Maine School of Nature Photography

Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour 2025

October 7, 2025 – October 17, 2025

 Maine

Only 6 Spots!

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Capturing The Spirit With Captive Wildlife

*Dates to be Announced

 Gray, Maine

 8 Spots Available (Max. 8 Participants)

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Mastering Macro Photography

*Dates to be Announced

 North Yarmouth, Maine

 8 Spots Available (Max. 8 Participants)

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To receive priority notification on upcoming photo tours, sign up for our mailing list by filling out the form via the mailing list tab in the main menu.

PRIVATE WORKSHOPS

Whether you are a beginner who has never taken their camera off the auto setting, or an amateur with a sound understanding of nature photography basics, Nathaniel will work along side you and help you make the leap into a new realm of nature photography. Here you’ll discover a host of creative possibilities, both in the field and the digital darkroom. Nathaniel focuses on creating an experience for you that will be both educational, informative and enjoyable. He makes every effort to ensure that your time together addresses all your questions. It is his goal that you take away the knowledge to create beautiful, compelling images and fond memories of time well spent.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Nathaniel has intimate knowledge of the best destinations in Maine. Based on the availability of his schedule he offers private guiding and photography instruction. With private instruction the format can easily be tailored to your specific needs and you will learn during all phases of your time with Nathaniel. Either way you’ll provided with guidance to technical aspects such as the secrets to strong composition; mastering depth of field for every situation; harnessing the light through exposure control; finding the correct color in the world of white balance; reading your histogram like a book; and how to maximize the capabilities of your equipment to get the results you want to see in your work. Nathaniel has built a portfolio showcasing images that span the wide spectrum of nature photography and not limit himself in a narrow, specialized category. So whether you want to shoot sweeping landscapes or detailed macro, wildlife or birds in flight, he has the experience in all areas to capture the image you want. That being said, all the technical know-how in the world doesn’t help if you can’t find alluring subjects. To this end Nathaniel will guide you to the best shooting locations at the right times, and provide decades of expertise, allowing you to get close to elusive wildlife. If you’re looking for a professional nature photographer who is a location specialist and offers personalized, attentive instruction this is the best option.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Private workshop bookings can be cancelled up to 60 days in advance for a full refund. For cancellations prior to 45 days a refunded of 50% of the total cost will be offered. Private workshop bookings cancelled under 30 days are non-refundable. Any accommodations that have been booked on behalf of the client for transportation or accommodations etc. are the financial responsibility of the private workshop participant.

PRIVATE WORKSHOP RATES

• 1 Participant:  $800/1st day
• 1 Participant:  $700/2nd day
• 1 Participant:  $600/3rd day

SEMI PRIVATE GROUP WORKSHOP RATES

• 2 Participants: $600/day per person
• 3 Participants: $550/day per person
• 4 Participants: $500/day per person

(Payable by Credit Card via PayPal)

* Pricing does not include any applicable travel fees, lodging, meals, or transportation expenses, which are the responsibility of the client for Nathaniel and themselves.

LIGHTROOM & PHOTOSHOP PROCESSING TUTORIALS via SKYPE

I offer in depth processing tutorials via Skype covering my workflow and processing technique. During a tutorial you will be able to follow along through the process thanks to screen share technology. This will allow you to see what I’m doing during each step of my personal workflow from start to finish. I’ll explain the process in detail and you can ask any questions you may have. I recommend starting with a two hour session, if you need more instruction we can schedule additional time. Follow up tutorials allow me to review your processing work after our initial session and offer critique. These sessions can be conducted with either my images or your own RAW files. Afterward you’ll be provided with a recorded a video of the tutorial and Photoshop PSD files from the images worked on. You will be able to reference this video as many times as needed and practice with it.

I live in Scarborough, Maine so sessions will be typically be scheduled during work hours for my respective time zone, however exceptions can be made to accommodate your needs.

*Each session is copyright protected and only for your personal education, it may not be transmitted or distributed in any format.

PRIVATE PROCESSING TUTORIAL RATES

• These lessons are available at a rate of $95 USD per hour

(Payable by Credit Card via PayPal).

HOW TO SCHEDULE

If you would like to book a private workshop with Nathaniel please provide your name, email address and phone number with any correspondence on the form below. Nathaniel will reply promptly to your inquiry to determine a course of action best suited to your photographic interests, as well as discuss availability. Should you have any specific questions feel free to include them in your email correspondence and he will be happy to address them in his response.

*Indicate whether you’d like to book a private workshop or Skype session along with the dates and times you would like to schedule. 

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Nathaniel Smalley was raised along the picturesque, coastal region of Maine where his love for the outdoors and photography developed at an early age. More than just another nature photographer, Nathaniel is also a passionate conservationist. Over the last three decades he has worked with numerous conservation and rehabilitation organizations, filling every role from volunteer, to serving as a board member. Nathaniel always adheres to the highest standards of ethics in nature photography and has published several articles on the topic. Nathaniel began working full time as a professional photographer in 2012 when he established his company, Nature Odyssey Worldwide. His hard work and professionalism was met with lots of early success and enabled him to build a dedicated base of workshop clients. Through his images Nathaniel has always strived to foster love and respect for the natural world by touching the heart of the viewer with its beauty. A few highlights from his extensive resume are listed below.

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CREDENTIALS   AND   PROFESSIONAL   ASSOCIATIONS

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• 2012 – Present: Owner of Nature Odyssey Worldwide

• 2020: Featured on Emmy award-winning show Arizona Wildlife Views

• 2014 – 2017: Ethics Committee Member for North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA)

• 2015 – 2017: Finalist Judge at Nature’s Best Photography Africa

• 2015 – 2018: Himalayan Snow Leopard Tour Leader for Big Animals Expeditions – Ladakh, India

• 2015 – 2017: Judge for ViewBug.com

• 2015 – 2016: Presentation/Speaker Scheduling Committee for Digital Imaging Group

• 2015: ‘Keynote Speaker’ invitation for Sedona Photofest 2015

• 2014 – Featured at the ‘100 Wonders of the World Exhibition’ in St. Petersburg, Russia

• 2014 – Present: Nikon Pro Services Member

• 2013 – 2014: Audubon Arizona Central Leadership Council

• 2013 – 2014: Maricopa Audubon Board of Directors

• 2013 – Present: Audubon Arizona Featured Photographer

• 2013: Juror for Wildlife Photography Competition – 1650 Gallery Los Angeles, CA.

• 2012: Finalist at Stanford Birding Photographic Competition in Cape Town, South Africa

• 2012: Winner of ‘Honorable Mention’ in National Wildlife Federation Photo Competition

• 2012 – Present: U.S.F.W.S. Wildlife Educator & Bird Handler Certification

• 2010 – Present: Member of North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA)

• 2009 – 2012: Volunteer Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility

• 1996-1998: Board Member AE Howell Wildlife Conservation Center

• 1994: Cornell University – Lab of Ornithology Bird Biology Course

WHERE TO SHOOT

Whether Maine is your home or you’re just visiting, this map will be a great resource in determining the location of your next shoot.

Feel free to contact us with other suggestions and we’ll continue to update the map listings.

MAINE NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY                                                                                                      Telephone (602) 770-3184

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