Why I Do Photography Workshops — and Why I Review Them
I didn’t start photography because I wanted to be a wildlife photographer. I started because I wanted better photos of my grandson, Bear.
In October of 2024, I pulled a dusty old DSLR out of the closet, the kind that had been sitting untouched for years, and started using it again. As I began researching lenses and upgrades, I found myself going down the mirrorless camera rabbit hole and eventually purchased a Canon mirrorless system. At the time, my goal was simple: capture moments, memories, and milestones of the cute new addition to our family.
Wildlife photography wasn’t part of the plan.
My very first wildlife shot of a downy woodpecker!
Then, one day toward the end of 2024, I took my 70–200mm lens to a local park and wondered if I could photograph a bird. Yes, I truly thought 200mm was a “long lens.” I spent some time listening, watching, and awkwardly tracking a downy woodpecker. The photos were… not great. But the experience?
It was such a great time!
I remember calling my husband afterward and saying, “OMG… this is so much fun.” That moment changed everything.
In December of that same year, I bought a Canon RF 100–500L and, by February 2025, had signed up for my first wildlife photography class. I haven’t looked back since.
Learning Wildlife Photography the Hard Way (At First)
Once I decided I wanted to learn wildlife photography, I tried to figure it out on my own. That didn’t last long.
I quickly ran into three big challenges:
Where do I even find wildlife?
How do I gain real, practical experience with my camera in the field?
Where do I find other wildlife photographers to shoot with?
I’m a lifelong learner and genuinely enjoy structured learning environments, but wildlife photography doesn’t exactly come with a syllabus. I spent time wandering around on my own, hoping something would appear, often leaving empty‑handed and frustrated.
And to make it more complicated, I have a busy job. My time to shoot and learn was mostly limited to weekends. It was February in the Pacific Northwest, and as I laugh about now… wildlife doesn’t exactly make itself obvious that time of year.
I did find a local wildlife photographer who gave me a few lessons, and that helped immensely. It boosted my confidence, helped me better understand my camera, and introduced me to others in the local photography community. But I still struggled with consistency and access. I wanted more time in the field and more opportunities where wildlife was actually there.
The Moment Workshops Clicked
As I began following wildlife photography educators on YouTube (yes… I am that learner who consumes tons of online videos), I came across a few who offered hands-on, in-the-field experiences.
And I remember thinking:
“Oh wow… I could actually go to wildlife school.”
Workshops suddenly made sense.
They weren’t about shortcuts or buying great photos. They were about maximizing limited time, learning in the field, and being placed in situations where wildlife encounters were more likely, all while learning from someone with experience.
That realization marked the beginning of my workshop journey.
Walking Into My First Workshop
I was so nervous.
Of course, I chose a challenging workshop for my first one. Almost entirely birds in flight. At that point, I had only a handful of BIF shots, and most of them were questionable at best.
I was excited, but also deeply nervous. I worried I was too new. I worried I wouldn’t keep up. I worried I’d let myself down and walk away without learning much.
Instead, it turned out to be an incredible experience.
I learned more than I expected, gained confidence that I fully understood that I needed, and walked away knowing I was hooked. Not just on wildlife photography, but on learning it this way.
Bald eagle in flight taken at my very first wildlife photography workshop.
Why My Perspective Is Different — and Why That Matters
I’m still a newer photographer, and I see that as a strength.
I approach photography workshops the way I’d approach a college class. I’m paying for it, so I’m showing up prepared, asking questions, taking notes (sometimes literally), and trying to absorb as much information as possible.
Yes, walking away with great images matters, but for me, those images are a bonus. The real value is learning: understanding behavior, improving technique, refining ethics, and gaining confidence in the field.
Because I’m still learning, I notice things experienced photographers might overlook:
How clearly things are explained
Whether assumptions are made about prior knowledge
How accessible the instructor is
How logistics, accommodations, and support are handled
And — most importantly to me — whether our wildlife is handled ethically and respectfully
Why I Started Reviewing Workshops
As I began planning additional workshops for 2025 and 2026, I ran into a problem.
I struggled to find real, experience‑based information about workshops beyond testimonials on the instructor’s website. I could see beautiful portfolios (I would never attend a workshop led by someone whose work I didn’t admire), but I wanted to know more.
I wanted answers to questions like:
Did the workshop actually deliver what was promised?
Were wildlife encounters handled ethically?
How were the accommodations and logistics?
What was the communication like before and after the workshop?
Photography workshops are not cheap. And if you’re anything like me, you do a lot of research before clicking “pay deposit now.”
I realized that if I was already investing in these experiences and learning so much from them, I might as well share my honest experiences so someone else could benefit when deciding between workshops.
That’s why I started reviewing them.
Not to declare the “best” workshop. Not to tear anyone down. But to share what it was like from the perspective of someone still learning, who values ethics, preparation, and transparency.
What This Blog Is About
This blog is a chronicle of learning.
It’s about growth, curiosity, and navigating wildlife photography thoughtfully, especially as a newer photographer. My workshop reviews are simply one part of that journey, shared in the hope that they help someone else feel more informed, confident, and excited as they continue their own.
