Tear
By Photographers,
For Photographers
Come experience South Texas wildlife through your lens and let us help you take photos that last a lifetime. Our workshops are conducted by experienced photographers with countless hours in wildlife photography. We're dedicated to providing a first-rate experience for all levels and styles of photographers.
Take a look below at the different workshops we offer and join us in the awe-inspiring deep South Texas nature.
Wildlife Photography Courses Hosted by Ruth Hoyt
Our South Texas wildlife photography trips are hosted and led by professional photographer, Ruth Hoyt. Ruth is a full-time nature photographer with decades of experience photographing animals around the world, but her primary passion will always be South Texas wildlife and bird photography. She has been teaching photography since 1990 and loves helping both new and seasoned photographers improve their skills and knowledge, not only as photographers but as naturalists as well.
Ruth's extensive knowledge of the wildlife in South Texas makes her the perfect guide for our photography workshops. During your time at Santa Cruz Ranch, you can expect to learn some of the key things that have set Ruth's photography apart from others, from camera settings and editing, all the way to designing bird perches with natural foliage to set yourself up for the perfect shot.
Weekend Wildlife Photography Workshops in South Texas
Join us for a short adventure weekend of wildlife photography workshop in deep South Texas and add to your birds and wildlife photographic portfolio. Our groups are small (maximum five) and workshop leaders provide personalized instruction to help you maximize your potential as a photographer. Learn about photography basics, focus, exposure, depth of field, composition, workflow, histograms, post-processing, and much more.
2-Day Weekend Workshop
Fee:
- $1298
Itinerary:
Day 1
- Check in (arrive late Friday afternoon, settle into your private room with private bath).
- Meet your instructor and other participants, discussion of expectations
- Cooked dinner
- Evening meeting, review/get familiar with gear
Day 2
- AM/PM photo sessions from professional photo blinds
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-day review and gentle critique of AM session work
- Informal evening
Day 3
- AM photo session from professional photo blind
- Breakfast
- Late-morning review and gentle critique
- Check out 1PM
Included:
- Experienced workshop leader
- Classroom instruction (equipment review, tips, techniques, demonstrations)
- In-the-field practice (application of classroom instruction in our professional photo blinds)
- Ranch daily access fees, photo blinds
- Two nights' lodging in a private bedroom with a private bath
- All meals
Not Included:
- Transportation (airfare, rental car)
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
Call, text or email for available weekends.
Spring South Texas
Photography Workshops
Join us in a relaxed but intensive, small group learning environment and take home exceptional photographs of the birds and other wildlife you'll see on the Santa Cruz Ranch. Birds and wildlife are fed year-round to ensure plenty of activity at the photo blinds, but Spring is definitely the best time for birding in South Texas. We work with small groups to ensure you receive personalized instruction and help to maximize your potential. You can expect to learn tips and techniques for using your equipment with an emphasis on focus, exposure, composition, and storytelling through your photographs. We talk about perch selection, getting birds to use your perches, and using the light and wind to your advantage. We provide instruction, perform demos, answer questions, and assist participants with their photography.
4-Day Spring Workshops
Fee:
- $3,000
Itinerary:
Day 1
- Check in (arrive late Monday afternoon, settle into your private room with private bath)
- Meet your instructor and other participants, discussion of expectations
- Cooked dinner
- Evening meeting, review/get familiar with gear
Day 2 & 3
- AM/PM photo sessions from professional photo blinds
- All meals
- Mid-day review and gentle critique of AM session work
- Informal evening
Day 4
- AM photo session from professional photo blind
- Breakfast and lunch
- Mid-day review and gentle critique of last night's PM session and morning AM session work
- Check out 1PM
Included:
- Experienced workshop leader
- Classroom instruction (equipment review, tips, techniques and demonstrations)
- In-the-field practice (application of classroom instruction in our professional photo blinds)
- Ranch daily access fees, photo blinds
- Three nights' lodging in private bedroom with private bath
- Meals
Not Included:
- Transportation (airfare, rental car)
- Trip cancelation insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Items of personal nature
- Gratuities
High-season spring dates available.
Fall South Texas Photography Workshops
Just like our Spring workshops, our Fall trips take the form of a relaxed but intensive, small-group learning environment. This time of year offers some differences in the list of bird species that you can expect to encounter, and the foliage allows us to see birds more easily and offers a striking darker contrast in the background of your images. Perch selection and blind location are key as always, and your expert guide will help position you for the best possible photo opportunity.
4-Day Fall Workshops
Fee:
- $3,000
Itinerary:
Day 1
- Check in (arrive late Monday afternoon, settle into your private room with private bath)
- Meet your instructor and other participants, discussion of expectations
- Cooked dinner
- Evening meeting, review/get familiar with gear
Day 2 & 3
- AM/PM photo sessions from professional photo blinds
- All meals
- Mid-day review and gentle critique of AM session work
- Informal evening
Day 4
- AM photo session from professional photo blind
- Breakfast and lunch
- Mid-day review and gentle critique of last night's PM session and morning AM session work
- Check out 1PM
Included:
- Experienced workshop leader
- Classroom instruction (equipment review, tips, techniques and demonstrations)
- In-the-field practice (application of classroom instruction in our professional photo blinds)
- Ranch daily access fees, photo blinds
- Three nights' lodging in private bedroom with private bath
- All meals
Not Included:
- Transportation (airfare, rental car)
- Trip cancelation insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Items of personal nature
- Gratuities
High-season fall dates available.
Bird Photography Workshops in South Texas
All of our workshops involve a fair amount of bird photography, but if you have a specific interest in birding in South Texas and becoming a better bird photographer, our Spring Workshop is definitely the choice for you. This time of year offers the greatest diversity of bird species and the potential for seeing and photographing something truly unique.
Our guides, Ruth Hoyt, Manny Marquez and Eric Garza, have decades of combined bird photography experience and will pass on a wealth of knowledge to you during our spring or fall bird photography workshops.
