This Workshop Was Definitely Out of My Comfort Zone—and I’m So Glad I Went

“I prefer to shoot mostly landscape photos. It's what I enjoy but more importantly, the scenery doesn't move! That means there's lots of time to figure out composition, lighting and focusing. Then I attended Chris's Atlantic Puffin Workshop. Boy, was I out of my depth!

The first day my photos were either empty of flying subjects or out of focus. Chris encouraged me to try a number of things: Instead of using the display screen to compose (my standard landscaper's option), he suggested using the viewfinder. That took some getting used to for these old eyes. He pointed me towards reviewing my manual for specific auto-focus settings (Canon's ‘Whole Area Tracking Servo AF’ and ‘Subject to Detect’). We talked a lot about how to track flying birds and the importance of practice.

After incorporating these changes, I was capturing puffins focused and completely in the frame more often than not. One of his last suggestions, but one with the most impact, was to customize a button to switch back and forth between the display screen and the viewfinder. So simple but an enormous help when switching from shooting to reviewing. And all these suggestions were for a camera system that was not what Chris currently shoots. He sure knows his stuff!

I also loved the picturesque, small island abundant with colorful wildflowers. At first glance, it appears there's not much to photograph other than birds but if you slow down, breathe and explore, I found there was a lot of beauty to discover & capture. The lighthouse was absolutely breathtaking in the early morning fog! I came home with wonderful landscape photos that recorded my time there in addition to some amazing puffin shots (FISH). The lightkeeper's house was rustic and charming, the food was amazing (best breakfast sandwich EVER) and the staff wonderful and kind. Chris was also very engaging and entertaining at the meal table so lots of laughter.

I highly recommend Chris's workshop to anyone of any skill level as he tailors his help according to each person's skill level and equipment. I did not have the best long lens (100–400mm), nowhere near the size of my fellow participants, but I came home with some amazing photos that I am very pleased with. This workshop was definitely out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad I went. Thanks, Chris, for a great few days.”

— Joanne Johnson Ohio | USA
Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Photography Workshop, August 2026

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Barbara Fleming

Everything Christopher Dodds described about his Puffin Galore Workshop proved true when I participated this summer. He has found the perfect spot for photographing the Atlantic Puffin.

Each day, we walked a short distance to the beach to photograph puffins, with fish in their beaks — flying at speeds of up to 55 mph! It was quite challenging to capture these speedy little birds on camera, but Christopher patiently gave us personalized tips to help us get the best shots. I was genuinely impressed.

My goal for the trip was to get flying images of puffins with their catch, and Christopher truly made it happen. Not only did he find an ideal location for these charming ocean birds, but his wide knowledge also helped him choose the best times to guarantee puffin shots with fish in their beaks.

When he says “Mission Accomplished, I have found Puffin Paradise,” he genuinely means it.

— Barbara Fleming | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop 2026

Atlantic Puffin returning with fish © Barbara Fleming — made during the 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop.

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — William Kelly

“A belated thank you for a great trip! I had a great time on the puffin tour. Your expertise was apparent, and the food and stories were top-notch. I also appreciated the reverence for nature and photo tips.

I strongly caution anyone considering this photo tour—you will have too many puffin photos!!

During our time in the Mingan Archipelago, I appreciated Chris's professional—but not didactic—attitude. By the end of the trip, I was comfortable tracking fast-moving puffins with 800mm and even 1120mm. We were also fortunate to have some great silhouette opportunities, which unlocked a new style of photography for me.

When I first saw in the advert that the food would be exceptional, I was a bit skeptical about how good the food could be on a 100m by 350m crag. Pleasantly wrong. The food was A+ and kept our energy high. The cabins were clean and comfortable, so you had good recovery after long days.

Outside of photographing was memorable, too. Chris is a real cosmopolitan, but very approachable and keeps a good reverence for nature. It made for an entertaining but relaxed environment.

I enter nearly every photography trip with the goal of a single print-quality photo. I walked away from this photo tour with a backlog of puffin action shots, portraits, silhouettes, environmental shots, behavioral pics, and more. I've casually photographed puffins in Iceland and the Farne Islands, and was not granted the same fortune. Additionally, we got to capture some nice images of Savannah Sparrows and other shorebirds.

I highly recommend this trip to anyone with an itch for puffins. Most of my next year is booked out, but I will definitely consider future workshops with Chris!”

 — William Kelly | Austin, Texas, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop 2026

Atlantic Puffin returning with fish © William Kelly — made during the 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop.

