A Photography Four day WorkShop in Lake Kerkini

Lake Kerkini, an artificial lake created in 1932, is situated within the Serres Prefecture, just an hour’s distance (100 km) from Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. Designated as a National Park under the Ramsar Convention, Lake Kerkini is one of Greece’s ten internationally significant wetlands. Today, it stands as one of the premier birding sites in Greece, home to 300 rare and protected bird species that live and breed in the area.

I am a Professional Photographer who annually captures the beauty of the Kerkini area, its landscapes, and the large population of the magnificent Dalmatian Pelican!

I specialize in leading tours at Lake Kerkini. I prefer guiding smaller groups (two, three, or max four photographers), as it allows for a more effective dynamic and provides ample one-on-one interaction with each photographer (even as a participant in a workshop, I favor smaller, more intimate groups rather than the large groups commonly organized by big photography tourism offices).

If you’re looking to refine your wildlife photography skills and immerse yourself in nature’s essence, book your spot at my annual workshop “The Kingdom of the Pelicans”.

Join me for a unique four-day (three-night) Photography Workshop, where we’ll capture the splendid Dalmatian Pelican, which lives and breeds in this region, along with the beautiful landscapes at the foot of Mount Kerkini (Belles).

Stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter!

Photos from Lake Kerkini, particularly of the majestic Dalmatian Pelican, are frequently featured in publications and major photography contests each year.

During my four-day Photography Workshop, we’ll focus on capturing the Dalmatian Pelicans and their distinct behaviors. We’ll approach these magnificent waterbirds with respect, aiming to create unique images and deepen our appreciation for nature.

In addition to the pelicans, we’ll have opportunities to photograph a variety of other wildlife, including robins, kingfishers, flamingos, egrets, buzzards, kestrels, grebes, and cormorants, as well as the stunning landscapes around us.

This Workshop is designed to accommodate photographers of all skill levels.

We’ll be taking photos both on a boat and from the shoreline.

I’ll be there to help you capture one-of-a-kind images, offering advice on camera settings and photography techniques. Our exploration will include not only photography but also editing our pictures using Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Luminar.

Additionally, I will provide you with guidance on video shooting techniques and how to edit them in DaVinci Resolve.

I’ll demonstrate wildlife photography methods and settings, and I’ll be available to assist you in the field.

Workshop Highlights

• On the first evening, before the workshop begins, we’ll have a presentation of the area followed by a discussion about camera settings
• Three boat trips during sunrise or sunset to photograph Dalmatian Pelicans
• Two photography sessions at sunrise or sunset along the shoreline, focusing on Dalmatian Pelicans and the surrounding landscape
• A driving tour around the lake, offering opportunities to capture wildlife and scenic landscape images
• Excellent opportunities for a variety of photographs including portraits, close-up shots, birdscape images, and capturing Pelicans in flight
• Accommodation provided at one of the finest hotels in Kerkini, complete with breakfast and lunch.
• Transportation is included from Thessaloniki to Kerkini and around the lake area (photographers need to be in Thessaloniki by 13:00). The journey from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 2 hours
• The group will be limited to a maximum of 4 photographers, ensuring that everyone has ample time and space to capture unique images of the Dalmatian Pelicans
• Photographers of all skill levels, from entry-level to mid-level and experienced, are welcome to join
• Travel insurance for Greece
• I issue the appropriate legal receipt or invoice (applicable for professionals or companies)

Dates and Price

The Workshop is scheduled to be held at Lake Kerkini:

• from January 14th to 17th, 2025 (sold out)
• from January 20th to 23th, 2025 (new dates – limited availability)

• Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
• Location: Lake Kerkini, North Greece
• Group Size: Strictly up to 4 photographers
• Price: 1.300 euros for a double room (with a photographer of the same sex). Price for single room is 1.400 euros. Prices include tax.
• Deposit: 400 euros. To secure your spot, a deposit is required upon booking.
  Kindly be aware that deposits are non-refundable and the remaining balances are due 30 days before the commencement of the workshop. Failure to pay the remaining balance in full will result in the forfeiture of your place. I retain the right to cancel the trip due to unexpected events. In the event of cancellation, I will propose an alternative date or offer a full refund if you’re unable to attend the rescheduled workshop. Generally, the workshop will proceed regardless of weather forecasts.

Not included in the price

• Drinks
• What ever is not included in the highlights
• Personal Expenses

Recommended Photo Gear

• DSLR or mirrorless
• Wide angle lens (16-24mm) for landscape shots and wide shots of pelicans
• A normal lens (24-70mm) for Pelican shots in flight
• ND filters for long exposure images
• Telephoto lens, a 70-200mm/70-300mm for close-ups and portraits
• Telephoto 150-600mm will be perfect for other birds and animals
• Macro lens optional for details of pelicans
• Laptop with a large hard drive or an external hard drive (a minimum of 1TB is recommended)
• Tripod or Monopod (or you can borrow mine)
• Please ensure you have large capacity memory cards for your camera, as you may shoot approximately 1000 to 3000 images per session, particularly as you will be using the burst high mode.

If you don’t have something from the above list, you can contact me to arrange for you to rend it.

Recommended Clothing

Since our activities will begin early in the morning, it’s essential to bring very warm clothing.

• Waterproof warm pants
• Waterproof jacket
• Multiple thermal fleeces
• Thermal socks
• Thermal underwear
• Waterproof boots
• Hat, gloves, and scarf

You could also bring:

• Spare pair of waterproof boots in case one set gets wet
• Hand warmers
• Feet warmers

Winter in Greece can be quite severe, with temperatures often falling to 0 degrees Celsius or lower.

I recommend dressing in layers – wearing several pieces of clothing on top of one another. This way, as the day warms up, you can adjust your attire to maintain a comfortable temperature.

COVID-19 Workshop Protocol

While travelling, please exercise extra caution. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently, and try to maintain social distancing as much as possible.

If anyone exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they will be immediately isolated from the group. I will arrange for them to receive medical attention, testing, and ensure their removal from the workshop for everyone’s safety.