Visionary Wild

06/02/2026

Phillip Bartlett returns to Visionary Wild for an unforgettable journey through the luminous landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island.

This isn’t just another photography workshop. It’s 16 days of chasing perfect winter light through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth, snow-covered peaks, glacial lakes, wild coastlines, ancient rainforests, alpine valleys and the dramatic fjords of Fiordland.

Timed for late winter, this expedition is all about atmosphere: low-angle golden light, frosty mornings, fresh snow on the Southern Alps, moody weather systems and fewer crowds. The kind of conditions landscape photographers dream about.

Alongside Justin Black and acclaimed New Zealand photographer Phillip Bartlett, you’ll photograph:
✨ Albatross soaring at eye level from a private charter boat in Kaikōura
✨ The legendary reflections of Lake Matheson
✨ Milford Sound at blue hour and sunrise
✨ Remote alpine landscapes accessed by private helicopter charter
✨ The iconic Wanaka Tree at first light
✨ Rugged coastlines, braided rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and hidden rainforest scenes

And because we travel in a small group, there’s plenty of time for hands-on guidance, creative development and those game-changing moments in the field.

“The expedition greatly exceeded my expectations. It was no doubt an amazing and awesome experience of a lifetime!” — Susan S.

“I feel my experience in New Zealand has made me a much better photographer.” — Marla R.

If New Zealand has been on your photography bucket list, this is the South Island at its most dramatic, intimate and photogenic.

Spaces are limited.

🔗https://visionarywild.com/workshops/new-zealand-6/

05/31/2026

October 2027, Visionary Wild invites you to experience Sierra Nevada alongside two extraordinary photographic masters: Justin Black and William Neill.

For Visionary Wild, Bishop, California is more than just a workshop destination, it is the spiritual birthplace of everything the company has become. It was here, surrounded by the vast beauty of the Owens Valley and the Sierra Nevada, that Justin Black first began building what would become one of the most respected photography workshop programs.

Joining him is William Neill, celebrated landscape photographer and protégé of Ansel Adams, whose poetic imagery of Yosemite and the Sierra has inspired generations of photographers. Together, they will guide participants through one of the most visually spectacular seasons in the American West, when golden aspens ignite the valleys beneath snow-capped 14,000-foot peaks.

This workshop is about far more than simply visiting beautiful places. It’s an immersive opportunity to refine your vision, strengthen your compositions, master dynamic light and elevate both your technical and creative approach to landscape photography. From sunrise alpenglow to fiery sunsets, every field session is carefully designed around weather, light and years of intimate local knowledge.

With a balance of inspiring classroom sessions, image critiques, Lightroom and Photoshop instruction and extensive time in the field, participants will leave not only with powerful new images, but with renewed confidence and clarity in their photographic process.

Whether you’re an experienced landscape photographer or just beginning your creative journey outdoors, this workshop offers a rare chance to learn in one of North America’s most iconic photographic landscapes with two truly exceptional instructors.

📍 Bishop, California
📅 October 4–8, 2026
🔗https://visionarywild.com/workshops/sierra-nevada-autumn-with-william-neill/

05/31/2026

There are just 8 weeks to go until this extraordinary photographic journey into the forgotten prairie landscapes of North Dakota, and there are still a few spaces remaining.

Step beyond traditional “photo tours” and immerse yourself in a workshop designed to transform the way you see.

Led by renowned photographer Tillman Crane, this rare 6-day experience offers exclusive access to abandoned prairie homesteads and decaying structures on private land normally closed to the public. Inside these hauntingly beautiful spaces, time stands still, family albums left behind, dishes still in cupboards, antique furniture untouched for decades.

But this workshop is about far more than documenting ruins.

It’s about:
• Breaking creative habits
• Shifting perspective
• Taking artistic risks
• Learning to see ordinary places in extraordinary ways

Whether your passion is still life, abstraction, landscape, portraiture or storytelling, these forgotten farmhouses and isolated prairie towns offer endless possibilities for deeply personal image-making.

With minimal classroom time and maximum time in the field, this is a workshop built for photographers who want to reconnect with creativity and make work that lingers long after the shutter clicks.

📍 Bottineau, North Dakota
📅 August 9–15, 2026
🎞 Film & digital photographers welcome

If you’ve been waiting for a photographic experience that challenges, inspires and stays with you long after you return home... this is it.

🔗https://visionarywild.com/workshops/prairie-spirit-bottineau-2/

05/31/2026

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Visionary Wild founder Justin Black has been honored with the Photographer of the Year award and the Gold Medal for Achievement in Professional Photography from the International Photographic Council during a ceremony held at United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

05/31/2026

Photographers, there are still a couple of spaces left to join us for an exploration of North Dakota’s prairie landscapes and abandoned homesteads from August 9–15, 2026.

