A photographic workshop immersed in the wild heart of Slovenia, in search of the  European brown bear and the wildlife of this splendid country.

A photographic journey to discover the splendid European wildlife awaits you.

We will explore the enchanting forests of Slovenia in pursuit of the captivating creatures that inhabit them. The areas we will venture into boast remarkable biodiversity, harboring the most elusive European carnivores within their dense woods: the wolf, the bear, the wild cat, and the lynx.

Our expedition will revolve around the pursuit of the abundant brown bear, a prominent inhabitant of these lands. Our program encompasses six high-caliber photo sessions. These six sessions will be devoted to the brown bear hides, ensuring a plethora of shots and images from diverse locations. Throughout our tour, we will traverse at least three distinct sites.

By utilizing the finest hides available, we will optimize our prospects for sighting, and each location will be exclusively reserved for our group. Beyond the bears, we will tailor activities for other subjects. Mornings will offer opportunities for dedicated bird and small mammal photo sessions. An equipped hide with a watering source facilitates the close-range observation and photography of numerous bird species and more. With a dash of luck, squirrels and other diminutive mammals might also make an appearance.

Throughout the entire expedition, professional photographer Michele Bavassano will be on hand to assist you in capturing the perfect shot that encapsulates your journey.

For the first time, this event will incorporate a photographic workshop where skilled photographers will share their insights, experiences, and techniques garnered from years of fieldwork.

This journey, encompassing captivating photographs and indelible encounters with untamed nature, presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to refine your skills while shooting alongside two seasoned professionals.

Do you already know you want to participate in this adventure?

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Slovenia: a wild land to discover

Kilometers and kilometers of silent forests populated by hundreds of species of mammals and birds. An enchanted place where unspoiled nature can offer sightings and unique moments at any time.

The Notranjska forest is by far one of the most beautiful and uncontaminated regions in Slovenia where the brown bear population has an incredible density, it is estimated the presence of about 1000 bears that shares this range with other fascinating mammals such as the wolf, the lynx, the wild cat and also deer, roe deer, wild boar, fox, badger, stone marten, squirrels and otters!

These wonderful forests arise a few kilometers from Lake Cerknica, the largest intermittent lake in Europe. Lakes, valleys, mountains and forests mean that the bird population is also incredibly varied and particular. Walking in these areas, hundreds of different species are potentially visible, including some very interesting such as the Ural owl, the Black Woodpecker, the Gray Woodpecker, the White-backed Woodpecker, the Great Spotted Woodpecker, the Lesser and the Middle Spotted Woodpecker; birds of prey such as buzzard, sparrow hawk and kestrel but also an infinity of small passerines such as frosoni, crested tit, wrens, finches and many others!

In the middle of these fantastic forests are our photographic huts, seven different locations, guaranteeing a very high percentage of sighting and the possibility of observing the Brown bear in different places, varying backgrounds, subjects and settings.

Hide photography stands as the preeminent technique for capturing images of wild animals at close proximity, without causing any disturbance or interference to the fauna.

The hides we are employing have been meticulously crafted and constructed to offer optimum comfort during your photography session, while simultaneously enhancing the opportunities for sightings. These hides integrate specialized strategies for neutralizing odors, soundproofing, and the use of glass to ensure visual isolation.

Within the confines of the hides, you’ll have the added convenience of utilizing photographic heads that can seamlessly integrate into pre-prepared setups. Expansive windows on both sides of the hide will grant you unimpeded views of the exterior, all while maintaining invisibility from the outside. This arrangement affords you not only the chance to capture photographs but also the privilege of enjoying the naturalistic spectacles just a few meters away.

This itinerary offers a great experience from a photographic point of view, therefore any equipment is sufficient to bring home great shots. You can observe animals at all distances, therefore a 70-200mm can already be enough to give satisfaction. Despite this, for portrait lovers, the advice is to bring with you a focal length of at least 300mm. A medium telephoto and a wide angle can be useful if you are interested in photographing Slovenian landscapes and forests.

Do you think you don’t have the right equipment for this event?
Don’t worry, it is now possible to rent lenses and camera bodies for our events at a special price!

An interesting catalog of lenses and cameras is available to all customers and can be booked and collected directly on site, without deposits or credit cards.

Contact us for more information

Day 1 – AIRPORT – HOTEL

05.00 pm –  Meeting in  Ljubljana-Brnik airport and transfer to the facility where we will be staying. (You can reach the meeting point directly with a flight from your country)

N.B. It is also possible to reach Slovenia and our hotel on your own if you prefer.

06.30 pm –  Accommodation in the hotel of all the participants and presentation of the event where Michele will introduce the locations illustrating the best photographic techniques to be used in each hide, remaining available for each participant to find the best settings of your equipment in view of the dense photo sessions scheduled.

08.00 pm –  Dinner all togheter and overnight stay.

Day  2 – SLOVENIA

07.00 am – Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the hide with drinking pool.

