Come and join me as we visit the lowland Caribbean Rainforest of Costa Rica photographing some of the most fantastic macro subjects of the country. This tour is based entirely in Sarapiqui. We will visit four locations in search of macro subjects to photograph. Frogs, Snakes, Reptiles, Bats, and Invertebrates will be our subjects. All of them photographed in setup type conditions using off camera multi-flash strobes with large soft box diffusers. This workshop is a full immersion into the macro world and we will show you how we photograph these small but wonderful subjects. Our goal here is not only to photograph these subjects, but to create fine art images of them by using macro lenses and artificial and natural light.
PHOTO TOUR/WORKSHOP ITINERARY
Day 1 - San Jose.
Our private transportation will pick you up at the airport and take you to your Hotel in San Jose. Overnight at San Jose.
Day 2 - San Jose – Sarapiqui
After breakfast and an introduction by our tour leader we make our way to the Sarapiqui area of the country. The entire trip will be spent in locations in and around Sarapiqui. Today we will start with the fabulous Frogs that call Costa Rica home. We will photograph at least 8 different species today. the iconic Red Eyed Tree Frog, multiple species of Glass Frogs, the super colorful poison dart frogs and other species like the Splendid Tree Frog and the Masked Frog will be our subjects today. Full day photographing these marvelous amphibians..
Day 3 - Sarapiqui.
Today we return to the same location as yesterday but we concentrate on a whole new set of subjects; Reptiles, Snakes, and Invertebrates. We will photograph some of the iconic snakes of the country like the wonderful Eyelash Viper and other species like Vine Snakes and Parrot Snakes. We will have at least 4 species of snakes today. We will also target the fabulous insects that our guides will collect for us. Long horned Katydid, Shield Mantis, Leaf Mimicry Insects and others could be our subjects. We will have at least 4-5 invertebrate subjects to photograph today.
Day 4 - Guapiles.
Today we visit my good friend and fabulous naturalist Jose “Cope” Perez. We have a later afternoon start today as we will photograph into the night. New Invertebrates and reptiles subjects will be targeted today. After dinner we continue our tour as we will photograph active nectar feeding bats but with macro lenses. Fabulous close-up images will be created of these mammals as they come to feed on the flowers that we will have set up of them. Fast action and great fun as we target the hundreds of bats that will visit our setups.
Day 5 - Guapiles.
Another late afternoon start since we will also photograph into the night targeting nocturnal subjects. This afternoon we travel to northern Guapiles to a new location where the macro subjects are abundant. Our main targets here are very unique nocturnal subjects. We will target the marvelous Crowned Tree Frog, new species of Glass Frogs like the Reticulated Glass Frog. Here we also find the Blunt-headed Tree Snake that is a fantastic subject to photograph. We will photograph under controlled conditions were we will build setups for participants to use. There are so many subjects here that we will return tomorrow to continue our adventure at this location.
Day 6 - Guapiles.
Repeat of yesterday activities but with new subjects. Today we target other species of frog and snakes. We will also have our guide look for new invertebrates to photograph. There is never a shortage of subjects at this marvelous location.
Day 7 - Sarapiquí - Transfer back to San Jose.
After breakfast we head back to one of our locations for one last outing. This morning we will target the species of frogs, snakes and reptiles that we did not get during our regular outings. Any subjects that we missed due to lack of time or unavailability at the time will be made up during this morning’s session. After lunch we make our way back to San Jose.
Day 8 - San Jose - San Jose International Airport.
After breakfast a private transfer will take you to the international airport. End of our services.
Photo Tour / Workshop Details
Cost of Photo Tour
$6100.00 per photographer (double occupancy)
For single supplement add $690.00Each Session Open to 6 Photographers
Session 1 - June 3-9, 2025 - 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Session 2 - June 11-18, 2025 - 2 SPOTS AVAILABLEPhysical Level - Easy
INCLUDES:
- Lodging during our tour.
- All meals as specified.
- Airport Transfers on first and last day.
- Photographic instruction and guidance by both co-leaders and guides.
- Local Bilingual Guides.
- Multi flash setups for all macro sessions.
- Private transportation through out the tour.
- All applicable taxes.
DOES NOT INCLUDE::
- Airfare to and from San Jose, Costa Rica.
- Dinner the first night.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Personal items (souvenirs, batteries, etc).
- Extra services at Hotels (laundry service, etc.).
- Gratuities for local guides, porters, wait staff and drivers.
We are limiting the number of photographers to 6 so you can get our full attention and be very comfortable at all shooting locations and during transport with your photo gear.
A $2000 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by March 1, 2025.
Deposit can be paid via PAYPAL (plus 3% fees) by clicking here:
Session 1 - FOR PAYPAL DEPOSIT CLICK HERE
Session 2 - FOR PAYPAL DEPOSIT CLICK HERE
or by mailing a U.S. Check or Money Order Payable to:
Hector D. Astorga
PO Box 74
Delmita, TX 78536
Deposits & Cancellation Policy:
A $2000 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by March 1, 2025.
Deposits and tour/workshop fees are non-refundable.
If the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is fully refundable minus a 15% cancellation fee.
We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.
Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.
No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.
We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. For insurance quotes and estimates visit www.insuremytrip.com.
For more information or questions please contact Hector Astorga:
Email: hector@hectorastorga.com
Phone: (956) 821-0701.