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Joe Pizzuto

"Christopher Dodds’ Atlantic Puffin photography workshop is a truly exceptional experience for any wildlife or nature photographer. The setting is amazing, providing endless opportunities to capture Puffins both in flight and up close in varying scenery and lighting, resulting in an incredible portfolio of images. Chris’s deep knowledge of Puffin behavior and photography, combined with his patient, individualized instruction, helps photographers of all skill levels achieve their best work. The workshop is thoughtfully organized, and Chris always ensures participants are in the perfect spot at the right time for optimal lighting and action. Accommodations are very comfortable, the meals are amazing, and the venue lends itself to fun camaraderie among participants. I left the workshop with not only a drive full of images that exceeded my expectations, but also new skills and unforgettable memories. Highly recommended to anyone looking to improve their wildlife photography and experience these wonderful birds up close."

— Joe Pizzuto | New York, NY, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Michele Kirk

“I have never participated in a photography workshop before, and this turned out to be truly awesome! I am still digesting the experience and processing images....I want to thank you for a wonderful experience, all around on Ile Aux Perroquetes. It was so nice to meet you and hear your stories of how you came to be the experienced photographer you are and be privy to your experience of how to better photograph the Puffins + on the island. Thank you for the camera setting recommendations and pointers throughout our stay. I am still practicing tracking the swallows! I came home with some wonderful images and memories of the tranquility of the island while photographing. Being amidst the Puffins for three days was icing on the cake.  I am enamored with them. Thank you!”

— Michele Kirk | New Jersey, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Randi Najac

“Thank you so much for the images and for sharing your time and knowledge with us! To single out a single favourite thing would be impossible, as the entire Workshop was truly wonderful. Everything from the setting, and being amongst so many puffins in their natural habitat, to the freedom to wander and explore with each other or on our own, to the excitement of forever searching the skies for a puffin with a mouth full of fish...  it was truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. I will never forget the wondrous feeling of standing on the beach, as countless puffins flew overhead (in arms reach!) into their burrows on the cliffs, knowing that this is all part of their annual journey and that most of the time they will be out at the sea, on their own... How lucky are we?!! Technically, my biggest takeaway is the focus (no pun intended) on getting everything right "in-camera" the first time, and getting to feel more comfortable trusting my histogram without stressing about ISO numbers. Clearly, from the feedback on my images, it was a very valuable lesson. 

I will forever have cherished memories of these whimsical and adorable seabirds, as well as new friendships with others I never would have had the opportunity to have met. 

I highly recommend this Workshop for anyone interested in a magical experience and opportunity to photograph puffins with an incredible, professional photographer and guide. Thank you again! It would be wonderful to be able to take part in another workshop, as all of them sound beyond extraordinary and you, as a guide and mentor along the way, make all the difference!” 

— Randi Najac | Arizona, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Anita Wooldridge

“Looking forward to that magical puffin island? Well, Chris has found it! Eat, sleep and photograph puffins! Just a short walk from your accommodations are puffins! And more puffins! Staying on island with the puffins maximizes your time with them. The food is amazing! And Chris knows the island, and best places to be for the best shot. What a wonderful experience!”

— Anita Wooldridge | Colorado, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — France Boutilier

“To say the puffin experience was enjoyable would be an understatement!  It was amazing!  Being on a small island, living in a lighthouse keeper’s house, with a puffin colony close in our midst gave us a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the plentiful puffins combined with many other sea and song birds!    Seeing the puffins bringing capelin to feed their “pufflings” was a highlight!   Being on site offered us different lighting conditions, including the warm morning and evening hues, with Chris offering us great guidance on camera settings for optimum results!   I knew puffins flew fast, often flying over our heads where you could feel the wind of their wings!  How cool is that!?   Photographing them to freeze the action with crisp, in focus images was truly fun, especially when puffins arrived with “fish on”!   Chris’ extensive photographic expertise was greatly appreciated, and it paid off as we all came back with wonderful images!    I highly recommend this excursion!”

— France Boutilier | Nova Scotia, Canada | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Monica Slack

I recently attended Christopher’s Deluxe Puffin Workshop and it exceeded all of my expectations.

Christopher;’s instruction was knowledgeable, patient, insightful and tailored to all skill levels.  The location was superb with made the learning experience both engaging and enjoyable.  The balance between technical instruction and hands-on practice was perfect, allowing me to immediately apply what I learned. 

I walked away not only with new skills and techniques, but also with a renewed sense of inspiration and confidence in my photography. 

