Kilimanjaro International Airport: JRO is the airport that all attendants will be flying in to. For this workshop, having travel insurance is absolutely mandatory.

All transfers between locations are covered in tuition costs, and there is no need to rent a car or find personal transportation on this trip for any of the events listed in the itinerary.

Only a light tripod is needed for evening/star images, tripods cannot be used inside the vehicles very much. A monopod is very helpful for holding long lenses when shooting out the top of the vehicle, standing up. A variety of lenses from wide angle to telephoto is recommended.

Tanzania is full of warm days and cool nights/mornings. We recommend you bring layers with a fleece-type jacket for early morning departures. Long sleeve shirts during the day can help ward off insects.

Weather in Tanzania can change from hot to cool, so being prepared for heat in the day and cool at night and in the mornings is essential. The Ngorongoro Crater can be very hot at midday.

Denver International Airport: DIA is your closest airport with many flight options. For this workshop, a rental car is helpful, but not essential. You may get a taxi, shuttle, or rent a car from the airport.

A rental car is encouraged, but not needed. Some venues require a short drive, however, we promote car pooling and many without cars can get everywhere they need.

Nikon will have digital cameras to loan on a 24-hour basis as well as a variety of lenses, with SanDisk providing memory cards for the group. We ask that you bring all of the equipment with which you normally shoot, especially Nikon users, as you will be able to use the large consignment of Nikon cameras and lenses in conjunction with your own.

Photographers that currently use other brands of cameras are free to use your own equipment. You’ll need to provide your own laptop or other workstation to download and edit your images, though we can assist you with a variety of demo software available.

Make sure to pack clothing options for all days. They are long days so you may change at least once a day so pack extra for that. Colorado in Spring can be hot or cool so bring shorts and pants, sunscreen/hat, and comfortable shoes (!!) to work in. Also, bring a rain jacket and some cold weather gear in case of storms. You will also want to bring a few more formal options (if you desire) for the welcome and closing receptions.

Colorado May weather can range from 30-80 degrees — most of the time in the middle. The most important item is sunscreen as you’re closer to the sun! Also, we have the occasional rain or snowstorm — it won’t last all day — but be prepared for a random change in weather. Tornadoes and lightning are seldom, but can happen.

Anchorage International Airport: You must get the Anchorage, Alaska with the best way being through Ted Stevens Anchorage Airport. From there, we will provide the plan that travels to Lake Clark National Park.

A rental car is not needed. We cover all transportation, lodging, food, and other logistics for the workshop.

Most of the subjects are not very far away and we will get fairly close to the bears. It’s unlikely you will need more than a 400mm lens and those occasions, if any, will probably be few. The most useful lens would be a zoom that runs up to about 400mm. Keep in mind that it is not recommended to use tele-extenders with lenses that are variable aperture (i.e. f3.5-5.6). The scenery is magnificent so bring a wide-angle lens as well. If one is available, it’s always a good idea to have a second body when you travel into the wild.

If you don’t have the gear you can rent it. Borrowlens.com specializes in online rental house of photo equipment. A good tripod or monopod is important. Bring extra memory cards for your digital camera as well as at least 1 spare battery for each body. You should bring your laptop and make sure you have plenty of extra hard space PLUS an additional external hard drive for backing up your images at the lodge!

You should also bring along a lightweight rain cover for your camera gear. Aquatech, Vested Interest and Lightware all make a variety of lightweight, inexpensive rain hoods that fit a multiple of camera and lens combinations. If you are buying a new camera bag look for one that is water-resistant or has a built in rain cover, thus protecting your gear no matter what the weather.

This is Alaska it will rain and the weather can be highly variable. Temperatures will be most likely be in the 60-70s during the day, dropping to 40-50s overnight. Bring good lightweight waterproof rain gear, pants, jackets and hat. Temperatures can fluctuate a great deal during the day so it’s best to dress in layers. You will not need big bulky winter coats. A waterproof lightweight over the ankle boot is best for travel and around the lodge, when out on tour, knee high boots and hip waders are available at the lodge. Mosquitoes and gnats are very common in this part of Alaska, so we strongly recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants and a hat at all times. In addition, a mosquito net head covering and a good bug repellant are very important.

This is Alaska it will rain and the weather can be highly variable. Temperatures will be most likely be in the 60-70s during the day, dropping to 40-50s overnight. Bring good lightweight waterproof rain gear, pants, jackets and hat. Temperatures can fluctuate a great deal during the day so it’s best to dress in layers. You will not need big bulky winter coats. A waterproof lightweight over the ankle boot is best for travel and around the lodge, when out on tour, knee high boots and hip waders are available at the lodge. Mosquitoes and gnats are very common in this part of Alaska, so we strongly recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants and a hat at all times. In addition, a mosquito net head covering and a good bug repellant are very important.

Jackson Hole Airport: This is the closest airport to the area. You may either get a car rental at the airport or take a taxi service into town.

Jackson Hole Airport: If flights in Jackson are fully booked, Idaho Falls is the next nearest airport (about 2 hours by car). With this option, a rental car is strongly encouraged.

Driving: If you are within a few states, driving might be an option. Just keep in mind that Western Wyoming can be difficult to drive with windy and/or snowy conditions during the Fall season.

A rental car is encouraged, but not needed. Many venues require a drive and can be spread out, however, we promote car pooling and many attendees without cars can get everywhere they need.

The daily drives consists of early morning shoots, then to Workshop HQ, back to town, and then lastly back to Workshop HQ for the nightly presentation. If you don’t drive, pitch in for gas. If you do, carpool a few and get your gas paid for!

Nikon will have digital cameras to loan on a 24-hour basis as well as a variety of lenses, with SanDisk providing memory cards for the group. Adobe will provide in-depth instruction on their leading photographic tools, LightRoom and Photoshop. The manufacturers room will also be stocked with a wide variety of gear for demo and sale at special discount.

We ask that you bring all of the equipment with which you normally shoot, especially Nikon users, as you will be able to use the large consignment of Nikon cameras and lenses in conjunction with your own. Photographers that currently use other brands of cameras are free to use your own equipment. You’ll need to provide your own laptop or other workstation to download and edit your images, though we can assist you with a variety of demo software available.

Make sure to pack clothing options for all days. They are long days so you may change at least once a day so pack extra for that. Jackson in the fall usually gives you a mix of all weather. The most important thing is to bring WARM clothes for the morning shoots that start before sunrise. This includes many layers, hats, gloves, and anything else to keep you warm dealing with your cold, metal equipment.

You will also want to bring a few more formal options (if you desire) for the welcome and closing receptions.

The great thing about the Nature Workshop is that it usually gives us a range of weather. That includes some days of clear skies and sunshine, some snow, some cold, and in between.

The early mornings and afternoons are the times you will be outside so prepare for any conditions. Inclement weather does not cancel Workshop shoots or instruction — after all, “weather makes better pictures!”.