Deluxe Puffin workshop with Christopher Dodds

Summer 2025 BOOK EARLY TO AVOID PRICE INCREASE

July 29 to August 1, 2025 ONLY 1 Room Left!

August 1 to 4, 2025 ONLY 2 Rooms Left!

August 4-7, 2025

 
  • Fully licensed commercial photo tour operator in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve by Parks Canada.

  • This is a dream deluxe photography tour: Dreamlike accommodations in a newly restored lighthouse just feet away from nesting Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills on a small island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, with gourmet food.

  • Timed to coincide with the very best time to be at the colony with the Puffins returning with fish to feed their young.

  • The group size is limited to 5-8 photographers (the price is per person in single or double occupancy, as desired, with only six rooms available).

  • Exclusive use of the lighthouse and accommodations means we will be the island’s only inhabitants.

  • With a limited group size of 5-8 photographers, you can expect more personalized assistance, one-on-one guidance, and coaching. This ensures that every participant gets the attention they need to enhance their photography skills.

  • Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour; 200-400mm reach is adequate for an impressive portfolio.

  • Photographers of all levels are welcome; the tour pace will suit everyone’s needs and skill level. Participants should be able to comfortably walk 200 meters (200 yards) at a slow pace while carrying their equipment.

  • Regardless of your camera brand, you're welcome to join this tour. With my 40 years of professional photography experience, including the last eight years as a Sony ambassador, 16 years as a Canon Northern Explorer of Light, and 16 years using Nikon, I can help anyone improve their photography, no matter the brand.

  • Christopher Dodds has 40 years of experience with the Puffins in the great Canadian outdoors.

 

I have been in search of the ultimate destination for an Atlantic Puffin workshop/safari for a very long time. The mandate was simple; find a location that is within reach, safe and easy to get to without a dangerous boat landing on slippery rocks and a place where we can get close to these comical little seabirds without hauling our gear up, and over, huge distances or having to hang over towering cliffs; a place where anyone can comfortably reach, regardless of age or physical ability; a place with reliable, safe and easy boat landings. I have photographed Atlantic Puffins in Iceland, England, Scotland, Wales, Maine, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Quebec; All of these "known" places have their drawbacks., and I simply can't imagine subjecting my clients to the abuse. Mission accomplished; I have found Puffin Paradise. This is the very best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills fishing, with fish in their bills, in-flight and in golden light.

Beyond the 50th parallel, along the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, lies a remarkably beautiful scattering of some thirty limestone islands and more than 1000 granitic islets and reefs. The territory, the "Mingan Archipelago", became Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada 1984.

This necklace of land carved out of the limestone bedrock is the site of spectacular natural monuments that bear witness to the never-ending wear of the sea and the centuries. And there is an abundance of life in this strange half-world: plants of variegated hues and shapes, seabirds gathered in colonies, seals, dolphins and whales, swarming the blue vastness in which the islands bathe.

Many of my favourite images of Puffins and Razorbills were made with only my Sony a9 and Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master lens! The Puffins and Razorbills and plentiful and they fly within inches of us. There will be many opportunities to photograph the Puffins and Razorbills returning to their burrows with fish in their mouths!

Join me, Canadian Wildlife Photographer Christopher Dodds, for a dream Puffin photography workshop/safari. This trip will be limited to 5-8 participants and will surely be the trip of a lifetime for anyone seeking to get close and personal (safely) to Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. We will be the only inhabitants of the island; we will be sleeping within 50 feet of the nesting Puffins and Razorbills! Gourmet meals included! Dawn to dusk Puffin photography.

Our target subjects include (but are not limited to): Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Common Murre, Savannah Sparrow, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Black Guillemot, Common Eider, Great Cormorants, Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Grey Seal, Minke Whale many other species of birds and marine mammals.

The trips are timed to coincide with the very best time to be at the colony with the Puffins returning with fish to feed their young.

