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Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023
Known as the crown jewel of Central America, Costa Rica is a photographer’s dream destination and one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. While the country has only about 0.03% of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. With nearly twenty-five percent of the country’s land area contained in national parks and protected areas, it boasts the largest percentage of protected areas in the world. Dotted by white sand beaches along its coastlines, this land’s lush, green forests are filled with incredible scenery and over 840 species of beautiful birds! Many unique mammals like the Three-Toed Sloth also make their home in Costa Rica along with striking frogs, flamboyant lizards and colorful snakes. You’ll travel through the country’s diverse climate zones in our own private chartered vehicle photographing these varied species in their native habitats. We will have an expert local naturalist as our guide who will aid us with his intimate knowledge of the land and its incredible wildlife. All of hotels and lodges that we stay in hold a Certificate of Sustainable Tourism. In order to qualify for this award, the hotel must practice conservation in three areas. The resort must be environmentally conscious by ensuring any activity minimizes damage to the environment (flora, fauna, water, soils, energy use, contamination, etc.) and work to benefit the region in a positive way through protection and conservation. This exclusive tour is limited to only 8 participants ensuring that you’ll have the best experience possible. Join us for this premium tour and experience a true tropical paradise, it will fill you with awe and wonder every day!
ITINERARY
Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023
* In order to provide participants with the best photographic opportunities the itinerary is subject to change based on weather, lighting and other variables.
DAY 1: February 1st, 2023 – SAN JOSE
After your arrival into Juan Santamaria International Airport a private transport will take you to your hotel in San Jose. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of our hotel. I’ll have a Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours (NOWtours) sign on the table to help you locate our group. There we will get to know each other and discuss our itinerary and the exciting days ahead. Overnight in San Jose.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 2: February 2nd, 2023 – SAN JOSE to BOCA TAPADA
– All Meals Provided
The day will start with a nutritious breakfast and depart right after to our first destination. Our ride in the private chartered bus will take us to the lowlands of the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The route will take us throughout the countryside and farming areas. After our arrival you will have time to roam the grounds and explore for a bit while the multi-flash setup is put into place. We will start right off with a hummingbirds in flight session capturing numerous species in incredible action poses. Following our shoot you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before moving on to our evening accommodations.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 3: February 3rd, 2023 – BOCA TAPADA
– All Meals Provided
Today we will have a full day shooting tropical birds. Boca Tapada is an amazing destination that literally can guarantee so many beautiful birds. Our day will start with an early shooting session before breakfast at our hotel. At mid-morning one half of the group will have an amazing Snakes photo session. In the afternoon we will continue with the Toucans, Aracaries, Tanagers, etc. At night we will enjoy a delicious dinner, and right after dinner the other half of the group will go to shoot Bats in flight!
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 4: February 4th, 2023 – BOCA TAPADA
– All Meals Provided
Today we will again have a full day shooting tropical birds. At mid-morning the other half of the group will have their amazing Snakes photo session. In the afternoon we will all continue with the Toucans, Aracaries, Tanagers, etc. at the feeding stations. At night we will enjoy a delicious dinner, and right after dinner the other half of the group will go to shoot their Bats in flight session.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 5: February 5th, 2023 – BOCA TAPADA to SARAPIQUI
– All Meals Provided
Right after breakfast we will depart to Cope’s place, we will have a visit to a little Rainforest area looking for some birds and amazing bats, then we will spend the afternoon at his setup place where we will photograph some new birds including 4-6 new hummingbird species.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 6: February 6th, 2023 – SARAPIQUI to TALAMANCA
– All Meals Provided
It is time to change destinations to the Cloud Forest of Costa Rica. This area will offer a completely new variety of species and photo opportunities. Here we will photograph beautiful hummingbirds to the amazing Quetzal. On the way we will stop for a macro photo session of frogs. There will be no less than 6-8 different types of frogs in their natural habitat with a controlled environment for photography. You will see the famous “Red-eyed Leaf-frog” to the mini “Glass frogs” whose bodies are transparent. For those who don’t have a macro lens, we will work also with composition using the flowers and different elements that we will find at this amazing place. After our frog session we will continue on to the cloud forest.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 7: February 7th, 2023 – TALAMANCA
– All Meals Provided
