Workshops

Signed up for a One To One trip with Wildlife Photographer Craig Jones and I chose Norfolk as it was somewhere I had been before but had'nt got much ideal on where to go, but after seeing Craig's images on Flickr I was very impressed and emailed him and we met at the North Norfolk Coast at silly o'clock. We never stopped all day, and saw so many different places and managed to get some excellent images from the day, I would recomend Craig's trips to anyone as I felt so relaxed around him, learned so much and had a wonderful day, Thanks Craig
Gordon Copeland, Leeds

Looking at my own images compared to other professional and amateur wildlife photographers I thought I needed a push to get to the next stage in order to improve in all areas of photography, field craft, and composition and general wildlife photography skills. I decided the best way would be to go to a total stranger who would hopefully recognise my faults and shortfalls and then not be afraid to show me where I was going wrong. I was fortunate to find Craig’s web site which was easy to follow, looked clean, tidy and well organised and very professional as well as indicating that the type of One to One day he was offering matched all my requirements. I was not disappointed, I found Craig to match his web site, easy to get on with, very informative, very professional and passionate about all aspects of wild life in its own environment, willing to offer advice and teach field craft skills in such a manner that made it all fit together to make the day good value for money. Professionalism was evident right the way through the long day even down to the standard of the packed lunch, a great day Craig and one which completely fit my requirements. Now all I have to do is try to put all that information and the practices into action. Now then, what did Craig say about composition.
Regards, Mike Breedon, South Yorkshire

I spent a wonderful time with Craig on a One to One Day in Norfolk. Craig was really inspirational and made me think much more, particularly about my photographic composition. His love of wildlife and the countryside around us was infectious. In the past, like so many others, I had concentrated on what I would call "bird portraits". They can be beautiful and I will continue with them to some extent but Craig made me realise that there is so much more. Photographs where birds and their behaviour are an important part of the overall image but are captured in their natural environment. The day was so important in making me reassess the fundamentals of the photographic image and I feel he has helped to equip me to becoming a better photographer as a result of it
Steve Harford, Oakham, Leicestershire

I contacted Craig about camera bodies after seeing his web site mentioned on Face Book. I had been using a Nikon D80 for the past two years and wanted to upgrade to something more professional. Craigs advice and guidance was invaluable, which not only ensured that I selected the most appropriate camera for my needs, but also saved me money in the long run. I subsequently booked and attended one of Craigs one-to-one workshops in Norfolk. Craigs no nonsense style and practical approach made sure that I was able to get the most out of my new Nikon D300S and feel more confident in operating in different light conditions. It was a busy yet memorable day, from patiently waiting on Snettisham beach for the birds to come in, to touring parts of Norfolks northern coastline, experiencing some close encounters with birds of prey along the way, topping off the end of the day by witnessing the spectacle of 2 Barn Owls hunting. Everything was very well organized, including the delicious lunch. I would have no hesitation in recommending Craigs workshops to any aspiring wildlife photographer.
Charles L Joseph, Rayleigh, Essex

Hi I just wanted to say, that I thoroughly enjoyed the talk from Craig Jones. He was so good at explaining things and he showed us a few slide shows too. I only have a small camera and I thought I would have been out of my depth, but he said no, anyone can take pictures, and he made me feel more welcome. I do love taking pictures, especially as my Dad bought my WWT membership for myself and my son to come and enjoy the wildlife here for the last 2 years.Thanks for letting me know about this workshop. Im really glad I came. Many thanks, from Alison Tichy.
WWT Martin Mere Wildlife Photographic Talks

Hi Craig, Just wanted to say a big thank you for a great day on Saturday. Not only did you help me out with tech specs but you managed to give me back my confidence in my gear and myself. Got some great shots too, felt more like a day out with an old mate than a workshop Keep up with the blog when you can. As its a good insite into your professional life and travels and something for the rest of us to aspire too. Will arrange for another trip later in the year with you. Thanks again
Stuart Hill, Warrington

