Adventure Photo Expeditions

For 25 years, National Geographic contributor and award-winning photographer Carole Devillers dodged bullets to record political uprisings, rode jungle rivers in dugout canoes, trekked tropical trails, witnessed voodoo rites, rode camels in the desert, learned to fly private planes, chased and flew in hot air balloons, and surveyed crops in India. During that time she also guided Captain Jacques Cousteau and his Calypso crew as they explored Haiti, guided a National Geographic staff writer in the sub-Saharan region of West Africa and a National Geographic staff photographer in Haiti. She's now ready to take YOU on photo expeditions, on and off the beaten path.

Our trips are aimed at amateur and serious photographers and are limited to 6 participants. They are NOT technical workshops - so you need to have a good practical knowledge of your camera equipment, whether it's film or digital. They are travel opportunities designed to help the participants sharpen their photographic skills hands-on in the field, and learn how to see and capture the spirit of place through composition, light and choice of subjects. With us you will discover the less-known sites of the region, in the hours of day most captivating and best suited for photography - which is rarely taken into account by regular group tours -, experience the spirit of adventure and exploration, develop better understanding of world cultures, and appreciate with all your senses the natural beauty of our planet. And since all of our time is spent in the field and not in a classroom, NON-PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ECO-TRAVELERS ARE EQUALLY WELCOME. Focusing on seeing improves any traveler's experience, with or without a camera.

Do not be concerned if you don't have a 600mm lens like that used by a fellow traveler or expensive photo equipment (better but not necessary). Many good photos have been taken with a point-and-shoot - Cartier-Bresson only shot with a 50mm lens. What is most important is your eye, together with light and composition. And for that, Carole will be at hand to share her expertise with you and give you advice along the way on how to improve your photography. On some trips you will also have the opportunity to watch short digital presentations of her work ahead of a shooting excursion so that you know what to expect and how to photograph it best.

Since a few excursions will be taken for the first time, you will have the opportunity as well of observing how a photographer explores and goes about capturing story-telling images of a new area. Last but not least, at her contact you will deepen or rekindle your passion for photography.

Remember, "The real voyage of discovery lies not in finding new lands, but in seeing with fresh eyes." Marcel Proust (French writer)

"Dear Carole, We all have many happy memories of our time in Haiti and we are pleased that you were part of it. I hope that we meet again in the not too distant future. In the meantime, best wishes from all the members of Calypso's crew. Most sincerely."
Jacques-Yves Cousteau (Calypso Captain)