Includes four days of professional instruction and guiding by Christopher Dodds, boat transportation to and from the island, three nights single occupancy accommodation, gourmet meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and logistics management. Not included in the price is your transportation to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec, Canada, hotels for any nights before or after your workshop, souvenirs or any other expenses of a personal nature like alcohol.

Who should attend: This workshop is highly recommended for any level photographer. Whether you are completely new to nature photography, an experienced amateur, or a seasoned pro. There will be something to photograph and we will have plenty of time to tailor your instruction to your abilities. The seasoned pro can take full advantage of the logistics, my site and subject knowledge.

Getting there: The starting point and meeting place is the town of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec (Canada). You should arrive in Sept-Iles, Quebec the day before your workshop starts and drive to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec on the morning of your workshop’s first day.

Sept-Iles Airport (airport code: YZV serviced by Air Canada) is 152km or 94.5 miles from Lounge-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Quebec City Jean Lesage Airport (Airport code: TQB Serviced by most carriers) is 831km or 516 miles from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (Airport code: YUL Serviced by most carriers) is 1,086km or 675 miles from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Details: An extremely detailed email with the precise itinerary, hotel recommendations (for the night before your workshop), camera gear suggestions and tested clothing checklist will be emailed after registration is complete and your deposit is received.

Questions: Feel free to email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com or call me at +1 (514) 945-6195

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Join Canadian Wildlife Photographer, Christopher Dodds, for a dream Puffin photography workshop/safari. This trip will be limited to 5-8 participants and will surely be the trip of a lifetime for anyone seeking to get close and personal (safely) to Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. We will be the only inhabitants of the island; we will be sleeping within 50 feet of the nesting Puffins and Razorbills! Gourmet meals included! Dawn to dusk Puffin photography.

I had a spectacular time! It is a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful adventure with Chris on Ile Aux Peroquets, a tiny island paradise! I was able to get up-close shots of Puffins as well as many in-flight shots of these comical birds. I also learned about proper exposure! Fields of wildflowers, gourmet food and comfy accommodations were the finishing touches on this unique, cool workshop! Thank you so much!”

— Kara Mason | New York, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

“My friends and I are nearly full-time workshop participants. We love being guided around the world, photographing wildlife with experts and other like-minded people. Finding and travelling with Chris Dodds, however, was a special gift. He TRULY knows the areas in which his workshops are held. He knows the people, the wildlife, and their behaviour. And, of course, he knows photography and how to teach. Now when I’m shooting, I’m channelling Chris and what he’s taught me.”

- Linda Scher - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (Winter Snowy Owls 2023, Songbirds of Pelee 2023 & Deluxe Atlantic Puffins 2023)

“I want to thank you again for one of the best photo workshops I have ever attended. The trip to Northern Quebec to photo Puffins was truly an adventure. I was very impressed with the planning you put into ever aspect of the tour. Everything ran smoothly and the opportunity to photograph these amazing birds was an experience I will not soon forget. I also appreciate the time you spent with each of us to make sure we got the best possible result from whatever equipment we were using. Your technique for reducing noise while maximizing detail when shooting at high ISO's was particularly helpful. No one had ever explained the science behind this and now it makes a lot of sense. This trip was everything I had hoped for and I look forward to joining you again in the future.”

— Chuck Raines Camarillo, California

“The Puffins Galore Workshop on I'ile aux Perroquets exceeded my expectations. Chris is an exceptional photographer, teacher, and all around good guy. He was quick to point out the best photographic opportunities for the group, taking into account the constantly changing weather, light and tides. He was always available to answer questions and give tips, catering to all levels of experience in the group. The accommodations were excellent and the food was first rate. Our chefs/housekeepers/hostesses, Louise and Johanne, were amazing. The photographic opportunities were endless with an unbelievable number of puffins as well as razorbills, guillemots, gulls, whales and seals. This was my first photography workshop and I am looking forward to my next adventure with Chris.”