After a good night’s sleep everyone will be ready for another photography adventure! This time our morning starts with the Famous Quetzal Quest. We will spend the entire morning looking for and shooting the amazing Resplendent Quetzal. In the afternoon there will be one more session of hummingbirds in flight and highland bird photography to complete our day.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 8: February 8th, 2023 – TALAMANCA to TARCOLES
– All Meals Provided
Time to move on to a new destination! Today we will go from the highlands to the lowlands of the Pacific side. But before leaving we will have the last hummingbirds in flight session, this time in the highlands with new hummer species. Lunch will be served at the lodge and we will depart right after in order to arrive late afternoon to our new location.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 9: February 9th, 2023 – TARCOLES
– All Meals Provided
Today we will spend the entire day out of the Lodge. Early morning we will get ready to continue shooting, this time we will take a boat that will take us along the Tarcoles River looking for birds such as Boat- billed Herons, Caracaras, Lapwings, etc. there is also a good population of American Crocodiles giving us a great opportunity to photograph them as well. Later we might get many different species from the Tropical dry forest, plus some other species like the Lesser-ground Cuckoo, puff birds, and others.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 10: February 10th, 2023 – DEPART COSTA RICA
– Breakfast Provided
After breakfast at the Lodge in Tarcoles a private transfer will take you to Juan Santamaria International Airport with a new group of friends, wonderful experiences and memory cards loaded full of image files to remember it all by. Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport you will check in for your flight home or continue on to the next destination. Bon Voyage!
CANCELLATION POLICY
Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023
This cancellation policy protects our business losses and as such is strictly adhered to. Exceptions will not be made. We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip. At his discretion, Nathaniel may lead the tour even if it does not meet the minimum number of participants required.
1). Cancel more than one year prior to the original tour start date:
Full refund, minus any initial deposit and all PayPal transaction fees. Refunds will be paid via PayPal and processed within 72 hours of the request being approved.
2). Cancel less than one year prior to the original tour start date:
A refund will only be issued if the tour is sold out and your vacated spot filled by another participant signing up. This refund would exclude your initial deposit, single supplement payments and any PayPal transaction fees.
* Should you fail to complete the payments as scheduled for this tour you will forfeit your deposit, all payments and your spot on this tour.
** You’ll be promptly notified and provided a full refund (including your deposit) should the tour be canceled by Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours.
TRAVEL PLANNING
Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023
• Participants must arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica prior to 11:59pm on February 1st, 2023!
• We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip.
• Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event, beyond our control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, over bookings by the lodge, where a change is required, we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed on to the participant.
PAYMENTS & REGISTRATION
Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023
February 1st, 2023 – February 10th, 2023
SOLD OUT! (Maximum 8 Participants)
6,495 USD – Based On Double Occupancy- $1,500 Non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot
- $1,000 Single Supplement charged to any participant not sharing
* A late fee of $250 may be added to the balance for any payments not received by the due date.
Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023
INCLUDED
1. Accommodations For 10 Days and 9 Nights (Double Occupancy)
2. All meals from the first full day until breakfast on departure day
3. Ground transportation during tour
4. Pro Photographer Mentoring by Nathaniel Smalley
5. Use and Instruction with multi-flash setup
6. Techniques for creating stunning macro photographs
7. Guiding by expert local biologist and photographer
8. National Park fees and passes
9. All Hotel and airport transfers
10. Private driver for our group
11. Drop off to Juan Santamaria International Airport
12. Great images and lifelong memories
EXCLUDED
1. Airline Flights
2. Meal in San Jose on day of arrival
3. Snacks
4. Water, Beverages or Alcohol
5. Travel, Equipment or Health Insurance
6. Visas and passport fees (where applicable in preparation for your travel)
7. Items of a personal nature
8. Gratuities for hotel staff and local guide
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WHAT TO BRING
1. Camera with manual mode capability
2. Extra camera batteries & charger
3. Camera Flash with diffuser
4. Telephoto lens & Macro Lens (Possibly a Landscape Lens 24-70mm or 70-200mm range)
5. Lens filters of your choice (ND, CPL, GRAD, etc.)
6. Sturdy tripod
7. Warm weather clothes (Highs can reach 90°F with low temperatures of 50°F – based on elevation.)
8. Rain Jacket for you and your camera
9. Waterproof Hiking Boots
10. Sunhat & Sunscreen
11. Insect repellent
DIFFICULTY
This is an outdoor nature photography tour, so being fit and in good health will allow you to enjoy the trip more comfortably. However, our planned activities should be within the ability of most people in moderate to good shape.