I highly recommend any of Christopher’s workshops to anyone looking to grow as a photographer or elevate their craft.  This is my second workshop with Christopher Dodds, but it will not be my last!
— Monica Slack | San Diego, California, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Bill MacMillan

My Deluxe Puffin workshop with Christopher Dodds;  Aug 1-4 2025

Chris Dodds is an excellent photographic guide for his annual Puffin photographic workshops.  The experience he provides is enjoyable, productive and highly instructive.  The travel details, meals and accommodations are extremely well managed.  The location is ideal for photographing these adorable birds, providing hundreds of puffins for both still and inflight photos. 

After this trip I would have complete confidence joining any of Chris’s expeditions, anywhere in the world.

Photography is of course the critical element of the trip and with Chris’s help I learned a lot  about how to be a more effective wildlife photographer.  Chris held well-explained overviews group discussions on setting up for best results.  Once shooting, he spends time with each participant one-on-one.  This was especially helpful for my wife, who has been transformed into an enthusiastic photographer after this short excursion. 

An important aspect of a trip success is that Chris is clearly well-respected and well-liked by the local community supporting us on this trip.  That really helps everything go smoothly.  This was my first photographic workshop.  There WILL be more, we are already looking into future Chris Dodds workshops.

— Bill MacMillan | Cary, North Carolina, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Alan Lesse

I will be as straightforward as I can be. If you are looking for a photographic opportunity of a lifetime, take this trip and work with Christopher Dodds. I have never been more pleased with a purchase in my life.

The location is idyllic: a small island with a lighthouse and a couple of warm and inviting buildings where you stay. The puffins are amazingly plentiful and fly in from dawn to dusk, which coincides with the photography opportunities that you will experience with Christopher Dodds.

I have always wanted to go on a photography expedition where I could interact with a professional photographer, who could teach me about the essence of photography: light, light angle, compositions, and technique. I would describe myself as an advanced amateur who has been learning about photography since I was a teenager, over 5 decades ago. My technical knowledge would likely be described as solid, and I have some top-end equipment. But in a few short hours, I took the information from Chris and transformed my shooting approach. Those tips resulted in an amazing increase in my "keepers" and a massive decrease in my post-processing work. As they say, "When you get it right in the camera…" The group is limited to 8 individuals who met at dawn, after breakfast, around 3 p.m., and after dinner to learn from Chris or shoot on our own. (The meals, 8 a.m. breakfast, noon lunch, and 5 p.m. dinner, were prepared by excellent chefs using food from the nearby onshore community and were excellent.) You were free to shoot all over the island on your own at any time, but I would highly advise trying to get as much information as you can from Chris while you are there. It will last a lifetime.

I am so pleased with the experience that I am looking to book my next trip with Chris, probably the snowy owls or a bear trip.

If you are thinking about doing something like this like I was and are not sure if this is the one for you, I will give you this advice… just book it. You will be very happy that you did.

— Alan Lesse | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Réne Bastien

“Here is the testimonial for the workshop, which I found to be excellent:

I recently attended the Puffins Galore workshop organized by Chris Dodds. I have attended many workshops in the last 15 years, and Chris’s was one of the most interesting. The location is amazing. Chris takes time to answer our questions and gently explain what we could be doing better. Before the workshop, I could not shoot puffins as they are erratic and quick. Now I can, thanks to Chris! ”

— Réne Bastien | Ontario, Canada | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Testimonial — Belinda Prinz

“No matter your experience with birds in flight or type of camera, you can’t help but pick up valuable knowledge and photographic skills during this wonderful excursion. Chris knows lighting. He knows (the) best camera settings from his long experience. And he knows puffins. He shares his insights and advice without being overbearing. I venture to say Chris is not exaggerating when he describes this as the best place in the world to photograph these adorable birds. . . . . I highly recommend Chris and this workshop. ”

— Belinda Prinz | Ohio, USA | Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop

Arthur Morris Birds as Art

“On the morning of June 14 (2008), my 62nd birthday, we took the ferry to Bonaventure Island and made the 1.8 mile (2.9km) walk up the big hill.  I had been a bit worried about making that walk up and down for five straight days, but Chris was right:  “Take it slow and it is an easy walk.”  When we arrived at the gannetry, I was totally blown away.  So so many birds at arms length.  Dozens, even hundreds of gannets in the air at all times, many carrying huge loads of nesting material, many landing just yards away.  That day, the photographic action was nonstop, but it was not a birthday present, for the succeeding four days were equally exciting.  And as each day came and went, I visualized and created many new and different images.  I felt like a painter locked in a huge warehouse with hundreds of blank canvases and an unlimited supply of paints.   I was in bird photographer’s heaven.  