Under the guidance of Tillman Crane, you’ll gain exclusive access to abandoned farmhouses and small-town ruins normally off-limits to the public. These hauntingly beautiful locations, filled with remnants of lives long gone, offer limitless creative possibilities for landscape, still life, abstraction and portrait photography.

This workshop isn’t about making the “perfect” shot, it’s about shifting perspectives, taking risks and expanding your creative vision. With small group critiques, hands-on guidance and the freedom to revisit locations that inspire you, your work will evolve long after the trip ends.

📍 Based in Bottineau, North Dakota, the heart of the prairie, every day brings new scenes and stories to capture.

Digital or film photographers welcome (film processing not available). Bring your laptop for reviews and your portfolio for a one-on-one critique.

Don’t miss this rare chance to photograph a disappearing world and elevate your creative practice.

🔗https://visionarywild.com/workshops/prairie-spirit-bottineau-2/

05/28/2026

We wanted to share a wonderful reflection from one of our past Hokkaido adventures:

"Hokkaido was an extraordinary experience, with beautiful, minimalistic landscapes and unforgettable views of red-crowned cranes. We stayed in unique Japanese inns and enjoyed exotic foods including traditional Japanese cuisine. Our guides were superb and the photographic leadership exceptional. This trip expanded my photographic vision and provided a remarkable opportunity to experience Japan in a meaningful and immersive way."

Moments like these remind us why we love bringing photographers to Hokkaido, where every snowy vista, serene lake and graceful crane feels like a living canvas.

05/26/2026

Winter in Hokkaido is a dream for photographers.

Japan’s northernmost island transforms into a pristine, snow-draped world, where mountains, lakes, forests and coastline become a minimalist canvas for creative exploration. From the elegant flight of red-crowned cranes to the imposing Steller’s sea eagles, from serene lakeside reflections to poetic solitary trees in snow, every moment invites you to capture images that are as emotionally compelling as they are visually striking.

February 2027, Visionary Wild is thrilled to offer a fully curated itinerary, led by master landscape photographer Justin Black, alongside renowned Hokkaido-based photographer Toshiki Nakanishi. Justin’s wealth of experience combined with Toshiki’s intimate knowledge of Hokkaido ensures that every location is timed perfectly for light, composition and opportunity. Past participants have described this workshop as transformative, expanding their photographic vision while offering an authentic immersion in Hokkaido’s stunning winter landscapes and rich culture.

Over 14 days, we travel between Hokkaido’s most remarkable locations, making the most of every sunrise and sunset.

📅 February 4–17, 2027 | Limited Spaces Available
🔗 https://visionarywild.com/workshops/hokkaido-2027/

05/23/2026

Only Six Weeks to Go: Two Spaces Left!

Kyrgyzstan is the “next big adventure travel destination,” but at Visionary Wild, we’ve known its beauty, charm and grandeur for over a decade. This summer, we invite you to join us on an extraordinary 17-day photographic expedition through the Tien Shan Mountains, where soaring peaks, glacier-carved valleys and turquoise alpine lakes create a landscape rivaling the Himalayas, the Andes or the Alps. From the 23,000-foot majesty of Khan Tengri to the vibrant wildflowers of high pastures, every scene is a photographer’s dream.

Our itinerary is designed for maximum photographic impact, with prime morning and evening light, night sky opportunities and two helicopter flights to access remote, jaw-dropping peaks. Along the way, you’ll encounter Kyrgyz herders, majestic wildlife including golden eagles, Marco Polo sheep, ibex and even the occasional elusive snow leopard. This is not a standard sightseeing trip, our intimate group size, expert guidance and deep local relationships take you far beyond the tourist routes, into landscapes and communities few visitors ever see.

We pride ourselves on exceptional value and exclusive access. While some trips to Kyrgyzstan offer shorter itineraries and higher costs for less dramatic scenery, our expedition delivers 17 days of immersive adventure for only slightly more than those 11-day alternatives. Our trip also includes two 45-minute helicopter flights, private access to remote mountain regions and opportunities for truly unique aerial and landscape photography. Every step of the way, our veteran guides Justin Black and Jerry Dodrill provide professional insight, logistical expertise and local knowledge, ensuring your time is both productive and inspiring.

📅 July 4–21, 2026 | Two spaces remaining
🔗 https://visionarywild.com/workshops/kyrgyzstan-2026/

05/22/2026

Tomorrow is the last full day in Visionary Wild’s Timeless Terroir photo workshop in France’s Loire Valley and Bordeaux wine regions. Yesterday, we visited the seaside resort town of Arcachon and the nearby Dune du Pilat, followed by a sunset dinner at the superb Hotel La Co(o)rniche. Today, we visited the town of Libourne during its Friday market, and the city of Bordeaux.

All photos © 2026 Justin Black