Women + Algonquin + Photography = One Amazing Weekend!
May 3 - 5, 2024
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I'm so excited to be offering the 7th Annual Women’s Weekend in Algonquin Photography Workshop in 2024!
Join me as I lead you to stunning landscapes & local wildlife in and around Algonquin Park. I'll provide easy-to-understand in-field photography instruction and "back-of-camera" critique to help ensure you're coming away with images you'll be excited to share with friends and family.
This workshop is designed exclusively for women of all ages and skill levels who are interested in nature and wildlife photography. It’s a chance to spend some time together in nature in a fun and relaxed environment, learning tips and techniques to improve your photography.
Workshop Date:
Friday, May 3 -- Sunday, May 5, 2024 in Algonquin Park
"I just wanted to drop you a quick email to tell you how much we enjoyed the Women’s Weekend workshop and what a wonderful location Algonquin Park is. It truly is a Canadian jewel. Our skills improved greatly from the first day fox visit to the waterfall at the end. We’ve all learned so much about our cameras and how to use them.
Thank you again. The (add-on) lesson was great and will be a source of reference for me in the future. The goodie bag was wonderful ... I love my buff! Breakfast was a nice touch and coffee in the parking lot with entertainment was perfect!"
Brenda H.
Workshop Itinerary:
Mother Nature is our true guide, and we'll photograph whatever she puts in our path, but the path I've planned is designed to get us in the right place at the right time for when opportunity strikes!
Friday, May 3
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1:30 p.m. MEET AT THE MAD MUSHER, minutes east of Algonquin Park's East Gate. We'll get acquainted, go over the workshop "rules" and itinerary, and chat about ethics before the real adventure begins!
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2 - 4 p.m. afternoon photo session in Algonquin
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5 - 6:30 p.m. dinner break at The Mad Musher
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7 - 9 p.m. sunset photo session in Algonquin
Saturday, May 4
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5 a.m. depart for our sunrise and morning photo session in Algonquin
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12 noon - 3:30 p.m. (approx.) lunch break and free time to explore or rest
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3:30 - 9 p.m. afternoon & evening photo session in Algonquin *note, we will not be taking a dinner break this evening so we can maximize our time in the field. Have a late lunch, order a packed meal to go, or bring snacks to sustain you.
Sunday, May 5
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5 a.m. depart for our morning photo session on Algonquin
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Between noon and 1 p.m. lunch at The Mad Musher (not included) and workshop conclusion
What’s included:
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Guiding to landscape & wildlife photo opportunities in and around Algonquin Provincial Park by someone who calls the park her second home and continues to explore it on a regular basis
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Individualized photography instruction, tips & techniques, and back-of-camera image review by a full-time professional photographer with experience teaching in a college setting
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Packed breakfast on Saturday & Sunday (hard-boiled eggs, bannock, fruit juice, granola bar, and a piece of fruit) prepared by The Mad Musher Restaurant
What's not included:
You are responsible for:
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Your own accommodation. I'd recommend you stay on the east side of Algonquin Park (Whitney) as The Mad Musher will be our "home-base". If you'd prefer to stay in the park, or on the west side (Dwight, Huntsville) or in the park, we'll plan a meeting spot each morning.
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Transportation & fuel (carpooling is recommended where comfortable)
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Meals (except your packed breakfast on Saturday & Sunday), snacks & hydration
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Park pass
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Photography gear, appropriate clothing, and anything required for your personal comfort.
A comprehensive list of suggested gear and personal items will be provided.
Cost:
$825+hst per person
Add-on crash course: $95 +hst
Payment Policy:
A 50% non-refundable payment is due at the time of booking to secure your space in the workshop, with the balance due Monday, March 4, 2024 (60 days prior). If you are booking within 60 days of the start of the workshop, the full workshop fee is due at the time of booking and is non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy:
Please be sure you check your schedule prior to booking, as your payments are non-refundable. In the event the workshop cannot take place as scheduled due to provincial or federal regulations, Helen will discuss options with each individual registered.
What can you expect during the workshop?
When we meet we'll cover the workshop rules, safety & ethics. After that, we head into the park with our cameras. You can also expect:
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A fun weekend full of adventure with a great group of women who will probably become fast friends!
