Wildlife Art Photography Workshop Marloth Park

Step into the wild and awaken your artistic vision with the Wildlife Art Photography Workshop Marloth Park. Nestled alongside the Kruger National Park, Marloth Park offers an extraordinary setting where wildlife roams freely and creativity flows naturally. This inspiring three-day workshop is designed to help you see beyond the lens — to connect with the landscape, observe animal behaviour with intention, and translate your experience into fine art. Guided by renowned photographic artists Martin and Samantha Lee Osner, you’ll explore creative techniques, engage in hands-on sessions, and capture the essence of the African bush with a fresh perspective. Discover the creative art of photography in its most soulful form.

What to Expect from the Wildlife Art Photography Workshop Marloth Park

This immersive three-day workshop is designed to change the way you experience wildlife photography — not just as a technical pursuit, but as an expressive art form. Whether you're feeling uninspired by your current wildlife images or searching for more meaning in your photography, this experience will help you shift from capturing moments to creating emotionally resonant, fine art photographs.

• Artistic Awakening:
  Are you bored or disappointed with your current wildlife photographs? You’re not alone. Many photographers feel stuck documenting what they see, without a deeper creative outcome. This workshop will help you reimagine your approach, turning your camera into a tool for artistic expression.

• Creative Vision & Camera Technique:
  Learn how to use your camera not just for sharpness and speed, but as a means of interpreting mood, form, and emotion. You’ll discover how exposure, blur, framing, and timing can be used deliberately to produce work that feels personal and powerful.

• From Wildlife to Fine Art:
  Transform your wildlife and nature photography into meaningful, hand-crafted prints. We’ll show you how to identify images with strong artistic character — even if they’re not perfect by traditional standards — and develop them into fine art pieces through technique and vision.

• Emotion Over Perfection:
  This is not about ticking boxes or chasing the perfect wildlife frame. It's about capturing essence — the stillness of a giraffe in golden light, the quiet movement of a zebra herd, or the atmosphere of the open veld. You'll learn how to work with light, gesture, and scene to convey feeling.

• Unlock the Potential of Your Archive:
  Most photographers return from game reserves with thousands of images that never leave the hard drive. We'll help you look again to uncover hidden gems and bring them to life using post-production and mixed media techniques.

• Shooting with Post-Production in Mind:
  You’ll learn how to photograph wildlife and nature with the final artwork in mind, thinking ahead to handcrafted techniques and post-processes that give your work a unique artistic signature.

• Nature as Your Canvas:
  Trees, landscapes, forest textures, and the African bush become more than subjects — they become canvases for your imagination. Learn how to frame and shoot the natural world with artistic intention, ready to evolve your photography into fine art.

Is This Workshop for You?

If you’re a photographer who already understands how to shoot wildlife — how to work with natural light, anticipate moments, and handle your gear with confidence — but feel something is missing in your images... this workshop may be exactly what you’ve been searching for.

This is not a traditional wildlife photography course. It’s an invitation to step into the art of wildlife photography — to slow down, see differently, and create images that hold meaning, emotion, and atmosphere.

This workshop is for you if:

✔ You feel uninspired by “perfect” wildlife shots and long for something more expressive

✔ You want to explore photography as an artistic medium, not just a technical craft

✔ You’re interested in transforming your images into meaningful fine art prints

✔ You’re open to incorporating hand-crafted effects and creative post-processing into your work

✔ You want to develop a personal artistic signature within the genre of wildlife photography

This workshop is likely not for you if:

❌ You prefer clean, traditional wildlife photography with sharp detail and textbook perfection

❌ You’re looking for tips and tricks to improve your safari or action wildlife photography

❌ You’re still learning how to use your camera or understand basic exposure and lighting

❌ You want Photoshop or editing to be your primary creative tool — in this workshop, PS and editing are only part of a broader, hand-created process

❌ You’re more interested in the “capture” than in the artistic process that follows

Ready to Join Us?

We would love to welcome you to Marloth Park for this truly special wildlife art photography experience. The workshop runs over three inspiring days, giving you time to slow down, reconnect with nature, and create work that’s rich in emotion and meaning.

Workshop Fee | ZAR 14,700 (approx. $850),
which includes your accommodation (room only) and three days of guided practical instruction with Martin and Samantha Lee Osner.

What’s included:
✔ A unique three-day experience in the heart of the bush
✔ A private room at the Wildgoose Guesthouse in Marloth Park — peaceful, quiet, and close to nature
✔ Hands-on photography and creative sessions every day
✔ Mentorship, guidance, and feedback throughout the workshop
✔ Access to a range of art-making materials and tools during the sessions
✔ Accommodation for two – you're welcome to bring a non-participating partner at no additional cost

A quick note on materials: while we provide access to art materials, speciality items like fine art paper and printing will be charged separately based on what you use.

What’s not included:
✘ Meals and drinks (self-catering kitchen space is available as well as nearby shops and eateries)
✘ Travel to and from Marloth Park
✘ Entry fees for optional self-drive visits to Kruger National Park

Group sizes are kept small to make sure there’s time for individual attention, meaningful feedback, and a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere.

