Tropical Hawaii Photography Workshop | Sojourn Series

Big Island Hawaii Explorer 4-Day Photography Workshop

The Big Island of Hawaii offers some of the most diverse landscapes on the planet...from pristine beaches and lush tropical rain forests, to petroglyphs and the 14,000 foot peak of Mauna Kea!

Join us for this four day, fun-filled adventure and come away with photography experiences that expose you to some of the best the Big Island has to offer. A few of the highlights during this week of sun, surf and shutter clicks will be an opportunity to spend a festive night at a classic Hawaiian luau, where we'll not only enjoy the food and entertainment of the event, but also have great access for the opportunity to photograph the dancers in their traditional Hawaiian regalia.

We'll hike in and around the lush and tropical Akaka Falls State Park to photograph the mighty 422 ft. tall fall, as well as amazing and vibrant tropical flowers and bamboo groves in the botanical gardens.

Honu, sea turtle enjoying the coastal waters of Hawaii. Photo by Stephen W Oachs

From the lush tropical rain forests, we will move over two miles from sea level to the desert moonscapes of Mauna Kea! The hot sand beaches give way to these sometimes snowy mountain peaks. We'll spend the evening photographing the setting sun atop the mountain and then stay after dark to photograph the night sky from one of the world's best places to see them. This ancient volcanic hotspot is not only a wonderful spot for landscape photography, but also night photography. It's easy to see why some of the best telescopes on the planet are here! We'll give you the help and instruction you need to not only photograph the sunset, but also to light paint and capture amazing starscapes as well! It'll be a memorable evening, for sure!

If you're an underwater photography lover, and have been looking for a chance to submerge and experience underwater photography, there will be an optional trip for doing just that! Imagine not only swimming with gentle giant sea turtles, but also having a chance to capture some memorable images of these amazing creatures beneath the crystal blue ocean waves. An adventure never to be forgotten!

In addition to these wonderful experiences, we will spend time photographing the beautiful and famous Hawaiian beaches and the bright blue tropical waters at the most incredible times...sunset and sunrise. We'll hike out to ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs for an evening of shooting these age old pictorials and further enjoying the stunning Hawaiian landscape.

In between all the time you'll spend shooting, our team of professional instructors will be on hand to answer your questions, look at your work and offer help to take your photography from the snapshot to the type of image you'd want to hang on your wall! You'll also experience the joy that comes from spending time with other people who love travel and photography as much as you do! These are the types of trips that not only bring home great images, but also new friends and memories that last a lifetime!

Breathtaking landscapes! Traditional Hawaiian festivities! Underwater photography! Night photography! Waterfalls! Hawaiian flora and fauna! Beautiful tropical weather! All the friends, fun and photography you could ask for in a tropically-themed vacation at your doorstep... all you have to do is grab your camera and go!

What to Expect

Every workshop we conduct has been designed by photographers, for photographers. With that in mind, we build itineraries that maximize your opportunity to capture professional quality images.

We will be exploring the Big Island of Hawaii and traveling between the extra-terrestrial looking landscapes of the northwest shores, into the rain forests, on to the high altitudes of the Mauna Kea volcano. We will also visit and photograph ancient native petroglyphs, sea turtles (Honu), beautiful native botanicals and much more.

:: Group Size ::

We designed this trip with these three things in mind: photography, comfort, and learning... oh, and fun! Guess that makes it four things. While thinking of these things, we decided to limit the group size to 10. We will oftentimes split up into two groups, to offer the ease of image capturing without competing or jockeying for position.

Itinerary

:: Day 1 ::

You will arrive In Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. We will transport you and your luggage to the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort. Once all guests have arrived, we will gather for a 3 pm poolside orientation before packing up to head out for our first sunset shoot!

After orientation, we will head north to some of the most pristine ancient Hawaiian petroglyph ruins available. From there, we will make the short walk out to the beach where sea turtles (Honu) often come up on the beach to warm in the late afternoon sun. There, we will set up and prepare to capture our first Hawaiian sunset!

