Join us at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey, under guidance from full time wildlife photographer Richard Peters, getting up close with some of the UK’s finest species. With plenty of subjects from tiny harvest mice up to the highly energetic otters, the British Wildlife Centre hosts some of the best native wildlife in Britain. These photography days are held when the centre is closed to the public, giving us unrestricted access that allows us to shoot from inside the enclosures.
Gift vouchers for the British Wildlife Centre photography workshops are available. Please get in touch below to find out more.
Each day is limited to small group sizes of only 8. This allows for more room to photograph each subject.
With small group sizes and full time wildlife photographer as your guide, there will be ample opportunity to discuss camera settings and techniques, to ensure you get the most out of your workshop. Richard will be on hand to make sure you get as much out of the day as you can, both photographically and knowledge wise.
These workshops are open to photographers of all ability. From the very beginner to those who are more advanced, a relaxed approach is given to ensure you come away from the workshop having learned something new.
The animals we spend time with can change from time to time, at the discretion of the centres keepers. However we will endeavor to spend time with foxes, otters, Scottish wild cats, barn or tawny owl, harvest mouse, red squirrels sometimes, hedgehog.
Because we are able to get so close to our subjects, mid-range focal lengths from 70 to 300mm offer the best opportunities, with telephoto zooms offering good flexibility.
Summer offers more abundant flora in the enclosures, foxes, cats and squirrels in summer coats and late evening, warm, light. Clear winter days provide lower sun, for beautiful all day side-light, and animals in winter coats. Both offer wonderful photographic conditions to shoot in.
This Skomer Island puffin workshop is fully booked for 2023. Please see the bottom of the page for 2024 date notification.
Richard Peters is a Nikon Ambassador alumni and Swarovski Optik and Datacolor partner. He has a style that is well known for capturing dramatic light, alongside having a friendly and down to earth manner. His work has been internationally acclaimed, including as a category winner in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and is one of the only British photographers to be named European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Richard has been a judge for many competitions including the above EWPY, plus the British Wildlife Photography Awards. He is also an author and been a keynote speaker to many industry events, from close to home in the UK to as far afield as Australia.
What time of year to visit the British Wildlife Centre is entirely up to you. There really is no bad time to be there. Summer offers more abundant flora in the enclosures, foxes, cats and squirrels in summer coats and late evening warm light. Clear winter days provide lower sun, for beautiful all day side-light, and animals in winter coats. Both offer wonderful photographic conditions to shoot in.
1430 (0930): Meet and greet with tea, coffee and biscuits. A short briefing and initial checking of camera controls for those who require assistance in setting up their equipment.
1450 (1000): Specific species may vary slightly on the day but we will aim to begin with Foxes and Scottish wildcats, then move on to Red Squirrels.
1700 (1300): Break for tea and coffee, which are provided for you. Please bring along any sandwiches or snacks you may wish to eat during our break. This allows us a chance to refuel and also go through photos from the first few shoots. You will have time during the break to ask me for any advice and tips not yet covered.
1730 (1330): We end the day with species not yet covered such as Owls, Otters, Harvest Mouse and to make the most of the later light, head into the second Fox enclosure. Those who wish to spend time with Badgers and Stoats may do so, although these are animals in which you must stay outside of the enclosures.
2000 (1530): Finish
Summer
June 2nd
July 14th
Winter 2025
November 3rd
November 10th
Winter, early 2026
TBA
To secure you space on our British Wildlife Centre workshop, please use the form. Richard will then get in touch with you to complete your booking.
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