Wildlife Photography Workshops for Every Skill Level
Build Confidence Through Hands-On Experience Using Our Approach to Ai: 'Authentic Interactions.'
No Egos,
All Welcome!
Hi, we’re Jesse and Susan…recovering point-and-shooters.
Struggling to Capture the Photos You Envision? Blurry shots, tricky settings, and missed moments – we’ve been there. Photography isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Nature is unpredictable,
but your skills don’t have to be.
Our hands-on, in-the-field workshops are designed to help you understand wildlife patterns, adapt to the landscape, and improve your photography – so you're ready when those magical moments happen.
As ethical wildlife and landscape photographers based near Algonquin Park, Ontario, we help photographers like you move past frustration. Whether you're stuck in auto mode, unsure of composition, or ready to grow, we’ve walked that path – and we’re here to guide you forward.
Through personalized workshops and coaching, we simplify the technical stuff, spark creativity, and help you confidently capture the beauty of the natural world. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned pro, you’ll leave with stronger photos, newfound confidence, and a deeper connection to nature.
Let’s turn your photography frustrations into unforgettable images and adventures. Join us, and let’s build confidence behind the lens – together.
Inspiring Connections With Nature, and Each Other, Through Photography. No Egos, All Welcome!
Experience the wonders of wildlife and landscape photography with our exclusive workshops. Let's connect and explore together!
Freelance Photographers - Jesse & Susan Villemaire
This morning, we witnessed two dead moose and a heavily damaged vehicle that skidded into the forest after a collision on Hwy 60. It's heartbreaking and a vivid reminder of the dangers wildlife face and the risks to drivers. In just this past weekend, there have been three reported moose collisions in the park. As the warmer months approach, moose are more likely to cross roads, often with young calves by their side. While some collisions are inevitable, it's vital that we all take steps to minimize the risk and prevent these tragic accidents.
We've all found ourselves in situations where our actions may have inadvertently stressed an animal or its environment. The key is to learn from these mistakes and take extra care not to repeat them. As wildlife photographers, we have a moral responsibility to educate our peers on the impact and dangers of disrupting the natural habitats and emotional lives of our subjects. Jesse and I experience constant pressure to share locations online. And it’s because of this we felt it necessary to list a few considerations, thoughts, feelings and tips about how to hold everyone in the community to a higher standard.
After a year of intense travel, we were eager to be paddling home this June. Unlike previous years, we set our clocks for 2:30 a.m., strapped the canoe on the roof and took long, winding dirt roads to our put-in spot. Being kissed by thousands of mosquitos, black flies and deer flies is always worth it when put into perspective. Algonquin’s backcountry holds a special magnificence, the unknown of what could grace our path feels similar to the wonder of Christmas Eve. Sometimes, it’s pure magic.
As we approach our first wedding anniversary this August, we are thrilled to be featured in a six page spread in the 2023 edition of ‘Algonquin Life’ magazine about the whirlwind that has been our story — the path that led us North, to photography and to each other.
We had the opportunity to host a bucket list adventure in South Africa, a photogenic country whose wildlife density make it a photographer’s paradise. From snow-capped mountains to subtropical rainforests and wildlife-rich savannahs, South Africa is a destination like no other. With the help of our travel partners, Nicola and Keri, of Finisterra Travel, we set out to curate the ultimate ten day wildlife photography workshop for hobbyist and professional photographers alike.
On our way to Algonquin Park, we noticed something out of the ordinary. At the base of a snow bank along highway 60, near Dwight, there was a dark figure curled up. As we’re wildlife photographers, we instinctively stopped to investigate…
On August 17th, we paddled to the (still unnamed) Lake of Two Rivers island before sunrise and waited for the sky to light up. Accompanied by our photographers, officiant and two close friends, we cached our canoes on the rocky shore and discovered the perfect patch of Earth to say “I do” on…
One year ago we started an Instagram page called Sorry Algonquin showcasing REAL negative reviews of Algonquin Park, paired with our personal photography of Algonquin Park.
May and June have always proven fruitful for moose sightings, so we opted to pack light and journey deep into Algonquin Park’s backcountry at the height of black fly season in late Spring. At the time, my career as a Producer was unrelenting and I was only able to pull myself away from set for 36 hours for an ambitious paddle…
What’s more irritating, black flies or Winter ticks? If you’ve encountered a ghostly-looking Springtime moose in Algonquin Park, you may have asked yourself: “Why are the moose missing so much of their fur?” The short answer: Winter ticks.
Between our first, second and most recent trip, we’ve travelled over 6300km in three weeks, pursuing the elusive Canada Lynx. With the amount of miles we’ve driven, we could have made it to Disneyland and back! We have been rewarded for our efforts on each of our visits thankfully, with a total face-time of roughly 45 minutes with two different lynx families. We hope you’ve been enjoying the images!
We’ve been running on adrenaline since encountering a proud female Canada Lynx and her four, healthy kits last Tuesday. After witnessing the lynxes rambunctious energy as they zipped through a sea of manicured trees in pursuit of a panicked snowshoe hare, we were determined to have more time with these ghostly, fuzzy-faced creatures. On this week’s trip, we travelled 2330km in hot pursuit…
With Muskoka covered in a sheet of ice and persistent rain in the forecast, we opted to journey six hours from home for the chance of scoring a unique wildlife opportunity in fresh, powdered snow. The purpose of our 1600km roundtrip journey was to catch a glimpse of the ever-elusive Canada Lynx, otherwise known as the “Shadow of the Forest”!
Learn about the top “Date Night” restaurants and experiences in Muskoka this Winter! We’ve put together a list of our favourite eateries, conveniently situated close to ‘Follow Me North Cottage.’
5 Tips to Help a Turtle Cross the Road - Please Brake For Turtles! Helping a snapping turtle across the road can be intimidating for many people. However, they may need your help! Here's a quick video to show you how easily it can be done.
We all love moose, right? Although the number of moose in Algonquin Park can change frequently from year to year, it’s estimated that 2500-4500 moose call Algonquin Park their home.
We were approached by a journalist for the Toronto Star asking to help write a story about wildlife photography. We were happy to accept and we were thrilled to see our interview was given almost a full page in the travel section of Saturday’s newspaper!
This is one of our most asked questions, usually found in the comments section under our photos on social media. If you’re on the market for a new camera, I understand that the number of options and brands out there to research is intimidating. Learn more about our top gear picks…
The past couple of months we’ve been exploring our own backyard and getting outdoors as much as possible. One morning as we were enjoying a coffee on our back deck, a Barred Owl appeared from the depths of the forrest and perched on a tree very close by!
Next to the Moose, the Black Bear is the largest mammal in Algonquin Park. Black bears are on a restrictive schedule during the Spring…