My wife & I love wildlife & photography, but were disappointed with our results, decided the next stage forward was to find someone who knew what they were talking about before buying more equipment. Meeting Craigs at BirdFair at Rutland Water gave us an insight into what a true professional he is. We quickly booked a one to two in Norfolk and met at 5.45 am on Snettisham beach to experience what we can only describe as an amazing spectacle. With Craigs assistance and patience we quickly discovered where we were going wrong and with loads of encouragement improved immensely as the day progessed. We returned to our hotel exhausted and with enthusiasm verging on madness decided to return the next day to practice what we had learnt. We took nearly 900 photos between us over the two days and can already see the difference. We had a superb weekend and would definitely recommend one of Craigs workshops if you want to meet someone who is passionate about wildlife photography and can explain focal points, ISO and white light without confusing you.
David & Franky Perry, Stamford

Hello Craig, thank you for one to one tuition in Buxton, photography Watervoles, Thank you for helping and showing me everything you know. It was the best day of my life to see and photograph these amazing and rare Watervoles, best wishes Amy
Amy Morgan, North Yorkshire

Ive followed Craig on Facebook for a while now and always liked his photography and his honesty. I live in Scotland and when I saw that Craig was running one to ones at the WWT site Caerlaverock near Dumfries I booked. I had a fantastic day,Craig shared photo tips, fieldcraft and the best places to go at different times for the light and the sights. Craig is a great teacher with great integrity and a passion for his work. Craigs personality and helpfulness really played a big part in my enjoyment of the day. I picked up some great tips and thoroughly recommend Craig as a photo teacher. Im looking forward to next time
Ed Fielding, Scotland

Just wanted to drop a line to thank Craig for his spectacular effort in arranging such great wildlife, weather and great company on three recent one-to-ones I have done with him. Barn Owls ,Marsh Harriers and Waders in Norfolk in March and last weekend in Derbyshire 2 consecutive days with Dippers, Watervoles, Wagtails etc. I appreciate (as I told Craig) that I knew I was incredibly lucky with perfect weather and light each time but that actually whether the animals/birds turn up is largely out of our control but even had the conditions been much tougher, Craigs enthusiasm and ability to get across in a helpful way his thoughts on technique, composition and understanding of the subjects we were photographing was what really made it a memorable 3 days. Like I, his first love is the wildlife and the photography is a fantastic way to record what one sees but his intuitive understanding of the animals is what Im sure make his photos so stunning. Craig was great company and put up with my bad jokes and annoying tripod (now changed!) over the 3 separate days and Ive come away with some images that Im very pleased with. All those small details that make so much difference, like the accommodation he recommended and the lunches provided were perfect for the occasion. I can wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their photography with someone who has a passion for his craft and the environment as well as the subjects in his viewfinder. Thanks again Craig and hope to see you in Kenya, Mull, and Yorkshire etc...The list goes on!!
Nigel Morley, Kent

After recently purchasing a new camera and years of average bird snaps from my old camera I took the recommendation from a friend and booked a day out with Craig in Norfolk. I can honestly say that in the first hour with Craig, albeit at 5.30 am, in a damp field, I leaned more about how to take really excellent photos than I have in the last 10 years of reading books and magazines. Craig covered all the basics of the camera then moved on to composition, exposure and auto-focusing and gave me real confidence in both myself and the equipment. We spent the rest of the day consolidating the advice in a variety of lovely locations and I am truly grateful to Craig for his open and informative tuition. Nothing is kept back and Craig shows you exactly how he takes truly superb photos. I cannot recommend Craig highly enough if you want to learn how to take better photographs.
David Naylor, Derbyshire

The problem: I wanted to photograph waders at the Snettisham high tide roost, had no transport to get me there and only a vague idea of how to capture a swirling cloud of Knot. The solution: Craig Jones, who picked me up from my hotel at 6am on a brisk January morning blessed by beautiful Norfolk light. As we set up on Snettisham beach, I was instantly impressed when Craig (clearly a Nikon man!) quickly and expertly checked through the menu settings on my Canon 7D. He then showed me how to compose in camera by moving the focus point. This has since proved to be the most important single piece of advice Ive ever been given and has totally changed my approach to capturing images. I found Craigs passion for wildlife and his desire and ability to communicate it highly motivating and infectious. I had a blast of a day and came home with some cracking images and lots to think about.
Rosie Green, London

