Visionary Wild

07/03/2025

🐾 PUMAS IN WINTER – 4 WEEKS TO GO!

📍 Torres del Paine, Chile | July 31, 2025

Two spots still available – don’t miss this opportunity!

This isn’t your average puma expedition.

This is Visionary Wild, where world-class wildlife photography meets expert guidance, deep access, and jaw-dropping winter light in an incredibly dramatic landscape.

Led by renowned photographer Justin Black, this expedition gives you:

✅ Exclusive access to a private reserve with one of the densest puma populations in the world

✅ Daily close encounters with wild pumas, often just 20 feet away

✅ Expert local trackers and guides who know the land and the cats intimately

✅ Cozy, comfortable accommodations in nearby Cerro Castillo

✅ A special bonus day photographing Andean condors from a cliffside roost

✅ A quiet, crowd-free winter landscape bathed in soft light

This trip isn’t just about seeing pumas.
It’s about photographing their world, intimately, ethically, and artistically in a setting that few ever experience this way.

📸 There’s still time to join us but it's running out!

We hit the trail in just 4 weeks. Don’t wait.

🔗 Full details and registration: https://visionarywild.com/workshops/pumas-in-winter/

07/01/2025

What’s On This Month

Adventure. Creativity. Wild places. Let’s go.

This month, we’re heading to two of the most spectacular regions, each offering incredible photographic opportunities, world-class instruction, and the chance to go deeper with your work.

🗻 Kyrgyzstan Expedition | Led by Justin Black & Jerry Dodrill

We’re off the grid and into the mountains, exploring Central Asia’s stunning Tien Shan range, alpine lakes, nomadic culture, and endless skies. This is where culture, nature, and history meet.

🐾 Pumas in Winter: Torres del Paine, Chile | Begins late July – Led by Justin Black

Track wild pumas up close in a snow-dusted Patagonian landscapes. With the help of expert guides and Justin’s mentoring, you’ll experience rare proximity to these elusive cats, paired with majestic mountain light.

👉 There’s still time to join us on the Pumas expedition!

Don’t miss your chance for unforgettable wildlife encounters and portfolio-defining images.

📲 https://visionarywild.com/workshops/pumas-in-winter/

06/30/2025

12 DAYS ON THE COLORADO RIVER

📸 Grand Canyon 12 Day Raft Expedition

🌄 Led by Michael Frye & Jerry Dodrill | Visionary Wild

Experience the Grand Canyon like few ever will, from the bottom up, through 226 river miles of raw, awe-inspiring beauty, geological wonder, and photographic magic.

This is not your average raft trip.

This is a journey through time, guided by master photographers and seasoned river veterans Michael Frye and Jerry Dodrill, with a thoughtfully crafted itinerary that maximizes creative opportunity, comfort, and adventure.

You asked, we listened:

Now 12 days instead of our usual 10, giving us access to prime side canyons, waterfalls, and remote photo opportunites we had to skip in past years.

📷 What you’ll capture:

✅ Golden reflections on canyon walls

✅ Bighorn sheep & soaring condors

✅ Sculptural rock formations

✅ Riverside camps under a canopy of stars

✅ Side hikes to hidden cascading falls

✅ Moments that go far beyond a shutter click

💬 Past participants say:

“The best photo trip I’ve ever taken.”
“The Canyon is a past wonder. I can’t seem to leave the river.”
“I actually miss the sand.”

🏕️ What’s included?

✔️ Two motorized rafts with expert AZRA river crew

✔️ All camping gear, meals, and beverages

✔️ Daily hands-on instruction & critiques

✔️ Pre- and post-trip gatherings at the Little America Hotel

✔️ Meeting like-minded people

🌟 $565 off for past AZRA clients (2023–2025). Contact us for your discount code!

This isn’t just a photography trip, it’s a soul-shifting expedition into one of Earth’s grandest wonders.

Learn more & reserve your spot: https://visionarywild.com/workshops/grand-canyon-raft-12-day-2/

06/29/2025

We love hearing what past participants have to say about their experience with Visionary Wild!

"I’m pretty much impossible to please. Well, Justin and Jerry managed to exceed my expectations in every respect. They are organized, patient, articulate and above all, passionate. Never mind F-stops, focus stacking and ISO. They taught – really, exemplified-- the importance of looking for one or a few good/great photographs instead of my typical spraying and praying in the hopes of my bottle would catch lightning. That was the realization. Plus, they seem to have curated a group of outstandingly cooperative and generous guests, perhaps inspired by J&J’s example. I learned a ton from the other guests, too. As the saying goes, I’d travel with them all, anytime. As soon as I can, I’m “down” for another VW trip." ~ B. Feldman

Bob highlights perfectly how connecting with like-minded people can be so beneficial, which is something we pride ourselves on here at Visi

Images: Bob Feldman

06/27/2025

Most see a barren desert.

We see an extraordinary canvas.

Join acclaimed photographers William Neill and Jerry Dodrill for a deep dive into the art of seeing, set against the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley National Park, a place of quiet drama, bold textures, and endless creative potential.

🏜️ Photograph wind-sculpted dunes, cracked salt flats, and canyons carved by time

🌸 Chase spring wildflowers and ephemeral weather

📷 Sharpen your artistic voice with hands-on instruction, lectures, and daily critiques

🛌 Stay comfortably at Stovepipe Wells in newly renovated deluxe rooms

🍽️ Enjoy delicious group meals and relaxed camaraderie

This workshop includes:

✅ 8 expertly guided field sessions

✅ Thoughtful instruction tailored to all levels

✅ Daily image reviews & creative feedback

✅ All meals, snacks, beverages, and lodging included

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Death Valley Workshop and got more photos that I like than from any previous workshops.” –Randy A., repeat participant

This is more than a photography trip, it’s an invitation to experience one of North America’s wildest landscapes with new eyes.

https://visionarywild.com/workshops/death-valley-7/

06/27/2025

🎙️ Podcast Episode Alert!

