Galápagos Photography Workshop – West

Join us at one of the best wildlife photography locations in the world, the Galápagos Islands, for our 9-day/8-night Galápagos Photography Workshop.

The Galápagos Islands, a small archipelago, have been preserved to the highest conservation standards. They are a pristine environment where wildlife flourishes, famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection during the legendary voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle.

The Galápagos Islands are unlike any other location on the planet. The wildlife has little fear of humans or other predators, providing nature photographers with up-close and personal opportunities to encounter the species that call the Galápagos their home.

Trip Discounts: Save $500.00 when you book the Two-Week Galápagos Photo Tour combining our Galapagos East and Galapagos West itineraries.

Save $500.00 when booking one of our Ecuador hummingbird photo workshops:
Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photo Workshop #1
Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photo Workshop #2 – Mindo and Beyond

The incredible diversity of wildlife and flora in the exotic ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands will amaze you. Many species are only found in the untouched beauty of the Galápagos, such as the Galápagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions.

The Galápagos Photography workshop (9-days/ 8-nights) will spend the majority of the workshop on our chartered yacht (8-days/ 7-nights). Photography is our priority, as we schedule our shoots for the best light and conditions to get you those award-winning images. In addition to photography, we offer many other activities such as hikes and snorkeling, which makes this trip ideal for couples and non-photographers.

During the day, we will take the yachts’ two zodiacs (pangas) and land at multiple island locations to find the best wildlife opportunities. Our destinations have no signs of civilization — just wildlife photography as it should be. These efficient boats get us to the locations quickly, maximizing our time ashore.

Smaller photography groups
Better for wildlife photography and reduce impact on the wildlife producing superior images. Some operators put 30-100 people on a yacht. That doesn’t work for photography!

We will visit many different locations during the week to photograph a wide range of wildlife, such as the Galápagos penguin, the only penguin found in the Northern Hemisphere. We will get chances to shoot the beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes as well. While out in the field, you will have hands-on photography instruction to help you obtain your best wildlife and landscape images.

Once the sun sets, we will spend our evenings in photography workshops, discussing techniques for photographing the wildlife and landscapes of the Galápagos islands. We’ll discuss camera settings, compositional ideas, and different techniques to create those stunning, once-in-a-lifetime images.

Our Galápagos naturalist on the yacht will share information about the island’s geology and history, and the wildlife we are photographing.

Galápagos Photography Workshop – West Route

As the week progresses, we will turn our attention to image post-processing techniques that help you get the most out of your photos. When we have clear skies at night, enjoy the rare equatorial chance to see both Northern and Southern Hemisphere stars in the sky overhead.

We have designed the Galápagos Photography Workshop to put you in the best photography locations, with superb comfort and fantastic food during the trip.

The trip is limited to 14 guests, with 2 photography guides and a Galápagos naturalist, so everyone can get personal attention from our instructors and crew.

The First Class Yacht – Our Galápagos home for the week

Our luxury yacht for the week blends luxury and comfort over its entire 104-foot length and 40-foot beam. Taking only 14 guests supported by 8 crew the yacht provides excellent service, accommodations, and fine dining.

The yacht contains 10 cabins all with private bathrooms with hot water, and air conditioning. For those who get a little queasy, a catamaran is the best way to go as they do not pitch and roll like a monohull.

Our First Class charter for the week. A 104′ beautiful catamaran.

The crew of 8 includes a captain, first mate, machinist, two sailors, cook, auxiliary cook, and Galápagos naturalist, mostly locals from the Galápagos Islands. They will be working hard all week to ensure we have a fantastic trip, enjoying all the Galápagos has to offer. Our local naturalist will explain the history of the Galápagos and animal behaviors. They will also guide us on the islands to make sure the wildlife is protected, find the best locations, and follow all the rules that keep the Galápagos such a magical and natural place.

On the top floor of the yacht is a roomy sundeck where you can take in the views and relax in the warm sunshine. Next to the dining room is the comfortable main salon that doubles as our photography workshop meeting room.

When we visit the islands each day, beach landings will be easy and quick, as the yacht is supported by a pair of ten-person Zodiac pangas (dinghies) with ecologically friendly Yamaha engines.

Double Stateroom

The chartered yacht next to Kicker Rock

Dining Room

Comfortable Staterooms

Open bar on the main deck

All state rooms have private bath and shower

Salon where we host our photo workshops and Galapagos presentations

Everyone needs a bit of relaxation while we navigate to our next destination.

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Galapagos

One of the double rooms

Spacious Double state room

Dining Room on the 104' Yacht

The Galápagos Wildlife Species – West Route

The Galápagos Islands have the highest level of endemic species of any location on the planet. Endemic species are species that only exist in one geographic region, such as the Galápagos Islands, and can be found nowhere else on Earth.

The Galápagos have 22 endemic birds, 19 endemic reptiles, and 7 endemic mammals. In addition to all the endemic species found in the Galápagos Islands, many species that can be found elsewhere are native to the Galápagos, and can be seen living naturally without any human influence.

Marine Iguanas hanging out on the Fernandina Island

Galapagos Islands Land Iguana showing off its colorful scales and long, powerful claws

The Galápagos penguins are not bothered by the paparazzi. But can it help being such a charismatic bird?

A Galapagos Green Turtle comes up to our group while snorkeling

The colorful Sally Lightfoot Crabs are everywhere

Galápagos Sea Lions On Mosquera Island

Snorkeling with the abundance of colorful reef fish

The Galápagos penguin is one of five species of flightless birds on the Galápagos Islands

The Vermillion Flycatcher, this tiny version is a subspecies endemic to the Galápagos Islands.

A Greater Flamingo And Black Necked Stilts at a fresh water lagoon

Enjoy the white sands and colorful water of Chinese Hat beach, followed by a little snorkeling.

Blue-footed boobies are always a favorite

If you join us snorkeling, you will be amazed at the colorful underwater wildlife. Large marine creatures, such as sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, and colorful tropical fish swim right by you.

The Galápagos Photography Workshop is a can’t-miss Galápagos experience for wildlife and nature photographers. It will surpass your expectations and help you capture your dream images with thoughtful expert guidance.

Each day during the Galápagos Photography Workshop, you’ll receive expert guidance from professional wildlife and nature photographer Matt Shetzer (Read more about Matt) (Read Client Reviews) ) in the field, and learn from him in the evenings during our workshops.

From the moment you arrive in Quito, Ecuador, the Galápagos Photography Workshop takes care of everything. You are free to concentrate on your photography and have a fantastic time in the wildlife photographer’s dream location, the Galápagos Islands.

Two-Week Galápagos Photography Workshop
Want to see even more Galápagos and save $500.00 USD

Consider joining us for both of our Galápagos workshops, and explore the East and West of the Galápagos Islands at a discounted rate.

We offer two different itineraries for the Galápagos Islands as there is much diversity in the islands and each location is very unique.

Consider the Two-Week Galápagos Photography Workshop experience as we explore the East and West over two weeks.

The Red route is our West Itinerary, with the Yellow route being our East Itinerary

Read More about our Two-Week Galápagos Photography Workshop