HIDDEN HAMPSHIRE
This tour offers fantastic opportunities to photograph some of the UK's most iconic species - from diving kingfishers and tawny owls at dusk (from comfortable photo hides), to butterflies, dragonflies, orchids, birds of prey, and the rich wildlife of the River Arle.
Our small group will allow you plenty of 1-on-1 guidance to help you improve both technically and creatively. The emphasis is on slowing down, responding to atmospheric light and behaviour, and creating images with mood, character, and a strong sense of place.
With access to private sites and intimate wildlife encounters built through years of local knowledge and relationships, this tour offers an opportunity to experience Hampshire’s wildlife in a thoughtful, creative, and rewarding way.
AT A GLANCE
HAMPSHIRE, UK 5 5 DAYS
2026 Departures
July 22 - 26
July 27 - August 01
£ENQUIRE What's Included?
2027 Departures
July Dates To Be Announced
Tour Leader: Paul Alistair Collins
Meeting: Details to follow.
Are you interested in something similar? Send an enquiry and I’ll reply soon to discuss further.
HIGHLIGHTS
Come away with an intimate portfolio of the UK's finest wildlife - Kingfishers, Owls, Butterflies, Red Kites, Kestrels, and more!
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Push your creativity with 1-on-1 tuition - develop stronger compositions, technical know-how, and experiment with more advanced photographic techniques.
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Expert tuition from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins, with photo feedback after the session
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Small group sizes to ensure a more personal experience and 1-on-1 guidance throughout the session
ITINERARY
The following is a proposed itinerary, subject to animal activity and weather conditions.
ARRIVAL DAY / BIRDS-OF-PREY AND FOXES
Arrive in Winchester, and check in to your hotel. We'll have a ‘meet & greet’ over lunch with your guide Paul and the other guests. After reviewing our plan for the afternoon and the days ahead, we'll spend the afternoon at a secluded private farm just outside the city.
Here, we’ll have the opportunity to photograph local wildlife - foxes, red kites, buzzards, and kestrels - in their natural environment, using photo hides designed by the landowner. We'll experiment with animal-in-environment compositions, make use of golden hour lighting, and explore backlighting with flash techniques.
The day wraps up with dinner in town, followed by an optional photo editing session.
LOCATION
This workshop will take place at a variety of sites around Winchester, comprising of watermeadow, chalk downland and river, and private farmland. All sites are easily accessible by car or public transport.
Winchester is a wonderful idyllic setting for wildlife, supporting species such as tawny owls, badgers, kingfishers, and water voles.
Foxes & Raptors
Sunset to dusk is prime time to observe the resident foxes, red kites, buzzards and kestrels on our private farmland. We'll use comfortable photo hides to watch their behaviours without disturbance.
Kingfishers
A wonderful opportunity to photograph our resident pair of electric-blue Kingfisher in natural surroundings from private hides.
This day, we will focus on capturing intimate portraits, feeding and action shots of one of Britain’s most charismatic birds. The kingfishers feed very regularly (almost half-hourly) and are accustomed to our hide, allowing us to photograph them without disturbance - resulting in intimate portraits and dramatic action shots.
Tawny Owls
We are lucky to have a resident pair of owls that we know well, giving us exceptional opportunities to photograph these charismatic birds in flight, hunting, and interacting naturally at dusk.
With hands-on tuition on taking photos with flash, we can create striking images that reveal their secret lives. The owls hunt in a well-lit area and are accustomed to our hide and lighting setup, meaning that we can take photos without disturbing their activities.
Butterflies & Dragonflies
Macro photography provides a fascinating insight into the world of insects and flowers. We'll head leisurely to a few chalkhill and meadow sites for butterflies such as the Chalkhill Blue and rare Adonis, and down to the River Itchen for the amazing courtship flight of the Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles.
Tuition will be given on composition and lighting, as well as more complex techniques such as colour theory, focus-stacking, and double exposure.
WHAT MAKES THIS WORKSHOP FOR YOU?
Whether you are new to wildlife photography or looking to refine your technique, this is the ultimate opportunity to capture unique images of the UK’s most charismatic wildlife whilst pushing your creativity under expert supervision.
With expert photographic guidance from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins, we'll ensure you capture truly unique images. With strong family ties in Winchester, Paul has many years' of intimate experience photographing the local wildlife. We believe no one knows a land better than those who’ve lived there and travelled its length and breadth, and Paul will help you make the most of every opportunity.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for further details about this tour.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
✓ Services of professional photography leader with intimate local wildlife knowledge
✓ On-hand tuition and small groups
✓ Private access to photography hides for kingfisher, tawny owl, and raptors
✓ Use of flash set-ups for tawny owls, and use of gimbal-heads / tripods in farmland hides
✓ Image feedback after each session (optional)
✓ Welcome presentation & materials on local fauna and sites
✗ Personal snacks
✗ Accommodation - please get in touch with Paul to make arrangements or discuss options
✗ Meals
✗ Personal expenses
✗ Transportation to and from the workshop location
Have any other questions? Check out our Tour FAQs below.
EXCLUSIVE
ACCESS
Gain access to private locations where other tours don't go - and capture unique shots that no one else is getting.
INTIMATE
ENCOUNTERS
Enjoy regular sightings of our target species, in diverse light and weather conditions - allowing you to build a rich portfolio of stunning images.
DEEP
IMMERSION
Develop your vision at your own pace - with thoughtfully curated itineraries, expert guiding, small groups and 1-on-1 learning.
For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions
* To take part in our trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses. We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.