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Learning about photography and Algonquin Park and its wild residents.
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A mix of photography skill levels -- and learning from each other.
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Long days - leaving 30-60 minutes before sunrise, eating breakfast on the go.
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Photographing the sunrise, sunset, landscapes & wildlife -- whatever Mother Nature presents! We plan for landscape opportunities and "hope" for wildlife, hitting wildlife hot spots and doing a bit of animal tracking.
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An afternoon break (free-time to rest, refresh, review, or explore on your own).
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Hiking anywhere from 5-12km/day on reasonably flat, well-worn trails with some obstacles (roots, rocks etc.).
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In-field instruction and back-of-camera critique designed to help you in the areas you wish to improve.
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A fair amount of driving -- it takes about an hour to get from one end of the park to the other and we often drive this at least once per day.
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Adventure rain, snow, or shine!
Please note: while I recommend bringing a telephoto lens for wildlife opportunities, you do not need to have one to enjoy this workshop. Also, you will not need to carry all your gear everywhere we go. I include recommendations for how to pack in the suggested gear list provided to participants.
New to photography or want to spend a bit more time learning the fundamentals before the adventure?
Book a one-on-one "crash course" with Helen! This is a special workshop add-on to help you get up-to-speed with settings and familiarize yourself with your camera. If you're local to Muskoka, you can join Helen in her gallery just outside of Bracebridge. Or, schedule an online session leading up to the workshop. This add-on session is priced at $95 and will give you up to 2 hours with Helen where she'll answer any questions you have, and help you in the areas you need it.
About Helen E. Grose - Your Guide & Instructor!
Helen is a full time professional photographer who lives in the heart of Muskoka, an hour away from Algonquin Park's West Gate. She fell in love with Algonquin in high school during her first canoe trip, and has since experienced some incredible moments with many of the park’s famous residents – moose, foxes, wolves, bears and beavers. She will take you to some of her favourite places and provide you with information that
will help increase your chances of finding and photographing wildlife, safely and ethically.
Helen's images have been published around the globe and she's often been described as an animal whisperer. Helen has taught nature and landscape photography at Georgian College. She prides herself on using simple, easy to understand language. During this workshop, Helen will also touch on ethics in wildlife photography, as it’s an important part of any authentic encounter. While every effort is made to find wildlife to photograph, there are many factors outside our control and, therefore, no guarantees are made.
About Algonquin Provincial Park
Originally established as "Algonquin National Park of Ontario" in 1893, Algonquin Park is the oldest provincial park in Canada. Due to a movement to create a true national parks system in 1913, its name was changed to what it's known as today, Algonquin Provincial Park. The park covers approximately 7,653 square kilometres of land between northern and southern Ontario. Roughly a 3.5 hour drive north of Toronto, a 3 hour drive west of Ottawa, and a 3 hour drive south-east of Sudbury, Algonquin Park is easily accessible to a large population, making it a favourite playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The mix of coniferous and deciduous forests found within the park's boundaries make it home to a diverse number of flora and fauna. As a result, Algonquin is one of the most well-researched parks in the country. Algonquin Park has a rich history, which includes logging, railway and, of course, the arts as a favourite subject - and place of death - of the famed Tom Thompson.
About The Mad Musher
The Mad Musher Restaurant & Riverside Rooms is located in Whitney, Ontario - a few minutes east of Algonquin Park's east gate. 29588 ON-60, Whitney, ON K0J 2M0
Situated next to the rushing Madawaska River, its close proximity to the park and its down-home charm makes it a favourite place for park visitors & artists of all types to meet, stay and eat. Its accommodations consist of four bedrooms that share two washrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a TV room - all below the restaurant, accessible through a separate entrance steps away from the river. The restaurant's varied menu offers a mix of traditional North American favourites and dishes for those with more adventurous taste buds, as well as vegetarian and gluten free options. Free WiFi is available for those who wish to post and tweet about their amazing Algonquin adventures.
For information about bookings & the workshop, please contact Helen.
*Note: While we will do our best to locate wildlife to photograph, there are many factors outside our control; therefore, no guarantees are made.