Puffin Paradise: Exclusive Bird Photography Workshop with Dreamy Lighthouse Island Accommodations

Ready to elevate your wildlife photography to breathtaking new heights? Picture this: the first golden rays of dawn painting the dramatic cliffs of a secluded Gulf of Saint Lawrence island, and you're already there, camera in hand, just a gentle stroll from your cozy lighthouse haven. Picture Atlantic puffins, their beaks brimming with silvery fish, returning to nourish their precious pufflings, all bathed in that magical early light: no frantic commutes, just pure, unadulterated photographic bliss with the charming Puffins right at your doorstep.

It's not just another photography workshop; it's an exclusive immersion into a world teeming with life. Under the expert guidance of Christopher Dodds, you'll not only refine your technical prowess in capturing stunning portraits and mastering the dynamic art of birds in flight but also find yourself in what many consider the ultimate sanctuary for Atlantic Puffin photography.

Imagine filling your portfolio with intimate shots of these charismatic seabirds, razorbills, guillemots, and more, all bathed in the remarkable early light this location uniquely offers. After a rewarding day of shooting, return to the comfort of newly renovated lighthouse accommodations and indulge in delectable gourmet meals, the sounds of the ocean lulling you into a peaceful slumber.

This is your chance to step directly into a photographer's dream. Don't let this unparalleled opportunity to capture a complete portfolio of Puffin images in this idyllic setting slip away. Secure your spot now and transform your photographic aspirations into stunning realities!

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at first light (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/4,000s Manual exposure.

Puffin Portrait in the Fog

Ever dream of capturing a complete portfolio of Puffin images while enjoying the enchanting allure of a remote lighthouse island nestled in the breathtaking Gulf of Saint Lawrence? Imagine waking to the symphony of the Atlantic, with gourmet meals awaiting and the charm of newly renovated lighthouse accommodations embracing you. Just a short 200-meter stroll brings you to a wildlife photographer's paradise, where Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common murres, black guillemots, and a myriad of other captivating seabirds await your lens from dawn till dusk.

Join the esteemed Christopher Dodds for an immersive photography masterclass, where you'll unlock the secrets to crafting stunning portraits and mastering the art of birds in flight photography. This isn't just a workshop; it's an unparalleled opportunity to hone your skills in what could very well be the world's most idyllic location for Atlantic puffin photography. Don't just dream it, live it, and capture the magic!

Atlantic Puffin Portrait in the fog (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine,Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full Frame image.

Just announced! Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more Lighthouse Island Dream Photography Workshop

Escape to a photographer's paradise! Join the legendary Christopher Dodds for an exclusive, immersive photography workshop on a breathtaking lighthouse island nestled in the heart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Imagine waking to the symphony of the Atlantic, surrounded by a vibrant colony of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Common Murres, Black Guillemots, and a wealth of other captivating seabirds – all just a stone's throw (a mere 200 meters!) from your newly renovated, charming lighthouse accommodations.

Indulge in gourmet meals as you fuel your creativity, and then step out into the golden light to capture unparalleled images. From the first blush of dawn to the fiery hues of sunset, this is arguably the best location in the world for Atlantic Puffin photography. Under Christopher's expert guidance, you'll master the art of stunning portraits and the exhilarating challenge of birds in flight, elevating your skills in this truly unforgettable masterclass. This isn't just a workshop; it's an experience that will ignite your passion and fill your portfolio with extraordinary wildlife moments. Limited spaces available – secure your dream photographic adventure today!

Gret Gray Owl on a Birch Perch

The first whispers of Great Gray Owl arrivals have started to circulate a little later than usual this year. Here is one from my winter owl workshops in 2014 that I love because of its simplicity.

Another Snowy Owl was just seen along the beach near where I host my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops.

Great Gray Owl on a birch perch (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW, Dark Wood Owl, Lapland Owl, Striped Owl, Lapp Striped Owl) ©Christopher Dodds From my Winter Owl Workshops in February, 2014 500mm X 1.4 @700mm ISO 3,200, F5.6 @ 1/2,500s Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my winter owl workshops in January and February

Great Grey Owls LOVERS

Happy Valentine's Day

This image was made in Ontario, Canada, on January 26, 2005. I have a series of about 80 images that I kept from this incredible moment in a field behind a water treatment plant in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Witnessing the affection, vocalizations, and gestures these two Great Grey Owls performed was incredibly touching and unforgettable!

Great Grey Owls LOVERS (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) Ontario, Canada January 26, 2005. © Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon 1D Mark II with Canon 100-400 zoom lens @120mm. ISO 250 f/6.3 @ 1/1,600s.

Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop update

A portrait of an Atlantic Puffin against out-of-focus kelp at low tide. I have only one room available for my August 10-13, 2023, Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec, Canada. This is your chance to join me for a dream workshop; it all starts with the newly renovated lighthouse accommodations, gourmet food, and….wait for it….. Puffins. The island is only 1km (.6 mile) in circumference, and the action happens only 200 meters (200 yards) from our accommodations! No long drives, hikes or cliffs to contend with! Live the dream & join the trip HERE.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish at sunset

One of my favourite Atlantic Puffin images of all time; We were set up on the beach in perfect conditions with the wind blowing from our backs and the sun behind us. The storm cleared quickly, and the pastel colours in the sky were fabulous as sunset quickly approached. The tide was about to turn, but no Puffins were flying in. We waited patiently, and suddenly, there was a flurry of activity, and Puffins started bringing fish back to the babies in their burrows. This image was made with my Sony 200-600mm zoom lens @472mm.

Join me at the best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins! The included recently renovated lighthouse accommodations on a small private island are what dream adventures are made of. Learn more about my DELUXE ATLANTIC PUFFINS GALORE AND SO MUCH MORE WORKSHOP HERE.

Atlantic Puffin flying head-on with fish

“The Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop exceeded my expectations. Chris is an exceptional photographer, teacher, and all around good guy. He was quick to point out the best photographic opportunities for the group, taking into account the constantly changing weather, light and tides. He was always available to answer questions and give tips, catering to all levels of experience in the group. The accommodations were excellent and the food was first rate. Our chefs/housekeepers/hostesses were amazing. The photographic opportunities were endless with an unbelievable number of puffins as well as razorbills, guillemots, gulls, whales and seals. This was my first photography workshop and I am looking forward to my next adventure with Chris.”

— Mark Adkins Rochester| MN

Atlantic Puffins in flight with fish

We got photobombed while I was tracking the nearest Puffin as it brought fish back to its baby during my Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more workshops in Quebec. Join me at the best location in the world to photograph Puffins bringing home fish. It was one of those days when it got cloudy and we were having so much fun that we stayed out late in the dark; notice my ISO of 32,000 :)

Atlantic Puffin landing at the puffinry

There are still only a couple of rooms left for the recently added August 10-13, 2023 Deluxe fishing Puffin workshop :)

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish (Capelin) in sweet light

Join me for a DREAMY DELUXE ATLANTIC PUFFIN WORKSHOP from August 10-13, 2023. It all starts when we arrive on the tiny island and move into the newly renovated lighthouse accommodations; We will be living only feet away from the many Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Common Murres that call the island home - all of the photography is within 200 meters (200 yards) of our bedrooms! This is THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD to photograph Atlantic Puffins; in sweet light, in flight and bringing home loads of fish to their babies! The included gourmet food is a bonus - smile!

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish on green

Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop Update

Only two rooms are left for my recently added August 10-13, 2023, Deluxe Atlantic Puffins, and so much more workshops. If you want to master birds in flight photography and create a complete portfolio of Atlantic puffin images, this trip is for you. The trip is timed to maximize photographic opportunities of Puffins bringing loads of fish back to their babies.

“I want to thank you again for one of the best photo workshops I have ever attended. The trip to Northern Quebec to photo Puffins was truly an adventure. I was very impressed with the planning you put into ever aspect of the tour. Everything ran smoothly and the opportunity to photograph these amazing birds was an experience I will not soon forget. I also appreciate the time you spent with each of us to make sure we got the best possible result from whatever equipment we were using. Your technique for reducing noise while maximizing detail when shooting at high ISO’s was particularly helpful. No one had ever explained the science behind this and now it makes a lot of sense. This trip was everything I had hoped for and I look forward to joining you again in the future.”

— Chuck Raines Camarillo, California

Northern Harrier

A beautiful male Northern Harrier backlit by the setting sun and colourful clearing clouds was the final treat after a cold afternoon with a dozen short-eared owls during one of my Winter Owl Photography Workshops last winter.

Also known as the marsh hawk or ring-tailed hawk. The male is bluish-gray above with white underparts, a distinctive coloration that earns it the nickname among birders of "Gray Ghost."

Deluxe Atlantic Puffin workshop just announced

Another from my recent Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Adventure in Quebec. An Atlantic puffin with a bill full of capelin in golden light against out-of-focus golden cliffs. This has quickly become one of my favourite images from one of my favourite places! There is no better place in the world to photograph than Puffin Paradise in Quebec, Canada.

