Workshops

Since 2023, I have also been imparting my photographic knowledge in the form of workshops, which I offer either as individual workshops or in cooperation with the Fotoschule Gesäuse or other organisations.

21. March – Fire Salamanders & Toads

Time: 6:00 PM
Duration: 5 hours
Price: €120
(The workshop takes place with a minimum of 3 participants.)
Location: Vienna area – the exact meeting point will be announced a few days before the workshop.

In spring, fire salamanders begin their journey to their breeding waters. During this workshop, we will visit fire salamanders and toads in their natural habitat and photograph them as they make their way to the water.

As these animals are nocturnal, the use of continuous light or flash is recommended to capture them effectively. Both lighting options can be provided by the instructor if needed.

22. March – Early Spring Bloomers

Time: 5:00 AM
Duration: 5 hours
Price: €120
(The workshop takes place with a minimum of 3 participants.)
Location: Vienna area – the exact meeting point will be announced a few days before the workshop.

At this time of year, liverworts and scillas are in bloom in the Vienna Woods, forming the main photographic focus of this workshop morning. Throughout the session, we will carefully compose and photograph these early spring flowers.

Both macro lenses and wide-angle lenses will be used — whether to highlight intricate details or to showcase the plants within their natural habitat.

29. March – 5. April Montenegro Expedition

Price: €1260

A one-week field excursion in search of reptiles and amphibians set against the breathtaking landscapes of Montenegro. The Balkan region is considered one of the areas with the highest reptile and amphibian diversity in Europe.

During this trip, you will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of species. Highlights include reddish-colored nose-horned vipers and striking blue Balkan green lizards. In addition, we will encounter numerous other species such as European glass lizards, Balkan whip snakes, Dalmatian wall lizards, and Hermann’s tortoises.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

25. April – European Green Lizards

Time: 9:00 AM
Duration: 5 hours
Price: €120
(The workshop takes place with a minimum of 3 participants.)
Location: Pfaffstätten area – the exact meeting point will be announced a few days before the workshop.

The European green lizard is arguably our most iconic lizard species. By late April, the males display their most vibrant colors: bright emerald green with an intense blue throat.

Join me in exploring their natural habitat, which they share with species such as the Aesculapian snake, common wall lizard, and smooth snake.

09. May – Let It Sparkle

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: €95
Location: Admont, Studio of the National Park Photography School – Gesäuse National Park

Flares — light reflections — are a popular creative element in nature photography. Unfortunately, they are not always naturally present, and often the angle doesn’t allow them to be intentionally incorporated into an image. How convenient would it be to create flares yourself whenever you need them?

In this workshop, Kai Kolodziej demonstrates how artificial flares can be created and seamlessly integrated into photographs, as well as what to pay special attention to when using them effectively.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

10. May – Photography Basics: Understanding Aperture

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: €95
Location: Admont, Studio of the National Park Photography School – Gesäuse National Park

Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are the three fundamental parameters that determine every photograph. Especially in the beginning, the wide range of settings and technical terminology in photography can often feel overwhelming.

This workshop series is designed to make getting started easier. Each session focuses on one specific parameter, allowing you to learn and understand it in a clear and structured way. The emphasis is not only on theory, but above all on practical application.

In this first part, we will take an in-depth look at aperture.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

14. May – 17. – May The Wild Kvarner Region (Croatia)

Location: Istria, Croatia – Rovinj area
Price: €400
(The workshop takes place with a minimum of 3 participants.)

The islands and peninsulas of Istria represent one of the northernmost distribution ranges for many reptile and amphibian species. Join me on this field excursion and encounter nose-horned vipers up close, observe four-lined snakes, and discover Hermann’s tortoises in their natural environment.

Throughout the excursion, we will explore a wide variety of habitats across the region and become familiar with its diverse herpetofauna. More than 30 different reptile and amphibian species occur within the excursion area and may be observed.

23. May – European Ground Squirrels

Time: 9:00 AM
Duration: 5 hours
Price: €120
(The workshop takes place with a minimum of 3 participants.)
Location: Vienna area – the exact meeting point will be announced a few days before the workshop.

The European ground squirrels near Vienna are among the absolute highlights of nature photography. These remarkably trusting little characters are guaranteed to make every nature photographer’s heart beat faster.