After sunset we will return to the resort for dinner and a good night's sleep to prepare for the next day.

:: Day 2 ::

On your second day in tropical Hawaii, we will head to the harbor in Kona to board a whale watching charter, which will give us an up close encounter with the largest mammals on earth. These extremely large, yet gentle, creatures are amazing to witness and photograph.

After our whale watching journey, we will have lunch in Kona and then return to the resort for some relaxation. In the late afternoon we will pack up and make our way to the summit of Mauna Kea volcano. At 13,796, we will be at the highest point of the entire island state of Hawaii. On our way up, we will stop half way at the visitor's center for a 30-45 minute altitude adjustment and learn about the legends and facts around Mauna Kea.

Once we reach the summit you will feel, and be, on top of the world! The views are stunning and the observatories fascinating. Pack some warm clothing for this journey as it often snows up there!

Whale Breaching Off Hawaii

:: Day 3 ::

We'll sleep in just a little on the morning of day 3, before heading out to the lush and tropical Akaka Falls. This amazing waterfall flows 442 feet from top to bottom into a deep canyon. In addition, Akaka Falls is surrounded by amazing plants, flowers and bamboo. You wont be disappointed with the many photographic opportunities this area has to offer.

From Akaka Falls we'll make our way into the nearby town of Hilo for some "local flavor." Next stop will be one of the most amazing botanical gardens on the Big Island, where we'll work to capture stunning and detailed macro images of many native and non-native species.

With a long day behind us, we will return to the resort to rest and relax and to dress up a little for our sunset luau featuring exciting fire dancers and fantastic native cultural cuisine and spirits!

:: Day 4 ::

We'll start day 4 early out on the beach area of the resort where we will conduct a Hawaiian model sunrise shoot. Learn to capture these models as they perform traditional Hawaiian dance to welcome the new day.

After breakfast we'll gather for image review and a chance to learn tips and tricks from instructors on how to get the most out of the images you've captured.

For those with an afternoon departure, you will be transported back to the Kona International for safe travels home.

Travel and Lodging

Experience Hilton Waikoloa Village, a unique resort in Waikoloa set on 62 ocean front acres of the exclusive Kohala Coast on the island of Hawaii. Just 20 minutes north of Kona International Airport, the Waikoloa resort features tropical gardens with water ways, exotic wildlife and a museum walkway with Asian and Polynesian artwork. Travel around the resort on trams and canal boats or stroll the garden paths. Enjoy recreational amenities, including two championship golf courses, eight tennis courts, three swimming pools, dolphin encounters, and watersports in the lagoon.

Guest rooms and suites at the Waikoloa hotel are based in three unique towers, all with balconies and high-speed Internet access. Décor is a subtle blend of island textures and tones.

With 235,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, Hilton Waikoloa Village is a stunning venue for events. Hold weddings in the oceanside pavilion and chapel, or keep in touch at the business center, all while taking advantage of the supportive services and Wi-Fi.

Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining at Hilton Waikoloa Village. With 14 restaurants and lounges in exotic settings, you can savor Japanese, Pacific Rim and American cuisines. Try the Legends of the Pacific luau buffet at Kamehameha's Court while enjoying the music and dance of the Pacific Rim.

Indulge with a treatment or massage in the Kohala Spa. Exercise in the gym or stroll the meditative gardens. Snorkel or kayak in the ocean-fed lagoon, filled with tropical fish. Kids will love Club Keiki with daily entertainment and cultural programs.

Meet Our Workshop Pro Instructors...

Meet our master instructors and learn what qualifies them to give you a great experience during your workshops! While you're joining us, you will receive comprehensive digital photography instruction and tutoring by our team of award-winning photographers.

→ Stephen W. Oachs

Stephen W. Oachs is an award-winning photographer, successful entrepreneur and technology veteran who began his journey in photography the moment he picked up his first camera.

