Adventures (https://www.discoverywest.ca/). Our captain, Josh, was fantastic. He knew the area incredibly well, shared a lot of information, and ran a clean, warm, sturdy boat with a bathroom. Travis made a great choice partnering with him. One thing to note is that you spend four to five hours per day on the boat, sometimes in choppy conditions. If you’re prone to seasickness, come prepared.
On the boat ran by Discovery West heading to the bald eagle workshop location.
Instruction Style
Travis’ teaching style is welcoming and approachable, much like his YouTube presence. He never made anyone feel silly for asking questions, no matter how basic.
Classroom instruction was optional and centered around Lightroom and culling, but the sessions were driven by participant interest rather than a rigid agenda. I appreciated that flexibility and felt that he met each of us where we were.
Workshop Culture and Group Dynamics
The group was very small, with only four participants total. Including Travis and Josh, there were six of us. It felt intimate and well managed. The dynamic was fantastic. I felt very welcomed, and there was no sense of competition, only collaboration. We laughed a lot and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company during the workshop.
On the third day, we all agreed we were a little burned out on bald eagles in flight (can you imagine?), and Travis and Josh adapted the plan to include breaching whales, caspien terns, and pigeon guillemots. It was a perfect way to end the workshop and added some welcome variety.
Travis’ attitude throughout the workshop set the tone for a culture focused on fun, learning, and mutual support.
Day 3 - Whale breaching
Day 3 - Caspien Tern
Day 3 - Pigeon Guillemot
Reflection
Communication before, during, and after the workshop was excellent. Travis was responsive, clear, and never seemed bothered by questions.
Travis and Karen - such a great couple!
Karen, Travis’ wife, joined us on two afternoons and added thoughtful touches, including a beautiful host gift. Overall, I felt very cared for during the entire experience, which matters deeply to me.
Would I do this workshop again? That is a yes for me. Even though the light was not ideal, I would do it again just to witness the Eagle Show AND hang out with Travis and Karen again! The instruction was strong, I felt supported, and I walked away with the confidence that I could actually do this.
In full transparency, I enjoyed the experience enough that I booked Travis’ Newfoundland workshop for July 2026. I’m excited to photograph puffins with both Travis and Karen.
It’s been fun to watch Trav in the Bush grow his online presence, and his workshops tend to sell out quickly now. If you are interested in doing one of his workshops, I suggest getting on his email list as he announces upcoming workshops to his subscribers first.
https://www.travinthebush.com/
Thanks for sticking with me through this review and we will see you next post!
Read my workshop review framework:https://www.mywildlifechronicles.com/journal/how-i-review-photography-workshops-and-the-framework-i-use
Read why I do workshops and why I review them:https://www.mywildlifechronicles.com/journal/why-i-do-photography-workshops-and-review-them