Participants are required to sign a standard medical and waiver of liability form. Every effort is made to keep participants safe during all stages of the tour, but each person is solely responsible for avoiding personal injury or damaging their equipment during the trip.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Costa Rica 2023 was my first destination with NOW Tours. Their diverse itinerary guaranteed a broad range of bird and wildlife species, climates and terrain. Every detail, from Nathaniel’s choice of quality local guides, to accommodations that ranged from luxurious to simple, (each serving delicious meals) was well planned and coordinated. The many customized photo ops balanced with free time was a perfect combination for me as an intermediate level photographer. Although this tour was not billed as a workshop, I learned soooo much from Nathaniel’s generous sharing of knowledge. From camera settings to creative technique and positioning, Nathaniel and his team offered us the best chances of getting photos we could be proud of, yet we always had the freedom to do our own thing and opportunities to wander and explore during our downtime in environments where we could feel totally safe at all times. Since most of Nathaniel’s clients are referrals from other happy clients, it was no surprise that everyone in the group was warm, inclusive and fun! A highlight for me was our time spent in the mountains – Costa Rica’s beautiful cloud forest region – where we were graced with the appearance of the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal! This was not a guaranteed sighting – we’d heard of other groups who’d come and not glimpsed them at all. Once we arrived at a prime location, as always, Nathaniel gave us the best viewing positions and made sure we were set up properly before he took his own place. And then we waited. To our delight, a juvenile male appeared, then an adult female, and finally a mature male materialized in full breeding plumage! Although I’d seen photos before, being there in person to admire his long covert feathers gracefully wafting with the breeze was mesmerizing! I experienced several magical moments like this in Costa Rica for which I am immensely grateful. If, as the famous saying goes, genius is 98% perspiration and 2% inspiration, I wholeheartedly attribute 98% of the success of my Costa Rica visit to the many years of hard work that Nathaniel and his team at NOW Tours has dedicated to curating and refining it. Because of their expertise, level of care and personal attention to detail, I know that every location that I travel with them in the future will be just as amazing and I highly recommend them!”
~ Frances F. | Idaho, USA
“For anyone who has gone on a group photography trip, there’s that feeling you get on day one of orientation – a vibe if you will – sitting among fellow travelers, introducing yourself, and listening to the leader talk through the itinerary and logistics. It is this vibe that will likely weave itself into every day of the trip that follows, and which will resonate with you long after the trip has ended. Imagine, then, experiencing a vibe that continually buoys you, excites you, and inspires you every single day of a photographic journey, and which remains etched into your psyche long after you’ve returned home. This is exactly how I feel after taking one of Nathaniel Smalley’s trips. Long after my most recent trip with him to enchanting Costa Rica (2022), for example, I can still readily summon up the extraordinary sights and sounds of its fauna and flora, the food that wowed my tastebuds, and the people who taught me the meaning of “Pura Vida.”
How does such a great experience come about? We know it’s not just about place, but about a trip leader’s vision and its execution. In this respect, Nathaniel embodies the hallmarks of the ideal tour leader, with his meticulously planned itineraries, his partnerships with passionate, talented local experts, his extensive knowledge of the natural world, his incomparably generous way of helping others improve their photography, his engaging, optimistic personality and infectious sense of humor, and his gift for making every client feel special and heard.
Traveling with Nathaniel, you’ll be so absorbed in the moment that everything else will fall by the wayside, thanks to how he manages details large and small. For me, this marks a true, first-rate adventure—the rare and privileged opportunity to fully connect with a special place and its people, to become open to receiving what nature is willing to reveal, and to capture in camera what the mind and heart are experiencing. And imagine all this unfolding alongside fellow attendees who share your passion for unique experiences, knowledge, and camaraderie, allowing you to leave the trip a better photographer—and a better person—than when you arrived.”
