Summer is here! It’s been relatively cool in the Pacific Northwest recently, but I’m not complaining as it also hasn’t been overly rainy, making for good conditions to spend some time working in my garden recharging the batteries after what has been a busy 2023.
The year started off on the road in Bangladesh and Thailand, with the later providing shots of clouds of bats emerging from their tunnel colony that will be in my upcoming book Wild Lives, releasing this fall. From there it was off to Japan, and then a later engagement in the northern mountains of India in search of the elusive snow leopard for that same project.
Of course, it wouldn’t be spring without workshops here at home in our beautiful United States. Perennial favorite Abstract Astoria was once again on the agenda and if a more creative and/or abstract workshop is on your to-do list, there are plenty of upcoming events and workshops coming up on both U.S. coasts to check out.
We went coast to coast, with workshops in Joshua Tree, Moab, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Finally, a specially mention for everyone who joined me at my home in Seattle and then for our Creative Sessions weekend. We had a great time, and I look forward to doing it again in the future. Enjoy the photos and have a fantastic summer!
Summer is near, and I’m feeling it in Seattle! Coming off a fantastic weekend workshop that began last Friday evening with a meet and greet at my home, I came away feeling invigorated after working with everyone who joined.
We added some smaller-group workshops to our events page – and they immediately sold out. If this is something that interests you, we will work with you to figure something out when my schedule allows. The up-side of these smaller trips are more one-on-one time as well as having accommodations and transportation resolved for you.
For the spontaneous adventurer who can get themselves here at the end of the week, one spot remains to join us on the Olympic peninsula. Who is us? Myself, my long-time shooting partner Gavriel Jecan, and office superstar Libby Pfeiffer who assembles these fantastic opportunities.
The Columbia river gorge is one of the most iconic locations on the west coast, and there are a few spots left to join Gav and myself here in early June. While we will have plenty of opportunities to capture the vistas, waterfalls and temperate rainforest of the area our goal here is to use this naturally beautiful location to dial into the abstract. This is something I’ve taught myself to do over decades, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than teaching it to you.
Before the summer wraps up, I’ll be returning to Katmai, Alaska – home to the bear that adorns the cover of my upcoming book, Wild Lives. We’ve been working with the same folks on the ground (and in the air!) for a long time now, and I always look forward to the two weeks we spend teaching workshops here. We are fast approaching the time of year when the last few spots for these opportunities fill up – so don’t miss out and sign up today!
Teaching what I love to do is my passion and the breakthroughs that happen on our workshops are, simply put – awesome. Being able to pass on a lifetime of learning is why I do this!
You know what I loved about this latest “Winter in Japan” workshop? The Snow! Meaning snow was falling as we photographing in various locations. It made for great conditions at the snow monkey hot springs farther north in Hokkaido. It was positively magical with the iconic Japanese cranes; the world looked like a shaken snow globe. Using a faster shutter speed really emphasizes the snowflakes. Depending on the light conditions, I was using ISOs between 2000 and 4000 with my favorite 100-500mm lens.
10. The Moab region has so much to offer and we have park permits to conduct our workshop in both Canyonlands and Arches NP’s. This is a fantastic place to capture the beautifully sculpted rock formations and stars at night!
9. Check two National Parks off your bucket list. Do you have a National Parks passport? Maybe it’s time to get one and start visiting the sites of “Americas Best Idea!”
8. Our diverse itinerary includes a variety of locations; finding abstracts in reflections along the edges of the river, some of my favorite petroglyphs and pictographs, and of course night sessions.
7. Moab is a small town that relies on tourism to fuel its needs, great food and we plan to share some fantastic meals together!
6. Critiques – what good is a workshop if you’re not there to do a little work? I’ll be giving critiques of your photos as we review them and discuss!
5. Limited to just 8 participants, this retreat is designed to combine the best aspects of a relaxing vacation, inspiring seminar, and hands-on workshop all in one exquisite trip.