We’re thrilled to share the first two episodes of the Chasing Light Network podcast/vlog!

✨ Episode 1 features an interview with Visionary Wild founder, Justin Black, sharing insights from years of leading workshops across the globe.

🎬 Episode 2 just dropped and features acclaimed photographer and Visionary Wild instructor, Jerry Dodrill, in conversation with Ian Dawson, a multiple Emmy-winning Hollywood special effects artist and longtime workshop participant (dating back to our Mountain Light Photography days!).

🎧 Tune in for rich conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, and powerful lessons on light, vision, and the art of seeing.

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz_PAhESncI

🗞️ Keep an eye out – we’ll be featuring both in our next newsletter too!

Jerry Dodrill is an adventurer, naturalist and award-winning photographer who has traveled to remote corners of the Earth in a lifelong quest for wild experi...

06/25/2025

This isn’t Torres del Paine. This is the wild soul of South America - raw, remote, and radically beautiful.

Join Visionary Wild’s Justin Black and Jerry Dodrill for the rare chance to explore Chile’s secret wilderness: the awe-inspiring Aysén region, where turquoise rivers carve through untouched forests, glaciers calve into iceberg-filled fjords, and condors fly above snow-draped peaks.

🏔️ From doors-off helicopter flights over the Northern Patagonian Ice Field

🚤 To private boat excursions to the sculpted Marble Caves and Jorge Montt Glacier

🌿 To quiet hikes through wildlife-rich national parks

…this is not your average expedition. This is adventure with soul, wrapped in world-class guidance, camaraderie, and deep creative focus.

“We went where the road ends. Icebergs. Lupines. Pumas. Marble caves. I’ll never forget it.” –2023 participant

This small-group expedition includes:

✔️ Instruction from two leading photographers

✔️ Expert local guides + all logistics handled

✔️ Boutique lodging & gourmet meals (yes, wine too!)

✔️ Mentorship, group critiques, and hands-on creativity

✔️ Access to epic locations others never reach

📸 All experience levels welcome - we focus on vision, not gear

Ready to go where few have gone, and return with images unlike anyone else’s?

👉https://visionarywild.com/workshops/hidden-patagonia-2025/

06/23/2025

Ready to see Paris with new eyes, and capture it like never before?

📍 Paris: City of Lights, Creative Core Photography Workshop | Nov 2025

Join award-winning photographers Justin Black and Julia Keil for an intimate, small-group workshop designed to unlock your creativity in the this stunning city. This isn't just a photo tour, it’s a transformative creative experience in the beating heart of France.

🌆 Explore the poetic rhythm of the arrondissements

📸 Capture authentic street moments, texture, light, and life

🎨 Learn hands-on from two celebrated photographers

🎭 Be inspired by Paris Photo international photography festival & exclusive gallery visits

🍷 Dine like a local whilst staying in a 5-star boutique hotel

With only six photographers per workshop and just TWO spaces left, this is your chance to break away from the “iconic view checklist” and go deeper into the soul of Parisian visual storytelling.

“I learned so much… made great friends… and left energized.” –Past Participant

💡 Whether you’re passionate about street, portrait, or fine art photography, this workshop meets you where you are and helps you go further.

📅 Nov 2025 | Includes photography instruction, gallery access, cultural experiences & gourmet meals

👫 Bring a non-photographer partner, they’re welcome too!

https://visionarywild.com/workshops/paris-city-of-light-2025a/

06/22/2025

“I am glad to be here to experience this beautiful land…” – Ron S.

Experience the magic of Hokkaido in winter! A breathtaking land of snow-covered forests, icy coastlines, elegant cranes, and serene solitary trees. Guided by master photographer Michael Frye and local expert Toshiki Nakanishi, this immersive workshop is your chance to create truly meaningful images in this extraordinary winter wonderlands.

From capturing the grace of red-crowned cranes and Steller’s sea eagles, to exploring traditional fishing villages and steaming onsen towns, this tour is about more than just photography, it’s about connection.

Toshiki’s deep local knowledge and Michael’s expert instruction ensure maximum time in the field, intimate guidance, and unforgettable moments that will elevate your artistry.

Take a sneak peek at Toshiki’s stunning new book “New Land” a love letter to Hokkaido’s raw beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w65Imazkczw&themeRefresh=1

✨ Whether you’re chasing light, wildlife, or pure inspiration, this workshop is your gateway to the soul of Japan’s north.

📅 Limited spots available.

https://visionarywild.com/workshops/hokkaido-3/

06/19/2025

Only 2 Spots Left: Pumas in Winter, Patagonia, August 2025

This isn’t a zoo. This isn’t luck. This is a carefully crafted expedition on a private 65-square-kilometer ranch that boasts one of the highest concentrations of wild pumas anywhere in the Americas.

Join photographer Justin Black and expert local trackers for an unrivaled adventure, designed to get you closer than you ever thought possible, sometimes within 20 feet of these elusive cats. We regularly photograph puma mothers with cubs, active hunts, and dramatic interactions.

What makes it even better?
- Soft winter light and fewer tourists
- Comfortable lodging and warm meals in nearby Cerro Castillo
- Final day photographing Andean condors in flight from a cliffside roost
- A true wildlife photographer’s dream, with daily expert guidance and support

Dates: July 31–August 7, 2025

Location: Torres del Paine, Chile

Fitness Level: Short hikes on snowy hills (with a puma encounter as your reward)

Only two spaces remain. Will you be claiming one?
https://visionarywild.com/workshops/pumas-in-winter/