ABOUT US
Our History
It all started with an unexpected encounter in Villavicencio — a moment spent face to face with a White-throated Toucan. For a few seconds, everything else disappeared.
It was more than a photograph.
It was the feeling of being fully present — of connecting with nature in a way that changes not only what we see, but how we see.
That moment left us with a question that would shape everything that followed:
What if more people could experience this feeling for the very first time?
That question became the beginning of Colombia Photography Workshop.
What started as a personal search evolved into a community of photographers, birders, travelers, and nature lovers who now explore Colombia not just with a camera in hand, but with a deeper way of observing the natural world.
Today, we lead immersive workshops across multiple regions of Colombia and have guided hundreds of photographers in developing not only their technical skills, but also their patience, sensitivity, field awareness, and connection with nature.
Our workshops go far beyond camera settings and technique.
We believe powerful photography begins long before the shutter is pressed. It begins with observation — with learning to slow down, to anticipate behavior, to understand light, and to truly connect with the environment around you.
Rather than simply teaching people how to take photographs, we focus on helping each photographer develop their own visual identity — their vision, their intention, and the way they experience and interpret the wild.
+4.000
+5
Destinations Explored
Photographers Guided
+15
Commercial Partners
Field Mentors
Along the way, we came to understand that a workshop is never built by one person alone.
It is built through shared vision, passion, and the people who make the journey meaningful.
Every photographer who is now part of Colombia Photography Workshop arrived organically — brought together by a genuine love for nature, teaching, and the desire to share knowledge through real field experience.
More than a team, we have found an extraordinary group of people committed to inspiring others, teaching with purpose, and helping each photographer discover their own unique way of seeing the world.
Handryuk alvarez
diego valbuena
juan rios
eibar algarra
Pedro pulido
Juan Ríos discovered bird photography in the most unexpected way.
It all began in Bogotá, when a Colombian Chachalaca (Ortalis columbiana) crossed in front of his phone camera. Without realizing it, that brief encounter completely transformed the way he saw the world around him.
From that moment on, birds stopped being part of the background and became a quiet obsession.
Two years later, he bought his first camera and telephoto lens. What followed was a shift away from traditional landscapes toward long days spent in the wetlands of Bogotá — learning how to observe, wait, and understand the behavior of each species.
Through owls, cold sunrises, and slow walks through the field, Juan came to understand that patience is the most powerful tool a wildlife photographer can have: when the photographer is calm, the bird is calm too.
His photography is defined by emotional connection, contemplation, and the constant search for authentic moments in nature.
If he had to choose one bird to represent himself, it would be a Black Vulture — free, majestic, and essential to the natural balance of the ecosystem.
He starts every day with coffee, without much ceremony, and guided by a simple philosophy that shapes all of his work:
to experience every encounter as if it were the very first time.
Diego Valbuena is a biologist, photographer, and passionate birder deeply connected to nature in all its forms and scales.
Over the past several years, he has traveled throughout different regions of Colombia working alongside rural communities in nature tourism and agritourism initiatives, helping strengthen their ability to welcome visitors while sharing the extraordinary biodiversity surrounding their territories.
His approach brings together science, sensitivity, and photography as tools for connection, education, and conservation.
For Diego, every field outing is also an opportunity to teach, to learn, and to inspire a more intentional way of observing the natural world.
Although birds hold a special place in his work, his curiosity extends far beyond the canopy. Macro photography has become one of his greatest passions, leading him to discover the quiet beauty of insects, flowers, butterflies, and the small ecosystems that often go unnoticed in everyday life.
His teaching style is approachable, thoughtful, and deeply human.
More than simply showing species, Diego encourages people to truly understand nature — to connect with it and learn to observe it with patience, respect, and a sense of wonder.
Eibar Algarra Sánchez is one of the foundational pillars of Colombia Photography Workshop and one of the most respected voices in community-based birding tourism throughout Colombia’s Eastern Andes.
A bird specialist, environmental technician, certified tourism technologist, and professional nature guide, he has dedicated more than 25 years of his life to the observation, conservation, and interpretation of Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity.
His work has focused on developing and leading environmental education, conservation, and community tourism projects that support the sustainable growth of the Tenza Valley through collaboration between local communities, public institutions, and private nature-based initiatives.
