Patagonia Photography Workshop Adventure
Come join us on this incredible Patagonia photography workshop adventure down in this wild and beautiful region of South America. Set in the heart of the Andean mountain range in southern Chile & Argentina during fall colors, you will get to experience first hand the geologic wonder of both Torres del Paine National Park and Los Glaciares National Park. It is here you will photograph incredible locations such as Lago Pahoe at the base of the Cuernos del Paine, the dream-like reflections of Laguna Amarga, the calving ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the spires of Cerro Torre and the crown of Argentina, Mt. Fitz Roy…to name a few. This is the bucket list of all bucket list locations for landscape and outdoor adventure photographers.
Trip Dates
March 29th – April 7th, 2023 (Group 1)
April 12th – 21st, 2023 (Group 2)
Tuition Costs
$5450
Group Size
10
Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate Hiking
Patagonia Photography Workshop Adventure
Patagonia is one of the most sought after destinations for outdoor and landscape photographers worldwide. Its breathtaking vistas, incredible mountains, glacier feed lakes and unique wildlife help make it so special. On this trip of a lifetime, we will spend time in both the Chilean and Argentinian regions of Patagonia. Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks will become our new temporary homes throughout the course of this workshop. Because we will be jumping across the border between Chile and Argentina, you will need to make sure you secure visas before you arrive, if a visa is required based on the passport you currently carry.
In addition to staying in comfortable hotels with breathtaking views, this adventure focused photography tour will take you beyond what most photographers offer in Patagonia. Instead of simply driving you from distant view-point to distant viewpoint, we will offer optional day hikes around some of the most incredibly scenic areas in the world, focusing our efforts around Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in Argentina. This will provide you with a solid mix of photographic opportunities throughout our time in Patagonia. When the weather is less forgiving, we will spend time focusing on post-processing and image editing using a variety of different applications. Bottom line is that we will help you get to the best locations at the best time of day with the best light possible.
What is Included?
- All Ground Transportation
- All Hotel Accommodations
- All Necessary Permits
- All Photo Education
What is Not Included?
- All Flights
- Meals & Snacks
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fees
Patagonia Photography Workshop Adventure
With two photo instructors present for the duration of the workshop, you will have plenty of opportunity for one on one instruction to further the skills that you feel you need to work on. If the workshop is full and you wanted to be added to the waiting list, click HERE.
* please read the workshop F.A.Q. section on this page to learn more about visiting Patagonia.
All Workshop Deposits Are Transferable to
Other Workshops if Something Comes Up...
*See our Cancellation Policy for more info...
Areas to Explore
Patagonia Photography Workshop Adventure
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Lago Pehoe
- Salto Grande Waterfall
- Laguna Amarga
- Perito Moreno Glacier
- Town of El Chalten
- Cerro Torre & Lago Torre
- Mt. Fitz Roy
- Laguna Capri
- and much more...
Join the Workshop Waitlist to learn more about any upcoming adventures...
Join the Workshop Waitlist to learn more about any upcoming adventures...
Workshop Extentions
In addition to our adventures to Patagonia, we are offering two other unique workshop experiences for clients signing up for each of our Patagonia Workshops in 2023…
Bolivia - Salar de Uyuni Milky Way
In late March we will lead a small group of photography to Bolivia to focus on capturing the Milky Way reflections above the famous Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats in the world. This trip will cover 5 nights and six days, including a night in La Paz as well as your domestic flight to Uyuni. The cost will be $4000 USD per person.
Easter Island Astro Adventure
In late April, we will take a small team of photographers to the Easter Island to focus our attention on capturing the night sky and Milky Way above the infamous Rapanui statues that line the islands landscapes. This workshop addition will cover 4 nights and five days and cost $4000 USD per person.
F.A.Q
Absolutely! Although I might be a bit biased 😉 While there are a number of photography workshops being offered in places like Patagonia, none of them offer a similar experience. Not only have I been working as a photo workshop instructor for 18 years, which included time leading trips for National Geographic, but I have spent over 10 years exploring the Southern Patagonian region of South America. I work hard to make sure I meet each of my clients at their own level, providing ample 1 on 1 time while we are out in the field. This helps to make sure that you get everything possible out of this workshop experience!
This 1st workshop of the season starts on March 29th, 2023 at 9am in Punta Arenas, Chile (PUQ airport code). You most likely will want to arrive a day early to help you deal with any jetlag from your travels. On April 7th, 2023, the workshop ends by 2pm in El Calafate, Argentina (FTE airport code). You will fly in and fly out of different airports for this workshop.
