Workshop

Florida Bird & Wildlife Workshop I — Fort Myers / Southwest Florida

April 14–18, 2027 · Four immersive days photographing shorebirds, waders, and nesting-season behavior along intercoastal and Gulf-edge habitats—premium small-group coaching with Todd Nettelhorst.

Fort Myers area · Southwest Florida Gulf Coast·April 14–18, 2027 · 4 days·$2,950 tuition·$1,500 deposit

Experience Overview

This is Florida at peak spring intensity—shorebirds pacing tidal edges, waders stalking shallows, and courtship energy unfolding in clean coastal light. The Fort Myers week is a deliberate workshop rhythm: generous morning and late-afternoon field time, then a real midday classroom and critique block so your files improve day by day—not a sightseeing loop, but an immersive photography week with five serious shooters and room to breathe.

Quick details

Fee: $2,950 tuition

Deposit: $1,500 deposit

Group: 5

Skill: All Levels

Physical: Easy to Moderate

Led by: Todd Nettelhorst

A good fit for

Bird and wildlife photographers who want a premium, small-group workshop rhythm on the Florida Gulf Coast in peak spring—not a sightseeing loop.
Ideal if you like shorebirds, waders, nesting drama, and clean coastal light, and you value critique time between shoots.
Mobility is easy to moderate; expect early starts, sun, and wind.
If you are considering both Florida weeks, each workshop is booked separately.

What's included

Workshop instruction and field coaching with Todd Nettelhorst
Lodging for four nights—shared Airbnb-style home; private bedroom for each participant
Closing group lunch (Sunday)
Breakfast-to-go options when noted on the run sheet
Snacks and water during organized workshop hours
Structured classroom, critique, and image review blocks

Not included

Transportation to/from the workshop area
Transportation during the workshop (carpooling coordinated among the group)
Park, refuge, or venue entry fees
Personal gear, insurance, and communications
Alcoholic beverages
Most meals other than specified breakfast-to-go, closing lunch, and included snacks/water

Next steps

Overview

Experience the vibrant birdlife of Southwest Florida during peak spring intensity. Over four immersive days, capture the dynamic behaviors of shorebirds and waders as they navigate the tidal edges and intercoastal mudflats. With the guidance of Todd Nettelhorst, you'll explore the Gulf shore and mangrove edges, honing your skills in capturing both tight portraits and expansive birdscapes. Our deliberate workshop rhythm ensures ample field time in the mornings and late afternoons, complemented by midday sessions for classroom learning and critique. Lodging in a shared home in Cape Coral, each participant enjoys a private bedroom, providing comfort and convenience close to our field locations. This workshop is designed for serious photographers eager to deepen their understanding of coastal habitats and bird behavior.

Why this experience matters

April 14–18, 2027 (Wed–Sun): a four-day, photography-first workshop based on Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast. Mornings and late afternoons in the field; early afternoons for classroom, critique, and image review. Five participants; lodging included (shared home, private bedroom each). Tuition $2,950 · $1,500 non-refundable deposit.

Overview

Spring on the Gulf Coast is when shorebirds stack along tidal edges, waders work inlets and mudflats, and nesting and courtship energy shows in the open. This workshop is built for photographers who want repeated access to coastal habitats—not a rushed species sweep—so you can read behavior, chase clean backgrounds, and grow a cohesive set of frames across several field sessions.

Highlights

Morning and late-afternoon field sessions timed for tide, light, and rookery activity
Early afternoon classroom, critique, and image review—space to improve work during the week
Shorebirds on intercoastal mud and sand flats; wading birds in mangrove and wetland edges
Gulf shoreline and inlet geometry—surf lines, sandbars, and flight opportunities in softer light
Nesting and courtship behavior where ethics and access allow—long lenses and patient positioning
Small group cap of five photographers; coaching-forward, not a checklist pace
Lodging included—shared home environment with a private room for each participant
Welcome group dinner, closing lunch, snacks and water during workshop hours; breakfast-to-go options when noted

Experience details

Experience the vibrant wildlife of the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast during peak spring intensity. Over four days, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of coastal habitats around Fort Myers. Capture the dynamic behavior of shorebirds and waders as they navigate tidal lines, intercoastal mud and sand flats, and mangrove edges. With generous morning and late-afternoon field sessions, you'll have ample opportunity to photograph nesting-season behavior and courtship energy in clean coastal light. Midday classroom critiques and image reviews with Todd Nettelhorst will refine your skills, ensuring your portfolio reflects the true essence of these stunning environments. This workshop is designed for dedicated photographers seeking in-depth access to these unique habitats, allowing you to create a cohesive set of images that highlight gesture, color, and background separation. Lodging is included, providing a comfortable shared home with a private bedroom for each participant, so you can focus entirely on your craft.