~ Mary K. | Massachusetts, USA
“Participating in this Costa Rica photo tour was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! EVERYTHING was taken care of from start to finish, and the personal attention that was given to each one of us was above and beyond expectations. All the accommodations were beautiful and so well thought out as to ensure an unforgettable experience. Our very knowledgeable guide was an exceptional photographer who was very giving with his advice and knowledge of not only photography, but of everything Costa Rica. Our driver and all the local guides on the ground worked so hard to round out this incredible adventure. We saw a multitude of different bird species along with other very cool animals; and the individual workshops from flying Hummingbirds to Bats were super fun!! I received insightful and helpful instruction that I will forever carry over into my photography here at home. I not only had the best time ever, but I learned so much! The other participants in the workshop were incredibly nice to be around and very generous with helpful advice when I was unsure of settings, etc. (which was quite often). An experience like this is amazing, but it’s the people you share it with that make it truly special. Nobody in the group knows this, (not even Nathaniel), but at one point while we were all photographing a plethora of colorful bird species that call Costa Rica home, I became so overwhelmed with gratitude, I had to fight back tears. I know that the insights and lessons learned on this trip has changed my life and I am forever grateful. Nathaniel’s sincere patience and caring customer service alongside an awesome itinerary made this experience something I will NEVER forget.”
~ Rene C. | Arizona, USA
“My experience on the photo tour to Costa Rica in 2023 with Nathaniel Smalley was wonderful and engaging. Through Nathaniel’s hard work and dedication you are provided many opportunities to photograph different and exotic animal species. There were a few great surprises along the way too! You never know exactly what you might see on a tour of this nature, but what you can be sure of is some perfectly orchestrated photo opportunities paired with the delight of some unexpected sightings as well. Go with an open mind and you are sure to have a great time!”
~ Wendy S. | North Carolina, USA
“I’ve done a lot of photography and wildlife tours in various places (Africa, Nepal, Europe, Alaska, etc.) and Nathaniel’s February 2022 Costa Rica Tour is right up there with the best. It exceeded my expectations for all the different settings and species we encountered, the guiding and photography support, and the number of ‘keepers’ I came away with. Nathaniel and his crew are easy to travel with and are extremely knowledgeable, offering the right support for everyone from the beginner to the serious advanced amateur. They make sure you’re where you need to be to see Hummingbirds, Bats, Tree Frogs, Toucans, Resplendent Quetzals and much more. If you want wildlife photography, sign up, you can’t go wrong.”
~ Daniel S. | Oregon, USA
“Costa Rica 2023 was a feast for the eyes! Nathaniel planned this tour to take in various habitats from rain forests and cloud forests to coastal regions, enabling us to encounter quite a variety of creatures. He put his heart and soul into making this adventure a memorable experience for all. And, when he comes up with a surprise outing, you can be sure it will be special! The sloth simply made my day! Thank you Nathaniel for going above and beyond!”
~ Nancy A. | North Carolina, USA
“Nathaniel Smalley’s photography tours are awesome. Our first trip was his Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour in Autumn 2021. That trip was so amazing! This past February (2022), we went with Nathaniel again, this time to take pictures of birds and wildlife in Costa Rica. Along the way we also got pictures of amazing, unique flowers. Everything Nathaniel does on his tours he does really well. The accommodations and food are always great. His choices of places to take pictures on the tours are diverse and interesting in their own right, along with being great places to take pictures. The two trips we have been on have been attended by both photographers who really knew what they were doing with great equipment as well as those with less experience and simpler camera setups. He helps us all, whatever our experience and equipment level, to take some of the best pictures of our lives. Besides that, Nathaniel is a really great guy and so much fun to be around. Highly recommended!”
~ David H. | Ohio, USA
“I had the good fortune to travel to Costa Rica with Nathaniel in 2022. What a magnificent trip! The variety of birds was amazing and the amount of time in different locations was just right. Don’t hesitate if you are thinking about this trip, it is special!”
~ Muriel M. | Idaho, USA
“Costa Rica 2022 was an amazing tour! I just went through the Costa Rican bird book that Nathaniel provided us and was amazed at how many of the birds we saw, along with the frogs, crocodiles and bats! The guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful at every location we visited. The way they hosted us at their homes was very sweet and gracious. Nathaniel ensured the collegiality of the group was positive and fun. There was no end to incredible food on this tour, and fresh hearts of palm, no less! This was our second trip with NOW Tours and Nathaniel was so thoughtful in always keeping my husband and I paired up during group shooting sessions. We can’t wait until the next destination with NOW Tours!”
