by Alan Sanders

Photography instructor, Alan Sanders shares a typical day in the life during one of our photography workshops. We hope it answers questions for the curious and whets your creative appetite to join us sometime soon! You can see more information about our photography workshops here.

“You wake up a little earlier than usual. That’s because it’s lighter than you’re used to in the morning. You make your way to the galley and pour yourself a cup of coffee, while reading Christine’s daily journaling prompt. You like how she always puts up suggestions of things to think about for the day. You say “Good Morning” to Christine, who is diligently preparing the morning’s pastry selection on her wood stove. Then you grab your camera and your coffee and head to the back deck to see what the morning has to offer. The day breaks with amazingly cool clouds hugging the nearby mountains. As you raise your camera, you think this will look best rendered in black and white.

You make your way to the saloon just as Christine is bringing out the day’s muffins, blueberry sour cream, your favorite. As you and your fellow attendees sip coffee and enjoy the muffins, the massive three cylinder engine comes to life and you realize Jeffery is getting underway. So begins another day on a David B photography workshop.

While cruising to the next destination, you work on images from the previous day. You look forward to the next Lightroom demonstration because you know you’ll be learning new Lightroom tricks. You also know that help is always nearby for any problems you might encounter.

When you’re about to finish another sumptuous breakfast (a frittata with spinach and mushrooms, plus potatoes and sausages and there is always fruit and granola), Jeffery comes down from the wheelhouse to say he’s spotted whales up ahead. Everyone grabs their cameras with their longest lenses and heads out on deck. Since you never know where whales will surface, it’s best to be on the top deck so you can easily move to either side.

There they are. Then you realize they are actually bubble netting close to shore. A rare sight that is truly amazing.

When the last whale leaves you spend time photographing the scenery.

As you get closer to the glacier there is a giant iceberg up ahead. Jeffery does a wonderful job of circumnavigating it so everyone gets a chance to photograph this amazing floating sculpture.

After lunch (split pea soup, salad, cheese and meat tray and fresh sourdough bread) it’s time to close the curtains and review everyone’s images. This is always a highlight. It’s interesting how everyone goes to the same places and photographs the same subjects but we all see the world differently. Consequently, we all learn from each other.

When we arrive at our destination it’s low tide so Jeffery and Matt prepare the skiff so everyone can go ashore. You spend quite a bit of time making photographs on the beach.

Once back on board you download and work on the day’s images, while nibbling on the hors d’oeuvres that Matt has brought out.

Soon it’s time for dinner (panko encrusted halibut, broccoli, baby potatoes, fresh sourdough bread and home made ice cream) and enjoyable conversation with your fellow travelers.

After a fun filled day with a boat full of like minded people, it’s time for bed as the David B gently rocks you to sleep.

You realize that this workshop is a perfect mix of beautiful scenery, photography learning, and stimulating conversation with a wonderful group of fellow photographers. As someone on a recent trip said; “you arrive as strangers but depart as friends”. Truly a life changing experience.”

P. S. If you are inspired to join us on a future photography workshop, just contact Sarah. You can see our current 2027 and 2028 schedules here: https://northwestnavigation.com/schedule-and-rates