Join Helen for a workshop in Algonquin Park during her favourite "season" -- the Golden Encore! After the peak-colour crowds have dwindled, and many of the leaves have fallen, a special kind of magic fills the park... the tamaracks turn gold, fog glides across the water and swirls around the trees, and the mornings are kissed with sparkling frost.
Let Helen guide you to some of her favourite locations in Algonquin for landscape & wildlife photography, while she provides individualized instruction in the areas you need.
This workshop is for you if:
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You want to improve your photography skills
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You want to be guided to some beautiful landscapes and search for majestic wildlife in Algonquin Park
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You're interested in sharing some incredible experiences with like-minded people
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
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Two full days of guiding to photo opportunities in and around Algonquin Park
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Individualized in-field instruction & back-of-camera critique
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Wildlife tracking tips & tricks
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The opportunity to explore the park in the safety of a small group led by an experienced local guide
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A mid-morning tailgate coffee / tea / hot chocolate prepared by Helen
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
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Accommodation
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Transportation & gas (carpooling is recommended)
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Meals & hydration
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Ontario Parks daily vehicle permit
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Photography gear and items required for your personal comfort. A full list of suggested gear will be provided after your deposit has been received.
WHEN:
Sunday, October 19, 2025
to
Monday, October 20, 2025
COST:
$875+HST
A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your space. The non-refundable balance is due on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Please be sure to check your schedule prior to booking as all payments are non-refundable and may not be transferred to other workshops in the event you need to cancel.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Mid to late October is traditionally referred to as the "Golden Encore". Peak colours have come and gone, but the yellows and golds of the tamaracks and birch bring another wave of beauty to the landscape. This is one of my favourite times in the park! Moose are moving around and in prime condition. The rut (mating season) has just finished up -- between replenishing their energy and working off some excess hormones, some interesting behaviour can be seen. Beavers are busy in the waterways and shorelines getting a cache of food ready for winter. And the morning landscapes are typically gilded with frost and fog.
We'll meet at 6 a.m. at a designated location, introduce ourselves, go over a few rules before we head into the park with our cameras. We'll start our days photographing the sunrise, and end it photographing the sunset, or we'll go in search of wildlife if the skies don't look promising for a show. In between, we'll visit some wildlife hotspots (by car & by foot), take a wander on some trails, and let Mother Nature be our guide. We'll take a break from around 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. We'll end each evening around 6:30 p.m. after the last of the evening colour has left the sky (or it's too dark to photograph wildlife!).
We'll be out rain, snow, or shine and hike anywhere from 5-12km per day. We will be hiking for at least 3 hours at one time with frequent stops for photos, as well as following a "goat trail" to a lookout. Please be sure you're physically prepared to be active all day (with a break for lunch) and able to climb steep hills.
MORE INFORMATION:
Individualized in-field instruction is suitable for all levels. In addition to private lessons & workshops, Helen has taught Nature & Landscape Photography at Georgian College, and has been described as having a knack for explaining complex ideas simply. Among other things, Helen can help you understand the components of the Exposure Triangle and how they work together, trouble-shoot why you may not be getting the sharpest images, help you set up your camera properly, explain how to read a scene and incorporate the elements of design into your composition, and teach you how to read the histogram - the best indicator to determining if an image is properly exposed. Helen shoots in manual exposure mode and has made it her mission to get others off program mode and comfortable exploring their cameras' full capabilities to enable them to get their desired results. Helen is patient, thoughtful, and hard-working. Many of her clients appreciate her quiet, non-judgemental, and relaxed manner and book additional sessions with her. For more information about your guide & instructor, please read Helen's bio.
Need some ideas for accommodations for this workshop? Here's a list with some links: https://www.helengrose.ca/accommodations
While we do our best to find wildlife to photograph, we make no guarantees.