100% 5-star rated on Google

“Words can't begin to describe how ridiculously awesome this Costa Rica trip was. It far exceeded my expectations. Everything about the trip was an amazing self growth journey. No matter what your photography level is this course and trip will exceed your wildest imagination. Thank you Charlie for making this the most amazing trip ever…

Jim Petelski of Just Shoot Me Photography!”

“Dear Charlie, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating an experience for us in Costa Rica that I will cherish forever. To future photography workshop participants, if you are considering a trip to Costa Rica, look no further because Charlie's is the ONLY workshop you should consider.

From our excellent accommodations, to our one of a kind local guide, Randall, to the delicious meals Charlie prepared for us, it all far exceeded our expectations! I have participated in other workshops where the guide was so busy shooting their own camera, they never even seemed to notice what we were shooting or if we were struggling with something.

Charlie didn't even carry his camera. He was finding the animals, watching the light and their movements and helping us all get into position for the best shots possible. When one of our group accidentally fell and broke her tooth off, Charlie leaped into action immediately and contacted our landlord who made her an appointment the very next day with the local dentist who fixed her tooth expertly and very reasonably. I loved every moment of this trip and I can't wait to join Charlie again in a future workshop!! All the best, my friend!!!! Sincerely, Karen Devens.”

“This was a dream trip come true and it did not disappoint!! Charlie was simply amazing!! The itinerary was one incredible adventure after another. Charlie and our amazing tour guide Randall (the wildlife whisperer) made sure we saw the best of all Puerto Jiménez and the surrounding area had to offer. I'm still culling through thousands of images!! And ooooo-ing and ahhhh-ing over all of them :)

Charlie was so warm and welcoming, so kind and thoughtful and so fun to spend time with as well as an amazing chef… such a bonus!! The grounds where we stayed offered so many opportunities for incredible photography and every morning we woke up to the most amazing sounds!! By the time our last day had arrived, none of us wanted to leave.

It was with great sadness we said our goodbyes but not without talks of hopefully another future visit and hopes that Charlie would consider a trip to our side of the world one day and allow us to be his tour guide!! Until we meet again… Pura Vida!!”

“This was my first photography workshop, & it was such a perfect experience I'll never use another photography company. The experience was professional, but also relaxed, comfortable, & fun! The small group (just three of us!) made all the difference.

Not only did it allow each of us to get into position for “the perfect shot” (which we did many times over), but it also allowed for as much individual instruction as we needed for our evening post processing sessions. Charlie was very dedicated to his guests not only photographically, but strived to ensure we were happy and comfortable with meals, housing etc. I honestly can't wait to sign up for another adventure with Charlie's Wildlife!”

“It would be an understatement to say that Charlie's tour was amazing. There were so many parts of the tour that exceeded my expectations — from his selection of locales to photograph to his choices in local tour guides — every day was another memorable experience and opportunity to photograph a tremendous diversity of subjects.

Our group of 4 came ready to shoot as much wildlife as possible and we were not disappointed! Even the location of the house where we stayed was a photography feast and each day there was such a variety — monkeys, toucans, macaws, hummingbirds, sloths, coatimundi and a huge variety of birds.

Charlie's attention to detail in setting up and even adjusting our experience to accommodate our preferences made this a trip we all would like to repeat again in the future. Thanks for everything, Charlie — we will be back!”

“I am still thinking about the Charlie's Wildlife Photography workshop in Costa Rica. It truly was the trip of a lifetime and one that I will never forget. I could not believe the amount of wildlife we saw and photographed during the week.

We stayed in an incredible house that was regularly visited by spider monkeys (my favourite), capuchins, toucans, howlers and so much more. Charlie put together a jam packed schedule but we still had plenty of time to do our own thing. Charlie gave me so many tips and I learned so much, especially in the ever changing lighting conditions of rainforests.

I will never forget my trip and I am so pleased with the photos and I will be going back again. Book this workshop — you will have an incredible time.”

“This was my first ever photography workshop, and I signed up my husband who had no experience taking photos other than with his iPhone. I wanted him to enjoy the workshop so he would do other workshops with me.

We had an incredible time and Charlie did a wonderful job of organizing and making sure we had anything we needed. He provided any help we needed with our camera settings and post processing. Our group had so much fun together and the wildlife guides and Charlie were very knowledgeable and just as excited as we were about seeing all the wildlife!

