A 7 day photographic journey through Britain's northern seabird kingdom, in collaboration with Wild Discovery.
At the northernmost reaches of the British Isles, where the Atlantic meets the North Sea, lies an archipelago shaped by wind, weather and the extraordinary abundance of life along its shores. Here, immense cliffs rise from restless seas, thousands of seabirds gather beneath the northern skies, and summer brings the enchanting Simmer Dim; a lingering twilight in which darkness never quite takes hold.
Workshop Highlights
Seven days in Shetland at the height of the seabird breeding season, exploring some of Britain's most spectacular coastal wildlife destinations.
Two exclusive private boat charters to Noss, offering exceptional opportunities to photograph Northern Gannets plunge-diving into the Atlantic.
Extended visits to Hermaness National Nature Reserve, home to immense Gannet colonies, Atlantic Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and Skuas.
An unforgettable late-night visit to Mousa, encountering European Storm Petrels returning to their colonies around the ancient Iron Age broch.
Experience the enchanting Simmer Dim, with extended summer twilight and beautiful opportunities for atmospheric photography.
Explore Unst, Yell, Fetlar and Shetland's remote coastlines, seeking Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots, Red-necked Phalaropes and other remarkable wildlife.
Expert small-group tuition, including personalised one-to-one guidance, in-field mentoring and constructive image reviews.
Explore high-key and low-key imagery, in-camera multiple exposures, intentional camera movement and shutter drag.
Learn to create expressive photographs in camera, with an emphasis on light, composition, fieldcraft and meaningful wildlife storytelling.
Continued photographic support beyond the workshop, helping you build upon the skills and creative confidence developed during your time in Shetland.
In collaboration with Wild Discovery, join Rachel Bigsby for seven unforgettable days exploring Shetland at the height of the seabird breeding season. From the spectacular Gannet colonies of Noss and Hermaness to intimate encounters with Puffins, Arctic Terns and elusive Storm Petrels, this small-group workshop offers an exceptional opportunity to discover one of Europe's most remarkable seabird destinations.
Hermaness National Nature Reserve, on the remote island of Unst, is among the great seabird spectacles of the North Atlantic. Here, Northern Gannets soar above monumental cliffs, Puffins gather along grassy slopes, and Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmars occupy the rocky ledges below. With extended time in this extraordinary landscape, you can move beyond simply recording the spectacle, exploring behaviour, atmosphere and the subtle details that make each encounter unique.
Two private boat charters to Noss offer a completely different perspective. Surrounded by towering seabird cliffs, you will photograph Northern Gannets plunging into the sea at extraordinary speeds, their brilliant white wings cutting through the Atlantic light. These exhilarating encounters provide exceptional opportunities to refine birds-in-flight techniques, experiment with movement and create dramatic, intimate portraits of one of Britain's most charismatic seabirds.
Beyond the great colonies, Shetland reveals a quieter beauty. Across its sheltered coastlines and remote islands, you will seek opportunities to photograph Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots, Eiders and other coastal wildlife, while the long northern evenings invite you to explore the creative possibilities of softer light and changing weather.
One of the most memorable experiences awaits on Mousa, where the ancient Iron Age broch becomes the setting for an extraordinary nocturnal wildlife encounter. Beneath the fading glow of the Simmer Dim, tiny European Storm Petrels return from the open ocean to their nesting crevices, their delicate movements and haunting calls creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Britain.
Throughout the workshop, Rachel will provide personalised photographic tuition, with dedicated one-to-one guidance, practical field sessions and constructive image reviews. From mastering autofocus and exposure to recognising behaviour, refining compositions and understanding light, each day offers opportunities to strengthen both your technical confidence and creative vision. Drawing upon her distinctive fine-art approach, Rachel will encourage you to explore high-key and low-key photography, in-camera multiple exposures, intentional camera movement and shutter drag. Her teaching places particular emphasis on achieving beautiful, expressive images in camera, allowing observation, imagination and a genuine connection with the subject to guide the creative process.
More than a photography workshop, this is an invitation to immerse yourself in the extraordinary lives of Shetland's seabirds, to experience the quiet magic of its northern summer and to discover new ways of interpreting the natural world through your lens.
Seven days at the edge of the Atlantic, where the light lingers, the seabirds reign, and creativity knows no bounds.