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VisionQuest Photography
VANCOUVER ISLAND PHOTO EXPEDITION
West Coast Vancouver Island, Canada
April 14-18, 2021
Limited to only 5 Participants
Workshop Canceled Due to Pandemic Travel Restrictions
$1,795 - Deposit $795 US
A Coastal Paradise - Ancient Rainforests, Rugged Seascapes, Coast Caves, Seaside Waterfalls, Old Victorian Castles and More...
Vancouver Island is a rare undiscovered gem for landscape photography! I lived there for 20 years, I continue to revisit the Island several times each year. Each visit I fall more in love with what the island has to offer. I'm sure you'll have a similar experience once you get a taste of Vancouver Island magic.
This tour is designed to offer a remarkable west coast experience, the best of what Vancouver Island has to offer. We'll start in the old victorian style city of Victoria, British Columbia. It's called the "Garden City" for good reason, it's bursting with flowers and is home to some of the most beautiful gardens in the world., including the famous Butchart Gardens.
We'll spend time exploring the heart of Victoria's inner harbor as well as the wilds of the rugged west coast. You'll be presented with amazing photographic opportunities each and everyday. Expect to see and experience the breathtaking beauty of old city architecture, west coast charm, waterfalls, old growth rainforests and spectacular seascapes.
Travel Arrangements & Trip Logistics
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Everyone will fly in and out of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Dave and I will make all the lodging reservations which are included in the workshop price. You'll need to make rental car reservations out of Victoria International Airport. A passport will also be required for entry into Canada.
PREPARATORY AND PROCESSING WEBINARS - 3 Educational Webinars Included
• As a VisionQuest Photo Workshop, we include in the price of your registration, three very special webinar events, Two preparatory webinars before the workshop and one post-processing webinar shortly after the conclusion of the workshop.
• The first two pre-workshop webinars offer simple yet powerful creative practices. New ways of seeing and sensing into nature and your creative experience at the moment.
• The post-workshop webinar will guide you through a novel new way of approaching image processing meant to have your images fully reflect all the power and beauty of everything you saw and felt at the time of capture.
WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGISTRATION
• First-night stay at the Chateau Victoria, Victoria (April 14, 2021)
• West Coast Trail Lodge (April 15, 16, 17, 2021)
• Dedicated meeting rooms for image review, critique, and editing
• Expert photographic guidance, in and out of the field.
• Time to ask and practice all of your "how to's".
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGISTRATION
• Travel medical insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Any optional gratuities
• Airfare to and from Victoria International airport.
• Car rentals
• Meals while on the tour.
• Transportation to and from Port Renfrew (about 2 hours from Victoria).
• Personal items and camera gear.
PAYMENT, REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
• POST PANDEMIC POLICY: We live in a very different world now. All workshop participants should definitely purchase travel cancellation insurance. This is not mandatory, but I will not be issuing refunds if borders are closed and travel restrictions prevent the workshop from happening.
Otherwise my policy is as follows:
• More than 60 days prior to the trip start date, 50% refund less a $100 administration fee (unless I can fill your spot)
• Less than 60 days prior to the trip start date, no refunds (unless I can fill your spot)
• Payment in full due 60 days prior to the workshop start date.
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Awaken Your Creative Brilliance
Definitely expect great locations and incredibly dynamic conditions, But, this is a VisionQuest photo excursion, so you can expect so much more. We'll use our five days together for creative exploration and discovery into new ways of seeing and connecting with the beauty of the west coast.
With VisionQuest Photo Tours there is a special emphasis on your personal creative experience and expression. This includes both the technical and mechanical use of your camera but it doesn't stop there.
Our cameras can only record what we can see and sense at the moment. Throughout the tour we'll explore simple yet powerful practices that help us see, sense and feel into the beauty we'll encounter in new and creative ways. You'll learn how to couple precise technical capture with highly creative thought processes that will allow your artistic capacities to fully flourish.
If you're wanting to take your creative expression to a completely new level, this tour will be a great fit for you! I hope you can join us on Vancouver Island!
This Tour is For You If...
• You have a desire for a safe and extremely comfortable guided experience into the remote wilderness of the Arctic.
• You want more than just pretty pictures from your time spent in nature.
• You're intrigued by the idea of "Creative Rewilding".
• You would like to learn how to establish a deeper more intimate and meaningful connection with the natural world.
• You're ready to take your photographic creativity to the next level.
• You want to break-through limited and habitual ways of seeing and expressing yourself creatively.
• You prefer small intimate group experiences focused on your creative learning.
• Unplugging from the demands of your everyday reality for a few days seems really appealing.
Trip Itinerary
Please be aware that all locations stated in this itinerary are subject to change. Each day we will determine which locations are best based on lighting and weather conditions. We want to give you the best possible photo opportunities
APRIL 14 - Day 1 - Arrive in Victoria
We'll spend our first afternoon exploring Victoria's Inner Harbor and/or Beacon Hill Park's meandering foot paths, tree lined ponds, exotic birds and gardens. After an ocean side dinner together we'll explore Victorias picturesque inner harbor until sunset.
APRIL 15 - Day 2 - Port Renfrew
We'll depart early to the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. On the way to Port Renfrew, we'll explore several secret water falls and our first taste of sea scape scenics. After a 3 pm check-in at the West Coast Trail lodge and an early dinner we'll experience the sunset magic of "Botany Bay".
APRIL 16 - Day 3 - Port Renfrew
We'll meet up at 6:30 am and head to Sombrio Beach. Sombrio features a moss covered slot canyon, craggy rock beach breaks and cliff drop water falls spilling into the ocean. For sunset, we'll venture through the old growth rainforest as well head towards Botanical Beach. Rock shelves, and marine life rich tidal pools will highlight your experience at Botanical.
APRIL 17 - Day 4 - Port Renfrew
Again, we'll meet up at 6:30 am and head to Fairy Lake to photograph a very special little tree that dances in and out of the morning fog. We'll also have a decent chance of photographing the islands own Rosevelt elk. In the afternoon, we'll visit a the gorgeous rainforest waterfall, Pazant. For sunset, we'll revisit Botany Bay or Sombrio depending upon conditions.
APRIL 18 - Day 5 - Port Renfrew and back to Victoria
Our last morning together offers a spectacular surprise location along the Juan de Fuca trail that Dave has scouted especially for this workshop. We'll convene for our farewell breakfast after our morning shoot. If you're not in a rush to get back to Victoria plan of staying the day. Dave and I will be staying in Port Renfrew for an informal private session at the location of your choice.
Meet Your Tour Leader, Creative Guide
& Mindfulness Outdoor Leader
This is a tour like no other, a multidimensional experience you'll not find elsewhere. Although this is a photo tour, you'll learn and experience so much more. Shane is a highly experienced teacher of photography, yoga, meditation and creative coaching. He is exceptionally compassionate, patient and thoughtful in his approach and cares deeply about each students creative process. Shane works tirelessly to assure you come away from your experience with greater creative capacity and confidence.
Shane McDermott
IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING!
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
• POST PANDEMIC POLICY: We live in a very different world now. All workshop participants should definitely purchase travel cancellation insurance. This is not mandatory, but I will not be issuing refunds if borders are closed and travel restrictions prevent the workshop from happening.
Non-COVID-related cancellations made more than 180 days prior to trip departure will receive a full refund less an admin fee of $200 per person. Any cancellations requested with less than 180 days of the trip departure date will receive no refunds.
VC
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