Join us on an instructional photo tour and workshop to the Maine Coast.

We will travel by land and sea to photograph puffins, seals, whales, eagles, lighthouses, and dramatic coastal landscapes. Locations include Acadia National Park, the Schoodic Peninsula, and Campobello Island in Canada. Highlights feature several lighthouses, such as the famous Bass Harbor Light and Quoddy Head Light. Along the way, we’ll focus on wildlife, landscape, night, and macro photography.

Participants will also have the opportunity to photograph sunrise in two remarkable locations. The sweeping views from Cadillac Mountain are unforgettable, while Quoddy Head Light, a candy cane colored lighthouse at the easternmost point in the U.S., is the first to see sunrise at this time of year.

Our visit is timed before the busy tourist season, meaning less traffic and fewer crowds. The region offers diverse northern forest habitats, including mature hardwoods, mixed growth, and boreal softwoods. Rivers, marshes, bogs, wetlands, rocky coasts, grasslands, and blueberry barrens all provide rich photographic opportunities.

This trip includes three or four separate boat rides (weather permitting).

WILDLIFE
We will be taking multiple boat trips off the Maine coast to photograph puffins, razorbills, eagles, seabirds, quaint fishing harbors, lighthouses, and seals. This is weather permitting.

Why go on two puffin boat rides? Well, one simply isn’t enough. Occasionally, the boat rides may get canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions. Since these trips are booked months in advance, rescheduling becomes impossible. However, taking two boat rides increases our probability of reaching the island. Besides, it’s an extraordinary experience that warrants repetition. Additionally, each day offers unique lighting conditions, adding further appeal to the idea of experiencing it more than once.

We will also be taking a third or fourth boat ride to photograph nesting eagles, seals, and lighthouses. This will be scheduled during the late afternoon light until sunset. One boat ride will be in Acadia, and another one is possible in Lubec.

The boat rides are included in the tour fee. On the ride back, we will explore some hidden gems along with quaint fishing harbors, lighthouses, and seaside cliffs.

This trip has other wildlife opportunities, including bald eagles, seabirds, terns, and seals. Moose and black bears are rarely seen on this tour. We will point out any wildlife we come across.

LANDSCAPE & CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHY
We will photograph coastal communities and fishing villages. This is an area of stark beauty and simple living. Lodging and dining opportunities are plentiful but not extravagant.

We will visit nearby Campobello Island in Canada. It is a beautiful island off the Coast of Maine, but located in New Brunswick, Canada, on the Bay of Fundy. Campobello Island is one of three of the Fundy Islands; the "Fundy sisters" as they are sometimes called, with the other "sisters" being Grand Manan and Deer Island. Campobello Island will capture your heart with breathtaking views. It is unspoiled nature at its best. To visit Campobello Island from the U.S., you must bring your passport.

We will maximize our time in the field, shooting a multitude of subjects as well as incorporating classroom instruction and critiques.

We will photograph one of the last places in the busy eastern seaboard where you can enjoy tranquil pine forests and take a walk along the salt-sprayed shoreline, exploring and discovering secluded tidal inlets. Windswept coastal headlands, tidal flats, coastal islands, preserved peat bogs, beaches at low tide, boreal and northern hardwood forests, grasslands, and meadows are waiting for you.

WHEN
June 22-28, 2026 (1 space left)

GETTING THERE
Fly into Bangor Airport (BGR) in Maine. We recommend that you fly in the night before and stay at our selected hotel near the Bangor airport. This hotel should have an airport shuttle. There is no need to rent a car.

TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is provided from the hotel to field locations in our comfortable van. The tour will begin at the Bangor hotel, and we will drop you off at the Bangor airport after the tour.

TIMING
In June, sunrise is early in the morning and sunset is around 8:20 pm. Early morning and late afternoon have the best lighting for photography, less traffic, fewer people, and less wind. Some days, there will be a long break between morning and afternoon shoots. This would be a great time for a nap, lunch, or shopping on your own. We will also have some classroom time to discuss photo techniques.

GROUP SIZE
Our groups are small in size, which allows for flexibility in our plans if interesting and unexpected photo opportunities present themselves. It also allows us to work with each participant to provide complete, informative, and helpful lessons.

SKILL & FITNESS LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Anyone with an interest in photography, from beginner to professional.

• The participants should have a love of nature and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting.

• There are several short hikes on this trip. All hikes are under three miles.

• Participants must be able to climb in and out of boats in sometimes slippery conditions, carrying photo gear. They should also be comfortable with boats in changing sea conditions.

• Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

CLASSROOM TIME
This trip is planned to maximize time outdoors photographing. We may have classroom time to discuss photography, post-processing, and or give photo critiques. I will customize the program(s) to cover the wishes of our small group.

PRICE INCLUDES

• 6 nights lodging are included: four nights at an oceanside hotel and two nights in Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park). Rooms are based on double occupancy. If you’d like a private room (single occupancy), there is an additional cost of $350. To reserve this, please select the Single Room option in the shopping cart.

• Three or four separate boat rides (weather permitting)

• Professional photo instruction

• Entrance fees

• Transportation from the beginning of the tour to the end.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights

• If you stay the night before in Bangor, Maine

• Optional tips to boat operators and/or their assistants

• Food

PRICE
Price: $5,395 per person
Deposit: $1,000 per person (applied toward the total; reserves your spot)
Balance: $4395. The remaining amount is due six months before the tour begins
Single Room Upgrade: $350 (for a private room)

PAYMENT
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart.

Our job is not only to help you create beautiful images, but also to teach you skills and techniques that take your photography to the next level. Attendees will learn many basic and advanced principles related to nature photography.

Cancellation Policy:

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John Slonina (leader)
John Slonina is a professional nature photographer with more than 35 years of experience. His passion for the natural world is reflected in both his photography and teaching. During the workshop, he will share not only photography techniques but also insights into the natural world. This deeper understanding enhances your appreciation of nature and helps you grow as a photographer.