Just wanted to say a big thank you Craig as well. Ever since your add on Facebook you have changed me completely as a wildlife photographer helping in a big way and you have helped me so much especially when you first added me as I was not long into photography and Im sure you know from experience its confusing to know where to start what to do and how to get the best from your camera and you always answered my questions give me the best advice you could and taught me everything when I met you for our one to one, just letting you know how much I appreciated that especially as a beginner. Your work is the best I have seen and your passion and commitment touches many and it defiantly touched me. I wish you the best in your continued work and efforts to show the world how amazing our wildlife is.
Stuart Broadley, Northern Ireland

Hi Craig, Just a note to say thank you for such an instructive and enjoyable day on Tuesday. I am sure that by the end of the day we were both a lot more confident with our cameras, and I hope the evidence attached will show that I think we both will be using our cameras with more insight and understanding as to the ways to improve our efforts. Best wishes in all your activities and I am sure we will see you again, many thanks Julian.
Julian Newton, Derbyshire

Hi Craig, just a little note to say thank you so much for all the help you gave David last week on his one to one. We had an absolutely brilliant day with you along the North Norfolk coast and the thought you put into making the day a success showed the passion you have for photographing wildlife. We went back out the next day walking to Cley and David used all the techniques while they were still fresh in his mind.
Chriss & David Rose, Newalk,Notts.

They say you have to earn good wildlife images. Well after ascending the hill before dawn in driving rain winds gusting in excess of gale force we arrived. With Craigs Knowledge and expertise of both the landscape, fieldcraft and the available wildlife an enjoyable day was had, especially as the weather improved giving some superb low \\\\\\\'winter sun\\\\\\\' light. The elusive mountain Hare remains so, but the Red Grouse made up for the day. Regards Mike
Mike Rump, Brighton.

Dippers of the Dales Workshop I really enjoyed my day with the dippers, thanks to your local knowledge, passion and enthusiasm,Thanks for the insight of how these birds survive even in quite a populated area, how they use the waterfall areas for feeding All in all a very pleasant day with help on technique, composition and fieldcraft, now all I have to do is remember it all and put it into practice. Hoping to try out some of your techniques this coming Friday, on some Shelduck which have started to pair up on a local estuary.An excellent day out I really enjoyed it thank you.
Charile Goddard, Redcar

Went on the Dipper Of The Dales trip with craig jones,he took us to a superb dipper site and we all shared a perfect day,his love for the wildlife and this bird and enthusiasm is inspiring,thank you craig for a great day and congratulations on you dipper article in
Birdwatching Magazine.
Best wishes
Kenneth Smith, Monmouthshire

Spent the day on Craig’s Dipper workshop and had a brilliant time,Craig has spent many years walking these dales and his knowledge of the area is amazing. Never know anyone with such enthusiasm and such a love for nature. Craig was very informative and a pleasure to listen to and I liked his modesty and sincerity. Had a great time with some brilliant images too.
Thank you
Tom Melton, Solihull

Red Grouse in the Peaks Workshop I attended the 'Red Grouse In The Peaks' workshop run by Craig Jones and had a brilliant time,his knowledge of the area was brilliant and he took me right to the Grouse,taught me how to move and approach them, and went through everything I needed to know, had a great day Craig and some very nice Red Grouse images to boot! that had evaded me in the past,a lovely and pleasant man where nothing was to much trouble ,all the best Craig
Paul Simpson, Chester

Thanks for a fantastic week craig and for all that you taught and showed me I learned so much from you. I thoroughly enjoyed the week photographing the amazing wildlife on the island of Mull.Craig was very knowledgeable and his organisation and enthusiasm was infectious throughout the week, with his willingness to do everything possible to ensure that all the group were catered for meant we all got the maximum from the week.Everything that it promised to be and more.- Shaun Bowler-Wiltshire
Magic Of Mull

As a relative newcomer to photography I looked long and hard before settling on the June Magic of Mull trip. Would I be out of my depth I wondered? The vast rugged landscape and fantastic wildlife may have stolen the show but equally impressive was Craigs knowledge and experience which ensured that our small party (lovely people!) all got the most out of the week. Craigs assured but relaxed approach and a few basic principles quickly had us on the path to some impressive images and a heightened respect for the rich wildlife of the island. My only regret would be that I hadnt taken the plunge earlier. Set out with an open mind and you cant fail to improve your photography, whatever your level. I cant wait to put some of the technique Ive learned into practice on future trips and adventures. Thanks again Craig. I cant believe it was over so quickly,the memories and new found confidence will certainly outlast the midge bites. Ian Coventry
Ian Coventry