Completely self-taught, Stephen's unique and distinctive style has earned him recognition as one of today's finest nature photographers. He was recognized in 2007 as wildlife photographer of the year by the National Wildlife Federation and was awarded best nature photographer in 2008 by National Geographic.

Stephen has received many other awards and achievements. His work has graced the pages of such notable publications such as National Geographic, Popular Photography, Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife Magazine and many others.

In 2009 Stephen founded The Aperture Academy, a unique combination of fine art photography gallery in conjunction with classroom and workshop instruction. Students of the Aperture Academy receive hands-on instruction designed for their individual skill levels, which includes everything from learning to shoot in the field to digital post-processing techniques.

Whether trekking through the wilds of Alaska, enduring the raw challenges of nature or experiencing the thrill of life on the edge, Stephen captures rare and breathtaking moments of light and time. His exceptional eye is filtered only by his passion for life, deep affinity with nature and love of adventure.

→ Ellie Stone

Ellie Stone's experience with photography goes back 20+ years. Her photographic interests are quite broad, from landscape to macro, weddings to photojournalism, portraits to night photography, and even the fast action trickery of sporting events. Years ago, Ellie combined one of her passions with another and plunged head first into starting a business photographing athletes at running races and triathlons. Her work proved remarkable, and she quickly received notoriety and has been published in many magazines and newspapers.

As a teacher, Ellie's passion, enthusiasm and affection for capturing the beauty of the world through photography is infectious. Teaching is one of her tremendous strengths, as she has an uncanny skill of listening and understanding her student's unique ways of learning. By doing so, she caters to each student's learning style so her students maximize their photographic learning potential.

Besides her obvious passion for photography, Ellie's diversity and interests are infinite! She is a triathlete, accomplished equestrian, chef, business woman and gifted runner. She recently competed in the Boston Marathon, the most competitive marathon in the world, and re-qualified for 2012. She resides in the "frog-jumping" capital of the world, Calaveras County, where she volunteers for the Calaveras Humane Society and seizes each moment to practice photography.

What's included in the price?

→ The cost includes all accommodations (based on double occupancy) during trip dates, upon your arrival to the Big Island of Hawaii. Single room supplement is available (see pricing tab for more info); all transportation during your workshop dates; farewell luau dinner. Of course all your photography instruction and photo editing instruction is included as well!

What's not included in the price?

→ Domestic or international arrival and departure flights to Hawaii; fees to obtain a passport (if you're from outside the US); excess baggage fees; meals; personal expenses, such as room service, alcohol, laundry, phone service, activities not listed on the itinerary; travel insurance (strongly recommend); gratuities.

What type of camera equipment do I need?

→ To get the most of your images, a good quality DSLR is strongly suggested. Single point-and-shoot cameras often don't give you the creativity and flexibility you'll want for this workshop.

→ A lens with the range of 24-105mm is the perfect "go to" lens to have in your bag. Also a wide angle with a range of approx. 16-35mm is nice for waterfalls and landscape (but is not required).

Since we'll also be photographing a lot of the tropical flora, a macro lens is a good option. Most camera manufacturers offer some type of macro lens. These lenses enable you to get up close to not only flowers, but bugs, frogs, and even moss, to capture the beautiful details at an ideal focal distance.

If you don't have any lenses in these focal ranges we recommend companies such as, www.borrowlenses.com who offer outstanding products are reasonable prices, that you can return after your trip.

→ It's a good idea to carry a camera rain jacket or cover, in case we encounter some light sprinkles. Don't forget, we will be in a tropical environment, so an occasional sprinkle is quite common, and it's what keeps things so beautiful. You can find these camera and lens rain covers at all sorts of retailers, such as, www.bhphoto.com, www.adorama.com, or www.amazon.com.

→ A sturdy, but lighter weight tripod is a necessity. You'll also need a cable or remote shutter release. Longer exposures for sunrise, sunset, and water type shots will all be longer exposures, so a shutter release is a must.

