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10815

3 days

Availability : October 8-11, 2024

Traverse City, MI

Min Age : 21+ (or 16+ w/ adult)

You waited too long! This tour is no longer available. But you can add your name to the WAITING LIST to be notified if a spot becomes available, or if another Michigan Photography Workshop is announced.

Amateur Photography Workshop for beginners or any skill level!

Join us this Fall, just as Northern Michigan‘s colors are putting on a dazzling display. You’ll get hands on learning in the field and have a lot of fun.

We will take you to our favorite spots from Traverse City and Mission Point, up through the Leelanau Peninsula and down the Lake Michigan coastline including Empire, Glen Arbor and Sleeping Bear Dunes… plus some places completely off the map. Northern Michigan is begging to be photographed in October!

This 3 day, 3 night photography tour will be guided by Spike along with travel and outdoor adventure photographer Felicia Fullwood! She’s the Blogger and YouTuber who completely blew up on Instagram after converting an old beat-up camper van and traversing across every corner of Northern Michigan with her camera, creating incredible images and videos. Now Felicia and Spike are going to take a handful of people across Northern Michigan (in a bigger, newer van!) and show you some of our favorite hidden places to create incredible shots. This tour is for all levels of photographers: if you’re a beginner or amateur, we’ll teach you some basic photography tricks to come home with some beautiful photographs and more confidence with your camera.

This is not a “class.” We believe the best way to learn new photography techniques is to get out into nature with your camera… explore and shoot! We will get you to the best locations at the best times of day for beautiful images… and then get you comfortable with your camera’s manual settings. Questions are encouraged. Group size will be kept small (6-10 participants) to afford each participant one-on-one instruction.

This workshop is for any skill level but we focus on amateurs and hobbyists who want to learn more about their camera and how to use the settings to get off the “automatic” setting. Any camera is welcome – even just an iPhone! You’ll learn a few new tricks no matter what you’re shooting with.

If you want to bring your partner or family up north, we will be based in the Great Wolf Lodge waterpark hotel so they can enjoy a vacation while you’re out shooting. We will include waterpark passes and resort fees for your family at no additional charge! (But only registered, paying guests can join our photography tour each day due to limited seating.)

This trip is perfect for solo travelers, couples, family and friends. (In fact, two people save $ by sharing a room!) Doesn’t matter if you have the latest and greatest camera gear or just an iPhone. For a photographer, Northern Michigan is one big adventure.

Tour Price

Sorry! Too late… this tour is currently unavailable but you can add your name to the WAITING LIST to be notified if a spot becomes available, or if another Michigan Photography Workshop is announced.

Accommodations

Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse CityFamily Suite (two queen beds plus one full size sofa sleeper) Waterpark pass and resort fees included for you and up to three guests. Supplemental charge for 5th + 6th guest. Option to extend your stay. Room has wi-fi, in room coffee, refrigerator, TV, toiletries. Check-in: 4:00PM, Check-out: 11:00AM, Access to waterpark at 1:00PM on the day of check in until closing on the day of your departure.

Your Tour Guides

SpikeYour host with the big mouth! He loves sharing his passion for photography, travel and adventure. Spike has traveled the globe, chasing the perfect location to photograph. He started this small-group travel company to help others fulfill their bucket list and realize it's as much about the experience as it is about photography. Instagram: @radiospike
Felicia FullwoodShe's a travel photographer and content creator from Michigan working with tourism boards and outdoor adventure-minded brands. When Felicia is not camping in the Northern Michigan wilderness, she's creating beautiful visuals and campaigns for the likes of Chevy, Verizon and Pure Michigan. Instagram: @felicia_fullwood

Felicia & Spike's Photos

Age Restrictions

21+ (or 16+ if accompanied by adult)

Price Includes

2+ days of photography in Northern Michigan with transportation from location to location
3 nights accommodation at Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City
Waterpark Passes, Resort Fees and Taxes
Knowledgeable Tour Guides & Photography Instructor
Entrance Fees & Park Passes where necessary
Welcome Dinner & Welcome Gift
Water & Snacks in the van
Photo review & professional critique (optional)
Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!

Price Excludes

Most Meals, Alcohol, Incidentals
Transportation from your home to Traverse City (unless prearranged)
Photography Equipment
Room Service and Personal Expenses

Optional Add-ons

Roundtrip Transportation from Metro Detroit to Traverse City ($200-600 depending on location)
Additional nights at the hotel resort/waterpark (before or after our photo workshop
Supplemental fees for additional hotel guests (if more than 4 in your party)

Itinerary

Location is everything and Fall is a special time in Michigan! We won’t have a strict itinerary because we won’t know where the peak season will show itself until the week of our trip. Regardless of conditions, we will offer endless photo opportunities and hands-on instruction. Typically we will head out for morning and evening shoots each day. We typically depart for morning photo shoot at 6:30am. One day we will most likely shoot all day & night while we work our way down the coast at a relaxed pace (making stops for breakfast and lunch). On the other day, we may shoot in the morning, return for a late breakfast, then shoot again in early afternoon. We’ll make sure you see the sites too if you’ve never been to this corner of Michigan.

Day 1Tuesday, October 8

Check-in day! Arrive to the hotel in the afternoon. Check-in is 4pm but you can use the waterpark starting at 1pm. Get settled and meet the group for a Welcome Dinner and Orientation at 6pm. For some, this is a first visit to the area so we also supply a guide with recommendations of things you might want to see and do this week.

Day 2Wednesday, October 9

Photography Day #1 – Sunrise is at 7:23am. Sunset at 6:44pm

Day 3Thursday, October 10

Photography Day #2 – Sunrise is at 7:25am. Sunset at 6:41pm

Day 4Friday, October 11

Check out. On your drive home, we may offer an optional shoot a half hour south of the hotel at High Rollaway Observation Deck. Or you can stay and enjoy the waterpark and resort until close. Some may choose to continue their stay through the weekend in Traverse City. We can assist in extending your hotel reservations.

LIMITATIONS NOTE: For this trip, we require you to be reasonably fit in order to casually walk from location to location. We also require that you are able to handle your own bags, and enter/exit the vehicle without assistance. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make a trip challenging and we can answer all questions. Photography tours require walking or sometimes even light hiking to reach our destination as we make stops at various locations. Hiking trails, fields and sand dunes may not be accessible for those with mobility limitations. When you send your tour deposit, you certify to us that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions that would create a risk for yourself or for others on the trip or alter the group’s travel plans.

Payment schedule for Fall Photography in Northern Michigan

PAYMENT 1: $700 deposit due now to book your tour & reserve your spot

PAYMENT 2: remaining balance due by 8/21/2024

CANCELATION NOTICE: In the event that you have to cancel your “Explore With Spike” trip, we make every attempt to replace you with another paying traveler but if not, your payments are non-refundable. Your $700 deposit is ALWAYS non-refundable. The best way to protect yourself against unforeseen changes in your travel plans is to purchase travel insurance (recommendations below).

Michigan Fall Photography 2024 Cancelation Policy

Travel Insurance Recommendations

Questions? Email us! travel@explorewithspike.com

WEATHER NOTICE: We continue our photography tour in all weather. In fact, it usually creates for even better images! Dress appropriately and guard your gear against wet weather if necessary. Since this trip was planned 90 days in advance, we can not guarantee we will be in Northern Michigan during peak Fall foliage – the one thing we can not control is Mother Nature. But we’ll create beautiful images regardless of leaf color!

Northern Michigan Fall Photography Workshop