This 2nd workshop of the season starts on April 12th, 2023 at 7:30 am in El Calafate, Argentina (FTE airport code). You most likely will want to arrive a day early to help you deal with any jetlag from your travels. On April 21st, 2023, the workshop ends at 2pm in Punta Arenas, Chile (PUQ airport code). You will fly in and fly out of different airports for this workshop.
Depending on which country you are from, you might need VISAS to enter either Chile or Argentina or both. While we start in one country, we will cross over into the other via a land border, so please make sure you have your VISAS sorted out well in advance of the workshop!
Because this workshop is currently still far off, we can not predict what, if any, COVID-19 restrictions or rules will be in place. We will update this section of the FAQ as we get closer to the start date of this workshop.
If you want to join our Patagonia adventure but also wish to expand your South America travel experience to include more things, we are offering two workshop extensions in 2023. Before the first workshop, we will take a small group of photographers to Bolivia to photograph the Salar de Uyuni with a focus on the Milky Way reflections that are possible as a thin layer of water sits on top of the largest salt flats in the world. After the 2nd workshops, we will take a small group of photographers to Easter Island in Chile, to photograph the famous Rapanui statues that dot the landscapes around the incredible island. To learn more about costs and ask questions about these workshops, please send us an EMAIL.
While this trip is mostly focused on landscape photography, we should have a wide variety of wildlife photographic opportunities that could include; Guanaco, Patagonian Fox, Andean Condor, Caracara, Rhea, and possibly Puma (specifically in Torres del Paine National Park.
Patagonia is known to have some of the most fierce weather in the world. It is not uncommon to experience 80-100 mph winds on a trip to this region of the world. In addition, Patagonia is home to a massive number of glaciers, which help create their own weather systems. While this combination can make for some challenging situations, it is also why this region of the world is so popular with photographers. Dramatic weather means dramatic light which can provide incredible photographic opportunities along the way.
In Torres del Paine, the hikes we go on are very easy with gentle grades. In Argentina, once we get to El Chalten, the hikes do get a little more challenging. Every morning (weather permitting) we will do optional sunrise hikes up to the best viewing points for either Mt. Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre. These can vary in length from 5k to 9k each way, with some elevation gain. We leave early in the morning, giving our group plenty of time to not be in a rush up the trails. We work together as a group, making sure everyone makes it up to the best possible views. While these hikes are not easy, they are not overly difficult either. Being optional, you are free to partake in each morning’s hike, just 1 or anything in between.
The workshop tuition listed above is based on double occupancy (shared rooms). If there is availability for a single room for the workshop, the cost is $1200 USD extra. This is a first come first serve basis and is based on room availability at our hotels in both Chile & Argentina.
With a focus on landscape photography, you will want to have the lens mm length equivalent from 16- 200mm. This can include a 16-35 for wide-angle landscapes, a 24-70 (0r 24-105) as a walk-around lens, and a 70-200 to allow you to zoom in on distant mountains for some more intimate scenes. If you are interested in wildlife photography as well, you might want to bring something like a 100-400 or 200-600 as well to help you fill much more of your frame with your subject.
In Colby’s gear bag you will find the following…
Sony a1 (2)
Sony 14mm f/1.8 (For Astro)
Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM (For Landscapes)
Sony 24-105 f/4 (All-Around)
Sony 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 GM or 200-600 f/5.6-6.3 G (For Wildlife)
If either Chile or Argentina decides to close their borders, rendering this workshop impossible to run on the dates we have listed, the workshop will be postponed to other dates that have yet to be determined. The bottom line is that you won’t lose your deposits or your tuition fees.
Meet Your Instructors & Guides
Colby Brown
Owner/Photographer/Author
Colby Brown is a photographer, photo educator and author based out of Eastern Pennsylvania. Specializing in landscape, travel and humanitarian photography, his photographic portfolio spans the four corners of the globe and all 7 continents. Not too long after picking up his first digital camera in 2006, Colby was leading workshops for National Geographic in South America, further spurring his love for both travel and photo education. In 2011, he founded The Giving Lens, an organization that blends photo education with support for various non-governmental organizations (NGO) and causes around the world, such as child education, clean drinking water projects, and women’s rights.
