Wildlife Photography for Beginners workshop - 10th May 2025

Our most recent Wildlife Photography for Beginners workshop at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary was a truly rewarding day – filled with curious minds, creative breakthroughs and plenty of photographic highlights.

With a small and diverse group of four participants – two beginners, one beginner-plus and one intermediate – it was wonderful to see such a range of skill levels and gear in action. Cameras included two Canon DSLRs (1100D and 1200D) and two Panasonics – one superzoom and one compact superzoom. Regardless of where they started, each participant left with a stronger understanding of their camera, newfound photography skills and techniques, and a collection of wonderful images to match.

The day began with a relaxed theory session, setting the scene for a more confident and creative hands-on experience. We soon stepped out into the sanctuary for our first photo walkabout, where we were met by some of Tasmania’s most iconic wildlife – Tassie Devils, kangaroos, Tawny Frogmouths and a characterful favourite of the day, an albino Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (affectionately named Tweety).

Wombats were adored by a couple of participants early in the day while the afternoon they proved to be a little elusive to the photographers' eyes. It was a good reminder that timing, patience and a bit of luck are all part of the experience.

During the day, we explored a wide range of techniques – from mastering focus and exposure to finding compelling angles and composing more creatively. There was plenty of hands-on experimentation with different shooting modes, including aperture and shutter priority. Participants gained a stronger understanding of how to control depth of field for more artistic backgrounds and the importance of using faster shutter speeds when photographing active animals like kangaroos on the move or devils darting about.

One standout learning moment came while photographing Tweety (a very characterful albino Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Participants discovered how to effectively shoot through the wire of an aviary by adjusting the aperture and their positioning, a skill that really impressed when the images turned out as if no barrier had been there at all.

With a morning full of new learnings, a moment of breathing space was welcomed when we all took a break for a bite to eat. Participants had the option of bringing their own with them or purchasing a something yummy from Bonorong's onsite cafe, aptly named 'The Burrow'.

Our afternoon session included a quick review and expansion of earlier learnings and more experiential photography around the sanctuary. It was such a thrill to witness a touch of friendly rivalry too, as participants compared their captures – particularly shots of a devil mid-yawn. Little moments of connection and joy just like this are what make all our photography experiences so special.

These words sum up the day beautifully in one participant's 5-star review

“I recently booked the Wildlife Photography for Beginners workshop with Coreena. It was a great day out – I really enjoyed myself and met some lovely people. I booked it with the intention to learn more about my camera and use it to its full potential – Coreena was so helpful with that, she’s very knowledgeable. I learnt so much in a practical setting, taking some of the best photos with my camera after learning how to use it properly. Coreena was very well organised and punctual. Very good day out – highly recommend booking in!” (read Daniella's Google review and see a small collection of her photos from the day)

If you’re keen to join a future session, we’d love to welcome you along. Look for availability on "Learn Photography: Tutorials and Tuition in Tasmania" page on our website. We have private tuition sessions available by arrangement and occasional small group experiences scheduled throughout the year.