Quebec, Canada, Puffin Photography Workshop

July 20 – 24, 2026

Overview

Take part in an unforgettable island experience in Quebec, Canada! During this all-inclusive photography workshop, we will spend four comfortable nights on an isolated island eating wonderful food, enjoying each other’s company, and photographing Atlantic puffins and other sea birds to our heart’s content. Not only will we have the island almost all to ourselves, we will also be able to move around the island freely for close-up views of puffins all day long and in all types of light! No blinds and no time limits! This is an educational workshop meant not only to expose you to a rarely visited corner of the world but also to help you improve your skills as a photographer with in-the-field guidance and post-processing instruction. This class is only open to residents of the U.S.

• Number of Attendees: 6
• Number of Instructors: 1
• Level of Difficulty (fitness requirements): Easy

Schedule

June 22: Zoom meeting to discuss our itinerary, do a gear check, and answer questions.

July 19:
Our adventure begins in Sept-Îles, where we’ll meet for the first time, share introductions, and enjoy a relaxed meet-and-greet dinner together.

July 20:
We’ll begin with a mid-morning departure for Île-aux-Perroquets. After a two-hour drive from Sept-Îles, we’ll arrive in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and check in at the National Park visitor center. From there, we’ll load our gear and board a small boat for a scenic twenty-minute ride to the island. Lunch will be served upon arrival at Île-aux-Perroquets, after which we’ll spend the rest of the day soaking in the island’s charm and photographing the abundant birdlife, with a break for supper in the evening.

July 21 – 23:
Over the next three days, we’ll have the opportunity to photograph puffins and other seabirds from sunrise to sunset as they fly in with their catch, gather on the rocks and cliffs, and paddle along the shoreline. The Île-aux-Perroquets lighthouse will also be a standout subject. On past trips, we’ve captured it beneath spectacular sunrise skies, with the moon lifting above it, and with the Milky Way arching overhead. One lucky participant even managed to photograph the northern lights behind the lighthouse, I only wish they had woken me up!

July 24:
We’ll leave Île-aux-Perroquets mid-morning and return by boat to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, where our vehicles await. The two-hour ride back to Sept-Îles offers the perfect chance to reflect on the experience, relive highlights and say our goodbyes.

About Île-aux-Perroquets

Île aux Perroquets is a tiny island that sits at the western end of the Mingan Archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada. A walk from one end to the other takes only a few minutes. Its beauty, however, is endless. Perched on its crest is the Île aux Perroquets Lighthouse, keeper’s house, and assistant keeper’s house. Both houses have been converted into an inn with cozy, comfortable rooms and a shared bathroom in each building. Delicious meals made from local ingredients are prepared for us and served in the keeper’s house.

The island’s name, translated from French, means “parrot island” a reference to the Atlantic puffin, one of the many species of seabird that nest in numbers there. Other common species include the razorbill, black guillemot, black-legged kittiwake, common eider, and the notorious black-backed gull… the apex predator on the island.

Transportation to and from the island is by boat and is a 20-minute ride from the mainland. Some days the ride is smooth and other days, well… it’s not. The weather ranges from sunny and warm to foggy and cool to cold and windy. Island landings can be affected by the weather. Rarely, the surf can become too rough to depart, delaying trips to the island. On the other end, it is possible to be stuck on the island. Attendees will receive refunds for the cost of any nights missed if we are not able to depart for the island. If we are stuck on the island an additional $100/day for meals will be charged to each attendee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lot of expensive gear to take this workshop?

No! You can make great images with simple equipment. That said, it does help to have a camera with advanced autofocusing options such as eye-tracking, but it is not necessary. A telephoto zoom lens such as 100-400mm, 100-500mm, 150-600mm, etc. will get you most of what you need when it comes to birds.

What are the fitness requirements?

The terrain on the island is very easy to navigate. You will need to get in and out of boats and go up and down stairs to get to your room, but as far as physical requirements go this is an easy trip.

What equipment do you recommend I bring?

• DSLR or mirrorless camera
• Telephoto lens that zooms to at least 400mm on a full frame sensor
• For landscape opportunities, you will want a wide angle zoom such as 14-35 or 24-70.
• A sturdy tripod
• Ball head for landscape work
• Camera backpack
• Rainproof covering for your camera and lens
• Laptop Computer with editing software (we use Adobe Lightroom Classic)
• Card Reader
• Extra Batteries
• Extra Memory Cards

What about transportation?

We recommend flying into Sept-Iles Airport. From there you will be able to get a taxi to our hotel or we can pick you up.

What about lodging?

All lodging during the dates of the workshop is included. Hotel information for the first night will be provided after registration. All lodging is single occupancy. Bathrooms on the island are shared.

What should I wear?

Temperatures on Île-aux-Perroquets can vary greatly. It can get quite cold even in July. We will spend long hours in field rain, wind or shine. For that reason we recommend bringing a range of clothing:

• Quick drying pants and shirts (at least two pair)
• Wool or synthetic socks
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Winter hat
• Gloves
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants
• Down or insulated jacket
• Knee boots (optional – you might want these or other water-compatable shoes for exploring the intertidal zone)

Pack enough clothing for the entire trip, there is no laundry service at our hotel in Sept-Iles or on the island.

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

The weather will not cooperate. That said, being out in bad weather usually leads to great photo opportunities! Rain and clouds can add mood and provide even lighting to work under. As mentioned above, some days the ride out to the island is smooth and other days it’s not. The weather ranges from sunny and warm to foggy and cool to cold and windy. Island landings can be affected by the weather. Rarely, the surf can become too rough to depart, delaying trips to the island. On the other end, it is possible to be stuck on the island. Attendees will receive refunds for the cost of any nights missed if we are not able to depart for the island. If we are stuck on the island an additional $100/day for meals will be charged to each attendee.

Will there be bugs?

You will find black flies on the mainland. I’ve been told that they are on the island but I’ve never seen any or had an issue with them during any previous trip.

Price: $4950

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A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking, the full payment is due by May 19, 2026.

Included in the Price:

• One-on-one instruction from your’s truly
• Airport pickup in Sept-Iles
• Hotel accommodations in Sept-Iles on 7/19
• Meet and greet dinner on 7/19
• Transportation from Sept-Iles to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan
• Boat transportation from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan to and from Île-aux-Perroquets
• All meals on Île-aux-Perroquets
• Park entry fees
• Photo/post-processing instruction
• Gratuities for island staff

Attendees are responsible for:

• Transportation to and from Sept-Iles, QC, Canada, before and after the workshop, including flights
• All Meals outside of Île-aux-Perroquets other than the meet and greet dinner
• Any alcoholic beverage purchases
• Travel Insurance: www.squaremouth.com

Cancelations:

Cancelations made by May 19, 2026 will receive a refund for any amount paid over $1000. Cancelations made after May 19, 2026 will receive no refund. If a canceled spot is able to be filled before the start date of the workshop a full refund will be given, including the deposit. We cannot give out credit for cancelations. This is an expensive trip to run so our cancelation policy is non-negotiable. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance: www.squaremouth.com

Acknowledgement of Risk:

You will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk upon arrival.

Meet Your Instructor: