NatureScapes Certified Workshops are designed to take you to some of the best places in the world and to teach you how to make technically excellent images with an artistic flair.

Our pledge to you is to live up to the NatureScapes reputation and to offer the best workshop experience with the most talented leaders in the industry.

Just as we have earned a reputation of professionalism and class through our online community and store, we'll leave our egos at home and cater to what your individual photographic needs are with professionalism, generosity and good humor!

Our instructors and leaders are not only passionate about photography, but also equally passionate about teaching and sharing their photographic knowledge and life experiences with you.

We only offer workshops run by instructors who possess unwavering patience, determination and good humor to ensure an educational and enjoyable photographic adventure for everyone in attendance!

As professional photography workshop instructors, photography leaders and mentors we pledge the following to all of our workshop attendees.

• To provide the best possible experience for you based on your individual needs and goals with each and every workshop, whether you are a first timer or a repeat attendee.
• To lead, befriend and teach in a non-confrontational, non-egotistical and approachable fashion.
• To be good “people” persons - especially when it comes to managing small groups with varying interests, skills, needs and personalities.
• To inspire creativity and share our technical knowledge without waver and to put the importance of your photography endeavors above ours as leaders.
• To be prompt, ethical and trustworthy and to instill responsible photography with minimal impact to the planet.

Don’t take our word for it - read our testimonials. You can also This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for references.

What can I expect when I register?
You will immediately receive an automated email confirmation of your registration, which also serves as a receipt for your deposit.

Within 48 hours we will contact you personally to confirm your reservation. You will then receive a detailed confirmation package, which is customized for each workshop. This package includes detailed lodging and transportation information, equipment suggestions, clothing guidelines, luggage requirements, important contact numbers and anything else that pertains to the specific workshop you registered for. It also contains contact information in case you have additional questions.

Attendees will also be asked to summarize what skills they have and what areas they feel they need help with the most in terms of advancing their skills. This gives us a chance to get some background and also allows us to design the workshop programs with the individual needs of the attendees in mind. [FAQ Top]

What is included in the price?
Each workshop is different. Some are all inclusive which includes lodging, meals and/or transportation; others may not include certain things. For details on what is included in each workshop please refer to each workshop page in the current schedule. [FAQ Top]

What about instruction and activities?
While each workshop location is different in terms of what the activities are, whether we are flying in helicopters in Hawaii, or exploring St. Paul Island by vehicle, all workshops will include a mix of in-the-field instruction as well as some formal classroom, teaching and critique sessions and in-depth discussions on the ins and outs of nature photography. [FAQ Top]

How large are your group sizes?
All of our groups are kept small so a high level of personalized instruction is available for all skill levels. In general there are no more than 8 attendees per instructor. This allows us to focus on your individual needs, minimize our impact on the areas we visit and maximize the photographic opportunities. The end result is a better value for your money and time and a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. [FAQ Top]

What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Cancellations can be made up to 90 days prior to the workshop date, however you forfeit your deposit unless we cancel the workshop, in which case you will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after 90 days prior to the workshop date are not eligible for refunds. We have the right to cancel any workshop for lack of registrants up to 90 days prior to the workshop date. While many workshops will run with just a single registrant, other may require a minimum registration. [FAQ Top]

Do you offer equipment rentals?
Depending on availability, participants may rent photography equipment from us for their use during a workshop on a first-come-first-served basis. Selection is limited. Please inquire for availability and pricing. We can also refer participants to reputable photo equipment rental companies.

Deposits are required to reserve your spot in a workshop. Amounts are specified on each workshop page. Unless otherwise specified deposits are non-refundable, unless we cancel the workshop. [FAQ Top]

What about travel insurance?
There are many companies that offer travel insurance and we highly recommend considering purchasing travel insurance – especially for more expensive international trips. [FAQ Top]

What is your Smoking Policy?
We do not permit smoking within vicinity of the instructor or other non-smoking participants - in the field or during indoor class sessions. At lodges, after hours, smoking may be permitted in certain designated areas. Check with us if you smoke. We also do not have any instructors who smoke. [FAQ Top]

Still have Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for additional information. You can also call us at 1-888-667-0059 M-F during regular business hours. [FAQ Top]

Greg Downing

Greg has been traveling the world teaching professional and amateur photographers for more than a decade hosting his instructional workshops and seminars. Instructing photographers of all experience levels Greg has earned a reputation for his gracious and generous teaching style.

Greg's images are known for their unique style, exacting composition and strict attention to detail. As an internationally recognized photographer, his numerous publishing credits include books, advertising campaigns and editorial publications such as Birding Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Birder's World, National Geographic and many others. Especially passionate about birds, his images can also be found in printed form in several Wildbird Centers on the east coast, as well as appearing in private art exhibitions.

In 2003 Greg founded www.NatureScapes.net with E.J. Peiker and Heather Forcier. Today Greg is the Publisher, President and sole owner of the company and overseas all operations from his home base in Parkton, Maryland.

As Greg travels the world taking pictures he enjoys meeting others, teaching and sharing his passion while making new lifelong friends in the process.

To see more of Greg's work visit his website at www.gdphotography.com.

Alan Murphy

Alan Murphy, an award winning photographer, grew up in England and is an avid birder. Upon immigrating to the States Alan picked up a camera and began pursuing his vision of how birds should be photographed. Alan has developed a style that is very recognizable with stunning portraits of birds on beautiful perches. Alan turned a full time professional bird photographer a few years ago and is now in demand to speak at festivals, conferences and photography clubs around the nation. Alan is the Author of an ebook called "Alan Murphy's Guide to Songbird Set-up Photography" which has sold thousands of copies and has helped many photographers learn how to take better photographs of birds.

Alan teaches his techniques around the nation through his highly successful in-the-filed workshops with small groups. If Alan is not in the field taking images, then he is busy submitting images to many magazines. His published credits include National Geographic, Birders World, Wildbird, Birding, and many more.

Visit Alan's web site at www.alanmurphyphotography.com.

E.J. Peiker

E.J. was born in 1960 in Augsburg, Germany and moved to Ohio in 1969. E.J. attended Purdue University and earned a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. He then completed graduate studies in Microelectronics and Semiconductor Physics and worked for the Intel Corporation for 27 years. E.J. has two sons, Nicholas and Gregory, and has lived in Chandler, Arizona since 1994. E.J. is a professional freelance photographer and has formally studied photography at the University of New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. He specializes in artistic images of ducks and teaches bird photography through his DuckShop™ workshops. E.J.'s first photographic love, however, is landscape photography. E.J.'s photographs have been published worldwide in books, advertising, magazines, billboards, murals and more. Some of his clients include The National Geographic Society, The National Parks Service, US Fish and Wildlife, the United States Navy, State Parks Arizona, Barrons, Dorling Kindersley, and zoos. Visit his website at: www.ejphoto.com.

"I cannot begin to explain what a wonderful field experience you (Greg and Alan) provided on St. Paul Island. You compliment each other very well and made the trip not just a good trip but a great trip. I know from experience each group/class takes on its own personality. You adjusted to our collective and unique needs very well. I really appreciate all of your help both in the field and with post processing. I learned a lot from you and from others in the group. I hold you both in high regards for you knowledge, willingness to share and your thoughtfulness. Thank you for great experience!"

—Ken Blye, St. Paul Island, Alaska 2010

"Thanks to the both of you (Greg and Alan) for putting on such a good workshop. I think that all the folks regardless of ability level got something out of the workshop. Also, thanks for being so flexible in getting people to the places that they wanted to shoot. Alan thanks for the setups, a cursory look at my photos shows that I have some ones that I will like very much. I know that Judy and I enjoyed ourselves - thanks for the fun workshop!"

—John Sturtevant, St. Paul Island, Alaska 2010

"Just back from Tanzania with Greg Downing. What an amazing trip and experience. The wildlife photography was incredible. The guides outstanding. Wonderful memories for a lifetime. Seeing the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet come to life in front of me was the most memorable. In particular, I enjoyed seeing the wildebeest migration and the cheetah hunting."

—Steven Grad, Tanzania, Africa 2009

"Greg... you put a great trip together and what an amazing adventure for us! Thanks for making my dream come to reality!! Life is great, but I really miss Africa and everything about our adventure! "

—Bonnie Newman, Tanzania, Africa 2009

"I recently attended a Greg Downing workshop to St. Paul Island Alaska. The workshop was very well organized. Prior to the workshop Greg sent out a detailed confirmation letter which included suggested equipment to bring, clothing needs, and important travel information. Greg also had requested that each participent express there personal goals and expectations of the trip.

Once the group met in Anchorage we then traveled to St.Paul Island together. With in one hour of meeting with Greg he had checked all the settings on my camera body to ensure proper settings from the start.

In the field, we photographed Horned Puffins, Tufted Puffins, Crested Auklet, Least Auklet, Thick billed Murre, Northern Fur Seal with babies, Artic Blue Fox with Kits, and more. Greg was able to balance the needs of each person to ensure their expectations would be met. He spent valuable time with each person in the field and set aside time to spend with me one-on-one to go over "exposure" in simple terms. Greg is a knowledgable, talented photographer and a very good instructor too.

This was an incredible experience and overall an awesome trip. I learned alot, had an outstanding time, and made some great friends. This workshop definitely exceeded my goals and expectations.

