Join Nikon School for an unforgettable 7-night photographic expedition to the Shetland Isles, one of Britain’s wildest and most spectacular landscapes. Guided by Nikon School expert Neil Freeman and award-winning wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby, you’ll capture extraordinary images of seabirds, iconic wildlife species, and dramatic coastal scenery under the magical light of Shetland’s summer.
This amazing workshop offers exclusive boat charters, small group tuition, and access to Shetland’s world-renowned wildlife & landscape hotspots. With expert guidance, you’ll develop fieldcraft and perfect your photography skills and return home with a portfolio that reflects both the scale and intimacy of this remarkable archipelago.
During the workshop, we’ll guide you through all the essential camera settings and techniques needed to capture outstanding wildlife images. You'll have the opportunity to shoot from both land and sea (weather permitting), with multiple chances to photograph dramatic wildlife and landscape locations.
This workshop is designed for photographers of all levels - from beginners to advanced enthusiasts. To get the most out of the experience, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of your camera’s key controls, including shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and your cameras focusing system.
With a maximum of just 6 participants, you’ll benefit from plenty of personal attention and guidance. Rachel and Neil will be on hand throughout the workshop to offer expert advice, answer your questions, and help you capture truly memorable wildlife images. They can also advise on the wildlife photography fieldcraft and cover the best camera settings for nature photography well as specific techniques so you can get pin sharp images when using long lenses. Throughout the workshop we will also provide guidance on composition ideas and how to maximise the light available to us.
Each day will be spent ‘following the light’ and we aim to visit locations that have been specifically chosen for the chance of great photography. Should the weather go against us and we are forced to stay inside we can spend time showing you how to edit and finish your images, host camera Q&A’s and image review workshops and discuss fieldcraft and photography techniques until the weather breaks and we can out on location again.
Photography Opportunities
The Shetland Isles are home to some of the UK’s most iconic and charismatic seabirds, all offering superb opportunities for photography.
Target Species
Possible Wildlife Encounters
Beyond the amazing range of wildlife, Shetland offers great landscape photography with towering cliffs, sweeping moorlands, wildflower meadows, and unique flora, fauna, and fungi, all bathed in the soft glow of near-endless midsummer daylight.
Workshop Highlights
Each day is carefully designed to maximise your photographic opportunities:
Notes:
This is a Photographic workshop and will we prioritise the opportunity for you to shoot great images above everything. We will plan each day around the weather and light, which means that meal times may be at non standard times and we may start the the day very early and be out until late in the evening if the light and weather permits.
For the workshop, please bring:
A DSLR or Mirrorless camera plus second camera body if you have one
Batteries (and spares)
Memory cards (and spares)
Waterproof cover for camera and lenses
Lenses:
From the boat, lenses such as 70-200mm, 180-600mm or 100-400mm would be ideal. Sometimes the Gannets can get really close, so 24-120mm or 24-70mm or similar can also work. At the natures reserves on the cliffs, Focal lengths of 400, 500 and 600mm are recommended as well as binoculars for spotting the birds. In some instances a 70-200mm can be used. For the landscapes, lenses such as the 14-24mm f/2.8 and 14-30mm are ideal. If you have ND and Grad Filters they will also allow you to get some very creative images. There are also sometimes opportunities for macro photography of flowers and butterflies.
We will have a selection of mirrorless cameras and lenses and KASE filters available for you to borrow on the course including 400mm, 600mm and 800mm lenses. However, If you would like to borrow any specific kit for this course please get in contact with us at [email protected] with your request. We require at least 2 weeks notice for kit requests.
Clothing:
Please bring appropriate clothing with you such as a windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers. A layered approach to clothing i.e base layer, mid layer / fleece then over jacket is the best approach as it can often get chilly out at sea even on a bright sunny day. Appropriate walking boots or wellies are also recommended. Sunscreen and Insect Repellant are also advised.
Boat Charters:
Our exclusive boat charters are entirely weather dependent. So we may change our plans accordingly. If you do not want to take the optional boat trips, you are free to explore around the local area on your own until the group returns.
Accommodation
To give the best access to Shetland’s northern and southern isles, we will divide our stay between two welcoming hotels. Your package includes breakfast and evening meals and En-suite rooms as standard. The hotels are chosen to give us comfortable bases close to key shooting locations
Arrival & Departure Dates:
Arrival & Departure: Please arrive promptly at the Sumburgh Hotel by 5pm on Friday 19th June 2026 for introductions and the welcome briefing. The workshop will finish officially after breakfast on the morning of Friday 26th June.
Group Size:
This workshop is deliberately kept exclusive, with only 6 delegates. Allowing you to benefit from small group ratios and personalised guidance from Neil and Rachel. At certain points on the workshop we will be working in groups of three delegates per guide for some of the wildlife encounters to ensure the best outcome for great images and respect for the wildlife in their habitats.
Transport:
Is provided for the duration of the workshop. We will be travelling in comfortable midsize to large 4x4’s or SUV’s. This should allow for good photography from the vehicles if needed and also enough space for all our luggage and camera kit
Luggage:
Due to the luggage restrictions on flights to Shetland and the size of our hire vehicles each delegate is limited to a medium sized suitcase and one camera bag.
Getting There:
You will need to make your own way to Shetland to meet us at the Sumburgh Hotel by 5pm on Friday 19th June. Options for travelling to Shetland include Flights (Loganair) from Aberdeen or Edinburgh or via London. Alternatively the NorthLink overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick (approx 15 hrs)
Fitness:
Most of the locations involve relatively short walks, but some of the locations will require a walk along uneven tracks and up mountain paths. When tracking otters we will also be crossing rocky, seaweed covered shorelines and we may also need to crouch or be prone to the ground to increase the chances of getting great images. Because of this, a moderate to high level of fitness will be required on this course. We will be exploring each location for the best light to work with, so be prepared for a little bit of walking to ensure you can get good images.
For the Gannet Diving, you will need to be confident in embarking and disembarking a small motor rib boat - a good level of fitness is required for this.
Please also note that the workshop includes some time spent at sea so sea sickness precautions are recommended. For the Gannet Diving we sail on a small medium sized rib which can roll around in the Atlantic sea swell, this course is not recommended for anyone who suffers from motion or sea sickness.
Meals:
A pre-ordered packed lunch is included each day, however, we will endeavour to stop at a local cafe or restaurant for lunch or in the morning we can start at a local supermarket so you can buy lunch, snacks and drinks if needed. (not included in the workshop costs). Throughout the day we will also have many comfort stops to use facilities if needed. However, even in summer, western Shetland has limited choice for restaurants and cafes, please contact us if you are thinking of booking the course and have any specific dietary requirements.
Other:
Bean bags that allow photography from cars could also be useful.
Refreshments and alcoholic drinks are not included in the workshop price
Joining Instructions:
We will provide further information and a detailed itinerary with the joining instructions closer to the workshop. We will also host a Zoom pre briefing meeting a couple of months before the workshop.
To Book:
You can either pay the full amount online or e-mail us to arrange a time to pay a £1000 deposit over the phone to secure your place on the workshop. The balance for the workshop is due 3 months prior to the workshop taking place.
If you have any questions about this workshop, feel free to get in touch at [email protected]
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