4. If you’re a movie buff, this location should be on your bucket list. Movies such as Thelma and Louise and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade filmed scenes here.
3. Mid-March is the perfect time to visit, when things are warming up from the cold winter, yet haven’t reached the scorching days of summer. With a bonus of snow capped LaSal mountain peaks making a great background.
2. Of course, hands-on instruction and educational lectures. I love to teach!
1. Adventuresome learning! I work hard to make sure everyone comes away from these workshops feeling better about and more enriched by their photography skills.
Things have really picked up this year in terms of international travel – from Brazil to Morocco, a couple tours in Africa, and all manner of points in between. It’s been good to get back to traveling again with new faces and old friends and I’m looking forward to the coming year!
Several new workshops have been posted on my events page, a few with early bird specials to save a few bucks. I’ll be adding more later in the year as well, so check my events page often for up to date opportunities.
Here’s what’s on the agenda so far – sign up before they fill!
A couple of weeks ago I outlined my upcoming U.S. Workshops – now it’s time to let you know about the international tours we’ve got coming down the pike for the rest of 2022 and into 2023!
There’s one spot left for one lucky guy to join us in Namibia and Botswana at the end of August – a male required due to the sharing of accommodations. We’ve got an excellent guide on tap for some exclusive wildlife viewing opportunities. Of course, Namibia is about it’s unique landscape as well, and we will have plenty of opportunities to photograph it, including a night session in Sossusvlei. Botswana is all about the wildlife – elephants, big cats and more! Come for one or both tours.
Spend Halloween in Oaxaca, Mexico celebrating the Day of the Dead festivities in this colorful location among it’s friendly people. For locals, the Day of the Dead is a mystical experience personal to those whom remember loved ones passed. It’s hard to describe this combination of solemn reverence and celebratory revelry until you experience it for yourself.
In February, we’ll be returning to Japan, where the winter weather sets the scene for wildlife and scenery that creates the proverbial winter wonderland. From bustling cities to remote wildlife locations, we’ll get a bit of everything. Macaques, swans, and more await!
Happy Friday-Before-The-Fourth of July! There is a lot going on here in the USA, but one thing remains constant – beautiful locations, scenic views, and amazing wildlife! over the next year or so I’ve got several US-based workshops and photo retreats to sign up for – reserve your spot today and join me in the field and take your photography to the next level!
Art Wolfe Live returned this week with a special look at Katmai, Alaska and the bear tours Art leads annually to this unique location. We run multiple tours here because demand is high. The first trip in August is nearly sold out! However there are still a few spaces remaining for the second tour that begins right on it’s heels – reserve your spot today!
For even more information on this location, check out the Top 10 Reasons to Join a Katmai Bear Tour – and have a listen and enjoy the images of Where’s Art with Mitch Stringer!
It’s Wildlife Workshop Wednesday! I have several upcoming photo journeys which will have great wildlife viewing opportunities: Madagascar, Mongolia, Katmai Alaska, Botswana, Namibia, Mount Rainier, Japan, and Glacier Bay Alaska. Join me on a trip – visit the events page or click on a specific trip below for more information!
Looking for something fun and unique for the matriarch in your life!? If you can be in the PNW next weekend, give mom the gift of . . . me! I’ll be at the Portland Art Museum next Thursday, May 12th at 7 PM giving a presentation inspired by my latest book, Night On Earth. I’ll have books available to sign and sell – come enjoy the show and say hello!
This presentation is chock full of the stories behind the photographs, both in terms of my concepts, technical considerations, and of course plenty of anecdotes and stories from my travels – everything mom might be used to seeing on Travels to the Edge, only live on-stage!
Mongolia Eagle Hunters, Shamans & Naadam Games
Katmai Alaska Workshop
Namibia Photo Journey
Botswana Premier Predators & Elephant Photo Safari
Mt. Rainier Fall Color Workshop
Glacier Bay Exclusive Yacht Tour with Art Wolfe