I would not hesitate to take another workshop with Greg in the Future."

—Karen Schindeldecker, St Paul Island, Alaska 2007

"I attended the St Paul Alaska avian photo workshop with Greg Downing in 2003. A year in advance Greg was able to provide me with trip dates and likely species to be photographed. Greg had previously scouted this remote island on a separate trip and his familiarity with St Paul insured our success on his workshop. Several months before the workshop Greg sent email notification of recommended gear, clothing, travel arrangements and other pertinent details for the trip. We met Greg at the Anchorage airport and off we went on our remote island adventure.

For the next eight days, Greg worked with members of the group nonstop. Because of the prolonged hours of light, it was common for the group to be together sixteen or more hours each day. The workshop of course featured key species like Puffin and Auklets but was also tailored to the concerns of the participants. Caribou are rarely seen on the island, even by natives. Two of the group participants were interested in spending some time trying to find them. Greg and the guides were able to locate the elusive herd on the first evening. Greg was very willing to provide time on the workshop for other nonavian species as well, including Artic Fox and Northern Fur Seal.

Some of the group members had considerable experience with their gear and seemed very content learning by observing Greg's techniques as he made images. Others came on the trip with a list of specific concerns. Greg spent a great deal of time on a one on one basis with one of the participants working out exposures and the reciprocal relationship of F- stop and shutter speed. Taking something that seems complicated and making it seem simple is summarizes Greg's teaching style. I was particularly impressed that Greg went through the participants gear and camera settings at the very beginning to make sure all custom functions were optimized for the expected photographic conditions.

In closing, it was a trip of a lifetime and anyone considering a workshop with Greg Downing should have no reservations about coming away with successful images, learning new techniques and having a great time to boot. "

—Dennis Olivero, Minneapolis, St Paul Island, Alaska 2007

"I recently attended a Greg Downing photographic workshop at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida. St. Augustine is a very popular place to photograph nesting birds during April and May. The place is filled with tri-colored herons, great and snowy egrets, and endangered wood storks all building nests, sitting on eggs, and feeding chicks. A photographers’ paradise, except for the fact that most of the day, the lighting is harsh and great images are hard to come by. I signed up for this workshop because I previously took a photography workshop with Greg before and was amazed at the quality of his images and depth of his photographic knowledge. A lot of photographic workshops can be very pricy because you are paying to be out photographing with a famous professional and the extent of what you learn may be questionable. I was looking for a workshop where I was assured I would learn several new photographic techniques to improve my photography and I thought that Greg could help me out. Greg did not disappoint! His photographic skills are excellent and his outgoing personality make him a great teacher. Greg was extremely helpful and answered all of my questions. Even under the harsh lighting conditions Greg showed us how to get the most out of it, how to isolate subjects, wait for the right moment to capture the “decisive moment”, and most importantly when not to take the shot! This photography workshop was well worth the price and I would highly recommend taking any photographic workshop with Greg. His easy-going nature made the trip a complete success. Many of the techniques Greg teaches are very hard to find in books, if they can be found at all. He is patient and takes the time to work with you so you will learn. Everyone who attended had a great time. It is a wonderful atmosphere to improve your photography as well as meet people with similar interests, and make life-long friends. Thanks Greg for a great time! "

—James Stachecki

"Greg was always professional; he was well prepared and well organized, a difficult task given the vagaries of finding and photographing birds. At the same time he was flexible and prepared to take advantage of any unforeseen opportunities that arose. He adjusted his approach to the abilities of those in attendance and was able to do a nice job teaching and working with a wide variety of individuals from near-novices to experts. If my hard drive crashed and I didn't get a single shot from his workshop - and I certainly have many with which I'm quite pleased - I still more than got my money's worth. In sum, I would highly recommend a workshop with Greg Downing. "

—Richard Sheehan

"I think your workshop was run in a very professional manner and I thoroughly enjoyed myself while with you and the group. Cape May is a place I visit often and you opened my eyes to the photographic possibilities there. I was especially appreciative of how you were able to work with me and provide assistance and pointers even though my lens length was marginal at best. "

—Bill Ruppel

"My expectations were definitely exceeded. I feel my eyes were opened to far more possibilities in composition, natural and flash lighting, flash fill and bird behavior. Because of your stress on composition, I see a definite improvement in my images."

—Donald Mann

" The workshop was wonderful and so was the weather, I came back with lots of nice images and couldn't have been happier with the results. I met interesting people and had a good time."

—Richard Hogg

Main Office
NatureScapes.net, LLC
21009 Gunpowder Road
Manchester, MD 21102

Telephone
Toll Free: 888-667-0559
410-239-8025

Email
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