Galapagos Workshop
Evolution Through the Lens: Galápagos Islands Wildlife Photography Workshop
- Subjects: Iguanas, Tortoises, Boobies, Penguins, Lava Lizards, landscapes, and more
- Instructors: Paul S. Hamilton, PhD and Michael Lustbader
- Enrollment: 4-12
Check back in a couple months for the announcement of our latest dates and itinerary!
Join us in the enchanted Galápagos Islands, where "evolution's workshop" becomes your workshop for capturing spectacular images of nature! Our Galapagos experience offers unbeatable opportunities for spending time with some of the most outlandish creatures in the world. With our small group sizes, decades of instructional expertise, and scientific perspective, we offer peerless educational benefits to participants.
You will fly to Quito, Ecuador, spend a quick night and then head off for the islands. Once arrived on the Galápagos, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station with great close up possibilities of giant Galápagos tortoises and other unique island fauna. After spending the first night in Puerto Lopez, the next 8 days will be spent on board the Samba, a tourist superior yacht with all the amenities you might expect.
Get prepared for innumerable opportunities for capturing spectacular images of iconic Galápagos species, such as giant tortoises, Darwin's finches, three species of boobies, marine iguanas, pelicans, sea lions, frigate birds, albatross, tropic birds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, ghost crabs, Galápagos herons and more. Stunning landscapes and seascapes of shorelines, lava formations, mangrove forests, and reefs are just of few of the printable images you can come back with. Snorkeling will be available almost every day for unique perspectives below the sea to view hundreds more species.
Expeditions are led by Paul S. Hamilton, PhD, and Michael Lustbader. Paul is an evolutionary ecologist who applies photography to both scientific and artistic realms. His work has been featured in hundreds of print and online publications, including those of National Geographic, New Scientist, Nature Magazine, and The Guardian, among many others. His artwork is also displayed in the homes of over 100 clients. Trained in evolutionary ecology, with 15 years of university teaching experience, and respected for his patience with subjects and students alike, he is uniquely suited for teaching the natural history of the Galapagos. He has been traveling to and capturing images of Ecuador for the past 10 years. Paul will also be offering dSLR video instruction to those interested.
Michael has been working as a photographer for 30 years. His images of the natural world have been published by National Geographic Publications, Audubon, Sierra Club, Eastman Kodak, Oxford Scientific Films, and literally hundreds of other book, calendar, and paper products world-wide. Michael co-authored "Close-up Photography--Capturing Nature's Intimate Landscapes" and "How to Photograph Close-ups in Nature". He has also just completed "Butterfly Dreams—The Seasons through Haiku and Photographs", a compilation of his images paired with original translations of traditional Japanese haiku. See Michael's article on Galápagos photography here.
Best of all, 100% of proceeds from your registration fees go back into our organization to help with our important work in conservation ecology.
See our itinerary and participant information here!
Travel & Expenses
Cost: $4,500 ($4,000 for current registered students or non-photographer participants), $800 deposit to hold your spot.
Covered expenses: All ground transportation once you hit the ground in Quito, Ecuador, including airport transport and ground transport on the islands. All accommodations and food, including that in Quito and on the islands, 7 nights boat accommodations. Personalized services of instructors, guides and assistants.
Not covered: Air transportation to Quito, Ecuador, and from Quito to Baltra airport in the Galápagos; $100 National Park entrance fee, $42 airport exit tax, snorkeling equipment, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, tips.
To give you the finest quality experience and maximum attention, we take a maximum of 12 participants per trip, so sign up soon!