DISCOVER THE WILD THROUGH YOUR LENS IN COSTA RICA: THE BRIDGE BETWEEN WORLDS

A Photography Workshop in the Remote Tropical Paradise of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula

May 2 - 8, 2026

Step into one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula—a lush paradise where the rainforest meets the sea. Though it covers just 0.0012% of Earth’s landmass, the Osa Peninsula is home to an astounding 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, making it the perfect backdrop for wildlife photography that’s as wild as it is beautiful. The tiny country of Costa Rica is the narrow land bridge that connects North and South America, making it the convergence point of northern and southern hemisphere wildlife, and it is home to dozens of endemic species not found anywhere else on earth.

With over 400 species of birds, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the iconic scarlet macaw and elusive hummingbirds suspended mid-flight. Frame toucans, trogons, tanagers, and kingfishers in their natural habitats—each one a flash of color and character in the dense green of the rainforest.

Our journey will lead us through misty rainforests and coastal mangroves where a seemingly endless array of species reside—white-faced capuchins, spider monkeys, sloths, and curious coatis. We’ll track tapirs in one of the most pristine national parks in the world, watch crocodiles bask along riverbanks, and, if we’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the elusive puma or ocelot. We will explore the jungles by day and night, photographing wildlife both large and small. 

Led by Chris Byrne and Ben Blankenship, who has called the jungles of the Osa Peninsula his home for over eight years, this 7-day workshop blends daily excursions with hands-on instruction in capturing fast-moving subjects, low-light rainforest scenes, macro photography of frogs and other small creatures, and breathtaking landscapes and waterfalls. 

We will stay in a sustainably designed, luxury jungle lodge where toucans and macaws visit at breakfast and our daily adventures will be perfectly punctuated by chef-prepared gourmet meals. This is more than a trip—it’s a deep connection to nature through your camera lens and a luxurious vacation all in one.            

INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS BYRNE & BEN BLANKENSHIP

GROUP SIZE: 8 - 10 PARTICIPANTS

COST: $6950

INCLUDED: All Transportation, flight from San Jose to Osa Peninsula, Meals and Single Occupancy Lodging

NOT INCLUDED: Flights to San Jose, Tips & Gratuities, Camera Equipment

DEPOSIT & PAYMENTS: A 33% deposit is required to secure a spot, with a second payment due 180 days out and final payment due 120 days in advance of the workshop.

ITINERARY

Upon arrival into San Jose (airport SJO) on May 2nd you will be greeted and transferred to our first night’s hotel and have a group orientation that evening. The next morning we will catch a plane to Puerto Jimenez and then off to our main hotel on the Osa Peninsula for the workshop. Over the next 5 days we will see Matapalo and Corcovado National Park, explore mangrove rivers, beaches and rainforests, visit a sloth preserve, have macro photography sessions, night walks, and plenty of birdwatching. It will be a busy week with lots of variation in locations and photography subjects. Our last night together will be May 7th back in San Jose and participants should plan to fly home the next day May 8th.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

A lush and tropical photography adventure to a corner of the earth so rich in biodiversity it’s hard to believe until you see it. Imagine sitting on the deck of your hotel room with spider monkeys swinging from the trees, exotic colorful birds flying by and a band of coatis wandering the grounds in front of you. In the Osa, this is a typical Tuesday, or any day for that matter! And while enjoying the local residents at our hotel will be part of this trip, the real fun will be had on our exploration of the jungles and waters that surround this pristine peninsula.

Our downtime will be relaxed, comfortable and well fed. We will mix in image review sessions and post processing lessons to help participants capture and create the best photographs possible. There is no doubt you will head home from this wildlife photography adventure with thousands of photos and fun memories of your week spent in the Osa Peninsula. It is our goal to also educate our clients on the importance of this special ecosystem and the conservation efforts that keep it protected.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

Hello there! I’m Chris and I spent way too many years aimlessly wandering the earth and working for the man before finding my true passion in nature and landscape photography. My love of nature started very early in life as I would study the photographs in my dad’s huge collection of National Geographics, and also spend as much time as I could out exploring in the woods with my younger brother.

Fast forward many years and after getting a finance degree in college I went to work in the stock market for over fifteen years (and didn’t get rich). During my time, I saw first hand two of the most devastating financial crises in our country’s history, and after the second go around I completely lost interest in my profession and desperately needed something more. I found myself in a place in life without any inspiration or excitement for what I was doing.

Then on a trip to Glacier, Montana I rediscovered my love of nature. However, the photographs I was trying to get just didn’t do the place any justice. It was then that I decided to get serious about photography and quickly poured all of myself into the craft, learning as much as possible as quickly as I could. I was a super sponge and had a new passion for life! As soon as I became proficient in my skills, I wanted to share my knowledge and began teaching others. Now I lead workshops to some of the best places on the globe. I am proud to be able to inspire others and spend as much time as I possibly can with each person in helping them connect with nature while teaching the techniques to capture the images that they want to create. Seeing people make breakthroughs in their art is something that I cherish. I truly believe that nature is good for the soul. The more you explore, the more you will be inspired.

Ben Blankenship is a professional photographer, documentary filmmaker, and photography instructor. He began his career working in film production as a cinematographer and film editor, but soon heard a higher calling, to devote himself to the preservation of our wild places and the animals that reside therein. He spent the next two years living in remote camps in Costa Rica, Belize, and Uganda, learning to harness the power of his camera as a tool for education and conservation.  In the years since, Ben has worked in some of the most pristine wildernesses in the world, sharing space an with an array of incredible wildlife, including many large predators. His work has been published in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Oregonian, and his most recent work will be published in The New Yorker (coming out soon).

Today, he calls the jungles of Costa Rica home, but Alaska will always hold a special place in his heart.  For the past six summers, he has spent weeks on end camping alongside one of Alaska’s most iconic animals; the brown bear. “Camping with Alaskan brown bears is a humbling, and unforgettable experience. There’s nothing like opening your tent in the morning to see a mother bear and her two cubs grazing just 50 feet away, totally calm and completely comfortable with your presence.”

Ben is an experienced photography instructor. He has taken well over 500 clients into the wilds of Africa, South America, Alaska and many other places. His goal is his clients’ success and enjoyment, and hopefully, for them to walk away with some of the best photos they’ve ever taken, and definitely some unforgettable stories.

CANCELLATION POLICY & TRAVEL INSURANCE - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. In the event of emergency where Chris cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend travel insurance to cover such costs.

A $200 change fee will be charged for changes or cancellations. Participants who cancel prior to 120 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Any cancellations within 120 days of the workshop cannot be refunded under any circumstances. Only if we are able to fill the vacancy, will the participant will receive a credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Workshop credits are good for one calendar year from the date of the missed workshop. If a desired replacement workshop is sold out, we will work with you on the credit.

Any cancellations within 90 days of the workshop (for any reason) will forfeit their entire registration fee as it is extremely difficult to fill the space on that short of notice. If a true emergency arises last minute we will do our best to work with you granting a partial credit towards a future workshop, but this is not guaranteed. Again Travel Insurance with “Cancel for Any Reason” protection is strongly recommended.