David W. Shaw is a professional photographer, writer, and photo educator who splits his time between Alaska and Colorado. His images and writing have appeared thousands of times in publications across the world. He has written articles on the art of photography for magazines like Shutterbug, Professional Photographer, Amateur Photographer, Landscape Photography, Photo Technique, Bokeh, and others. He also writes for online publications like Digital Photography School, ExpertPhotographer, and Nature TTL.

Dave’s writings on science and natural history have appeared in Sierra, Defenders, Alaska, Birds and Blooms, Birdwatching, UnDark, Scientific American, Ensia, and many others.

He has both undergraduate and master’s degrees in wildlife biology and is an expert naturalist with a deep love for all wild things (but particularly birds).

Dave is a 20+ year resident of Alaska and has spent most of those decades exploring the state’s many wild corners with his camera and leading others on wilderness trips, photography expeditions, birding, and natural history tours. Internationally, he has traveled to dozens of countries on (almost) every continent and loves sharing those places with others. He has guided on expedition ships in Antarctica and South America, birding and photo trips in South and Central America, and the list goes on.

Above all, Dave is passionate about protecting the world’s wild places and animals and believes in the power of travel and tourism to inspire conservation ethics in communities and people the world over.

You can find out more about Dave and read his ongoing journal about science and nature at www.david-w-shaw.com

I strive to create the kind of photography workshops and natural history tours that I would want to join. What does that mean? It means a dedication to small groups, unique and extraordinary destinations, one-on-one attention, customization, and above all, enthusiasm for the trips I lead and the places we go.

When you join me on a trip, there won’t be an unknown trip leader; I lead virtually every trip on my schedule. There won’t be competition for information; groups are small and there is time for everyone. There won’t be crowds; the destinations I choose are off the beaten path (or sometimes off any path at all).

  • Unique photo workshops and tours

  • Expert instruction and guidance

  • Personalized attention

  • Small Groups

  • Extraordinary destinations

Join Me!

(For more about why I do what I do, read this POST.)

All tours follow guidelines set out by Nature First – The Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography. I’m a Silver Level partner of Nature First, and committed to the well-being of the places and creatures we encounter.

That said, travel has its own inescapable impacts such as the creation of greenhouse gases through fuel consumption. These are minimized through the use of fuel-efficient vehicles, when possible, and by purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for our emissions.

I encourage you to do the same. Find out more about the carbon offsets I purchase for each workshop and tour at Native Energy.

In addition to carbon offsets, I also assure that a minimum of 2% (usually more) of all profit from the trips is donated to conservation efforts in the places where we travel. If you join me on a workshop or tour, you’ll be helping to support these great organizations:

I put my money where my heart is: wild animals and wild places. I hope you will join me in doing the same!

David W. Shaw’s photo workshops and tours are insured and permitted to operate in the areas visited. No exceptions.

The safety of everyone involved in a trip is the top priority. Dave is a certified Wilderness First Responder (the backcountry version of an EMT), which is the industry standard for guides in remote areas.

The vehicles used are perfectly maintained and equipped for safety.

If you have questions about safety, health, or any other concern. Feel free to drop me a line.