Secret Coastlines—SE Labrador

21-27 June 2025 | Seven Days

Register Now, This Event Will Sell Out

Ta-da! Back by popular demand...

Be prepared to embark on a fascinating journey where the art of photography meets the excitement of adventure!

Join us in Newfoundland and Labrador, a land of unique and seldom-visited coastal areas. Our comprehensive photo tour will take you to abandoned outports, lighthouses, secret coastlines, shipwrecks, and more. Each location is a treasure trove of inspiration, promising wonderment and excitement at every turn.

Now, you do not need to be a photographer to attend. The location of a hidden site, the most beautiful angle of another, and the best time of the day to view it is equally valuable for seeing it with your own eyes as for photography. This tour is for everyone with a passion for coastlines!

Our itinerary is a journey through history, taking us north through Gros Morne and L'Anse aux Meadows. Nearby, we'll catch two ferries to our ultimate destination at Battle Harbour, a private island like no other! This historic port was once the economic and social center of the southeastern Labrador coast but fell into decline and was abandoned in the 1960s. Today, it stands as a testament to a bygone era, with its dramatic ocean vistas and craggy rock outcrops providing a stunning backdrop for the small wooden church and houses that dot the landscape.

The settlements along the coast of southeastern Labrador were established in the early days of the 20th century. Until the 1960s, these coastal settlements, or outports, were isolated from each other and the rest of the province. Outports typically consisted of a few families relying on the land, coast, and sea for sustenance. More recently, the people abandoned the economically exploitable deposits of fish that were exhausted in the 1990s, taking their belongings from their homes and leaving enough behind to provide us with rudimentary sketches of their lives. The houses, the schools, and the stores stand empty. For the super-curious photographer, the elements of nature have created "art" to be found nestled in the cracked and peeling paint, forming new wall tapestries and door patterns.

Let it be known. These abandoned buildings are more than just empty structures. They are living, breathing testaments to a Newfoundland culture and way of life that no longer exists. The fact that there has been no restoration perhaps explains why these outports are such potent symbols and, for many, such frightening ones—they have no successors. Factor in the desolation and ruggedness of the Labrador landscape—and seascape—that is overwhelming and, as such, inspires fear yet makes these places one of the most marvelous you'll ever see!

Unique Locations • Individual Instruction • Creative Editing • Post Production Sessions

To the technical aspect, this Photo Tour is essentially a 'field workshop' and is as much about finding and approaching different subjects as it is about camera settings. The ultimate goal is to give you a critical foothold in analyzing a scene and capturing its essence, fostering your personal growth and confidence in applying these skills in your photography. The benefits to your photography skills and personal development are invaluable, and the memories and experiences you'll gain are priceless!

So where should you start, and what should you do? The fact that you're reading this right now is the key to making the results you've always hoped for. So congratulations. It's time to register. Early bird pricing is in effect, in limited quantity (8).

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Rendezvous: Exact TBA. Deer Lake, NL. Airport code: YDF.

Instructor: Pete Ryan, veteran photojournalist, well-known for his archived work in the National Geographic Image Collection.

Historical Interpreter: Gordon Slade, recognized as a Canadian leader for his innovative expertise in the sustainable economic development of some of the world's most unique and economically significant regions. In 2005, Gordon was awarded the Order of Canada and, later in 2020, the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in recognition for his achievements in spearheading the preservation of Newfoundland and Labrador's heritage.

Experience Level: All skill levels are welcome. Novice photographers are welcome, provided they have a basic understanding of their cameras and lenses. We ask the more advanced photographers to be understanding if this advice seems trivial.

Camera Gear: Whether using your smartphone or a DSLR, you'll gain the knowledge to enhance your photography skills.

Group Size: Eight (8) people. The small group size ensures that every photographer will receive ample time for one-on-one instructional guidance and coaching.

Daily Routine: Soft adventure—walkabout. Our itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather. We'll start our days early to capture the morning's mood and continue throughout the day to observe the big picture and vignettes of landscapes and seascapes, viewing wildlife and when other opportunities present themselves.

