ACADEMY OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY with SWAROVSKI OPTIK
Master the Art of Bird Photography
Join specialist bird photography workshops with award‑winning photographers David Tipling and Nick Wilcox-Brown. Learn to set up your camera, choose the right settings, and capture beautiful images of birds in flight and on the ground.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, our hands‑on training will take your skills to the next level.
These events are partially sponsored by Swarovski Optik, makers of the finest binoculars and telescopes for Birders.
November 26 WWT WELNEY
January 14 WWT SLIMBRIDGE
February 25 WWT CAERLAVEROCK
March 25 WWT ARUNDEL
April 22 RSPB BEMPTON
Master Bird Photography
Join expert photographers and elevate your craft
Do you dream of capturing perfectly sharp birds in flight or getting up close to birds and turning those moments into professional-quality photographs? The Bird Photography Academy workshops can help to make that dream a reality.
Why join an Academy Workshop?
Hands-on field training
You’ll spend a full day on location at a WWT reserve, putting theory into action among the birds themselves - no “classroom only” workshops.
Expert instructors
Learn directly from internationally published wildlife photographers David Tipling and Nick Wilcox‑Brown, whose decades of experience guide every session.
Small-group focus
Our workshops are limited in size, ensuring individual attention and tailored feedback so your photography improves fast.
Premium partnership
Proudly sponsored by Swarovski Optik, renowned for their world-class binoculars and scopes. Because to photograph birds well you need more than just a camera—you need clear sight and the ability to find the birds.
Convenient UK locations:
All our workshops take place at WWT and RSPB reserves across the UK—so you’re guaranteed abundant birdlife and inspiring photo opportunities.
What You’ll Learn
Setup your camera for bird photography in any conditions—from bright daylight to moody skies.
Choose optimal settings for birds in flight and fast movement—so you catch the action, not blurry frames.
Master composition techniques for wildlife and bird portraits that tell a story and stand out.
Develop field-craft skills—how to approach birds respectfully, read behaviour and use the environment to your advantage.
Use optics and spotting skills to locate and frame birds before lifting the camera—thanks to our partnership with Swarovski Optik.
ACADEMY OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY with SWAROVSKI OPTIK
Structure of the Day 10am to 4pm
Meet at 10am for welcome coffee.
10.15 - 10.45 talk with pics on technique and composition.
11 - 1.00pm Split group in two for photography.
1pm - 1.30 pm Lunch.
1.30 - 3.30 pm photography.
3.30 - 4.00pm recap.
£165 / person inc. light lunch.
Ready to transform your bird photography?
Book Your Workshop Today and start capturing images you’ll be proud to share.
Book your place on a Bird Photography Academy Day with Swarovski Optik
ABOUT THE BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY ACADEMY
Avocet by David Tipling
The Bird Photography Academy is a unique collaboration between David Tipling, Nick Wilcox-Brown and Swarovski Optik, makers of the worlds finest birding optics.
At the Academy of Bird Photography, we specialise in teaching photographers how to get the most from their cameras in real‑world conditions.
Our workshops are designed for small groups, ensuring personal attention and expert guidance. You’ll work alongside David Tipling — one of the UK’s best‑known bird photographers — and wildlife photography specialist Nick Wilcox-Brown, learning proven techniques to capture stunning shots in any light or weather.
Why Swarovski Optik?
Born from our own logic that a decent pair of binoculars is not only helpful, but in our opinion, essential for photographers who photograph birds
Binoculars not only to help to locate birds, but increase our enjoyment of the whole experience. We find that we frequently put down the camera and use binoculars only to appreciate the finer details. The key is to get the correct balance between size, weight and magnification so we are not overloaded when using alongside our cameras.
It is important to stress that these workshops are not about selling; Swarovski Optik share our sentiments and are kind enough to sponsor these events.
Why Choose Us?
With decades of combined experience photographing birds worldwide, David and Nick bring professional insight and practical teaching to every workshop.
Our training goes beyond theory — you’ll be out in the field, learning techniques you can use immediately to improve your photography.
Hobby by Nick
Biographies and Information
David Tipling
David Tipling is one of the World’s most widely published wildlife photographers, renowned for his artistic images of birds. His many accolades include a coveted European Nature Photographer of the Year Award for work on Emperor Penguins, and in North America, Nature’s Best Indigenous Peoples Award for his pictures of Mongolian eagle hunters.
David is the author or commissioned photographer for many books including the RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography. David writes regularly for various magazines including Amateur Photographer. TV and film work have seen appearances in front of the camera on Springwatch and The One Show, while David has worked behind the camera, making short films.
David is an ambassdor for OM System cameras.
Nick Wilcox-Brown
Know for his work with Elephants and Explorer John Blashford-Snell in the early nineties, Nick built a long and successful career as a photographer for brands such Land Rover, Morgan cars, Aston Martin and magazines such Country Life, Country Living and Hello!
In parallel he was involved in writing Canon's Professional Network website, some development of Canon DSLRs and Sony movie cameras, together with product strategy and training of Capture One and Adobe Lightroom software.
Nick continues to run wildlife holidays, photograph wildlife and train aspiring photographers as an ambassador for OM System cameras.
Swarovski Optik
Makers of the World's finest optics, Swarovski Optik is a division of the Swarovski group of companies, manufacturing premium optical instruments.
The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design.
Appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects including the much-loved Global Birdfair.
Swarovski Optik Birding website
Frequently Asked Questions
The best camera setting for photographing birds in flight is shutter priority with subject detection.
Join our workshops around the UK's finest bird reserves to learn the details.
David Tipling and Nick Wilcox-Brown are working with Swarovski Optik to provide world-class bird photography workshops around the UK over the winter of 2025 and 2026.
Please check the main part of this site to see which location works best for you.
The key to great pictures of birds in flight is the correct shutter speed and accurate focus.
Join our workshops around the UK's finest nature reserves to find out more about getting beautiful pictures of birds in flight and on the ground.
The cost of each workshop is £165 to include training and a light lunch.
The List of workshops and dates is below:
November 26 2025, WWT WELNEY.
January 14 2026, WWT SLIMBRIDGE.
February 25 2026, WWT CAERLAVEROCK.
March 25 2026, WWT ARUNDEL.
April 22 2026, RSPB BEMPTON.