Pedro Kin
Workshop Manager/Photo Instructor
Pedro is a Portuguese landscape photographer based in Slovakia but you’ll often find him in the most scenic mountains, forests, and fjords of Europe. Favoring the cold landscapes and the unspoiled nature of northern Europe, the higher latitudes do not stop him from going after the perfect shot. When not traveling the world with his camera, you can find him back home teaching workshops, testing new gear and experimenting with photography.
Testimonials
Once you have taken a workshop with Colby, you realize it feels more like traveling with friends who share your passion for photography. Colby and his team just happen to be the invaluable friends who are experts in both photography and the travel location. In(...)
As a beginner, I found our adventure in Patagonia to be extremely helpful. I feel much more confident when it comes to using my Sony camera, editing images with Lightroom, and finding the best light and composition for my photos. Colby and Pedro were always(...)
The 2018 Patagonia workshop was the first with Colby, and I did not go home disappointed. I have taken many workshops before, but this was the most educational and fun ever. I just wish the PUMA that Colby has ordered showed up 🙂
Other Workshops Worth Checking Out!
Iceland Winter Photo Workshop – Ice Caves & Auroras
Winter in Iceland is one of those unique experiences that everyone should have at least once in their life. With this workshop, we will focus our time on the South of Iceland, focusing our time on Ice Caves, Northern Lights, and glaciers, but we will also photograph a number of waterfalls such as Gullfoss, Bruarfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogarfoss and more.
The Faroe Islands Photography Workshop
Join me next Summer as we explore one of the most remote and wild landscapes destinations left on the planet, the Faroe Islands. Between the incredible mountains, seascapes, waterfalls and hiking paths, now is the time to visit this amazing destination before it gets too popular like it's cousins Iceland & Norway.
Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Workshop
Join me next January in one of the most biologically diverse countries on the planet, Costa Rica, where we will spend 9 days photographing toucans, macaws, rare frogs, snakes, sloths, anteaters and much more.
Alaska Bald Eagle Photography Workshop
Come join me on an amazing adventure to Haines, Alaska to witness and photograph one of the largest gatherings of the American Bald Eagle on the planet. Every November, thousands of bald eagles descend upon the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in anticipation of the final salmon run in the region.
Discover Cuba
With this adventure, our focus will be on capturing the beauty of the Cuban people, culture, and architecture throughout the Island of Cuba. From the classic cars and ocean side highways in Havana to the cobblestone streets of Trinidad and everything in between. With so much uncertainty in the US/Cuban relationship, NOW is the time to go!
Wildlife Photography Workshop in Brazil Jaguars of the Pantanal
The Pantanal region of Brazil is known as the land of the Jaguar. Nowhere else on Earth is there a higher concentration of these elusive big cats than this remote region of Southern Brazil, close to the Southern Amazon Basin. In addition to Jaguars, you will see Caimen, Capybara and a wide assortment of birds.
Norway Photo Workshop – Lofoten Islands
Join us this February as we explore this impressive series of Islands located above the Arctic Circle. While we will work hard to get you in the right spot for both sunrise and sunset, with over half the day steeped in darkness, we will make sure to chase any and all Aurora activity that presents itself throughout our time in the Lofoten Islands.
Dolomites Photography Workshop
Come join us on an adventure of a lifetime to the amazing Italian Dolomites. We will photograph and explore incredible mountain peaks, beautiful reflected lakes and gorgeous fall colors as we move throughout one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world.
Bolivia Astro Photography Workshop
Join me in Bolivia for an incredible adventure focuses on astro, landscape and wildlife photography as we explore the famous Salar de Uyuni with its glass like reflections as well as the high-altitude lagunas full of a variety of different species of Flamingos.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No one wants to miss out on a trip of a life time…but things do happen. In those situations, the following applies…
The first thing to note is that deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable. In addition, all cancellations are subject to a minimum of a $150 service charge to cover PayPal transaction fees. In most situations, we ask for the remaining balance of a workshop is to be paid 120 days from the start of the workshop in question. If you wish to cancel within 120 days from the start of a workshop and we find someone to fill your spot, you would be entitled to receive a refund (minus your deposit and the $150 processing fee) or transfer to another workshop with no penalties or fees.
If we don’t find someone to fill your spot, what does your refund window actually look like?
120 Days or More...
Your deposit will be transferable to another Colby Brown Photography Workshop without issue.
90 to 120 Days
You will receive a refund of 50% of the full tuition fees minus the non-refundable deposit.
Less Than 90 Days...
If you wish to cancel within 90 days of your workshop starting, you are not entitled to a refund.