Dawn Wilson

Dawn Wilson is an award winning, professional nature photographer specializing in photographing the wildlife of high altitudes and high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. Wildlife photography isn’t just about pretty portrait photos, but also includes images that tell the story about where they live, how they live, and what affects their habitat.

Miss Wilson has more than 800 by lined articles and photo credits to her name, including in newspapers, regional publications, and national magazines, like outdoor photographer, motorhome magazine, Colorado outdoors in Colorado life. Her work regularly appears in the Estes Park Trail Gazette, and she published a new book, 100 things to do in Estes Park before you die, in March 2023. She serves as President of the north America nature, photographers association (NANPA) for two years and frequently presents to camera clubs, nature, organizations, and youth groups about photography, the outdoors, travel, and business strategy.

She has also worked as a cohost on the nature, photographer podcast, and leads photo tour with Wildside Nature Tours to places like Alaska, Peru, Belize, Yellowstone, and the Galapagos with women in wildlife photography to Churchill, Minnesota and glacier national Park plus private tours in Rocky Mountain national Park.

Dawn's Seminars & Workshops

THUR 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.

Shorebird Photography at Matanzas Inlet

Field Workshop

Meeting Location: Matanzas Inlet Beach – East Parking Lot, 8690 A1A S

Ticket Price: $75

Difficulty Level: All Levels

Max No People: 10

Description: Join professional photographer Dawn Wilson for an immersive shorebird photography workshop at the stunning Matanzas Inlet in St. Augustine, FL. This hands-on workshop is perfect for photographers of all skill levels who want to learn the techniques to capture shorebirds in their natural habitat while enhancing their skills in composition, lighting, and wildlife photography.

Suggested Gear List: TBD

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THUR 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.

Photos and Words: Getting published in bird magazines

Classroom Seminar

Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S

Price: $30

Difficulty Level: All Levels

Max No People: 30

Description: Join renowned photographer Dawn Wilson for an inspiring and informative seminar on how to get your bird photography published in leading bird magazines! In this workshop, Dawn will share her insights and proven strategies for combining powerful photography with compelling storytelling to successfully pitch your work to editors and get your images featured in print.

What You’ll Learn:

The Art of Storytelling in Bird Photography: Dawn will guide you on how to craft a narrative around your bird photos that goes beyond the image itself. Learn how to weave storytelling with your photos to captivate editors and readers alike.
Choosing the Right Magazines and Publications: Discover how to identify the best bird magazines and publications for your work, and understand what editors are looking for in terms of style, subject matter, and quality.
Building a Strong Portfolio: Learn how to curate a portfolio that highlights your best bird photography and pairs it with well-written content to increase your chances of getting published.
Pitching Your Work: Dawn will cover the key steps in submitting your photos and stories to editors, including how to write effective query letters, tailor pitches to specific magazines, and follow up professionally.

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FRI 7:00 - 10:00 A.M.

Birds in Flight
at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Field Workshop

Meeting Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd.

Price: $100 + Annual Photo Pass

Photo Pass can be ordered here

Difficulty Level: All Levels

Max No People: 10

Description: Join award-winning photographer Dawn Wilson for an exhilarating workshop focused on capturing the beauty and movement of birds in flight at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm! This hands-on workshop is designed for photographers who want to master the techniques needed to freeze fast-moving birds mid-air and create stunning wildlife images.

What You’ll Learn:

Techniques for Freezing Motion
Understanding Bird Flight Behavior
Composition Tips for Dynamic Shots
Lighting and Environmental Factors
Practical Field Experience

Suggested Gear List: TBD

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FRI 1:00 - 2:30 P.M.

Entering Bird Photography Contests: Tips from a Photo Contest Administrator

Classroom Seminar

Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S

Price: $30

Difficulty Level: All Levels

Max No People: 30

Description:

Join professional photographer and photo contest administrator Dawn Wilson for an invaluable seminar on how to successfully enter bird photography contests! Dawn will share her expert insights on what judges look for, how to submit winning images, and tips for standing out in the competitive world of photography contests.

What You’ll Learn:

Understanding Contest Guidelines
What Judges Look For
Selecting the Right Images
Editing and Preparing Your Images
Navigating Contest Submissions
Lessons from a Contest Administrator

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Classroom Seminar

Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S

Price: $30

Difficulty Level: All Levels

Max No People: 30

Description: Ready to take your bird photography to the next level? Join professional photographer Dawn Wilson for a hands-on seminar designed to help you transition from shooting in auto mode to mastering manual settings for stunning bird images. This workshop is perfect for photographers who are eager to take full control of their camera settings and improve the quality and creativity of their bird photos.