Private Mentorship Experience - Urban Wildlife Photography

Great for any skill level, from “beginner” to “I already take wildlife photos but I want to get more out of my gear”. No expensive lens required. Minimum focal length of 300mm is recommended.

Learn how to find, approach, and photograph wildlife that’s all around us. This private mentorship combines two guided field sessions with a personalized editing session, including helpful take-home reference guides. Together, we’ll build the skills you need to confidently photograph wildlife long after our sessions end.

Note: This will span multiple weekends and we’ll tailor the schedule to meet your needs.

You will learn how to:
- Anticipate animal behavior and approaching wildlife effectively and within ethical standards
- Recognize often-overlooked opportunities
- Work with changing light and weather
- Make the most of your current camera and lens
This session builds the foundation for everything that follows.
Up to 4 hours in the field, based on your comfort and endurance.
Together we’ll work through images from Field Session 1 and refine both technical and creative decisions.
You’ll learn:
- Practical editing workflow (using your software or mine)
- What to look for when selecting a specific image
- Composition
- Color balance, light, shadows, blur, sharpen, de-noise
- “how much editing is too much?”
- Ethical editing considerations
- Thoughtful use of AI tools where appropriate
Leave with images you are proud of, and a workflow you can repeat long after our sessions end.
Return to the field with purpose.
This applies what we learned from our previous sessions so you can photograph with greater confidence and direction.
We will:
- Tailor your photography with your personal editing style in mind
- Better choose subjects, lighting, and environments that fit your strengths while we continue to work with weaker areas
- Reinforce field techniques and skills
Leave with a solid foundation so you can continue your growth.
Leave with a new set of photos you’re excited to edit.
Up to 4 hours in the field.

Our Process

Private Photography Mentorship Experience

$1,000.00

-or-

Private Mentorship Experience - For Two!

$1,300.00

You Are in Good Hands - Meet the Instructor!

See Dustin’s work on Instagram:

Dustin comes with 20 years of photography experience including professional BMX (tricks on bikes), pro-level bands, conventions, panels, weddings, and more.

The current focus: Urban wildlife in the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

His work has been published numerous times including Cornell’s Living Bird magazine, Chicago Ornithological Society’s The Chicago Birder magazine including several cover images, Block Club Chicago, FOX Chicago, WBEZ, and more!

You might meet him “in the wild” leading group bird walks, helping band birds for conservation projects, wildlife conferences, and other conservation-minded events around Chicago.