Costa Rica | Nature Photography Workshop

About this workshop

Join nature photographers Kristen Grace and Alberto López of the Florida Museum of Natural History for a fun rainforest photography camp in Costa Rica! All skill levels welcome: you’ll receive hands-on instruction from experts as you capture the wonders of the forest by camera. With its rich and diverse flora and fauna, Costa Rica is the ideal destination for getting inspired about nature photography!

This introductory photo workshop is for families with teens ages 14-17 and adults 18 and up who are new to photography and would like to learn skills to take home to continue their appreciation and exploration of natural surroundings. Minors should be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.

Highlights

Photograph iconic wildlife of the tropical rainforest with expert nature photographers.
Practice photography techniques with fast-moving subjects, low-light settings, and macro focus.
Explore river habitats by boat, and glimpse elusive nocturnal species on a night hike.
Visit the area around Arenal Volcano on a day excursion and practice landscape photography techniques.

Gear requirements

Participants are responsible for bringing their own camera and/or equipment. We recommend at least 1 DSLR per family, with other types of cameras encouraged (point-and-shoot, hybrid digital camera, smartphone, etc.). Each family should have at least one laptop for processing and sharing photos for critiques. We encourage telephoto/zoom lenses and macro lenses and also suggest having at least one tripod per group.

PLEASE NOTE: As safety and security are our highest priority, we have adopted extensive protocols to address COVID-19. Our field leaders are vaccinated and we require our travelers to be vaccinated. We follow strict field hygiene practices which are outlined on our website. If required, we arrange for Covid testing at the end of your program.

Meet your photography instructors

Kristen Grace

Kristen Grace is the award-winning resident photographer and digital asset manager at the Florida Museum of Natural History. She specializes in documentary photography, photojournalism, nature photography, and editorial photography. Her passions include science communication, informal science education through photography, youth photography, and youth mentorship with specifics in outdoor adventures and engaging with nature.

Alberto López

Alberto López is the school outreach coordinator at the Florida Museum of Natural History. He is a conservation biologist, educator and wildlife photographer from Puerto Rico, specializing in the biodiversity of Puerto Rico. Going into the field with a camera has helped him widen his general knowledge of biodiversity and gives him an opportunity to share and inspire others to conserve nature.

Support research and education at the Florida Museum! A portion of your fees will go toward funding special programs at the museum.

Chilamate

Jul 6, 2023

Upon arrival in San José meet your Florida Museum of Natural History photography instructors and Costa Rican guide. Depart for Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve, situated on over 500 acres of tropical rainforest along the Sarapiquí River. Along the way you will stop for lunch, enjoy a Costa Rican meal and some time to get to know other group members. Upon arrival at Selva Verde check-in and gather for an introduction to the lodge and the exciting program you will be a part of the duration of your time in Costa Rica. Before dinner meet to discuss equipment and photography techniques. Check-in starts at 2:00pm. ***Please schedule arrival flight into San Jose no later than 2:30 pm in order to arrive in time for group transfer to Chilamate. If you cannot find a flight that arrives before that time, we can assist with hotel arrangements for those needing to arrive a day early.

Lunch-Dinner included