~ Debra H. | Ohio, USA
“Nathaniel arranged an incredible tour of Costa Rica. We saw a lot of the country including rain forests and my favorite, cloud forests. He selected an in-country biologist to accompany us which really added to the trip. While Nathaniel is very knowledgeable in his own right about the subjects we were photographing, it was a special touch that added to the trip both in depth on the subjects, the land, the importance of Costa Rica to the bird migrations as well as culturally. We had so many species to photograph, and a lot of laughs too. Very memorable. Nathaniel is great at helping to ensure you walk away with great photos as well as memories.”
~ Ann N. | Arizona, USA
“Costa Rica was my second trip with Nathaniel (Iceland previously), and this was an amazing experience. It was well organized and I was able to take many photos that I’d hoped to get. I also really enjoyed the opportunities to photograph so many different species and with setups that created truly wonderful images. The local guide & driver were great and our accommodations on the road were fabulous.”
~ Beverly H. | California, USA
“Nathaniel’s level of organization and attention to detail made my trip stress free and highly enjoyable. It was easy to concentrate on what I enjoy most, photographing wildlife. I was consistently put in position to get great shots, and had no need to worry about details like lodging, meals, and transportation. Everything was taken care of. The best compliment I can give is that I trust Nathaniel, and you can be assured that you will leave one of his trips with a memory card full of wonderful images. Thank you for restoring my faith in photo workshops!”
~ Mike F. | Pennsylvania, USA
“I recently attended Nathaniel’s Tropics of Costa Rica Workshop, which was both exciting and exhilarating. Nathaniel’s workshop also fired my passion for wildlife photography (especially birds). Nathaniel is undoubtedly the consummate workshop organizer, as shown by his meticulous attention to fine detail including his choices of driver and guide. The fact that all meals, accommodation and transportation were taken care of allowed the participants to concentrate on the photographic aspects of the workshop. Nathaniel also had selected a wonderful guide to accompany us throughout the workshop and who had an encyclopedic knowledge of Costa Rican botany, zoology, geology, history and biodiversity. I found Nathaniel to be a caring photographic mentor who was always ready to give advice when needed and who was extremely knowledgeable when dealing with processing issues in Lightroom and Photoshop. This was my first Nature Odyssey Worldwide workshop but it certainly will not be my last.”
~ Elliot K. | Maryland, USA
“The Costa Rica Photo Tour was a fabulous experience. I totally enjoyed the variety of habitats / environments and subjects that this trip offered. Nathaniel worked diligently throughout to insure that all of the participants had plenty of personal attention in every situation. We all came away with excellent photos thanks to this, as well as his insights.”
~ Cindy M. | Arizona, USA
“Wonders of Alaska 2017 was my first workshop with Nathaniel, but I’m sure it won’t be my last; he was as kind, caring and patient as he appears online. Nathaniel was extremely attentive during the entire workshop, he shared technical and artistic knowledge during shooting, spent time reviewing and editing files in the evenings so that we really learned as we went along, and were able to put the learning into practice while still on the workshop. The weather conditions were difficult at times, but Nathaniel’s experience and attention to his students meant that the group learned how to work around suboptimal lighting and we all went home with great photographs! I love bears and this trip afforded us hours of watching every day, not the usual glimpse here and there that I was used to in Yellowstone, we even got to watch a mom nurse her two cubs! I couldn’t have asked for more.”
~ Jackie H. | Texas, USA
“Nathaniel of Nature Odyssey Worldwide is wonderful. I observed him for almost a year before booking with him. He truly believes in the “leave no trace behind” principle, he does not like baiting animals for a shot and he limits his workshop sizes so that everyone gets time with him one-on-one. Before booking with him, I asked him questions and he was very kind and attentive. Another feature that I appreciated is that he took care of all of the accommodations and he checked every room before handing us our keys. He spends time helping each participant while processing pictures and he provides personal as well as group instruction. He is easy going and truly cares about all of us. It is important to feel very comfortable with the person who you book with and he/she should be approachable.”