Join me in visiting these charming animals — with a bit of luck, we may even have the opportunity to photograph the first young squirrels of the season.

23. June – Light & Shadow

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: €95
Location: Admont, Studio of the National Park Photography School – Gesäuse National Park

High-key and low-key photography are two distinct visual styles. While high-key images intentionally aim for a bright, overexposed look, low-key photography deliberately embraces darker tones and underexposure.

These creative techniques allow subjects to be interpreted in entirely new ways. To achieve these moods intentionally, we will work with flash and diffusers. The workshop also includes guidance on understanding and using the histogram effectively.

Renowned nature photographer Kai Kolodziej regularly applies both techniques in his work and shares his expertise with participants throughout the day.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

21. June – Photography Basics: Understanding Shutter Speed

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: €95
Location: Admont, Studio of the National Park Photography School – Gesäuse National Park

In the second part of this workshop series, the focus is on shutter speed. It allows us to either make movement visible or deliberately freeze it in a single moment.

After a theoretical introduction, we will test this parameter under real-world conditions to develop a confident and practical understanding of its creative impact.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

12. September – Visiting the European Hamsters

Time: 3:00 PM
Duration: 4 hours
Price: €120
(The workshop takes place with a minimum of 3 participants.)
Location: Vienna area – the exact meeting point will be announced a few days before the workshop.

The European hamster is considered one of the most endangered mammals in Europe. However, several Vienna cemeteries are still home to stable and relatively approachable populations.

Join me on an urban safari to observe and photograph these charming animals in a truly unique setting.

2. October – Twice Is Better

Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: €95
Location: Admont, Studio of the National Park Photography School – Gesäuse National Park

Double exposures (multiple exposure) open up exciting new creative possibilities in nature photography. Although this technique was already used in analog photography, it was significantly more difficult to achieve at the time.

Today, it is easily accessible to any photographer with a suitable camera. By exposing an image multiple times, subjects can be layered or enhanced with additional elements such as stars or flares.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

4. October – Photography Basics: Understanding ISO

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: €95
Location: Admont, Studio of the National Park Photography School – Gesäuse National Park

In the final part of this workshop series, we focus on ISO — the light sensitivity of your camera’s sensor. It allows you to make images brighter or darker and to either minimize or creatively use image noise.

After a theoretical introduction, we will put this setting into practice in the field to develop a hands-on understanding of this essential photographic parameter.

For registration and further information, please follow the link below.

Half-day workshop with online debriefing

Half-day workshops last 4-5 hours and can take place during the day or in the evening, depending on the workshop content, which will be discussed before booking.
In addition to special requests for specific subjects, such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals like hamsters and ground squirrels, or plants. There is also the possibility to arrange workshops on specific photographic topics such as: use of flash in nature photography, double exposures, underwater photography and much more.
All my individual workshops include an online debriefing via Zoom after the workshop. Three to five photos are discussed in more detail, with a epmazize on composition and editing.

Price: 220 € per person

Full-day workshop with online debriefing

Full-day workshops last 8-9 hours and can take place during the day or in the evening, depending on the workshop content, which will be discussed before booking.
In addition to special requests for specific subjects, such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals like hamsters and ground squirrels, or plants. There is also the possibility to arrange workshops on specific photographic topics such as: use of flash in nature photography, double exposures, underwater photography and much more.
All my individual workshops include an online debriefing via Zoom after the workshop. Three to five photos are discussed in more detail, with a epmazize on composition and editing.

Price: 400 € per person

Online Image Review

Receiving honest criticism of your work is not always easy in the age of social media, and this is precisely the concept behind the online image review.
You send me 5-7 pictures in advance so that I can analyse them and give you ideas, suggestions or ideas for improvement so that you can further improve your photographic skills.
The meeting will take place via Zoom and the editing of the images will also be discussed.

Price: 100 € per person

Online Coaching – Photo Competitions

Selecting images for photo competitions can be extremely challenging and difficult, especially the first few times.
What does the jury look for? And how does the judging process actually work?
These questions will be addressed in the Zoom meeting, for an optimal workshop it is important to let me know in advance which nature photography competition you would like to take part in, so that I can focus specifically on it.
Furthermore, you will send me a portfolio of your best pictures in advance and mark which ones you plan to submit. So that I can give you tips on how to improve them or possibly recommend a picture that should definitely be submitted.

Price: 100 € per person