Eibar’s knowledge goes far beyond birds alone — he possesses a deep understanding of the territories, mountains, and human stories that exist alongside them.
He is the founder of the Santa María Bird Fest, now known as the Valle de Tenza Bird Fest, recognized as one of Colombia’s most important birding festivals. He also coordinates its annual birding agenda and actively promotes responsible tourism and conservation initiatives throughout the region.
His experience extends into mountain rescue and risk management through his work as a volunteer firefighter, combining leadership, technical expertise, and a profound connection to the ecosystems he moves through.
At Colombia Photography Workshop, Eibar leads and supports a variety of expeditions and destinations, guiding birdwatching experiences, environmental interpretation, and immersive encounters in nature.
More than a guide, Eibar is a storyteller of the land — someone who has dedicated his life to teaching that birdwatching is also a way of conserving, understanding, and protecting the natural world.
Pedro Pulido has dedicated more than 28 years of his life to exploring, interpreting, and protecting the trails of Chicaque Natural Park, becoming one of the people who has witnessed most closely the transformation and evolution of this iconic cloud forest ecosystem.
A nature guide, entrepreneur, and founder of Cunditurismo, Pedro combines decades of field experience with a deep understanding of Colombia’s landscapes and the dynamics of adventure tourism throughout the country.
His connection to the mountains extends far beyond traditional tourism. He is also a skilled carpenter and builder of ecological structures, having contributed to the creation of cabins and natural spaces within Chicaque Natural Park — always with a focus on sustainability, functionality, and respect for the surrounding environment.
Pedro is also experienced in canopy and high-altitude adventure activities, including zipline operations, technical outdoor routes, and the management of nature-based adventure scenarios.
Yet some of his greatest passions are found in the quiet details of the forest itself: plants, orchids, and birds. He holds extensive knowledge of high Andean cloud forest flora and deeply enjoys sharing the natural richness that often goes unnoticed by most visitors.
At Colombia Photography Workshop, Pedro plays a fundamental role in expeditions and specialized field experiences, serving as the primary driver and field companion during birding routes and nature-focused journeys.
His experience, calm presence in the field, and intimate knowledge of the territory make every expedition feel safe, authentic, and deeply connected to the mountains.
Our Transportation
Our van is more than just transportation.
It is part of the experience itself.
Our 2011 Dongfeng Yumsun accompanies us through birding and herping routes across backroads, mountain passes, cloud forests, and remote landscapes where the adventure begins long before stepping out into the field.
Every expedition is intentionally designed for small groups of no more than six participants, allowing us to create a far more personalized, comfortable, and immersive field experience.
While many tours operate with large groups, we choose to keep things intimate — moving at the pace of nature, adapting to each moment in the field, and offering closer guidance and attention throughout the journey.
Its spacious and comfortable interior allows photographers to travel easily with camera gear, tripods, and luggage, while also creating an atmosphere of conversation, learning, and genuine community among photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Every drive becomes part of the story:
the conversations on the road, the unexpected stops, the changing landscapes, and the anticipation of not knowing what species may appear around the next corner.
That is why our workshops and expeditions often fill quickly.
Because more than simply transporting people, we aim to share authentic journeys built around photography, wildlife, and connection with nature.
Handryuk Alvarez’s connection with photography began on the road, traveling by motorcycle through Colombia’s Eastern Plains. Everything changed after an unexpected encounter with a toucan in Villavicencio. Seeing such a striking bird in an everyday setting completely transformed the way he viewed the natural world and sparked a question that would shape his journey: what other hidden species quietly inhabit the places we pass through every day?
From that moment on, a constant search to understand nature through photography began. His education was built entirely in the field, learning through practice, patience, and firsthand experience across Colombia’s diverse ecosystems. Before specializing in wildlife photography, he worked photographing artists at major venues such as Movistar Arena and later collaborated with travel agencies documenting destinations and immersive experiences throughout the country. He would later win an international photography contest sponsored by Adobe.
Although he explored different areas of photography, wildlife ultimately became the path that defined his vision. Today, his work combines wildlife documentation with the creation of immersive photographic experiences designed not only to teach technique, but also to inspire sensitivity, awareness, and a genuine connection with nature.
