Join me for an intensive 3-day workshop dedicated to photographing bugs and butterflies in Yorkshire nature reserves. This workshop is perfect for photographers looking to learn the intricate details of photographing nature through a macro lens with a more fine-art look and feel.

Over the course of the workshop, we will spend early mornings and late evenings focusing on the diverse array of insects and butterflies that thrive in these habitats at this time of year. You will learn how to approach and photograph these small subjects, capturing their fascinating details and vibrant colours with clarity and precision.

The workshop will also include small sessions on the technical, creative and post-production aspects of macro photography. We will cover topics such as mastering focus, depth of field, utilising natural light as well as processing some images to gallery standard using Lightroom Classic in my studio. My guidance and practical tips will help you develop your skills and experiment with different techniques.

By the end of the workshop, you will have a portfolio of striking macro images and a deeper understanding of the art of close-up insect photography. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to expand your creative horizons and capture the hidden beauty of bugs and butterflies in their natural environment.

Creative Macro: Bugs & Butterfly examples

Accommodation & Catering

You will be based at a beautiful boutique hotel in Northallerton - a stone's throw from my home (recently opened in 2020). All rooms are double or king size with ensuite bathrooms. Full hotel details and joining instructions will be sent before the start of the workshop. Meals and drinks are included in this workshop, all prepared by my wife, Gillian, so we're not tied to hotel mealtimes. Special dietary requirements and food allergies can be catered for.

Itinerary

Day 1 - 12 noon:  I will collect you from the hotel and drive you to my home for introductions, a light lunch and to discuss camera settings before heading out to a beautiful butterfly meadow on the edge of the North York Moors using my vehicle. Here, we will discuss subject matter, optimum camera settings and composition.  Later in the day, we will return to my home for drinks and a two-course evening meal prepared for by my wife (and business partner) before returning you to the hotel for the night.

Day 2 - 5:30 am: I will collect you from the hotel and drive you to a dissused quarry to photograph roosting butterflies and other insects.
9 am - Breakfast: You will be provided with a packed breakfast or, weather dependent,  my wife will supply the group with a cooked breakfast in a bun plus teas/coffees served al-fresco! (other options are available on request).
9:45 am: We will drive another 15 minutes to another dissused quarry for more bugs and butterfly delights!
Midday: We will return to our home for a light lunch before dropping you off at the hotel for a midday rest.
3:00 pm: I will collect and return you to our home to process an image or two from each participant using Lightroom Classic. Here, I will demonstrate tips and tricks on how to create beautiful images to gallery standards. I will forward the processed image to you at the end of the workshop.
5:30 pm: Early evening meal prepared by my wife
6:30 pm: I will drive us to my favourite wetlands area. Here, we're likely to encounter many critters including damselfies, dragonflies, damosels and butterflies such as Common Blue, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown and Ringlets to name a few!

Day 3 - 5:30: I will drive us to a nature reserve to photograph bugs and butterflies in beautiful wildflower meadows. 
9 am Breakfast: You will be provided with a packed breakfast or, weather dependant, my wife will supply the group with a cooked breakfast in a bun plus teas/coffees served al-fresco! (other options are available on request).
9:45 am: depending on the weather, we will continue our photography here or return to the wetlands we visited last evening, which is only 15 minutes away for more macro delights.
1 pm: Return to my home for a light lunch
2 pm: the workshop comes to a close. I will return you to the hotel to collect your car.

Please note: Inclement weather plays its role in creative photography, too - softening and creating water droplets on petals and leaves. If, however, the weather for a particular session is too poor, we will return to my home and discuss composition using some prints as examples.

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body 
• At least two camera batteries
• A macro lens with a focal length of no less than 80mm
• Tripod
• Lens cloth
• A small kneeling mat as you'll be working on your knees a lot of the time.

Clothing 

• Waterproof coat in case of rain
• Walking shoes/boots/wellingtons

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

The fitness level for this workshop is classed as easy as all locations have been carefully selected for their stunning views, safety, convenience and ease of access. However, due to their locations, this workshop is unsuitable for wheelchair users. All walks are relatively short and will be easy-going and not rushed.

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Northallerton - I will send hotel details nearer the time.

By Rail

Northallerton is conveniently situated on the East-Coast rail line. Mark will be happy to collect and return you from/to Northallerton station with prior arrangement. Please get in touch.

By Plane

Teesside airport is only a 35-minute drive from Mark's home. Mark will be happy to collect and return you from/to Teesside airport with prior arrangement. Please get in touch.

Payment must be made in full when booking a single day workshop (you will be sent an invoice). For residential workshops, a deposit of £500 is required (unless otherwise stated) and the balance paid 12 weeks before the course commences (20 weeks for overseas workshops).

If you, the client, cancel a booking any money you have paid (including the deposit) is non-refundable unless I can find a replacement to take your place after all other places have been filled. If a replacement is found an admin fee of £100 will be deducted from the refund. If I cancel a booking any payment received will be refunded in full. Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place. It is a term of the contract between us that you will obtain the appropriate travel insurance cover before you set out on the workshop. The insurance must cover the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, the cancellation of the workshop (whether in whole or in part), personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs, loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, flight cancellations and delays as well as your inability to arrive at the workshop destination due to fuel shortages and other such disruptions out of my control.

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, I regret I cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of my obligations under my contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force majeure”. In these booking conditions, “force majeure” means any event which I or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, (whether actual or threatened), war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, epidemics/pandemics, fuel shortages and all similar events outside my control.

Please note, I cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to me by you concerning your booking prior to me accepting it, I could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if I breached the contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by myself where I am responsible for them, my suppliers. Additionally, I cannot accept liability for any business losses.

You will be allocated either a single room or a double/twin room for single occupancy. There is no single occupancy surcharge. Where double or twin rooms are available, they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of check-in.

Mark Banks Photography reserves the right to cancel any workshop. In the event of any cancellation, I will offer either a total refund or a place on an alternative workshop. If the alternative workshop is cheaper, I will refund the difference, and if it is more expensive, you will be required to pay the balance.

All applicants participate at their own risk and Mark Banks Photography accepts no responsibility for injury or damage done to their persons or property. It is recommended that applicants hold their own personal Public Liability Insurance.

The type of workshops I offer require flexibility and must allow for alternatives. For this reason, the outline itinerary and workshop description must be taken as an indication of what may take place on the workshop, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mark Banks Photography.

I do not accept responsibility or liability for death, bodily injury or illness caused to you during the workshop, unless arising from the negligent act and/or omission on my part or on the part of any of my employees (providing they were at the time acting within the course of their employment). Please note that any itinerary noted on the workshop description is subject to change due to weather conditions and/or the capability of participants.

By booking a workshop with Mark Banks Photography you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.