Just announced! August 10-13, 2023 Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop

If you would like to photograph Atlantic Puffins flying with fish in golden light while eating gourmet food, consider joining me in August. Wait! Did I mention that we live in a recently renovated lighthouse? The trips were sold out completely, so I added August 10-13. My trips are timed perfectly so the babies are big enough to need constant feeding, but it ends just before the adults abandon them to fend for themselves.

““Puffins Galore” is a very apt name for this photography workshop with Christopher Dodds on L’Ile Aux Perroquets in the St. Lawrence Seaway. Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, and many shorebirds use this little island in the Mingan Archipelago as their nesting home during the breeding season and the place is alive with activity with many opportunities for images of birds in flight and birds around their burrows. Chris Dodds is acquainted with every aspect of puffin behaviour and is very generous with time and advice; he helped me improve my skills capturing images of fast-moving birds. Everyone in the group came away with images that they were thrilled with. The guest house on the island is a converted lighthouse keeper’s residence and provides a very comfortable experience. The meals alone would be worth the trip. Puffins Galore and much, much more!”

— Paul Ludden (Wisconsin, USA)

Northern Gannet with Seaweed

Gannets Galore Workshop update

Two spots just opened up for my June 5-7, 2023, Gannets Galore (and so much more) workshop in Gaspé, Québec. Learn more about this epic adventure, with includes a daily four-hour Zodiac excursion HERE.

The best photographic event that any of us had ever experienced

Thank you for a magnificent workshop on Bonaventure Island. Your efforts on our behalf were nothing short of heroic. I don't know where you get your energy, from Sun up to long after it set, you were working to make this the best photographic event that any of us had ever experienced, and you succeeded. Bonaventure Island is a photographers paradise, I have never returned from a workshop with so many 'Portfolio shots. If all your endeavors as fruitful, can't wait to get my lens on those Snowy Owls this winter.............

I had a heck of a good time doing what I love, thanks to you.

Malcolm MacKenzie West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Bald Eagle on Final Approach in Snow

A very simple and minimalist image of a Bald Eagle landing on a stick in a brief snowfall during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska from March 2022. Look at those talons! I see this as a big print - smile.

The exposure in the snow was much easier than most photographers think: Set the desired shutter speed (1/5,000s to freeze the action), set the desired f-stop (wide open to make the subject pop), and then fill the viewfinder with white snow and adjust the ISO until the meter shows plus 1 & 2/3 stop - it’s that simple!

Bald Eagle Silhouette

Here is another Bald Eagle from my Bald Eagles Galore Workshop near Homer, Alaska, in March. I usually work tighter for more visual impact online but I love the little horizon at the bottom of the frame. We had tons of fun with the silhouette opportunities that the fabulous weather offered - smile!

Bald Eagle in flight with prey

A Bald Eagle with its prize. The light and action was extraordinary during my Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska this March.

Eagles Galore Workshop update:

Dave Christopher Testimonial

Check out these incredible images from repeat workshop participant Dave Christopher:

“Chris, I want you to know what an amazing time I had at your recently completed April 5-7, 2023 Osprey Workshop in Florida. The photo opportunities were endless and I came home with over 15,000 images. Yes, it took some time going through those, but my gosh, it was so much fun because the images were simply awesome!!

It helped that the lighting each day was amazing. The wind direction was fantastic as the Osprey took off from & landed into their nests facing us with the sunrise (at our backs) directly lighting up those incredible yellow eyes! I was also amazed at how close we were able to get to the osprey. I found myself often filling the frame with my 400mm lens.

I really appreciate attending a workshop led by a photography professional like you who puts me and the other attendees in the best position to capture incredible photos. The same was true when I attended your Snowy Owl workshop (my first with you) in January of this year. And now I just registered for your Eagles Workshop in Alaska next March. I can’t wait!

Thanks, Chris! Your workshops are exactly what I’ve looked for as an aspiring amateur wildlife photographer!

(Attached are my three favorite osprey photos, but definitely a challenge to choose just three. So many good ones to pick from!)”

— Dave Christopher

Roseate Spoonbill landing in Spectacular light

As mentioned in my last post, the weather forecast for the entirety of the second Ospreys Galore workshop looked like rain, but as is often the case, we didn’t get much. This is an image of a Roseate Spoonbill (Spoonie) from the last morning of the second workshop during a brief break in the clouds, just before we got a 5-minute rain shower. The “Spoonies” were all landing to my left when this one appeared out of nowhere; I got three frames with this spectacular light that lasted only a fraction of a second, but the background was a crooked horizon line with part bright water and part dark & messy, distracting branches, so I replaced the sky to resemble better what I remember from the moment. CLICK HERE to learn more about my workshops.