— Mark Adkins Rochester| MN

“The four days and three nights on the I'ile aux Perroquets (Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop) will go down in my mind as one of those life experiences that will stay with me forever. That isle is a very special place. You did an incredible job. I was thinking about you on the trip back. What does it take to be a top notch photographer as well as a gentlemanly guide, teacher, chaperone, and friend? You have a unique set of skills that somehow pull off the attributes necessary. Each and every one of us that left that island felt as though we had made a personal connection with you. That is no easy task. Must be a Canadian thing! Keep doing what you're doing. A very sincere "thank you" to you. This trip exceeded all expectations.”

— Paul Treseler Massachusetts | USA

“Once again, great trip and I wanted to thank both you and Julie for being such wonderful hosts. The island is a unique place to spend time with the Puffins and, now, my collection of Puffin shots is making it somewhat overwhelming to choose my favorites. I guess that's the objective.”

— Frank Sheets Arizona | USA


”My wife and I have taken two trips with Chris Dodds, Eagles in Homer, Alaska (EAGLES GALORE), and Puffins in Quebec (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE EDITION), and both trips have produced a portfolio of epic photos.

The first trip to photograph Eagles was well-organized: transportation was outlined, a meeting place was established, and we received suggestions as to equipment, clothing, weather, and what to expect well in advance. Chris had arranged our lodging, and upon arrival, we have a short briefing on what to expect during the course of the workshop. Transportation to the site was supplied, and to say the location and the subject was excellent is an understatement.
At times, we had forty-plus eagles overhead. Chris provided suggestions as to camera settings and provided whatever guidance was required during the shoot. Chris is very helpful and a fountain of knowledge of photography, but he doesn’t push it on you. And his head was never in the viewfinder of our cameras; he photographed, but never gave the feeling that he was on a shoot and his clients were just along for the ride.

The second trip was to Quebec to photograph Puffins. Again, the workshop was well-organized as outlined above: transportation to the site was suggested along with places to spend the previous night as we were to meet in a remote area with meager places to spend the night and dine. Boat transportation to the site was provided, and at times the puffins seemed to swarm. Chris gave us pointers on shooting small, fast-flying birds as well as the equipment necessary for closeup portrait of shy little subjects.

My wife and I have travelled all over the world, and Chris stands out among the many professional photographers we have been with. He is low key, has a good sense of humour (humour, in Canada) has a great knowledge of photography which he will share with any photographer in his groups, regardless of their experience level. We will certainly travel with Chris again.”

— Carl and Cheryl Shneider Louisianan | USA

“Chris: Just a quick note to express my appreciation for the fine workshop (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE WORKSHOP) hosting provided by you and Julie, along with Louise and Marie-Josée and the charming Auberge facilities. We were fortunate to have such good weather and abundant puffin activity, and your guidance and tips were very helpful, even for a long-time Sony mirrorless shooter. I found the other clients quite interesting and enjoyed sharing the experience with all of them. Despite some travel challenges to and from the Mingan Archipelago, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the prospect of joining you in another workshop in the future.

Again, thank you for your excellent leadership and engaging fellowship on Iles aux Parroquets – now to plough through the 30,000+ images I brought back to find the “exceptional” few!”

— Gordon Norman California | USA

“Puffins Galore" is a very apt name for this photography workshop with Christopher Dodds on L'Ile Aux Perroquets in the St. Lawrence Seaway. Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, and many shorebirds use this little island in the Mingan Archipelago as their nesting home during the breeding season and the place is alive with activity with many opportunities for images of birds in flight and birds around their burrows. Chris Dodds is acquainted with every aspect of puffin behaviour and is very generous with time and advice; he helped me improve my skills capturing images of fast-moving birds. Everyone in the group came away with images that they were thrilled with. The guest house on the island is a converted lighthouse keeper's residence and provides a very comfortable experience. The meals alone would be worth the trip. Puffins Galore and much, much more.”

— Paul Ludden Wisconsin | USA