Most of this workshop is very easy with short walks to our boat or photography location. It is helpful to have worked out your arms just a bit for a couple weeks prior to the workshop so you don't tire quickly on our lazy paddles. Our rooms are on the second floor, up one flight of stairs. Wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.

$3950, includes transportation to locations, lodging, all meals and snacks, guides and boats, rentals, park fees and license. Non-refundable deposit required $500. All additional payments are fully refundable 90 days prior to our trip start date. Final payment is due 90 days prior to workshop. Payments made in addition to the deposit are refundable if four or more photographers participate on the workshop. 

Not included:Transportation to the workshop, although we may be able to transport you to and from Shreveport airport (SHV) if you schedule your plane flights within the time windows we will provide for you. Trip insurance. Alcoholic beverages. Other specialty dietary items.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

We intend to have only four photographers per session. Increasing to five or six photographers requires room sharing, a larger van and an additional boat and captain. We have done this very successfully before as it does give more space in each boat without sacrificing personal attention. Ordinarily we do these medium sized groups only when they sign up together.

This workshop is recommended for photographers who have a moderate or better understanding of their camera operations. You should be able to adjust your own camera settings. Participants should have a level of fitness and balance which will make canoeing easier, although paddling around is not particularly difficult. You are likely to paddle less than one mile over a two hour period. While a great deal of freedom can be given to advanced photographers, my preference is to have a group with fairly equal skills so one individual is not demanding of all my time.

Post processing sessions will be given using Lightroom, Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw. If you use a different post processing system you will need to interpret our methods to work with your system.

Participants should not have back issues which can be exacerbated from canoeing and boat rides. One of our boat rides has a maximum weight allowance of 250 pounds, so if you weigh more than this, diet hard so you don't miss this amazing experience.

Equipment Recommendations - Film or digital format camera and tripod; a minimum length of telephoto of 200 mm is recommended, but you can take great photos with something a bit shorter. Wildlife photo opportunities will improve if you have a lens that is 300 mm or more. A full list of recommended equipment and gear will be sent out after receipt of your deposit.

Non-photographer participants. Non-photographer partners may be allowed to share rooms and meals. Your bed size may be limited to a double bed, however. A meals supplement of $500 will be charged. If our vehicle is not large enough to carry all participants and partners, you may have to arrange your own transportation. If a larger vehicle is possible, I will notify you of the additional cost you would need to cover. If you bring a guest, that guest may need to be prepared to read a book or two while we photograph if there is not room for them in our vehicle.

If you look on a map of Caddo Lake, it looks fairly straightforward. It is not! Areas that look accessible are not and areas that don’t look accessible are. You would waste many days and lots of opportunities without our guides and my own knowledge of the area. 

The giant Salvinia grows throughout much of the lake. Our boats tame the beast and get to locations others can’t. And we have a blast doing it! Our captains are true giant slayers and you will be too on the sessions when you are guiding your own kayak, reaching into nooks and crannies as you discover for unique light and and forms...maybe even Bigfoot!

Instructional sessions will include techniques when shooting on a tripod or shooting handheld from a moving watercraft.  Post processing will be simplified for beginners, but advanced techniques for the more experience will be included. In other words, the sessions will be planned around the talents of the group and the special applications that are useful in swamp image processing.

With the short days and long nights, you will have adequate opportunity for sleep, but we intend to make this so much fun that you will be a bit blissfully tired on your flight home, dreaming of many outstanding images you will be processing in the days to follow.

INCLUDED:

• Workshop fee including all boat fees, captain fees, rentals and any tips.
• State park entrance fees and phogography workshop fee
• All meals from dinner on first day to breakfast on last day
• Water & snacks
• Lodging Transportation to and from SHV if within prescribed arrival and departure window (will be coordinated with participants). Recommendations will be made.

NOT INCLUDED: 

• Airfare
• Trip insurance
• Transportation to and from Caddo Lake area outside the prescribed times
• Alcoholic beverages
• Specialty food requirements

We do not accept tips.

If the workshop is canceled for "acts of God" payments are fully refundable, but trip insurance is recommended.

The fee is $3950 per person which includes a private bedroom (up to 4 available). Bathrooms may shared. Early signups get preference on room choice. Non-photographers are welcome to share bedrooms and can go on some, but not all activities and are included in all meals for a reduced rate of $2400. The balance is due 90 days prior to our start date. You will be billed the balance to be paid in advance of 90 days prior to the workshop based on the total in the workshop. There are several events that could cause cancellation of the trip. These include severe illness, severe weather such as flooding or tornadoes, death in your family, and other unpleasant things. 

You will be expected to sign a liability release. Yes, you could suffer serious injury or death while on this trip. This is most likely to happen if you do something foolish like stand up just as the boat is going under a low hanging branch. But you could also do foolish things at home, so let's not miss a day of this workshop! In the highly unlikely event you lose an arm to an alligator, we will recover expenses by selling video footage to media outlets. But don't worry, alligators seem to disappear at this time of year.

You may ask why the small group size. Several reasons. The learning and results are more balanced for all the participants. There are boat trips we can take that larger groups can't do. It's easier on the transportation and dinner seating. And adequate housing AT THE LAKE is much more doable with a small group. With that said, we can make arrangements for larger groups when bedrooms are shared. 

If you have questions, please call me at 714/ 292/5238 or use the contact form on this site.

We are located right on the bayou, just minutes away from our boat launch and local restaurants. This means more time for editing, fun and sleep. This is a beautiful resort home. Like all homes along the bayou an lake, most of the living is on the second level. Unlike the homes on stilts, this home has a concrete block lower level with a very livable downstairs game area, laundry and outdoor patio. If the weather is nice, you will enjoy sitting out on the raised deck overlooking the bayou and wildlife that frequents this area. You will see when you join us!

IMPORTANT! When reserving you spot, also place the order for your bedroom selection. See below.

By placing your order you are acknowledging that you have read and agree to our Workshop Policies and our Liability Release. CLICK ON THE ITEM(S) BELOW TO ADD EITHER THE DEPOSIT OR FULL PAYMENT TO SHOPPING CART. RETURN TO THIS PAGE TO ADD AN UPGRADED BEDROOM TO CART (IF AVAILABLE) THEN GO TO THE CART TO CHECK OUT. 

QUEEN BEDROOM 1 IS TAKEN.

QUEEN BEDROOM 2 IS TAKEN

YOU WILL BE REDIRECTED TO PHOTOGRAPHERS TRAIL NOTES