Photography / Natural history tours
in the Galapagos islands
blue-footed boobies, by Mark Grantham
Photography & Natural History
in the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are a dream come true for any wildlife photographer, but you likely already knew that! Several times each year we offer special Photo Tours with an added emphasis on creating magical imagery. These programs are our same 11 or 15 days routings paired with a more intense daily schedule and world-class photographer leadership.
These very full days typically start with a sunrise landing (6am; when the park opens), as well as a delayed return from the islands (6pm; when the park closes). Bracketing our time closer to sunrise and sunset we enjoy both the best lighting for photography as well as the peak animal activity. Rather than rushing the experience our pace is even more relaxed than the norm, allowing more time in the field with the myriad wonders of Galápagos – time to set up and create your images. These photo tours have been described as our regular Natural History Workshop schedule on steroids!
Not forgetting underwater photography opportunities, there are again 1 or 2 snorkeling sessions most days – just as on our regular Natural History Workshops.
Leadership is key to these special Photo Tours of course. Our incredible Photo Tour leaders are Tui De Roy and Daniel Fitter (their bios and trip dates follow).
All groups are also escorted by a hand picked licensed Naturalist Guide, trained by the Galápagos National Park, whose role is to lead participants on shore and provide wildlife interpretation, as well as enforce the National Park rules. Our naturalists are among the best in the field.
It should be mentioned that our Photo Tours are just that – tours – as opposed to Photography Workshops. Our team will try their hardest to make sure everyone has the opportunity to create the imagery they have been dreaming of, within park regulations. They will share their insights and ideas. They will inspire by example. They are not there however to teach anyone how to use a camera. Sure they can help, but these should not be viewed as technical workshops. Nightly lectures are more likely to focus on conservation and the natural history of the islands, rather than f-stops and apertures.
Not a photographer? No worries! These tours are perfect for anyone really interested in the science behind Galápagos, with expert leadership, maximizing your time ashore, and seeing the peak of wildlife behavior. The photo leader and the Naturalist Guide are there to share their wealth of knowledge with everyone!
I don't think you'll find a Galapagos tour where you will learn more or get more photo opportunities!
READY TO RESERVE YOUR TRIP?
Or give us a call at 800-969-9014
Our expert Photography Tour leaders include:
Galapagos sea lion pup, by Tui De Roy
Tui De Roy is a world-renowned, award-winning wildlife photographer and writer, as well as an acclaimed conservationist and founding fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.
Tui has lived in the Galapagos since the age of two, when her artist parents decided to leave their native Belgium to become pioneers in the little known archipelago in 1955. Home taught with a keen interest in nature, she became the first naturalist guide when tourism began to reach the islands in 1969, but soon turned to wildlife photography and writing as her lifelong profession.
Taking up residency in New Zealand in 1992, Tui travelled the world for 20 years, producing large format books on topics as varied as the world’s albatrosses and penguins, a natural history of the Andean mountain chain, and an ecosystem-based exploration of New Zealand.
After photographing on all seven continents, Tui has now returned full time to Galápagos where she is dedicating herself to re-photographing the wonders of these islands with a new eye, and spreading the word about their fragility and need for protection.
Tui’s work has been published in over 40 countries. She has authored 20 natural history books illustrated with her images, including a line of Galapagos guidebooks and recently released children’s books. In 2020 Princeton University Press will publish her landmark photographic anthology covering her 50 years of Galapagos photography.
Only very rarely does Tui lead a photo tour – this really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the islands through her eyes!
Waved Albatross, by Tui De Roy
Yellow Warbler bathing, by Daniel Fitter
Daniel Fitter typically leads just two or three photography tours annually for Galápagos Travel, and often they are private charters for international photography groups, leaving few openings for individual photographers and nature enthusiasts to join. Born and raised in the Galápagos, Daniel's higher education was mostly in the U.K. His father, Julian Fitter, is well-known in the human history of Galapagos, as related in the biography MY FATHER'S ISLAND by Johannah Angermeyer. Today Julian is a strong voice for conservation in Galápagos.
Daniel has the same sense of pioneering spirit, curiosity, and conservation ethic as his father. Daniel is a professional photographer, with work published internationally, and used extensively by the BBC. He has two books out; WILDLIFE OF THE GALAPAGOS is the leading natural history field guide to the islands, and a coffee table photography book, CREATIVE FORCE / GALAPAGOS. A Naturalist Guide and Dive Master in the Galápagos for more than two decades, Daniel currently lives in mainland Ecuador with his wife, Tina, while still considering Galápagos his true home.
baby sea turtle, by Daniel Fitter
Photography tour departures and leaders
March 15 - 28, 2023: 11 days in Galapagos with Tui De Roy • $8,500
April 26 - May 9, 2023: 11 days in Galapagos with Daniel Fitter • $8,100
June 21 - July 4, 2023: 11 days in Galapagos with Daniel Fitter • $8,100
August 2 - 15, 2023: 11 days in Galapagos with Daniel Fitter • $8,100
December 20, 2023 - January 2, 2024: 11 days in Galapagos with Daniel Fitter • $8,100
April 10-27, 2024 • 15 day photo tour of the Galapagos Islands with Tui De Roy • $10,700
June 5-18, 2024 • 11 day photo tour of the Galapagos Islands with Tui De Roy • $8700