Photo Workshop

2024 After the Breach Photo Workshop

The Salish Sea is a place born of fire and ice. The rocky foundations were created by volcanic eruptions and then carved away millions of years later by glaciers. In their wake was left a truly stunning backdrop for a vibrant ecosystem that supports a myriad of species, including orcas, humpbacks, and minke whales. 

The weekend of August 24th and 25th, 2024 Jeff and Sara from After the Breach Podcast will be hosting a two-day workshop on San Juan Island. Our time together will be spent on the water aboard some of the fastest and most comfortable boats in the region, which were custom designed as an ideal platform for photography. While out looking for whales and wildlife we’ll be available to provide photography tips. We’ll also be sharing how to identify these whales and share their individual stories.

You are welcome to sign up for one or both days. Each day will be include fresh morning donuts, snacks and a catered lunch and we look forward to sharing so much with you while you’re out on the water with us!

Please reach out to us directly at  afterthebreachpodcast@gmail.com if you have any questions or to reserve your spot!

Details!

When?
August 24 and August 25, 2024

Where?
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington

Cost? 
$579/day

The cost is per day and you are welcome to sign up for one or both! Each day we will spend a full day on the water aboard the custom designed vessels owned and operated by Maya's Legacy Whale Watching. Each day includes snacks, and a catered lunch, but feel free to bring your own too! We will depart from downtown Friday Harbor where we’ll meet each day at 9:30 AM, 30 minutes prior to departure. 

We will be offering as much (or as little) photography instruction as you'd like while we're out on the water. We’ll also be sharing tips for ID'ing whales while we're out and telling you their stories. Afterwards you’ll be invited to join a zoom class on how to ID whales with Sara.

You'll need to arrange getting to the island and your accommodations, though we are happy to recommend places for that and answer any questions about getting to the island! 

 

FAQ

Do I need a camera?
The workshop is going to focus on photography and whales (and wildlife!) but if you're just interested in getting out on the water for two days, learning to ID whales, and hanging out with us and the rest of the group then you don't! We want you to get out of the workshop what you want from it and everyone has their own focus!

I have a camera but it's not "fancy". Is that a problem?
No! The biggest thing is being comfortable with your equipment. We’ve had people use phones with lens attachments or point-and-shoot cameras. A DSLR or even higher end point-and-shoot will give you more to work with, but it's not a requirement. 

Jeff uses a Nikon setup (Nikon D500 and Nikon 80-400 4.5-5.6) while out on the water and Sara is currently using a Sony mirrorless setup (Sony A7R IV and Sony 100-400mm). Feel free to reach out to us before the workshop and we can chat about equipment!

Will we see whales for sure? 
We wish we could guarantee that. We always say if there were two things we could control it would be wildlife and weather. That being said, with two full days on the water on the boats we'll be on we have THE BEST possible chance to not just see whales but be able to spend a good amount of time with them. In late September we can expect to see killer whales, humpback whales, and minke whales. 

We will also be on the lookout for the myriad of wildlife in the region including seals, sea lions, porpoise, eagles, and other birds. Have a special interest aside from whales? Let us know!

I have dietary restrictions. Can lunches be catered to those?
Yes! Let us know in advance and we can get it sorted out. If you have food allergies that we need to be aware of (ex. peanuts) we can make sure we plan for that!

What's the weather like that time of year?
In late August we're getting days that can range from low to mid sixties into the low seventies. It' is always cooler on the water but is generally dry and fairly warm. We always recommend dressing in layers for a full day on the water, and if you have a rain shield for your equipment it's better to bring it and not need it than need it and not have it. That being said, the boats we'll be on have windows that open completely so if we encounter a bit of rain then you'll have the chance to be inside and not having to shoot through glass.