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your Magic of Mull trip. The variety of wildlife, stunnng scenery and good company made for a really memorable week. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge of the local wildlife as well as your photographic expertise. I learned so much in just those few days, and it has given me so much enthusiasm to go out and transfer the skills I learned on Mull to other projects. There was lot packed into each day, but I wouldnt have missed those early mornings for anything! Best wishes
Louise Black, Aberdeen

Hi Craig, it was my pleasure to take part in this Texel workshop, what a great time we had!...a lot of wildlife, birds everywhere and many, many opportunities for photographing, definitely great trip. I would like to say thank You for your help and friendliness and for driving me around the island in the car like a royalty, needless to say that the hotel and food were amazing too. A definitely recommended trip for anyone who wants to take her/his bird photography to the next level...thanks again and hope to meet you soon again.
Peter Mazar, Bristol

Just returned from a wonderful 4days in Texel with Craig,an amazing photographer who is only to willing to share his enthusiasm for wildlife and photography.Nothing was to much trouble,from explaining camera technique to fieldcraft techniques.We stayed in a cracking hotel with superb food and everything was run on a very professional basis. For anyone looking for a workshop involving wildlife I can highly recommend Craig
Dave Kitson,Wales

Many thanks, Craig, for such a stunning trip I learned a huge amount from you, especially about exposure, and it was good to have an extended opportunity to put some of the things you taught me on our one-to-one into practice. What a beautiful island! The early morning sessions photographing Avocets in such lovely light were completely magical.Thanks for all the tips and for sharing your understanding of bird behaviour and fieldcraft so generously.We couldnt have stayed at a better hotel - stylish, comfortable and with food to die for! I hope you continue to run this workshop because I already want to go back!
Roise Green, London

I joined Craig on a Winter Wildfowl trip in Norfolk December 2010. I found Craig to be a prepared professional always concerned that you were getting what you wanted from the trip, and that you were looked after. One of the nice things with Craig is that there are no secrets and you dont have to ask for tips he wants to share what he knows with you. So if you want to shoot with someone who knows their stuff in photography, who loves nature, and who is a good teacher then you should give Craig a shout
Aidan Finn. Ireland

Id visited the Peak District before, but I wasnt convinced Id got as much as I could out of it and so this time I wanted to go along with someone who knew the area. After some searching around I booked two days with Craig the first day a workshop on watervoles and the second on dippers. It was a combination of the quality of Craigs own photos and the subject matter which swung the decision in particular, I wanted to see a watervole in the wild. So it was that I found myself meeting Craig at 6am on a Sunday morning in Buxton. Some may not be sure about such an early start, but it is worth it just to catch that early morning light. Also, it means you can make the most of the day, if as happened on my second day it starts to pour down early in the afternoon. One of the first things you notice about Craig is his enthusiasm, both for photography and the wildlife he is showing you. Throughout the two days he was explaining about the animals behavior and pointing out things to watch for, signs that the animals are around and ways of improving your chances of seeing them. Similarly, he is there providing advice on your photography. Ive had a reasonable amount of experience of photographing animals, particularly in captivity, but you can always learn more for example, amongst other bits of advice, this was the first time Id used my 500mm long lens out in the field so to speak, and Craig provided useful tips on long lens technique and how to stabilize it. (I also learnt the valuable lesson that waterproofs are no use if you leave them behind in your car) Overall, it was an excellent couple of days. I came away with some very pleasing images, but more than that it was just a very enjoyable time spent watching the wildlife, and learning from someone who was good company.
Craig Lindsay, Northants

I would like to say a massive thank you for the fantastic time I had on your spring waders workshop Your willingness to share your knowledge and techniques was extremely refreshing from the guarded nature of most other professional photographers. The technical tips you gave helped to improve my photography, however the highlight for me was the amount of fieldcraft knowledge that I was able to gain Our time spent crawling and lying around the field photographing the Hares was fantastic and incredibly rewarding when we walked away with the photographs we had in mind at the start Once again a huge thank you and I look forward to future workshops/trips that I hope to do with you soon! I will never hesitate in recommend you to anyone and everyone
Andrew Hall