Photo Credit- Mutual of Omaha
conservation
storytelling bootcamp
at Australia zoo
THE POWER OF PARTNERS:
Join Stephanie Arne, award-winning wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner of Experience Wildlife, and Australia Zoo's Wildlife Warriors to bring you a unique opportunity to work with the Wildlife Warriors to learn how to tell a conservation story. You will have the chance to spend time with the veterinary team at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Together, we will create a visual story to boost your portfolio.
© Jennifer Leigh warner
HIGHLIGHTS
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Hands-on photo instruction for wildlife conservation photography with Nikon Professional, Jennifer Leigh Warner
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Hands-on instruction from Stephanie Arne, an accomplished international wildlife conservationist, expedition guide, TV personality, and spirited and engaging storyteller.
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Guest instruction from Luke Reavley, Editor-in-Chief of Crikey! Magazine for Australia Zoo and Tim Davison, conservation filmmaker and producer.
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Work with the Wildlife Warriors to learn how to tell a conservation story.
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Select images taken during our time with the Wildlife Warriors team will be published in Crikey! Magazine in their Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital feature.
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Stay at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a luxury accommodation surrounded by wilderness and native fauna, helping guests reconnect with the natural world.
Let's gO!
Location
Cost
Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
Dates
November 10th-16th, 2026
Inclusions
Ground transportation from the airport to the zoo, 6-night lodging, In-field photography instruction, 6 days access into Australia Zoo with VIP encounters, Pre-tour meeting, Breakfasts, and Donation to Wildlife Warriors
$6,995 per person based on double occupancy.
*There will be two rooms, one per cabin, that are available as a single if they want to pay for the single supplement. (First-come, first-served.) Total $1,126
A $3,000 deposit is due at the time of booking. Full refund 6 months before departure, Full amount due 4 months ahead of time.
Group Size
Exclusions
International flights, personal travel insurance, personal purchases, instructor gratuities, travel visas into Australia, meals or snacks outside of breakfasts
Open to all conservation photographers and storytellers, as well as those excited to learn more about the field. This program caps groups at 8 participants to ensure personalized training and collaboration.
description
We're on a mission to shape the future's visual storytellers. Join us for a week-long workshop where participants will immerse themselves in the realm of conservation storytelling, guided by Stephanie Arne, an accomplished international wildlife conservationist, expedition guide, TV personality, and a spirited and engaging storyteller, and Jennifer Leigh Warner, an award-winning wildlife conservation photographer, with the aid of the dedicated Wildlife Warriors Rescue team and the veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and volunteers from Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital. These professionals, who care for wildlife patients and work alongside zookeepers and conservationists, serve as real-world heroes for our students, teaching them how to craft narratives of hope and equipping them with the tools necessary to disseminate their messages widely. At the conclusion of the week, the workshop leaders will choose the most outstanding images from the students' narratives. An article will then be written to be featured in Australia Zoo’s Crikey magazine, showcasing how Australia Zoo and its rescue team helped cultivate the next generation of visual storytellers. During our workshop we will stay at the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a luxury accommodation surrounded by wilderness and native fauna, helping guests reconnect with the natural world. In addition to presentations from Stephanie and Jennifer, we will have guest presentations from Luke Reavley, Editor-in-Chief of Crikey! Magazine for the Australia Zoo and Tim Davison, conservation filmmaker and producer. You will have photo sessions to photograph the rescue team as they rescue and rehabilitate wild animals such as koalas. You will also have access during your entire stay to explore the world famous Australia Zoo. Our final full day will be on Steve Irwin Day, an annual celebration on November 15th that honors the life and legacy of the "Crocodile Hunter". It promotes the values he championed: conservation, family, and fun.
itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Brisbane, Australia in the morning of November 10th. After going through customs you will be met by Jennifer and Stephanie and transfer to the town of Beerwah via train. Once we have all arrived in Beerwah we will be shuttled to Australia Zoo. After checking into our cabins you will be given some time to rest and unpack from your long journey. We will meet for a welcome dinner at the Warrior Restaurant & Bar. Day 2 - After breakfast we will begin our day with a tour of Australia Zoo. After lunch and a short break we will meet for presentations from Stephanie and Jennifer about what makes a good visual story. We will discuss how we are going to spend the week creating a photo story. Day 3 - After breakfast we will begin our day with a tour of Australia Zoo clinic and start working on a photo story. After lunch we will have a presentation from Luke Reavley, Editor-in-Chief of Crikey! Magazine on what an editor is looking for when creating a photo story for publication. Day 4 - After breakfast we will head into the field with the Wildlife Warriors Rescue Team to photograph conservation work in action. Depending on what is happening in the field will determine what we will be photographing. After we get back you will have the afternoon to explore the zoo and work on your photo story. Day 5 - After breakfast we will spend the day at the zoo and vet clinic working on conservation story. Throughout the day Jennifer and Stephanie will do one on one portfolio reviews. Afternoon presentation from filmmaker Tim Davison. Day 6 - Steve Irwin Day This will be our last full day to work on conservation photo story and photograph the events happening at the zoo for Steve Irwin Day. We will meet for a final dinner and have a presentation where we will share the “best of images” made during the week. Day 7 - Check out of cabins and return home or continue onto an extension trip to Northern Queensland.
Photo Equipment recommendations
DSLR Camera. (Bonus: Two camera bodies to limit lens changes.) Telephoto lens – 400 mm or larger (for wildlife) Mid range variable – 24-100mm (for environmental and people images) Tripod for extra support or help with creative images Camera sling/harness/strap of some sort to secure it to your person while not in a pack Plenty of batteries and memory cards Laptop or other system for backing up images You need both a plug adapter and a voltage converter if your home country uses a different electrical system than Australia, which runs on 230V at 50Hz. A plug adapter changes the pin configuration to fit the Type I Australian socket, while a voltage converter steps the voltage down to prevent damage to your devices. However, if your device is dual-voltage (e.g., labeled 100-240V), it will only need a plug adapter.
Personal recommendations
- Layers, including a long sleeve quick dry top to keep you safe from the sun. - Brimmed hat - Waterproof hiking boots. - Thick socks - Sunglasses - Sunscreen - Personal water bottle - Australian currency - Any medication you may need
Weather
In November, Australia's weather transitions from spring to a warm start to summer, with pleasant and sunny conditions in the south, while the tropical north becomes hot, humid, and experiences the beginning of the wet season. Southern cities like Sydney and Melbourne will see warm days, while the Outback can get very hot, and parts of the tropical north will be humid with rain, and it's stinger season in the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef area.
Lodging & meals
Inspired by Steve Irwin’s life, legacy, and love for wildlife and wild places, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is a luxury accommodation surrounded by wilderness and native fauna, helping guests reconnect with the natural world. With unique, family-friendly rustic cabins and spacious decks overlooking the vast bushland and wonderful wildlife, guests staying at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge will receive a complimentary breakfast and a gift pack, along with unlimited entry to Australia Zoo. It will be an excellent overnight escape to unwind. The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is also a remarkable multi-species habitat, home to red kangaroos, emus, and koalas. Guests can admire these gorgeous animals while taking a dip in The Billabong, a 25-metre infinity pool, and enjoying a poolside snack or cocktail from Warrior Restaurant & Bar.
Stephanie arne
Stephanie Arne is an accomplished wildlife conservationist, explorer, and public speaker. She is the former host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, where she filmed stories on everything from polar bears to penguins. Steph has appeared on the Harry Connick Jr. Show, Animal Planet, and The Drew Barrymore Show. Her community conservation work has taken her to 20+ countries to witness and find creative solutions for human/animal conflict, and now she is thrilled to bring fellow wildlife enthusiasts on conservation trips around the world to share ways to make tangible impacts.
Photo Credit- Mutual of Omaha
Jennifer
Leigh Warner
Jennifer Leigh Warner is a fine art conservation wildlife photographer, writer, public speaker, and workshop leader living in Central Texas, specializing in creating meaningful images that convey a message of hope for the natural world. Jennifer is a Nikon Professional, a certified Texas Master Naturalist, serves on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association, and has been serving as the Chair of the Ethics Committee since 2018.