It was awesome sharing the same passion for wildlife and photography. The biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula is truly amazing! You will not be disappointed, and I am happy to say my husband had a wonderful time as well and got some amazing pictures.”

“Spectacular in every way! I got back from my photography workshop with Charlie about a month ago and my memories, photos, and experiences are continuing to fuel my passion for photography and my love for learning. Charlie is relaxed in his approach, providing a customized experience for each individual and for the group. He has cultivated a team of supporting Costa Ricans who were knowledgeable about the area, wildlife, and locations. I loved the small group experience which opened up new friendships and so many wonderful ideas. I highly recommend this experience.”

“Amazing Trip…. I could end the review there but that would be an injustice to Charlie.

I found Charlie through an Instagram ad in August 2022 after I tried to book with a different organization. While the other company is well known they do not allow non photographers to attend the photo trips. This was a deal breaker for me as what's the point of a trip of a lifetime and not being able to experience it with my wife. I asked Charlie if she could come on the day trips and the response was “absolutely”. Charlie then quickly answered all my questions and the trip was booked for May 2023.

Charlie has a great personality and a very calm demeanour and while I'm a fairly experienced photographer the other 2 participants were both novices. We all had a great time for the week we spent with Charlie with lots of learning and a lot of laughs.

The day trips were well organized and the guide, Randall, was awesome. Randall has been a professional guide there for 32 years and grew up in the area. He knows where to find the wildlife. Randall even set up his spotting scope everywhere for my wife to be able to see wildlife that was far away. Most of the animals we saw were within 20–30 feet which was incredible.

We have already told Charlie to let us know when he has the other trips he is working on organized as we will be the first to sign up. If you want a relaxing photography workshop with free time to do other stuff as well contact Charlie. I would be surprised if your experience isn't amazing.”

“The Costa Rica tour with Charlie's Wildlife Photography was one of the best trips of my life. I loved the small class size that allowed for personal attention. Charlie was there to point out an animal, suggest a better angle, provide basic knowledge, and finally help you take that image capture to a great edited image. Highly recommend going on one of Charlie's tours.”

“I just got back from Costa Rica and absolutely loved what Charlie has put together! I learned a lot from Charlie and had an absolute blast with our group.

The amount of wildlife we saw absolutely blew my mind. It was such a beautiful, immersive experience and is a great balance of photography time with Charlie and free time.

I highly recommend it for any photographer — it's great for all levels of experience! I'm not much into editing, it's my preference, however I did learn a lot about editing from Charlie also. I can't wait to experience another workshop with Charlie!!!”

“In SHORT: This was a wonderful adventure! Charlie is a great photographer, educator, host and organizer. If you want to improve your photography in a relaxed, hands on setting and explore Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula this is a workshop you should take.

In LONG: This was a smooth experience from the moment I touched down in San José. No confusion or glitches at the airport or hotel. It was a very comfortable room. Transportation from San José was, well, let me say, if you have to ride ~5 hours in a car, our driver Luis is the guy to go with. He was congenial, spoke excellent English, had a passion for his homeland and was anxious (but not overpowering) to share his knowledge of Costa Rican customs and life.

It's hard to explain it but I felt “at home” from the moment we arrived at the house we'd be sharing in Puerto Jiménez. For our workshop there were 3 photographers. The house was open, airy and clean. The bedrooms are air conditioned. There are plenty of spaces outside the house where we could congregate or enjoy a bit of solitude. There are numerous opportunities for photography without even leaving the property.

Days consisted of breakfast (always with fresh local fruit) and heading out to do what we'd all come for — photography. Guides ensured we had the best opportunities to capture great images whether we were in the jungle, in preserves or on the river. Educator and guides were incredibly knowledgeable and shared a passion for sharing what they've learned. I can not say enough good things about them (Charlie, Randall, Simone, Raynor and Denis) as a group.

We returned to the house early in the afternoon for lunch and relaxation. There was time to nap, explore Puerto Jiménez or shoot around the house. In the evening we met for dinner and editing, again enjoying Charlie's expertise (did I mention in addition to being an award winning photographer Charlie is a chef?).