Here we will be able to photograph different species of birds including woodpeckers, passerines, shrikes, hawfinch and dozens of other species. Furthermore, with a little luck there will be the opportunity to photograph squirrels, foxes and other small mammals.

At the end of the morning session (usually around 11.00) you will return to the hotel and there will be some free hours in which it will be possible to rest in view of the afternoon session. The professional photographer will be available for any technical questions and to observe the shots of the morning.

01.00 pm – Lunch and move to a new location for the afternoon session. The hides will be choise with the same dynamics of the day before. The session will last until sunset. (8.00 p.m).

08.30 pm – Dinner with the group and overnight stay

Day 3 – SLOVENIA

6.30 am – Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the shed with watering. Here we will be able to photograph different species of birdlife including woodpeckers, passerines, shrikes, hawfinch and dozens of other species. Furthermore, with a little luck there will be the opportunity to photograph squirrels, foxes and other small mammals. N.B. If the group wishes, a session dedicated to the brown bear can be inserted instead of the drinking pool hide.

At the end of the morning session (usually around 11.00) you will return to the hotel and there will be some free hours in which it will be possible to rest in view of the afternoon session. The professional photographer will be available for any technical questions and to observe the shots of the morning.

01.00 pm –  lunch and transfer to a new location for photographic activities dedicated to the brown bear until sunset. (08.00 P.M.)

08.30 pm –  Dinner with the group.

Day 4 – SLOVENIA

6.30 am – Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the shed with watering. Here we will be able to photograph different species of birdlife including woodpeckers, passerines, shrikes, hawfinch and dozens of other species. Furthermore, with a little luck there will be the opportunity to photograph squirrels, foxes and other small mammals. N.B. If the group wishes, a session dedicated to the brown bear can be inserted instead of the drinking pool hide.

At the end of the morning session (usually around 11.00) you will return to the hotel and there will be some free hours in which it will be possible to rest in view of the afternoon session. The professional photographer will be available for any technical questions and to observe the shots of the morning.

01.00 pm – lunch and transfer to a new location for photographic activities dedicated to the brown bear until sunset. (08.00 P.M.)

08.30 pm – Dinner with the group.

Day  5 – SLOVENIA – AIRPORT

07.30 am – Breakfast and editing lesson.

We will dedicate this morning by observing together the shots taken to date, comparing and talking about file cataloging and how to choose the perfect file to post-produce. Anyone can show their pictures and talk about his photos. The two professional photographers will be available for any questions and to help you find your best photographs. We will carry out a long post-production session where we will observe the main techniques to be used on Photoshop, Lightroom and Camera Raw.

11.00 am – End of the activities, greetings and transfer to Lubiana airport.

When you book with us and join our workshop, you’ll benefit from a range of significant advantages on this itinerary, including:

Personal Assistance: From the moment of booking, throughout the event, and even afterwards, you can always rely on our team of professionals. We’re here to assist you with managing your booking, preparing for your trip, addressing your needs, and providing 24/7 support throughout the workshop.

6 Photo Sessions: Throughout the workshop, you’ll engage in a minimum of 6 shed photo sessions. Our group will always have the privilege to choose and access the finest locations, thanks to our priority entry to these areas.

Morning Photo Sessions: Three of these photo sessions will take place in the morning. The brown bear hut sessions during the morning hours will be exclusively reserved for our group. This private opportunity lets us capture images under diverse lighting conditions from the evenings, resulting in unique photographs.

Complete Post-Production Course: Within the workshop, you’ll find a comprehensive post-production lesson tailored to wildlife photography. This comprehensive course takes place directly on-site, starting from software basics and guiding you through every step of a professional workflow, suitable for all levels, including non-experts.

Introductory and Technical Lessons: At the outset of our workshop, we’ll deliver an introductory and technical lesson outlining general photographic principles, followed by a detailed exploration of crucial techniques for this photographic genre. Our professional photographer will draw upon their extensive experience to help you capture shots with greater professionalism, streamlining the shooting process.

Expert Advice: By participating in this workshop, you’ll have access to a team of experienced professionals available 24/7 to ensure you make the most of this experience. You’ll receive continuous updates on essential equipment to maximize every moment of the workshop. Furthermore, our professional photographers will be on hand before, during, and after the workshop to provide support for any inquiries or information you may need.

Simplicity: Signing up grants you a comprehensive 360° service. We’ll handle every detail, from connecting you with fellow participants for shared trips, to managing hotel reservations, logistic arrangements, and special requests. With seamless coordination, your focus will remain on capturing exceptional photos and immersing yourself in this green environment.

Extensive Experience: With over 5 years of conducting this itinerary, we understand the requirements of every photographer. We’re dedicated to sharing every facet of our knowledge to ensure your experience is unforgettable.

Rental and Equipment Testing: Within each of our workshops, you’ll find hassle-free equipment rental options, ensuring that anyone can participate in such an activity. Moreover, we’re providing a diverse selection of Gitzo products for you to test free of charge directly in the field.