2025 FALL PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR IN PATAGONIA

Experience the most dramatic mountain peaks on Earth from both Chile and Argentina in this South American Paradise

MARCH 22 - 30, 2025

Located at the tip of South America between Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is often referred to as “Land’s End” and showcases some of the most dramatic interplays of jagged mountain peaks, waterfalls, fjords, turquoise lakes, and deep glacial crevasses in the world!  Fall is a great time to visit as it is the end of tourist season and the vibrant colors of the Lenga trees fill the landscape as they’re leaves start to turn. Imagine yourself wandering the forested slopes and hillsides here surrounded by red and orange bonsai looking trees, when through the limbs you get a glimpse of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy. Moving further along, the view opens up and there you are looking at the full mountain range in all its stunning beauty that you’ll swear had to be sculpted by the hand of the gods themselves.

This workshop is designed for everyone without any strenuous hikes, yet remaining accessible to many of the most coveted landscape vistas for nature photography on both sides of the border. The light and weather patterns here create some spectacular conditions that can be a bit challenging. But when it all comes together with this backdrop of the most ruggedly beautiful peaks on earth, it will be hard not to be in total awe with your jaw on the floor.

On this 9 day and 8 night Photography Workshop all lodging and transportation is included. Our accommodations are adjacent to the parks and will give the opportunity for spectacular and unique drone photography right from the hotel property. We have partnered up with excellent local guides and each day our group will be led to some of the most iconic locations as well as some off the beaten path. Throughout the experience you will be provided with expert instruction on how best to capture the light and interesting compositions with your camera. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune your photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping students create a portfolio of images they are excited and proud of is priority number one on all of our workshops. One thing is certain for our visit to Patagonia: you will be blown away by the mountains, landscape, and fall colors. And we will do everything possible to help you take home photographs that do this incredible place justice.

INSTRUCTORS: Shane Kalyn, Nicole Pino & Ty Lekki                      

GROUP SIZE: 10 Participants

COST: $7900 (Double Occupancy) / Single Room Supplement $1500

INCLUDED: All Transportation and Lodging for 8 Nights

DEPOSIT: A 35% deposit is required to secure a spot. A second 35% payment is due 180 days in advance with the final balance due 120 days prior to workshop.

2026 Workshop Dates Also Available: April 7 - 16, 2026

ITINERARY

Participants should plan your travel to arrive no later than 2PM on March 22, 2025 in Punta Arenas, where you will be received at the airport and transported to our hotel.  Later this evening, we will gather for a welcome dinner and go over logistics and more detailed plans for the days to come. The following day on March 23 after breakfast we will begin our 6-hour journey to majestic Torres del Paine National Park in Chile where we will stay deep in the park’s interior at our luxurious lodge offering panoramic views of Torres del Paine National Park.  This stunning location will be homebase for the next 3 days as our expedition takes us to a myriad of photographic locations such as Pehoe Lake, Mirador Condor, Paine Towers, Salt Grande, Laguna Amara, Glacier Grey and more. 

Following our time in Chile we will then cross over the border transferring to the Argentina side staying in the quaint village of El Chalten and our beautiful accommodations. This drive will take approximately 7-8 hours, including the border crossing, and on our arrival we’ll be on the doorstep of the breathtaking jagged peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre! Over the next three days we will visit our favorite photography locations, showcasing the rugged beauty of these snow-capped peaks. Locations on the itinerary include the picturesque Chorillo del Salto waterfall, panoramic overlooks such as Los Condores and Las Aguilas and many other photographic gems.

On day 8 of our adventure we will move on to El Calafate and visit the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier in the afternoon, and then to our hotel and dinner in the evening. This will be the last night of the tour and participants should plan to fly home the following day on March 30, 2025 after 10am from El Calafate airport. 

Important Note: you will fly into Punta Arenas, Chile for this workshop and back home out of El Calafate, Argentina. Your flight from El Calafate should connect in Buenos Aires. Flight suggestions will be provided at a later date.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

To put it simply, there are stunning views at every turn and we cannot use that word enough to describe what you will see. The mountain ranges of Torres Del Paine and Cerro Chalten have been meticulously carved and chiseled by Mother Nature like none other on earth and the way the light hits these peaks and changes throughout the day is something to behold. Mix in the colorful trees turning for the season and it’s no surprise that visiting Patagonia in autumn is on so many photographer’s bucket list.

Our guides are seasoned professionals and have extensive local knowledge and photographic expertise here. Our team will be there to help throughout to ensure you don’t miss an opportunity to capture this beautiful land by getting you to the best places and assisting with both the technical aspects of your camera and seeing creative compositions in the field.

Photography sessions are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. In the field techniques and tips will be provided to help capture images correctly "in camera" with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of landscape and nature photography. Post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into Lightroom to processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. We have you covered from start to finish on this trip and will help as much or as little that you need.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

NICOLE PINO

Born and raised in Utah, Nicole has always enjoyed an outdoor lifestyle, hence developing an interest in visually capturing the wonders of nature at a young age. Exploring the geological diversity of her home state nurtured her passion for photography and later in life she concentrated on improving her skills and taking her hobby to a professional level. She soon found herself obsessed with the craft, and happily immersed in the photographic industry. Having an incurable wanderlust and love for the outdoors, Nicole spends most of her free time traveling, exploring and capturing the beauty around her. She is also a licensed boat captain and never passes up a chance to get out on the water, explore and photograph.

