Minnekhada Wildlife Photography Workshop – Tuesday August 26, 2025

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
DATE: Tuesday August 26, 2025

This one-day workshop will take place in two locations: Granville Island in Vancouver, followed
by a 50 min. road trip to Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam, BC. We’ll meet on Granville
Island at 10:00 am for a meet and greet session, an introduction to wildlife photography, and a
light lunch.

After we get to know each other, we’ll talk about wildlife photography ethics and safety, and
we’ll review some iconic wildlife photographs and why they were successful. This workshop is
expected to run from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. We’ll spend 6 hours in the field, where we’ll
photograph the wildlife available and learn about the environment. We’ll be back in Vancouver
around 9:00 pm.

Minnekhada Regional Park protects a marsh environment surrounded by forest near the Pitt
River. The area hosts a wide variety of wildlife. We may encounter beavers, river otters, black
bears, minks, muskrats, garter snakes, western toads, and a wide variety of bird species,
including bald eagles, blue herons and sandhill cranes.

The goal of this course is to introduce you to wildlife photography in the field and give you the
tools you’ll need to successfully photograph wild animals. This includes photo techniques and
natural history knowledge.

Do not expect to see all of the animals listed here, nor to photograph a wide variety of species.
We’ll work with a limited number of animals at a few different locations in the park in order to
maximize photo opportunities and to experience different challenges at each location.

In this workshop we’ll explore:
 Understanding the habitat we’re in and what every season has to offer in terms of
photographic opportunities. (How weather and food availability affect wildlife
behaviour.)

 We’ll use some of the skills you’ll need to successfully photograph wild animals without
interfering in their routine. (Wildlife photography ethics, body language and safety.)

 How to maximize photo opportunities by understanding more about your target species.
(Animal behaviour and pre-visualization of photos)
https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/minnekhada-regional-park

A telephoto lens is highly recommended for this class but not necessary. You’ll need a good
understanding of the basics of photography too. (f/stops, shutter speeds, ISO, auto-focus, and
exposure)

Your Coach:

Leonardo DeGorter is a documentary photographer with a background in biology. Leonardo’s
work has been published by National Geographic, Canadian Geographic, The Globe and Mail,
and other news outlets in Brazil and Canada. His passion for the natural world and his scientific
background inform his wildlife photography instruction.

Students are expected to gain a better understanding of wildlife photography in terms of
aesthetics and also in the manner in which we should behave in the presence of wild animals.
His website, www.leonardodegorter.com, has examples of his wildlife work and his publications.

TERM & CONDITIONS: 

• Responsibility: Learn Photography Canada will provide educational enrichment during photo tours and act as an agent/tour operator for any hotel, restaurant, ground operator or other suppliers of services connected with these tours. The other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. Learn Photography Canada and its designated tour leaders shall not be held responsible for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government, or by acts of nature, strikes, fire, flood, war, terrorism, sickness, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against Learn Photography Canada and its designated tour leaders for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. Learn Photography Canada reserves the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept or remove any participant on any photo workshop. Learn Photography Canada reserves the right, without penalty, to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrants, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. You have assumed the responsibility to select an activity appropriate to your physical abilities and interests. You are personally responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake the activity. 
• All registrations are accepted in the order received. Early registration is strongly suggested since there are limited spaces available.
• Eligibility: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey. 
• Included in the price: Small group instruction by your  Learn Photography Canada coach during our daily photo adventures, deli lunch.  Not included: Transportation to Elora, any extra food/beverage you wish to consume.
• Payment, cancellation, and refunds: To reserve a spot on any Learn Photography Canada Day Escape, payment in full is required up front.  If you are unable or you choose to no longer attend a Learn Photography Canada Photography Day Escape, the following refund schedule will apply:
• Greater than or equal to 120 days prior to the beginning of the workshop: The deposit is refundable minus a $25 admin fee.
  1. Less than 120 days prior to the workshop: No refund. However, you will have a credit towards a future Escape for the amount you paid for that escape.
  2. Cancellation notification must be sent by email. 
  3. Leaving a workshop in progress, for any reason, will not result in a refund. We reserve the right to cancel a trip because of an inadequate number of participants making the workshop economically infeasible to operate. In the event that a workshop is canceled prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of the cost of the workshop. 
• Travel insurance: For your protection, travel insurance is strongly recommended. 
• All major credit cards accepted at check out.