I have been to Antarctica.  I have been to Kenya.  I have been to Tanzania.  And I have been going to Bosque for the past 13 years.  All of those places offer great photographic opportunities.  But no place that I have been has ever offered as consistent and spectacular action as Bonaventure.

Chris is an excellent photographer and a skilled teacher. Chris is bi-lingual and over the course of his 131 walks up the hill, he has crafted a wonderful relationship with the park staff. Do consider joining Chris for the photographic experience of a lifetime. ”

— Arthur Morris BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #264 June 26, 2008

CLICK HERE to learn more about the photographic experience of a lifetime

〰️

CLICK HERE to learn more about the photographic experience of a lifetime 〰️

Helped me improve my skills capturing images of fast-moving birds

"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

Your guidance and tips were very helpful

Chris: Just a quick note to express my appreciation for the fine workshop (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE WORKSHOP) hosting provided by you and Julie, along with Louise and Marie-Josée and the charming Auberge facilities. We were fortunate to have such good weather and abundant puffin activity, and your guidance and tips were very helpful, even for a long-time Sony mirrorless shooter. I found the other clients quite interesting and enjoyed sharing the experience with all of them. Despite some travel challenges to and from the Mingan Archipelago, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the prospect of joining you in another workshop in the future.

Again, thank you for your excellent leadership and engaging fellowship on Iles aux Parroquets – now to plough through the 30,000+ images I brought back to find the “exceptional” few!

Best regards,

- Gordon Norman

Produced a portfolio of epic photos

My wife and I have taken two trips with Chris Dodds, Eagles in Homer, Alaska (EAGLES GALORE), and Puffins in Quebec (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE EDITION), and both trips have produced a portfolio of epic photos.

The first trip to photograph Eagles was well-organized: transportation was outlined, a meeting place was established, and we received suggestions as to equipment, clothing, weather, and what to expect well in advance. Chris had arranged our lodging, and upon arrival, we have a short briefing on what to expect during the course of the workshop. Transportation to the site was supplied, and to say the location and the subject was excellent is an understatement.

At times, we had forty-plus eagles overhead. Chris provided suggestions as to camera settings and provided whatever guidance was required during the shoot. Chris is very helpful and a fountain of knowledge of photography, but he doesn’t push it on you. And his head was never in the viewfinder of our cameras; he photographed, but never gave the feeling that he was on a shoot and his clients were just along for the ride.

The second trip was to Quebec to photograph Puffins. Again, the workshop was well-organized as outlined above: transportation to the site was suggested along with places to spend the previous night as we were to meet in a remote area with meager places to spend the night and dine. Boat transportation to the site was provided, and at times the puffins seemed to swarm. Chris gave us pointers on shooting small, fast-flying birds as well as the equipment necessary for closeup portrait of shy little subjects.

My wife and I have travelled all over the world, and Chris stands out among the many professional photographers we have been with. He is low key, has a good sense of humour (humour, in Canada) has a great knowledge of photography which he will share with any photographer in his groups, regardless of their experience level. We will certainly travel with Chris again.

- Carl (and Cheryl) Shneider

Overwhelming to choose my favourites

Hey Chris,

Once again, great trip and I wanted to thank both you and Julie for being such wonderful hosts. The island is a unique place to spend time with the Puffins and, now, my collection of Puffin shots is making it somewhat overwhelming to choose my favorites. I guess that's the objective.

Frank Sheets

We are so pleased

“The shot is 20” x 50”. We are so pleased.

I hope the Snowy Owl workshops after ours were half as good ours. You must have had a lot of snow. We were very lucky.

I still can’t believe we were 5 men; 2 Germans, 1 Brit, 1 Kuwaiti, and me, the lone Canadian. They traveled extensively to see Snowies and we were thrilled every morning and afternoon that we went out to shoot these magnificent creatures.”

— John L. Block Montréal, Québec, Canada

Chris, the Owl Trip was fantastic.

“Chris, the Owl Trip was fantastic.

Chris led our Canadian photography adventure trip for Snowy Owl photography. He showed an excellent knowledge of local geography and territory habitat for the owls, and brought them into range with a safe approach away from roads in an ethical and responsible manner. Chris’ awareness of both light and wind kept the owls in front of us, resulting in some fantastic images. His willingness to offer technical advice and solutions was appreciated by all participants in the workshop.”

— Thomas D Knoop - New Jersey, USA