Costa Rica: Macro
Photography Expedition
Highlights
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Intensive, macro-only photography workshop in the heart of Costa Rica’s lush rainforest ecosystems.
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Led by two industry-recognized professionals:
- Alyce Bender, Tamron Ambassador, conservation-minded instructor, and international photo-tour leader.
- Lee Hoy, OM SYSTEM Ambassador, macro and night-photography expert, and seasoned Costa Rica guide.
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Stay at four different eco-lodges/hotels to access a diverse range of micro-habitats and species.
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Balanced mix of captive macro setups, natural-habitat macro walks, and guided night sessions.
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Small group size (4–8 participants) ensures personal, hands-on guidance from two instructors.
Costa Rica’s rainforests are alive with color, texture, and movement—making them one of the world’s most dynamic environments for macro photography. During this 6-day, 5-night Costa Rica macro photography workshop, we travel through four distinct rainforest locations, each selected for its access to vibrant amphibians, cryptic reptiles, jewel-toned insects, spiders, and nocturnal micro-wildlife. This multi-lodge itinerary exposes you to a wide range of macro photography habitats, offering more diversity than a single-location tour. Each day brings a blend of natural-habitat macro walks, controlled frog and reptile photography setups, and immersive night macro photography sessions, allowing you to create a well-rounded and compelling portfolio of rainforest species.
Led by Tamron Ambassador Alyce Bender and OM SYSTEM Ambassador Lee Hoy, this macro-focused expedition provides expert instruction in rainforest macro techniques, off-camera flash, creative lighting, subject approach, and ethical fieldcraft. With a small group of 4–8 photographers, you’ll benefit from personalized macro coaching, hands-on lighting support, and real-time guidance throughout a variety of shooting conditions. Whether you’re new to macro wildlife photography or refining advanced skills, this workshop offers a comprehensive, instructor-guided experience in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth—and is ideal for photographers seeking a high-quality Costa Rica macro tour that blends education, adventure, and exceptional access to rainforest micro-wildlife.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival, Garden Walk & Welcome Dinner
Photographers should plan to arrive no later than 4:00 PM to check in and get settled before our opening dinner. After getting your room assignment, we take a relaxed walk through the hotel’s gardens, offering a gentle first look at local flora, insects, and potential macro subjects. During dinner, we’ll make introductions, review workshop expectations, discuss gear preparation, and go over what to anticipate in the days ahead. It’s an easy, welcoming start to your Costa Rica macro photography experience.
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Meal included: Dinner
Day 2 – Journey to the Caribbean Lowlands
We begin our journey into the Caribbean lowlands, stopping en route at a private nature property featuring fruit and hummingbird feeders, curated amphibian and reptile photography setups, and opportunities to work in a shaded forest environment. This stop offers excellent conditions for practicing lighting, backgrounds, and field techniques before we reach deeper rainforest habitats.
By afternoon, we arrive at our lowland lodge and settle in before heading out for our first night macro photography session. With guidance from your instructors and a bilingual naturalist, we explore the lodge grounds and nearby trails in search of frogs, reptiles, insects, and other nocturnal rainforest species. These sessions are a highlight of the workshop, offering rich biodiversity and ideal conditions for night macro photography in Costa Rica’s rainforest.
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Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Caribbean Foothills & Private Night Macro Session
Today we travel into the Caribbean foothills, stopping en route at a well-known nature property specializing in staged amphibian and reptile setups. This is a prime opportunity to work with vibrant frogs, thoughtfully posed reptiles, and controlled natural backgrounds ideal for refining macro lighting and composition. After settling into our next lodge near the foothills, we head out for an extended night macro photography session on a private garden property known for its rich diversity of nocturnal species. With instructor support and a bilingual local guide, we explore trails and landscaped rainforest areas in search of frogs, insects, lizards, and other after-dark macro subjects.
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Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Foothills of the Volcano: Macro Sessions & Trail Exploration
We begin the morning with dedicated time at a respected rainforest education center known for its amphibian and reptile photography opportunities, offering clean environments and natural background elements that are ideal for practicing macro lighting and composition. After lunch, we return to our lodge in the volcano foothills for an afternoon of macro photography on the grounds and nearby trails, focusing on insects, foliage details, and spontaneous wildlife encounters. After dinner, we revisit the same private property from the previous night for an extended night macro photography session, with fresh subjects and continued guidance in low-light rainforest shooting.
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Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Final Foothills Session & Return To San Jose
We begin the morning with one more dedicated macro session at the private garden property we've photographed over the past two nights. This final visit offers a fresh look at familiar trails and often reveals new subjects—perfect for refining your techniques and rounding out your portfolio with additional frog, reptile, and insect macro photography. After lunch, we depart the foothills and make our way back toward the airport region, arriving at our final hotel for a relaxed evening and a smooth transition for the next day’s departures.
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Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Departure or Continue the Adventure
This morning, we provide transfers to the airport for departing flights, wrapping up an immersive week of Costa Rica macro photography. Guests joining us for our Osa Exploration Photo Adventure will continue on to the next stage of their journey, heading toward one of the most biologically rich regions in the country. For all others, we offer warm farewells and safe travels home.
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Meals included: Breakfast
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Inclusions
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5 nights of lodging across four eco-lodges/hotels (double occupancy; single supplement available)
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All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6
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All ground transportation within Costa Rica in a private vehicle
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Professional bilingual local guide for natural history interpretation, night walks, and cultural support
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Two professional photography instructors
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Captive macro photography setups
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Natural-habitat macro walks
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Guided night macro photography sessions in prime rainforest habitat
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All access fees, staging fees, frog garden fees, park/reserve fees, and private property permissions
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Filtered drinking water during field sessions
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Optional group image review and discussion sessions
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Exclusions
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International airfare to/from San José (SJO)
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Alcoholic beverages
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Optional activities or additional nights before/after the workshop
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Gear/travel/medical/evacuation insurance (highly recommended)
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Gratuities for lodge staff, bilingual local guides, local driver, and photography instructors
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Personal purchases
Meet Your Instructors