Workshop: Florida Bird & Wildlife Workshop I — Fort Myers / Southwest Florida
Location: Fort Myers area · Southwest Florida Gulf Coast
Dates: April 14–18, 2027
Duration: Apr 14–18, 2027 · 4 days
Fee: $2,950 tuition · $1,500 non-refundable deposit
Deposit: $1,500 non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot

Why this destination matters

The Fort Myers area of Southwest Florida is a vibrant hub for bird and wildlife photography, especially during the peak of spring. This region is renowned for its diverse coastal habitats, including tidal edges, intercoastal mud and sand flats, and mangrove-lined shores. Here, photographers can capture the dynamic behaviors of shorebirds and waders as they navigate these rich ecosystems. The Gulf Coast's unique light enhances the energy of nesting and courtship displays, offering unparalleled opportunities for capturing gesture, color, and background separation. This workshop is designed for photographers seeking deep immersion in these environments, allowing for repeated access and the chance to refine their skills through morning and late-afternoon field sessions, complemented by midday classroom critiques. Under the guidance of Todd Nettelhorst, participants will develop a cohesive body of work that reflects the essence of coastal Florida's wildlife.

Possible birds & wildlife you'll see

In mid-April, Southwest Florida becomes a vibrant stage for shorebirds and waders. Along the intercoastal flats, mangrove edges, and Gulf-facing beaches, you'll witness the spectacle of avian life in full swing. Expect to see species like herons, egrets, and sandpipers as they engage in nesting and courtship behaviors. While the focus is on birds, keep an eye out for dolphins gliding through the waves, rays skimming the shallows, and the occasional appearance of local reptiles. This workshop offers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the essence of coastal wildlife in their natural habitats.

Shorebirds: plovers, sandpipers, dowitchers, yellowlegs, and mixed flocks on mud and sand flats
Wading birds: herons, egrets, ibises, roseate spoonbills where luck and tides align
Terns, gulls, black skimmers, and oystercatchers along passes and surf lines
Nesting and courtship activity in rookery and colony contexts when ethics and access allow
Flight opportunities at morning and evening windows—practice tracking and background control
Occasional mammals or marine life from overlooks or boats—secondary to bird photography goals

What you'll photograph

You will photograph mostly birds in coastal Florida habitats—working tidal lines, intercoastal mud and sand flats, mangrove edges, and Gulf shore with an eye for gesture, color, and background separation. Expect to alternate tight portraits with wider birdscapes that place subjects in honest habitat context.

Shorebirds feeding and flocking—panning, freezing, and storytelling frames on flats
Wading birds stalking shallows—S-curve necklines, strike moments, and reflection symmetry
Nesting and courtship scenes where distance and guide direction keep welfare first
Flight bursts along inlets and beaches—practice tracking in soft morning and evening light
Environmental birdscapes—sky holes, mangrove geometry, and Gulf horizon as canvas
High-key sand and water discipline—histogram awareness and exposure compensation habits

Wildlife opportunities

Field time emphasizes Southwest Florida’s intercoastal and Gulf-edge mosaic—mudflats at favorable tides, mangrove-fringed shallows, and beaches when light and behavior align. Midday classroom blocks keep you out of harsh noon sun while still advancing your imagery.

Morning and late-afternoon field sessions timed for tide charts and rookery activity
Early afternoon classroom, critique, and image review—steady improvement across the workshop
Short relocations between hotspots—carpooling coordinated; no long transit days
Leader-guided ethics at nests and colonies—distance, angle, and group spacing prioritized
Mostly avian subjects; incidental wildlife noted when it adds to the day without derailing bird goals

What you'll learn

Reading Gulf Coast light—glare, haze, and sparkle on water without blowing highlights
Anticipating shorebird and wader behavior on flats and at roosts
Background control and composition on busy coastal scenes
Autofocus and tracking for flight along surf lines and over inlets
Exposure discipline for white plumage, sand, and specular water
Building a tighter portfolio from repeated field sessions—not one-off lucky frames
Critique mindset: selecting sequences, editing for story, and preparing work for print or web

Itinerary

Day 1 — Wed, Apr 14, 2027 · Arrival & welcome
Day 2 — Thu, Apr 15 · Field + classroom rhythm
Day 3 — Fri, Apr 16 · Field + classroom rhythm
Day 4 — Sat, Apr 17 · Field + classroom rhythm
Day 5 — Sun, Apr 18 · Closing lunch & departure

Lodging overview

Participants will enjoy comfortable accommodations in a shared home located in Cape Coral, providing easy access to our various field locations around the Fort Myers area. Each guest is guaranteed a private bedroom, ensuring personal space and relaxation after a day of immersive photography. The home features several shared bathrooms, offering convenience and ease for all attendees. This setup fosters a sense of community while allowing for the privacy needed to recharge. Lodging is included in the tuition, so you can focus entirely on your photography journey without the hassle of separate bookings