Workshop and Expedition Update 2023, 2024 and Looking Beyond

It has been a long time since I last did a significant workshop and expedition update, and it is now time for an overdue update on what is coming, what has space and what is sold out, as well as what is planned for the balance of 2023, 2024 and even beyond. 2023 is rapidly coming to a close, and once I wrap up Finland, Greenland and Iceland this month, Antarctica will only be one trip left this year. Antarctica is a destination unlike any other – of all the places I have been on this earth, Antarctica is the one that cuts the deepest. If you have never been to Antarctica, read my primer on choosing an expedition to the White Continent HERE.

Antarctica Return to the White Continent, December 2023 – We are rapidly approaching the December expedition to Antarctica, and there are still some places available before the trip is sold out. If you have ever wanted to photograph Antarctica with a small group of like-minded, passionate photographers, this expedition is for you. With a total number of participants that will not exceed 52, we will fall far under the IATTO landing limit restrictions, and we will be able to land all participants at each location we visit. If you are interested in the planned landing sites for this expedition or would like further information, please email me at info@jholko.com. Cabin types are now limited, and once spoken for, that’s it. If you want to get an idea of the photographs you can take on this expedition, please visit the Antarctica portfolio on my website at www.jholko.com/portfolios. Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime location not to be missed – it is the closest to visiting another planet we are ever likely to achieve. If I could only choose one destination to photograph the rest of my life, it would likely be Antarctica.

Mongolia Pallas Cat in Winter January 2024 – 2024 will kick off in early January with my workshop in eastern Mongolia in Winter to photograph the enigmatic Pallas Cat. This workshop has long been sold out, and bookings are now open for the 2025 workshop (only a couple of places remaining before it will also be sold out). The Pallas cat is one of the most beautiful wildlife cats in the world and is best found and photographed in the Steppe region of Mongolia. Further details on this workshop are available on my website HERE.

Snowy Owls in Winter in Canada January 2024 – The January 2024 workshop for Snowy Owls in Canada has just one place remaining before the trip will be sold out. During this workshop, we will be intensively photographing the majestic Snowy Owl in a winter setting in Canada. This workshop is for those looking for multiple photographic encounters to help create a portfolio of work of Snowy Owls. During this workshop, you can expect numerous meetings with different owls in various weather conditions. Further Details HERE.

Arctic Fox in Winter in Iceland February 2024 – My annual winter expedition to photograph Arctic Foxes in the far north of Iceland in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in winter is sold out. There are a few spots available for the 2025 workshop. To get an idea of the photographs you can make on this expedition, please visit the Arctic Fox portfolio on my website HERE. Further details on this expedition HERE.

Polar Bears and Winter Landscapes of Eastern Greenland in Winter March 2024 – In March 2024, I am running an all-new winter expedition to the east coast of Greenland to photograph Polar Bears and winter landscapes. This expedition is limited to four participants (only one place remaining) and will utilise dog sleds to move about on the sea ice. The east coast of Greenland in winter is a wild, untamed and remote area that offers incredible opportunities for Arctic winter photography. This location is for those looking to break out of the comfort zone of highly touristed places and make unique, powerful photographs that stand above the average.

Arctic Foxes and Reindeer of Svalbard April 2024 – In April of 2024, I will guide a private expedition for Arctic Fox and Reindeer photography in Svalbard via snowmobile. Svalbard is one of the best places in the Arctic to reliably photograph wild reindeer in winter. Reindeer are often found just outside of town and in nearby snow-filled valleys. There is a wide variety of potential backgrounds to choose from, and there is always the chance for an Arctic Fox or even a Polar Bear. Private expeditions such as this are available on demand and are scheduled around my other workshop commitments. Please contact me to discuss your needs and requirements.

Namibia Wildlife and Aerial Masterclass Workshop May 2024 – In May 2024, I will be guiding a sold-out wildlife and aerial masterclass workshop to the world’s oldest desert in Namibia. Namibia offers phenomenal terrestrial and aerial photography opportunities over its immense dune sea. In addition to its landscapes, the country offers diverse opportunities for wildlife photography. We will stay at several private game reserves during this workshop. Participants can expect to come away with a diverse portfolio of both wildlife and landscape images.

Zululand South Africa Ground-Level Masterclass June 2024 – Following Namibia, I will stay in Africa and guide my ground-level wildlife masterclass to Zululand. This annual trip offers opportunities to photograph African wildlife from private ground-level hides and create unique and powerful photographs not possible from traditional safari vehicles. This masterclass will be based in a private game reserve in Zululand, South Africa (approximately three hour’s drive from Durban). Offering luxury accommodation alongside an astonishing array of wildlife photographic opportunities from some of the world’s most advanced and superbly equipped hides – see the video below. This is Africa, as you have never experienced. There are currently nine photographic hides on the reserve, including two Bird Bath Hides or Reflection Hides, as well as two overnight hides that are fully equipped with bathroom facilities, a kitchenette for meal preparation, and beds for sleeping and resting. These are the most advanced, comfortable, and sophisticated hides worldwide. They facilitate photographic opportunities simply unavailable elsewhere.

Polar Bear Private Charter Expedition July 2024 – In July of 2024, I will be guiding a fully private charter for twelve photographers to the archipelago of Svalbard. Private expeditions such as this are available on demand and are scheduled around my other workshop commitments. Please contact me to discuss your needs and requirements.

Pallas Cat in Eastern Mongolia in Summer July 2024 – In July 2024, I will lead an all-new summer workshop in the Steppe region of Mongolia to find and photograph the stunningly beautiful Pallas Cat. At this time of the year, the Pallas cats will have kittens, and there will be opportunities to photograph these wonderful cats as they play around their den in the summer grasses. In addition to the Pallas Cat there will also likely be counters with Corsak Fox as well as Upland Buzzards, Golden Eagles and more. Mongolia is one of the most underrated destinations in the world for wildlife and offers opportunities to photograph species that are rarely seen or photographed.

Greenland South East Landscapes and Icebergs September 2024 – In early September of 2024, I will guide a small group expedition to the South East of Greenland. This expedition primarily focuses on icebergs and the landscapes found in this remote area of Greenland and is strictly limited to a maximum of four photographers. This expedition is for those looking to experience Greenland from small boat, making daily excursions from our accommodation in search of giant icebergs and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Greenland Hidden Gems September 2024 – In September 2024, I will guide a full-chartered 17-day expedition to Scoresby Sund on the East Coast of Greenland. Scoresby Sund is the best place in the world to photograph icebergs of biblical scale. The landscape opportunities in this area of Greenland are incredible in scope and scale. There are just a few places remaining before this expedition will be sold out. Further details are available on my website HERE. Watch the Adobe Spark Presentation HERE.

Emperor Penguins November 2024 – In November of 2024, I will guide my semi-annual expedition to the remote sea ice of Gould Bay in the Weddell Sea region of Antarctica to photograph the world’s most southerly Emperor Penguin colony. This expedition has been extremely popular in recent years and is one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you can undertake anywhere in the world. The 2024 expedition is sold out, but I am taking expressions of interest for 2026 – please email me to register your interest.