Traveling extensively in both the US and abroad has afforded Nicole the opportunity to experience diverse cultures, and hone her skills in several genres of photography. Her specialties include landscape, Milky Way (night sky), wildlife and travel. Nicole's deep connection to the natural world is evident in her work, as she effortlessly captures the stunning landscapes and intricate details of her surroundings. A unique perspective and keen eye for composition result in photographs that resonate with viewers. Embracing her insatiable appetite for adventure, Nicole often ventures off the beaten path, seeking out remote and untouched locations to showcase in her visual narratives. Her love of the outdoors resonates in every aspect of her photography, infusing it with a sense of adventure and natural beauty. Furthermore, her expertise as a licensed boat captain allows access to seldom photographed, remote locations that encapsulate the raw essence of nature in her work.

Nicole enjoys sharing her passion for photography and love of the outdoors with others, and is most at home in the field helping clients improve their skills and gain confidence in themselves and their photographic vision. In addition to being an accomplished guide and instructor, Nicole is familiar with the technical aspects of photography, as well as various camera systems and gear. Not only is Nicole dedicated to her craft, but she is also committed to nurturing the talents of aspiring photographers. She finds fulfillment in mentoring others, fostering their growth, and instilling in them a deep appreciation for the art of photography. With a wealth of technical knowledge and experience as a guide/instructor, she effortlessly empowers her clients to unleash their full potential behind the lens. Nicole's multifaceted expertise encompasses not only the creative side of photography, but also a comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects, making her a well-rounded photography instructor and travel guide. www.nicolepinophotography.com

SHANE KALYN

It all started with an old Nikon camera. A young Shane Kalyn picked up his father’s manual camera, and an interest bloomed. He shot on film, on slides. Then, he went to university, where he studied fish and wildlife management, and started traveling — and his world exploded. “From leopards and lions in Africa to Arctic foxes and puffins in Iceland to giant tortoises in Seychelles, I have been so fortunate to see and photograph some truly amazing things,” says Kalyn, an award-winning nature, wildlife and landscape photographer. He has been recognized by Canadian Geographic, National Geographic, the U.K. Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and the Audubon Photography Awards.

Shane is a proud member of The Canid Project, a non-profit that spreads awareness of the world’s canids to promote human-wildlife co-existence. “Photographing any species of wildlife, from sparrows to elephants, truly brings me joy. But I have a real soft spot for wild canids such as foxes and coyotes.  I would love to travel the world and photograph all of the amazing canid species out there”. 

Currently residing in Vancouver, BC but never content to sit still, Shane has also travelled to just shy of 50 countries, and his job as a fisheries technician takes him to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of his home province of British Columbia — but some of Shane’s favourite moments in photography often happen when he stumbles across urban wildlife close to home. “I am fascinated by urban wildlife and their ability to adapt and live alongside the human world, this coexistence is both essential and beautiful.  For me, it is the connection to the wildlife I photograph that I cherish the most. Feeling that connection to the natural world grounds me, and it is by far where I am most comfortable.”  Shane is also a proud member of the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, a group that promotes conservation and science education through the production of strong, thought-provoking visual content and he is also the founder of Canadian Conservation – a collective of Canadian nature photographers who use their art to raise funds to protect Canadian wildlife and conserve Canada’s wild spaces. www.4elementphotos.com

TY LEKKI

A native of Buffalo, Tyler Lekki is a self-taught, "learn-by-doing" landscape photographer and digital artist who became obsessed with back-country hiking and exploring the unknown. Long before Tyler was recognized in the landscape photography scene for pushing boundaries of exploration, he perfected his atmospheric post-production style. By layering multiple images that blend together, he orchestrates movement in his final products, emitting a moody, dream-like viewing experience. Deriving from his insatiable curiosity to capture seemingly impossible locations, Tyler's fixation with every detail that goes into his artwork puts him among a short list of world-class photographers.

After surprising the NFT world, selling out his debut collection “Pure Patagonia” in minutes, the compilation of unique compositions gained recognition from some of the most renowned collectors in the NFT space. Tyler's most recent series on SuperRare was the first VR 360 series on the platform, making him one of the leading NFT artists in the VR landscape field.

Hungry for more, Tyler returns to his "second home," El Chalten, in Patagonia for 2023/24 summer - where he has spent over 5 years studying the area. Here he runs beginner to advanced technical workshops & next-level trekking tours. The local knowledge he's attained from total immersion in his craft qualifies him to host groups of eager photographers and his passion and expertise of the area is unmatched. www.instagram.com/tylekki

INTERNATIONAL CANCELLATION POLICY & TRAVEL INSURANCE - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. In the event that a specific guide cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend getting travel insurance to cover such costs. Two companies that we recommend are Ripcord and Squaremouth.

A $200 change fee will be charged for changes or cancellations. Participants who cancel prior to 120 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Any cancellations within 120 days of the workshop cannot be refunded under any circumstances. Only if we are able to fill the vacancy, will the participant will receive a credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Understand that filling international trip spaces on this short notice is quite difficult. Workshop credits are good for one calendar year from the date of the missed workshop. If a desired replacement workshop is sold out, we will work with you on the credit.

Any cancellations within 30 days of the workshop (for any reason) will forfeit their entire registration fee as it is extremely difficult to fill the space on that short of notice. If a true emergency arises last minute we will do our best to work with you granting a partial credit towards a future workshop, but this is not guaranteed. Again travel insurance is strongly recommended.