A hands-on owl photography workshop and tour led by award-winning wildlife photojournalist Ronen Tivony, just 45 minutes from Miami.
- Location
- Prime owl habitat, 45 minutes from Miami
- Duration
- 3-hour session (full-day available)
- Skill level
- All levels welcome
- Format
- Private 1-on-1 or small group (up to 5)
The Workshop
Owl Photography Workshop Miami:
Florida’s burrowing owls are one of the most rewarding subjects in wildlife photography. They’re small, bold, and endlessly expressive. They stand their ground at the entrance to their burrows, tilt their heads, puff their feathers, and hold eye contact with your lens long enough for you to actually get the shot. This owl photography workshop near Miami gives you the skills, the location, and the guidance to make the most of every minute with them.
You’ll spend three hours in the field with Ronen Tivony, a working wildlife photojournalist whose images have been published in The Times UK, The Guardian, and National Geographic. Ronen is also a Certified Florida Master Naturalist, so he brings more than camera technique to the session. He brings a deep understanding of owl behavior, habitat, and seasonal patterns that helps you anticipate great moments instead of just reacting to them.
The owl colony is just 45 minutes from Miami. Sessions start at sunrise when the light is at its best and the birds are most active. Whether you’re new to wildlife photography or working to take your portfolio further, you’ll leave with stronger skills and images you’re proud of.
What This Owl Photography Workshop Covers
Camera Settings for Wildlife
Owls move fast and Florida light changes quickly. Before you shoot your first frame, Ronen sets up your specific camera for the conditions. You’ll learn the right shutter speed to freeze a turning head, the autofocus mode to track a bird in flight, and how to expose for an owl against a bright sky. No guessing when the action starts.
Reading Owl Behavior
As a Certified Florida Master Naturalist, Ronen teaches you to watch the birds the way an ecologist does. You’ll learn which postures signal a territorial display, when a juvenile is about to emerge from the burrow, and how to position yourself so the shot is framed before the moment unfolds. This skill separates memorable images from ordinary ones.
Composition and the Decisive Moment
Ronen’s background as a wire news photojournalist built his instinct for the decisive moment. In this session you’ll work on environmental framing, background separation, catchlight, and negative space. You’ll learn to use the sandy habitat, native grasses, and burrow entrance as compositional tools rather than visual distractions.
Ethical Field Technique
Relaxed owls make for far better photographs than stressed ones. Ronen teaches low-disturbance approach techniques that keep the birds calm and keep you shooting. This is responsible wildlife photography, and it consistently produces better results.
Your Owl Photography Workshop Guide
Ronen Tivony is a wildlife photojournalist based in Florida. His images have been published in National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC, TIME, CNN, The Smithsonian, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times UK.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society, a Certified Florida Master Naturalist through the University of Florida, and a former Vice President of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles.
Ronen’s sessions are never large or generic. Every owl photography workshop is a genuine one-on-one or small-group experience with a photographer who shoots at the level you’re working toward.
- Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society
- Certified Florida Master Naturalist, University of Florida
- Former Vice President, Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles
Who This Owl Photography Workshop Is For
Beginners
Beginners will build a practical foundation in wildlife camera settings, learn to find and read the birds, and come home with images that genuinely surprise them. Ronen’s teaching style is clear and unhurried.
Intermediate photographers
Intermediate photographers will work on anticipating behavior, tightening composition, and building consistency across a shoot. This is where most participants make their biggest leaps forward.
Advanced photographers
Advanced photographers can focus on flight sequences, difficult light, or developing a cohesive series. Ronen works at whatever level you bring.
You do not need expensive equipment. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens in the 100-400mm range is entirely sufficient. Ronen has produced strong results with entry-level kits and 600mm primes alike. If you’re unsure whether your gear is appropriate, ask before you book.
Owl Photography Workshop Rates
Sessions are kept small by design. You’re getting a working photojournalist’s full attention in the field, not a place in a crowd.
Private 1-on-1
The most personalized format. Everything is built around your gear, your goals, and your pace.
Small Group (up to 5 participants)
The same quality of instruction in a social setting, at a lower per-person rate.
What to Bring
Owl Photography Workshop FAQ
How far is the owl location from Miami?+
The owl colony is approximately 45 minutes from Miami and easily accessible from Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. Exact location details are provided after booking.
Do I need professional camera equipment?+
No. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens in the 100-400mm range is all you need. Ronen tailors the instruction to your specific gear. If you’re unsure whether your setup is right for this, get in touch before booking and he’ll give you a straight answer.
Is this workshop suitable for beginners?+
Yes. Ronen works regularly with photographers who have never shot wildlife before. The session is paced entirely around your starting point. Many first-time wildlife photographers walk away with images that genuinely surprise them.
What is the best time of year for owl photography near Miami?+
January through May is peak season for breeding plumage and courtship behavior. Juvenile owls typically emerge in March and April. Resident colonies are present and active year-round, so workshops run in every season with consistently good results.
What is a Certified Florida Master Naturalist?+
The Florida Master Naturalist Program is run by the University of Florida and trains participants in Florida’s ecosystems, native species, and ecological processes. For a photography guide, this credential means Ronen understands owl behavior and habitat at a level that directly improves your results in the field. He’s not just showing you where the birds are. He’s explaining why they’re there and what they’re about to do.
What’s the difference between a private session and a group tour?+
In a private session, everything is built around you: the location, the pace, the technical focus, and the compositional goals. A small group tour (up to 5 participants) runs the same core instruction in a shared setting. Both formats are intentionally intimate. Ronen doesn’t run large impersonal tours.
Do you offer gift cards?+
Yes. Wildlife With Ronen gift cards are available for any session. A great gift for the photographer in your life. View gift card options here.
More Wildlife Photography Workshops Near Miami and Across Florida
Book Your Owl Photography Workshop in Miami
Peak season runs January through May and spots fill fast. If you want to photograph owls in full breeding plumage with the best light of the year, reach out early.
Sessions run year-round. Ronen is happy to answer questions about your gear, skill level, or what to expect before you commit to a booking.