Images for Conservation, creators of the prestigious Pro-Tour of Nature Photography, unveils a unique concept in nature photography workshops. From March 4-8, 2011, just days before NANPA holds its 2011 Summit in McAllen, Texas, Images for Conservation sponsors the first ever Pro-Am Tour workshop competition.
This competition will be the first in a series of traveling pro/amateur workshop competitions, led and coached by pros. Two award-winning wildlife photographers will oversee teams of five amateurs as they battle one another in the world-famous Rio Grande Valley, known as a nature photographer’s paradise. The winning team not only goes home with prize money and recognition, but its members also get Texas bragging rights. The primary purpose is to add a new dimension for making photography workshops fun. (See the Pro-Am teams here)
Each of the four pros guides his or her team throughout a south-Texas ranch, which has been professionally planned for great photography. Ranches include: the Tacubaya and Santa Clara. From within specially-built photo blinds deep within the Tamaulipan thornscrub photographers will be privy to a diverse array of wildlife passing closely by their lenses. All will go home with amazing images and beautiful memories, competition winners or not.
“Each ranch offers similar habitat, so each participant’s experience will be similar,” explains John Martin, founder of the non-profit Images for Conservation. “This is an amazing place for photography any time of the year, but this is a particularly good time to come because the NANPA Summit starts the day after our workshop ends.”
“Actually, probably one of the best reasons to come,” Martin adds, “is that our workshop leaders include nature photographers Cathy Illg, and Michael Francis. All are Pro-Tour award-winners, and each of them understands the south-Texas terrain and the wildlife here extremely well.”
Space is limited to 20 participants.
Reserve your Pro-Am Tour spot today by contacting Images for Conservation. Cost of approximately $2,200 includes: professional photo guide services, ranch access fees, lodging, food, drinks (except alcoholic beverages), all local transportation, and entry fees.
Read the purpose & description of the Pro-Am Tournament here.
