Wildside Weekender
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Nature Photography Retreat
TOUR FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $1,850 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Portland, Maine (PWM)
GROUP SIZE
6-8 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2024: 7 SPACES AVAILABLE
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of NEW HAMPSHIRE: Nature Photography Retreat
Description of NEW HAMPSHIRE: Nature Photography Retreat
Indulge in a photography experience like no other at the “Highlights of New Hampshire: Nature Photography Retreat,” hosted by OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Lisa Cuchara and Emilie Talpin. Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s serene landscapes, this exclusive retreat offers a fusion of education, inspiration, and hands-on practice in a luxurious setting.
Explore the boundless nature photography opportunities that await you in the lush gardens, secluded trails, and pristine surroundings of the local conservation center. Unleash your creativity with any camera model you prefer. For those daring to experiment, an OM SYSTEM loaner camera equipped with computational technologies like Live Composite and in-camera focus stacking will be available.
Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking vistas of the White Mountains as you embark on excursions to capture the essence of New Hampshire’s natural beauty. From sunrise to sunset, each moment presents a new opportunity to hone your craft and expand your photographic repertoire. However, this retreat is more than just snapping pictures; it’s about cultivating a deeper connection with your subject and infusing your images with meaning and emotion. Through pre and post-Zoom meetings, as well as personalized photo reviews, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and grow, receiving invaluable feedback and insights to elevate your photography to new heights. This is your chance to not just take pictures, but to truly improve your photography skills and create images that tell a story.
Immerse yourself in the world of nature photography with personalized guidance from two seasoned professionals. With a low participant-to-instructor ratio of 1:4, you’ll receive individual attention tailored to enhance your skills regardless of your expertise level. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, there’s something for everyone in this intimate workshop. While Emilie and Lisa are OM SYSTEM Ambassadors, they can help anyone improve their photography regardless of the camera system.
Luxurious accommodations are not often an integral part of a nature workshop. However, at the center of this retreat is the Snowvillage Inn, with its award-winning perennial gardens and open green space, unrivaled mountain views, access to the private town beach on Crystal Lake, and a complimentary hearty breakfast with homemade baked goods and hot entree, enjoyed inside or out on the screened porch, the deck, or the lawn.
“A dreamy New Hampshire vacation destination where you may commune with nature, the Snowvillage Inn is a special place to relax, unwind, and relish in all the warmth of a classic yet contemporary country inn. The Snowvillage Inn has been welcoming guests to the White Mountains since 1948. The Snowvillage Inn is an extraordinary New England country home built as a summer home in 1916 by Frank Simonds, a Pulitzer Prize winning author. An expansive house set high on the lower slopes of Foss Mountain, the Snowvillage Inn has a commanding and memorable view of the White Mountains.”
Join us for a weekend of exploration, discovery, and inspiration as we delve into the art of nature photography amidst the scenic wonders of New Hampshire. As Henri Cartier-Bresson famously said, “It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart, and head.” Let us guide you on a journey to unleash the true potential of your photography and create images that resonate deeply with your soul.
Length of Tour
3 days- 2 nights
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrive at the Snowvillage Inn: https://snowvillageinn.com. Meet and Greet/orientation at 7pm.
- Day 2 – Photograph macro, wildlife, and landscape. Optional night sky in the evening
- Day 3 – Photograph macro, wildlife, and landscape. Workshop ends at 1pm
Detailed Itinerary
Cost
Cost is $1,850 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Portland, Maine (Airport code PWM.
This trip ends in same as arrival city (Airport code ).
Meals are not included, but breakfasts are included at the inn.
Bring snacks and water for the afternoons
Transportation is not included, carpooling for the afternoon sessions is highly recommended, especially since parking may be limited along the kanc, also good for camaraderie.
Single Supplement
If a single hotel room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $380 will be assessed.
NOTE: For boat-based tours, see pricing options for single cabins. Single cabin cost includes the single hotel cost above.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
Deposit Requirements
A $500 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
This trip includes staying at the Snowvillage Inn. The “Snowvillage Inn has been welcoming guests to the White Mountains since 1948. The Snowvillage Inn is an extraordinary New England country home built as a summer home in 1916 by Frank Simonds, a Pulitzer Prize winning author known primarily for his five-volume history of World War I. An expansive house set high on the lower slopes of Foss Mountain, the Snowvillage Inn has a commanding and memorable view of the White Mountains. Simonds named the house Blighty, which means home.”
Activity Level Rating: 2 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
The majority of the workshop time will be on easy walking trails or right at the door of the inn. The only demanding hike is a 15/20mns hike to the top of a mountain for sunset (weather allowing) that is easy to moderate.
You will need:
- A mirrorless camera or DSLR Body. A back-up camera is a good idea too
- Plenty of charged batteries, memory cards, a charger, cleaning cloths
- One telephoto lens, and one wider lens
- One macro lens (or a Nisi closeup filter on your telephoto)
Optional”
- Cable release (helps a lot in many aspects of photography
- Tripod (not required for most of the situations, but handy for focus bracketing, long exposure waterfalls, etc.)
FYI, a laptop/tablet for downloading images could be useful for after hours, but this workshop will not formally include workflow or post-processing time.
The closest airport in the area is Portland International Airport (PDX), in Maine (52 miles), then you have Boston Logan Airport (125 miles), in Massachusetts.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