→ If you tend to be heavy on the trigger finger, make sure you bring sufficient memory cards. Multiple 16gb and 8gb cards are a good idea, as is an external hard drive to back up your images (500gb minimum), with your laptop. If you want to view your images, get feedback and photo editing skills, your laptop is a must have.

Is this a tour or workshop?

→ It's a mix of both. We do expect you to be familiar with the basic settings of your camera because you don't want to be fiddling around with how to set the exposure when the beautiful colors of the sunset are quickly fading! However, our instructors will be available in the field with suggestions about exposure, composition and technique; but in general, it's best to come with a working knowledge of your camera gear. If you're unsure, we highly recommend you sign up for one of our one-day workshops, such as the Botanical Gardens workshop in Santa Cruz, to get you well prepared for this adventure, and comfortable with your camera. Also, once back at the hotel, we have options that are more of a workshop format, and we can offer you image critique and post processing skills then.

What Type of food is available in Hawaii?

→ Generally speaking the food is the same as on the mainland. You'll see a McDonalds and sushi place in the same strip mall. You will find a lot of Pacific Rim type cuisine, which is generally very good, and local ingredients are usually utilized. Otherwise, almost everything has to be flown or shipped out to the islands, so food and other goods can be a little more expensive.

Are there any baggage limitations during the trip?

→ It's a good idea to check with the airline your booking with for their individual baggage weight limits or restrictions. It's a domestic flight, so standard size and weights should apply.

What will the weather be like?

→ The big island is considered a tropical climate. Our trip is planned during the end of the rainy season, however that does not mean we won't encounter an occasional sprinkle or shower. Usually they pass quickly, but just in case we are out shooting during a passing shower, you'll need to have a light rain jacket for yourself, and some protection for your camera. Remember, it's those passing showers that give us the best light and add drama to our images.

The overall temperatures are fairly moderate. Morning lows may be in the low 60s, with afternoons in the low 80s. Dressing in layers is always recommended for optimal comfort. A wide brim hat and sunscreen are going to be your best friend. Another BFF on this trip is going to be bug spray! Especially if you know you're the kind of person that mosquitoes seem to adore. They will find you here, so don't forget the bug repellent. Dressing in light clothes that cover you up can also be effective in eliminating bug bites. And don't forget your swimsuit for afternoon lounging by the pool, or at the beach!

I plan on traveling alone. Do I need to bring someone?

→ No, you don't. However, tour price is based on double occupancy, so we will place you with other solo travelers of the same sex. However, if you prefer your own room, we can make arrangements for single accommodations for a supplemental charge.

Do you recommend trip insurance?

→ YES! We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any non-refundable registration fees, travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses. Travel Guard is a good company to look into, although there are many options out there for you to explore.

Do I need a Passport to visit Hawaii?

→ Only if you are a citizen from a country other than the United States of America. Then you'll need a passport to visit the US.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Hawaii?

→ No, but be sure to bring mosquito repellent. As with any tropical location, there can be mosquitoes.

Have more questions?

No problem! Our instructors are happy to answer them: Email Stephen Oachs or Email Ellie Stone

Workshop Price and Deposit

The workshop fee is $2995. A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your space. Balance is due by December 1st, 2013. Due to the exclusivity of this trip, and the limited number of seats available, refunds are as follows:

Refundable Balance: 150 days (five months) or greater (not including deposit)
No refund within 149 days or less of the start date
Seats are transferrable

Please Note: Returning student discounts are not applicable to Sojourn Series workshops.

What is/isn't included?

The workshop/tour price includes:

Lodging (for single supplement, add $700)
All guide and instructor services
All local hawaii transportation
Park fees
Breakfast
Luau Dinner

The workshop/tour price DOES NOT include:

Transportation to/from Hawaii
Passport (if applicable)
Alcoholic beverages
Driver/local staff gratuities
Travel insurance
Additional/optional excursions not listed in the itinerary

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