~ Thea M. | Oregon, USA
“The Bryce Canyon Workshop was a fantastic experience for both improving my photographic skills, but also enjoying the beautiful scenery at Bryce Canyon Nation Park. The trip was well organized including providing detailed pre-departure information. Accommodations were awesome and included a comfortable conference room to allow for instruction by Nathaniel as well a post-processing of our images. Nathaniel’s instructions both at photo locations and during post-processing were excellent, providing ample personalized attention. Along with his experience and in-depth knowledge of both equipment and software my photographic skills both in capturing images and processing them greatly improved. I also appreciated his experience and knowledge on composition both in image capture as well as post processing. Photographic locations were plentiful and easily accessible at Bryce Canyon. The natural beauty at Bryce Canyon was just totally breathtaking and memorable especially looking down at the hoodoos while watching the sun bring life to the multitude of colors as well as listening to the wind blow through them. I would definitely take another workshop with Nathaniel and recommend that others strongly consider taking one of his workshops.”
~ Allan P. | Vermont, USA
“I just returned from Nathaniel’s Wonders of Alaska trip, he is a fantastic photo workshop leader. He is able to give his participants close attention which is so important on these trips. He is patient and takes the time to teach. He is kind and without attitude, which I have not found with other instructors. He makes sure to keep his trips small so he can ensure everyone is getting the personalized attention they need. He takes time to review pictures at the end of the day and to give feedback ensuring you are prepared for the next day. The photo book that he provides the participants of the trip is an added bonus! He makes everyone feel respected and welcome no matter what level of photographer they are. I really appreciated the effort and enjoyed reminiscing about the trip. The effort Nathaniel put forth for his guests did not go unnoticed! I highly recommend a workshop or safari with him.”
~ Mindy R. | California, USA
“My wife and I know a little bit about Norway. She’s Norwegian and grew up in the far north, above the Arctic Circle. I lived in Norway for several years before we moved, and moved again (long story). On a recent trip back to visit family, we decided to couple that with Nathaniel Smalley’s photo workshop in the Lofoten Islands. Uff da, but that was a good decision! He took us to some absolutely stunning locations and is a very effective teacher of landscape photography – including how to edit the photos you take. He keeps his groups small so he can provide lots of individual attention and coaching. We stayed at nice places, ate well (get ready to appreciate pickled herring and sweet brown goat cheese) (or not), and were catered to night and day. Nathaniel is easygoing, good at problem-solving, and quick to make everyone feel comfortable. We were also lucky with the weather on our trip. I don’t know if he can deliver more of that, but we would recommend him to others without hesitation. We came away with great experiences and also some pretty darn good photographs!”
~ Pete & Solvie H. | Oregon, USA
“I have taken many workshops over the years and have found that maybe one third of the instructors to be excellent teachers. Nathaniel is in that category. He is very patient, has an artist’s eye for composition, and an in depth knowledge of photographic technique. He spares no effort to make his trips as memorable as they could possibly be. Nathaniel’s workshop exceeded my expectations. He is very thorough covering photography concepts, composition, and post processing technique. It truly elevated the impact of my images. I would take another workshop from him in a heartbeat. Thank you Nathaniel!”
~ Aurora O. | Arizona, USA
“I have travelled to many countries around the world but I have to say that Norway (Lofoten Islands) was one of the most spectacular locations I have ever photographed. Nathaniel did an amazing job setting up our lodging, meals and transportation. The photo tour was packed with excursions to beautiful beaches, pristine waterfalls, quaint villages and yes, we were quite lucky to see the northern lights on three occasions! At every location, Nathaniel made sure that we had the right lens and filter for the scene and also checked our camera settings for correct exposure. In the evenings, we would spend hours on reviewing our photos, discussing composition and getting suggestions from Nathaniel for photo editing with Lightroom & Photoshop. All in all a photographers dream!!!”
~ Norm V. | Massachusetts, USA
“I signed up for the Lofoten tour led by Nathaniel on the spur of a moment, it fitted well with my remaining holiday dates at work and I am very pleased that I did. During the trip Nathaniel was great company and took us to most of the iconic locations in Lofoten for both sunrise and sunset shoots as well as Aurora hunting trips when conditions were suitable . The choice and location of the accommodations were great and the whole trip was a pleasure to be part of. My thanks to Nathaniel Smalley for all the hard work and countless hundreds of miles behind the wheel during the week. An excellent trip.”
~ Shaun Y. | Great Britain