Suffice it to say this was a genuinely great adventure, one I'll cherish the rest of my life. Having Charlie there to answer questions in real time, whether in capturing images or editing them later was invaluable. I made some wonderful new friends, saw things I never could have seen anywhere else and learned new skills to practice and perfect. I would go again in a minute. I'd recommend it to a friend. I'm recommending it to you! Pura Vida!”

“I recently attended a photography workshop in Costa Rica with Charlie, and it was an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning and diverse wildlife, and Charlie's expert guidance made it a truly enriching journey for any wildlife photographer.

The workshop was impeccably organized from start to finish. Charlie's familiarity with the local fauna ensured that we were always in the right place at the right time. His teaching style was both informative and supportive, catering to photographers of all skill levels. Whether you were a beginner or more advanced, Charlie provided valuable insights and tailored feedback that helped improve our skills.

The group size was perfect, allowing for plenty of one-on-one interaction with Charlie. He was always approachable and eager to answer questions, provide demonstrations, and offer critiques of our work. This personalized attention was one of the key aspects that set this workshop apart from others.

Accommodations were comfortable and conveniently located near our shooting sites. The logistics were seamless, allowing us to focus entirely on photography without any distractions.

Overall, Charlie's photography workshop in Costa Rica exceeded all my expectations. I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to elevate their photography while exploring one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.”

“We went as two couples to Charlie's Wildlife Photography in July 2025. With Charlie, plus Randy (a local) as the driver and guide, we found amazing wildlife to photograph. I do recommend this trip.

As for teaching how to use your camera, as you could guess, the less experienced photographers learned more from Charlie than the ones who were already more advanced. Charlie was especially good at teaching everyone about Lightroom.

The backyard was filled with fruit trees and an adventure of its own. Equipment? I shot almost everything at 600mm. Our nighttime macro photo stroll inspired me to buy a macro lens; if you already have one, bring it and a flash with a diffuser.”

“I attended Charlie's Wildlife Photography workshop in Costa Rica in May 2024. I like traveling and I have been shooting pictures with my camera for some time but remain an amateur. I have never attended a workshop before and this workshop was an eye opening event for me.

Charlie is a very pleasant young man and his style of teaching was a friendly guidance with no pressure on us no matter what level of skills we have. He is very knowledgeable and approachable.

A small group size makes individual coaching possible. After teaching a few tricks on my camera I was surprised I was able to take decent pictures and explore the possibilities that my camera and lenses were able to offer. The workshop was well organized and started early in the morning with a short trip to various places for photoshoot. He and our driver/guide Randall have very sharp eyes and were able to spot different birds and animals on our trips. Apart from spotting the animals Charlie was able to show us the best angle to shoot considering the light and background in real time.

We edit our pictures in Lightroom in the evenings. With his patient one on one coaching I came from knowing nothing about Lightroom to being comfortable with essential tricks to produce pretty nice pictures out of my photos in a very short time.

Accommodation was comfortable and we even have some wildlife around the house. I enjoyed the taste of local food provided. Thank you Charlie, for leading us to one of a kind journey and this beautiful country. I highly recommend this workshop.”

“I just returned from one of Charlie's workshops in Costa Rica and I had an amazing time. I knew very little about manual settings when I went, but Charlie changed that with a few short lessons. He is patient and he explains things in a way that makes it easy to understand. You then have the immediate opportunity to apply what you learned. Randall and Charlie both worked tirelessly to find us the animals we wanted to see and always set us up for the best shots possible. The small group was perfect for one on one editing and again, his teaching style made understanding a breeze.”

“We had a fantastic time photographing a wide variety of animals and birds. Charlie was brilliant organising a trip that ran really smoothly, was exciting and changed daily.

I'm a reasonably experienced photographer, but Charlie helped improve my photographic skills taking photos and post-processing images in Lightroom.

Accommodation had everything we wanted and a special highlight was the delicious fresh local food. The trip gave us a real taste of Costa Rica and its extraordinary wildlife. I'd recommend the trip to any budding photographer. Thank you Charlie.”

“Wow what an amazing trip. Charlie was an outstanding host and teacher!!! His photography knowledge helped me get great shots like birds in flight.

Lots of wildlife with our great guide. The accommodations and food were stupendous!!! I recommend this workshop for all shutterbugs.”