Trip Details: Once registration and payment are complete, we'll send a detailed information packet will be sent by email. The packet includes a more precise itinerary, camera gear suggestions, and a clothing checklist.

Payment: Two options.

1. Register and pay now, save 20% plus incur no ticket fees or
2. Register with $400 deposit, balance of payment due no later than March 23, 2025.

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FAQ:

* What is included in the Photo Tour?

The cost of the Photo Tour event is a valuable investment. For this particular Photo Tour, the cost includes exclusive instruction from your host photographer, a unique opportunity to learn from a true professional in a small group environment.

The cost does not include transportation to/from the Photo Tour event (flights or car rental), hotel accommodation, travel insurance, food, optional personal activities, or any photographic gear.

Accommodation and Transportation:

Accomodation: While we can suggest hotels and campgrounds, you should secure accommodation as soon as possible. Should you wish to stay with the group, we have secured a block of rooms at each overnight location. The Battle Harbour segment requires you to stay with the group as the location is a private island within a National Historic Site, the only N.H.S. location in Canada where you can stay overnight.

Transportation: The flight arrival/departure airport code is YDF. Ground transportation is by car convoy. It is advisable to book your vehicle ASAP. Car and SUV rentals are in notoriously short supply throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fitness Level:

Soft adventure. You must be reasonably fit, healthy, and accustomed to walking. You must also be willing to rise most mornings between six and seven o'clock (6h00 and 7h00), depending on the weather and opportunities announced the preceding evening. We'll drive to each location and then walk to the best position for photography. You will be on your feet for at least six hours per day. Sturdy and comfortable footwear is recommended. Reach out if you have limitations.

What if I need to cancel?

If you cancel this field workshop event, the following applies: the ticket fees associated with this event are non-refundable. The ticket is, however, fully transferrable should you find someone who would enjoy attending this same field workshop.

Should there be a waitlist for this workshop, we can help you sell your ticket, but the sale is up to you to negotiate and finalize.

For registrants making payment installments, failure to pay the remaining balances by the due date is considered a booking cancellation, and fees paid will become non-refundable.

We highly recommend all participants purchase travel insurance.

Terms and Conditions:

Registration: The deposit amount specified per person for each Photo Tour event is due when you register. Your space is not reserved until we receive your full payment.

Audit Policy: Only paid participants will be admitted during the Photo Tour.

Age Restriction: This Photo Tour is recommended for adults over 19. An adult must accompany any minors under 19. Both adults and minors must pay for each respective spot within the Photo Tour event.

Liability Waiver: By participating in this Photo Tour event, you assume all risk and responsibility for any damages or personal injury that may occur for any reason. By attending this Photo Tour, you agree to waive the leadership team, including organizers, event organizers, and event instructors, from any liability or injury, loss, or damage to personal properties associated with the activities or location of this event. As our guest, you must comply with our safety rules, be cautioned to heed all warnings and release us from all responsibility for any loss, injury, or damage you may suffer. A general waiver will be presented for review and signing upon arrival.

Cancellation, Refund & Delay Policy: Despite what the Eventbrite Refund Policy may indicate, the ticket fees associated with this event are non-refundable. The ticket is, however, fully transferrable should you find someone who would enjoy attending this same field workshop. Credit cannot be applied to another event.

All field workshop event schedules and plans are subject to change at our discretion, dependent upon weather alerts, health and safety considerations, or any other factor related or unrelated to photographic opportunities as we see fit. We are not responsible for any other costs that participants may have incurred, including but not limited to travel, car rental, lodging, insurance, optional personal activities, photographic purchases, and rentals.

No refunds will be given for delays or cancellations due to inclement weather, transportation, or other events beyond our control, either before, during, or after your workshop. We are not responsible for any additional costs you may incur due to delays or cancellations.

Refunds will be issued should the event be cancelled by the Organizer.

We highly recommend that all participants purchase their travel insurance.

Also check out other Photography events in Deer Lake, Workshops in Deer Lake, Arts events in Deer Lake.