Retreat Schedule & Activities

What Your Days Will Look Like

Each day at the Marloth Park Wildlife Art Photography Workshop is thoughtfully designed to immerse you in nature, artistic discovery, and hands-on learning.

• Sample Daily Schedule:

  Early Morning Sunrise Shoot – Start your day with a sunrise photography session in Marloth Park, capturing the golden light and early morning wildlife activity.

• Photographic & Artistic Sessions – Dive into creative hand and in-camera techniques and approaches with Martin and Samantha Lee Osner, blending photography with artistic intent.

• Capture Wildlife In and Around Marloth Park – Spend your free time exploring the area on foot or a self-drive through the nearby Kruger National Park, either early mornings before the day’s sessions or in the late afternoon after workshop activities conclude.

• Afternoon Creative Workshops – Explore fine art methods, post-processing, and visual storytelling techniques to elevate your work beyond documentation.

• Evening Review & Mentorship – Receive individual feedback, refine your creative process, and enjoy thought-provoking group discussions to inspire your next days shoot.

Upcoming Workshop Dates

Secure your place on one of our upcoming Wildlife Art Photography Workshops in Marloth Park and take your creative vision to the next level. ZAR 14,700 / Approx. $850 — includes accommodation (room only).

• 18 - 21 May 2026

• 22 - 25 May 2026

Limited to +- eight participants per workshop – book early to avoid disappointment!

A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance payable one month before the workshop commences.

Frequently Asked Questions about this Wildlife Art Photography Workshop

Who is this retreat for?

This workshop is best suited to intermediate and advanced photographers who already have a good understanding of their camera and how to shoot in natural light. It's not intended for beginners.

We know choosing the right course is a big decision. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Marloth Part Wildlife Art Photography Workshop. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.

Do I need advanced photography skills to attend?

You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable using a DSLR or mirrorless camera in manual mode. The retreat is open to all skill levels, and Martin and Samantha Lee Osner will guide you through the techniques and creative processes at a pace that suits you.

What is included in the retreat fee?

The retreat fee covers the following:
- Expert tuition from Martin and Samantha Lee Osner
- All creative workshops and field activities
- Access to a supportive learning environment
- Personalised feedback and mentoring
- Self-catering accommodation

It does not include meals or transport. The accommodation is self-catering and well-equipped, with grocery stores and restaurants nearby.

How do I secure my booking?

A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance payable one month before the workshop begins.

What type of camera and equipment do I need?

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a multiple exposure function.

• A neutral density filter (3 to 8 stops recommended)

• Lenses ranging from 16mm to 400mm (up to 600mm is optional)

• A tripod (optional)

• A laptop or desktop computer with editing software

• Art materials (You will need a watercolour paint set, brushes, and watercolour pencils. An art pack is available on order for your convenience if you don’t have your own).

What if I need to cancel?

Because this is a popular workshop and numbers are limited, a waiting list is usually closer to the retreat start date. We try to accommodate all reasonable cancellation requests. We offer a full refund on cancellations made at least one month before the workshop commences. Should your place be taken by someone from the waiting list, even within the last month, then your deposit will also be refunded.

Can my partner join me even if they are not taking part in the workshop??

Absolutely. Your accommodation includes a room that sleeps two, and a non-participating partner is welcome to join you at no extra cost.

How do I get to the retreat?

Marloth Park is located in the northeastern part of South Africa, right on the southern boundary of Kruger National Park — and it's surprisingly accessible.

If you're flying in from elsewhere in South Africa or abroad, the closest airport is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) near Nelspruit (Mbombela). It’s about a 1 hour 15 minute drive from the airport to Marloth Park. Vehicle hire is available at the airport, and we recommend booking your rental in advance. A 4x4 vehicle is not necessary.

Alternatively, if you’re driving from Johannesburg, the journey takes around 5 to 6 hours by car, depending on traffic and stops. It's a scenic drive through the Mpumalanga province, passing towns like Dullstroom and Nelspruit.

Detailed directions and access information will be sent to all confirmed participants ahead of the workshop.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The retreat includes outdoor and studio-based activities, so we will adapt accordingly to ensure a productive and inspiring experience regardless of the weather.

What is the accommodation like?

The accommodation can be described as four-star self-catering. It is clean, modern and very comfortable. Bedding, cushions and bathroom towels are provided. You will have your own room and bathroom, but you will share the kitchen and living area with another delegates.

Is there medical assistance nearby?

Yes. Marloth Park has a medical clinic and pharmacy within the reserve for minor issues and emergencies. For more serious medical attention, private hospitals and clinics are available in nearby Komatipoort, approximately 30 minutes away.

Will we go into Kruger National Park?

Marloth Park borders Kruger and offers rich wildlife opportunities on its own. However, you’re welcome to plan your own self-drive into Kruger before or after workshop hours. Entry fees and transport are not included.

Is there editing involved in the process?

Yes — but editing is just one part of the creative journey. You’ll learn how to incorporate editing as a supportive tool, not the central focus. This workshop prioritises image-making that combines photography with a hands-on artistic process.

What is the group size?

We keep our groups small, usually between 7 - 10 participants, to ensure a relaxed, intimate environment with plenty of one-on-one attention.