This by far was the best photography workshop that I have experienced. Juan and Jaclyn did not leave any stone unturned, from organization, content to photograph and how they dealt and helped the participants. I would highly recommend their workshops and I will definitely repeat soon.
My photo excursions with Juan Pons have been phenomenal and this one was no exception. Juan and his team ensure everything is thought of and taken care of which allows me to totally focus on photography, learning, and spending time with Juan and the participants. In addition Juan's workshops go the "extra mile" by providing unique locations and experiences which creates opportunities not available in other workshops I have attended. The Costa Rica workshop was not only special because of the wildlife and locations but the guides were truly knowledgeable and caring for their country in addition to understanding photography.
The workshop at Schoodic will be a major highlight of the year. Juan and Jaclyn were excellent leaders and teachers. What I learned from them in the field and in the image review will take my photography to the next level. Add to this a magnificent location, a schedule that maximized the light at each location, and patient/dedicated instructors made this an exceptional photo experience.
My workshop with Juan exceeded my wildest expectations! He has an unparalleled knowledge of the area, and he got us exactly where we needed to be for an optimal shot at capturing amazing animal behavior under beautiful lighting, traveling in comfort all the while. The local guides he recruited to help us spot and identify wildlife were all excellent, and I benefitted greatly from their expertise and generosity. I also appreciate Juan's commitment to ecological sustainability and respect for the animals. All in all, an incredible experience! I'd book another trip with him again in a heartbeat.
I would take this same trip again in a heartbeat--and plan to in the not-too-distant future. It is very well planned; excursions are varied so they cover a wide range of animals and photographic possibilities. I also appreciated Juan's suggestions on composition of the photos. It helped clarify for me the difference between an okay photo and a good one.
This is a wonderful adventure for those seeking like minded photographers and a restful vacation. The staff aboard the Northern Song is friendly, caring, and knowledgeable. Juan does a great job helping each person develop their photographic expertise without making anyone feel criticized. I couldn't recommend it more highly.
This was a trip of a lifetime for me. The instruction and my improvement with birds in flight were excellent. Everything was beautiful. Juan, the Captain and the crew go out of their way to make sure we have excellent shooting experiences, fun, and education on the environment and the animals. The food was exquisite. It was a luxury trip for sure!
Juan is the best photography-focused trip leader that we have traveled with. His focus and commitment along with his depth of knowledge of the location and local wildlife during the trips are what make the experiences so special. His understanding of different camera systems and image processing software is excellent and helpful to entry-level and expert photographers alike.
This adventure was truly over the top! My husband and I had participated in a similar Winter in Yellowstone workshop a few years ago with a different instructor, and this experience was way better. Everything about Juan's and Kevin's workshop was excellent -- including extensive pre-trip preparations, an instructional slide show on the first day, information about the park and wildlife, and extensive in-the-field instruction. We also appreciated that the instructors knew where to be at the right time so that our chances of getting wildlife encounters and the right lighting for landscapes was maximized. The instructors' extraordinary knowledge of the park and wildlife behavior enabled us to capture photos that most other people would have missed. We were also glad to see so much of the park, including both the snowy interior and also the spectacular Lamar Valley. We highly recommend this trip.
