Do you love taking travel photos on a cruise vacation? That said, do you truly wish you could rachet up your photo skills for both landscape and wildlife photography? Would you love to professionally capture the action of penguins jumping out of Antarctica waters or a Scarlet Macaw spreading its wings in the Amazon rainforest?
If so, one robust new option to check out is Seabourn’s newly introduced Image Masters program. We stress that this is an extremely full-bodied, complete photo learning program taught by photography experts throughout the cruise. It’s not just one lecture talk.
“Having a sharp eye for photography when surrounded by natural wonders in remote regions of the world is an extraordinary way to capture the moment,” says Robin West. He’s Seabourn’s vice president and general manager, expeditions operation and planning.
(Shown in the photo above, a photographer shoots photos of the Antarctica polar landscape. Photo by Seabourn.)
Personalized Attention, Small Group
Starting in August 2024, Image Masters will unfold on select expedition voyages of Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. A professional photographer will sail and provide expert instruction and a slew of learning activities (see more below). And that will continue throughout the cruise.
To ensure an intimate-sized group and foster personalization of the photo instruction, Seabourn will accept a maximum of 10 participants into the program for each designated Image Masters cruise departure.
Given the solid lineup of instruction activities and professional photographer participation, Image Masters carries a special program cost (separate from the guest’s regular cruise fare).
Typically, that Image Masters fee typically starts at $2,000-$3,500 per participant. Seabourn says that starting cost will vary based on the individual itinerary and region of sailing. Talk with your travel advisor about voyage options and availability.
Enhancing Your Travel Photos
What’s on tap? Image Masters participants will receive professional in-the-field instruction about how to improve their photography skills. An accomplished nature photographer will sail with them and provide tips about photo composition, camera technique, editing and retouching.
For instance, these professional photographers will sail on one of these select Image Masters voyages, varying by departure and region:
- Colin Tennant, documentary film maker, photographer and videographer
- John Shedwick, landscape and adventure photographer
- Cat Gundry-Beck, Northern Lights and polar photographer
- Morne Sanders, photographer and videographer
- And others too!
Participating Seabourn expedition guests will enjoy priority access to the onboard photographer. They’ll receive curated outings and priority access for the Photo Studio.
Perks of Image Masters
In addition, the main components of the photography program will definitely help participants polish their photography skills.
- Photographer-Led Zodiac Tours and Walks – Participating guests can join photographer-led tours and walks, hosted by the group’s dedicated Seabourn photographer. The tours include stops for capturing photographs and discussing techniques. During this hands-on learning experience, guests can apply the knowledge gained from onboard lectures and workshops.
- Exclusive Lectures and Workshops – Each voyage will host at least three lectures diving into such topics as camera setup, composition, lighting, storytelling and post-processing. Guests will also receive important tips about the specific regions guests are photographing.
- 1:1 Mentoring and Coaching Sessions – Guests can sign up for 30-minute slots of individual time with the onboard photographer. During those slots, they’ll discuss personalized topics, receive photo critiques and get editing assistance. They may even shoot photos with the photographer onboard.
- Private Photo Studio Hours with Lightroom Access for Enrolled Guests Only – Image Masters participants will collaborate directly with the photographer on editing and also receive personalized feedback. The photo studio will be reserved solely for enrolled guests during these sessions.
- Photographer Hosted Dinner – This exclusive meal will give guests time to reflect and build enriching connections within their group. It is more than just a dinner. It’s an opportunity to be part of a community of photography enthusiasts. Participants will share insights, stories, and the joy of capturing the world through a lens.
Travel Photos: Other Perks
Seabourn says that guests enrolled in Image Masters will leave the ship at voyage’s end with an enhanced understanding of basic photography principles and editing expertise.
They’ll also meet a new community of fellow photographers. And they’ll likely return home with amazing photographs.
For guests who are simply unable to wait to show off their newfound skills, social media posts will likely go out from the ship. Fortunately, both Seabourn expedition ships now have added Starlink for faster, more reliable Wi-Fi.
Travel Photos: Image Masters
Seabourn’s first new Image Masters program will unfold on Seabourn Venture’s sold-out 11-Day “Fjords of East Greenland” voyage, departing August 5, 2024. But this added-fee photography program will also be offered on select other Arctic and Antarctica itineraries.
If interested, chat with your personal travel planner about the options. Soon, you could be shooting more professional travel photos to enhance your vacation experiences.
For example, you could capture action shots of a polar bear mom tending to her little ones on an Arctic ice floe. Or you might snap shots of seals hopping from land into the water? Those types of photos create gorgeous artwork to grace a living room wall.
We believe this new Seabourn Image Masters program has great potential. We’ll now be interested to see the Seabourn guest feedback moving forward.
More about Travel Photos
If you like the Seabourn option, give Pavlus Travel a call. Also, here are some other helpful tips and ideas for taking great travel photos!
Earth Trekkers’ “Capturing the Action: How to Take Great Photos When Traveling”
Conde Nast Traveler’s “Complete Guide to Travel Photography”
Shutterfly’s “21 Travel Photography Tips and Checklist for Your Next Trip.”
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