Kristen Westlake E(co)scape Photography Tours – Bosque del Apache & White Sands National Monument
Download this Photography tour as a pdf.
Last Minute E(co)scape Photography Tour: get more one on one attention with this small group tour, full seven days are limited to 3 people.
December 11 – December 17. New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache & White Sands National Monument. Limited to 3 participants so act now!
Bosque del Apache NWR. December 11 – 14 (Friday – Monday).White Sands National Monument. December 15 – 17 (Tuesday – Thursday)
Join me for one day, two days, three days – or take advantage of a great price for all seven days! One, two and three day participants will need to rent their own car. The full seven-day workshop includes transportation in my rented SUV. All participants are responsible for their own airfare, hotel and meals.
The Plan:
December 11 (Friday): fly to Albuquerque, and take a shuttle to Socorro, arriving in time for dinner for a meet and greet and itinerary for the following day.
December 12 – 15 (Saturday – Tuesday): Early morning flight photography of sand hill cranes and snow geese. Watch for other wetland habitat. Opportunities for hiking and photographing during the day as well as a 2 – 3 hour window of time to break for lunch, naps or anything else that you may wish to do before we resume photography for the late afternoon light and flight shots at last light.
Lunchtime at local places may include time for questions, photo critique, and Photoshop instruction.
December 15 (Tuesday): End of Bosque tour. Check out of hotels and drive to Alamogordo and White Sands National Monument. Explore, scout, and photograph afternoon light at White Sands National Monument.
December 16 (Wednesday): Early Morning light photography at White Sands. Hiking during the day and afternoon photography in the dunes.
December 17 (Thursday): One more chance at early light photography. Drive back to Albuquerque for flights out later today or Saturday.
My story: In Sept 2008 I was one of twelve volunteers that helped to clean up Bosque del Apache NWR. We “opened windows” by clearing brush so that birders and photographers alike could more easily witness and photograph the birds that migrate through Bosque in late fall and winter months. Arthur Morris headed the project “Open Windows”. Please see his bulletin for pictures and details of the project that I helped out on. http://www.birdsasart.com/bn272.htm
Why Bosque? Why now?
Photograph the dramatic morning and evening flights of thousands of sand hill cranes and snow geese
Prime-time dates at peak bird numbers
One of the best locations to master your skills for shots of birds in flight
The last three days Includes incredible landscape photography of the breathtakingly beautiful dunes at White Sands National Monument.
Not included: flight, hotel, and meals.
If you are participating in a day rate program please see below for information on renting a car. Day participants must have their own transportation.
Find flights, car and hotels: I just booked mine on Southwest Airlines. Orbitz is a great place to find great deals on flights, cars and hotels.
Fly into Albuquerque and drive or shuttle just over an hour to Socorro. Socorro will be our home base while experiencing Bosque del Apache.
My flight was less than $250.
Hotels in Socorro and in Alamogordo vary from $44 to $60 for a nice, clean place with wireless and other amenities – a great deal!
About your host: Kristen Westlake became involved with photography as a direct result of her intimate connection to her subject matter. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Kristen spent her childhood days immersed in the natural world, as an adult she recognizes how fundamental it is to humans and to her as an individual artist. Out in the field, Kristen waits patiently for just the right shot, in which she connects with an animal in perfect communion, in the instant of a clicking shutter.
Kristen’s work graces the covers and insides of numerous publications. She specializes in fine art prints on canvas and is represented by galleries throughout the United States, most recently the G2 Gallery in Venice, CA. She travels extensively in love of the land and animals that she photographs, creating art with patience and vision and by knowing her equipment as if it were her paintbrush.
Within each one of us is an artist waiting to emerge. Experience adventure as only Nature can offer and learn to capture it ALL artistically with the click of a shutter.
Why Join a Kristen Westlake Photography Tour?
* I teach by doing. I am involved in the field alongside you. I am open-minded and compassionate. I am not intimidating or unapproachable. You will feel comfortable asking the questions you wish to know the answers to. I often learn from my students too! * My tours are fun, energy filled experiences!
* Every Tour includes informal Photoshop instruction. Often times this happens during dinner or lunches.
* My work is known for its artistic design. I can teach you how to compose for beautifully artful images in the field and also in post processing.
* I am passionate about nature, about photography and about the art of nature photography. I teach what I do best – my business is my passion.
* I know how to approach wildlife closely while minimizing disturbance.
Please note that Kristen photographs during photography tours. “As an artist I teach best when I am doing what I do best. I think out loud and vocalize what I am doing and why as I am doing it.” Participants find this technique to be beneficial over an instructor who “stands by the sidelines” barking instruction. I am always available to answer your questions.
