Puffin Portrait in the Fog

Ever dream of capturing a complete portfolio of Puffin images while enjoying the enchanting allure of a remote lighthouse island nestled in the breathtaking Gulf of Saint Lawrence? Imagine waking to the symphony of the Atlantic, with gourmet meals awaiting and the charm of newly renovated lighthouse accommodations embracing you. Just a short 200-meter stroll brings you to a wildlife photographer's paradise, where Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common murres, black guillemots, and a myriad of other captivating seabirds await your lens from dawn till dusk.

Join the esteemed Christopher Dodds for an immersive photography masterclass, where you'll unlock the secrets to crafting stunning portraits and mastering the art of birds in flight photography. This isn't just a workshop; it's an unparalleled opportunity to hone your skills in what could very well be the world's most idyllic location for Atlantic puffin photography. Don't just dream it, live it, and capture the magic!

Atlantic Puffin Portrait in the fog (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine,Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full Frame image.

Just announced! Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more Lighthouse Island Dream Photography Workshop

Escape to a photographer's paradise! Join the legendary Christopher Dodds for an exclusive, immersive photography workshop on a breathtaking lighthouse island nestled in the heart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Imagine waking to the symphony of the Atlantic, surrounded by a vibrant colony of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Common Murres, Black Guillemots, and a wealth of other captivating seabirds – all just a stone's throw (a mere 200 meters!) from your newly renovated, charming lighthouse accommodations.

Indulge in gourmet meals as you fuel your creativity, and then step out into the golden light to capture unparalleled images. From the first blush of dawn to the fiery hues of sunset, this is arguably the best location in the world for Atlantic Puffin photography. Under Christopher's expert guidance, you'll master the art of stunning portraits and the exhilarating challenge of birds in flight, elevating your skills in this truly unforgettable masterclass. This isn't just a workshop; it's an experience that will ignite your passion and fill your portfolio with extraordinary wildlife moments. Limited spaces available – secure your dream photographic adventure today!

Happy International Puffin Day! Let's Celebrate These Clowns of the Sea!

Today, April 15th, is International Puffin Day, and if that doesn't bring a smile to your face, well, maybe you haven't spent enough time gazing at these incredible little seabirds. With their bright orange beaks, waddling gait, and knack for aerial acrobatics, Atlantic puffins are indeed the clowns of the sea.

These charismatic birds spend most of their lives on the open ocean, only returning to land to breed in the spring and summer. Imagine thousands of these vibrant characters bustling around rocky cliffs and grassy slopes, diligently digging burrows and raising their single puffling. It's a sight – and a sound – you won't soon forget! They're also surprisingly resilient, facing harsh North Atlantic conditions. Their ability to "fly" underwater to pursue and catch fish is impressive. So today, let's take a moment to appreciate these remarkable creatures and the vital role they play in our marine ecosystems: They help regulate fish populations by preying on small fish while also serving as a food source for larger predators like gulls and marine mammals

Deluxe Lighthouse Island Dream Puffins and so much more Photography Adventure

Are you ready to take your puffin appreciation to the next level? Imagine yourself immersed in the heart of puffin paradise, witnessing their daily lives up close and capturing breathtaking photographs. This dream can become a reality!

We're thrilled to offer an exclusive opportunity to join acclaimed nature photographer Christopher Dodds for an unforgettable adventure photographing Atlantic puffins on a small, remote island in Quebec. Picture this: you'll spend several days living in a beautifully renovated lighthouse, the perfect basecamp for exploring the island's thriving puffin colonies. Each day will be dedicated to capturing stunning images of these captivating birds in their natural habitat, guided by Chris’ expert eye and unparalleled knowledge of wildlife photography.

And it doesn't stop there. After exhilarating days in the field, you'll return to the cozy lighthouse to indulge in gourmet meals, share stories with fellow photography enthusiasts, and review your incredible captures. This isn't just a photography tour; it's an immersive experience designed to ignite your passion for nature and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Spaces for this exceptional adventure are extremely limited. Now is your chance if you've ever dreamt of getting up close and personal with Atlantic puffins in a truly unique and luxurious setting. Visit THIS PAGE to learn more about this dream puffin photography adventure with Christopher Dodds. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate International Puffin Day by embarking on the journey of a lifetime!

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at first light (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin Flying with Fish at Sunrise

Special thanks to all my clients (friends) who made my five back-to-back Deluxe Puffins Galore workshops successful. We had fantastic weather, exceptional photography, and more Puffins with fish than usual, all mixed with lots of learning and good times. Did I mention the food? Smile!

“I had a spectacular time! It is a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful adventure with Chris on Ile Aux Peroquets, a tiny island paradise! I was able to get up-close shots of Puffins as well as many in-flight shots of these comical birds. I also learned about proper exposure! Fields of wildflowers, gourmet food and comfy accommodations were the finishing touches on this unique, cool workshop!

Thank you so much!”

— Kara Mason | New York, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

On the morning of August 9, 2024, we all waited patiently. The fog magically lifted as the sun projected its magical golden rays at sunrise. This is the first frame from that morning session:

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at sunrise (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony A9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Last minute cancellation for Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec

An Atlantic Puffin photographed in flight with fish at first light during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Lighthouse Island adventure workshop in Quebec.

I just had a last-minute cancellation for my otherwise sold-out Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Lighthouse Island Adventure Workshop in Quebec. Click below to find out more or to reserve your spot.

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at first light (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish

An Atlantic Puffin returns to its nest with a beak full of fish during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop in Quebec, Canada.

Join me for a fairytale adventure. We will live in a restored lighthouse, eat gourmet food, and photograph Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills (and more) that bring fish to feed their babies only 200 meters (200 yards) away. This is the best location in the world to photograph both species and is perfectly timed for them, bringing the most fish back to their babies.

The tiny island, only 1km (.6 Miles) in circumference, means no long pre-dawn drives or long hikes to access the best locations; it is right outside the door! Since we live on the island, there is no rough boat commute to endure either.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 8,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Deluxe Atlantic Puffin workshop just announced

Another from my recent Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Adventure in Quebec. An Atlantic puffin with a bill full of capelin in golden light against out-of-focus golden cliffs. This has quickly become one of my favourite images from one of my favourite places! There is no better place in the world to photograph than Puffin Paradise in Quebec, Canada.

Just announced! August 10-13, 2023 Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop

If you would like to photograph Atlantic Puffins flying with fish in golden light while eating gourmet food, consider joining me in August. Wait! Did I mention that we live in a recently renovated lighthouse? The trips were sold out completely, so I added August 10-13. My trips are timed perfectly so the babies are big enough to need constant feeding, but it ends just before the adults abandon them to fend for themselves.

““Puffins Galore” is a very apt name for this photography workshop with Christopher Dodds on L’Ile Aux Perroquets in the St. Lawrence Seaway. Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, and many shorebirds use this little island in the Mingan Archipelago as their nesting home during the breeding season and the place is alive with activity with many opportunities for images of birds in flight and birds around their burrows. Chris Dodds is acquainted with every aspect of puffin behaviour and is very generous with time and advice; he helped me improve my skills capturing images of fast-moving birds. Everyone in the group came away with images that they were thrilled with. The guest house on the island is a converted lighthouse keeper’s residence and provides a very comfortable experience. The meals alone would be worth the trip. Puffins Galore and much, much more!”

— Paul Ludden (Wisconsin, USA)