Workshop Overview

Transportation and food is included in the ticket price.

Join us in the field for an unforgettable wildlife photography workshop in the heart of the Masai Mara. For the first time ever, I’m bringing students to some of my favourite photography locations on earth.

The Masai Mara is one of the most stunning places in the world for wildlife, culture, and landscape photography. We’ll explore the endless plains of the Mara in search of incredible wildlife encounters, and spend time with a local Masai village learning how to photograph culture and people- including how to break the traditional “rules” of portrait photography in a way that actually makes your images stronger.

Each day includes a sunrise safari, time back at camp to rest and recharge, and then a 4pm-to-sundown game drive. This schedule gives us the best possible light while also maximizing our chances for unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Before and during dinner each night, we’ll go over the plan for the next day and the types of shots we’re aiming to capture. I’ll also use this time to teach the wildlife photography techniques I rely on to consistently get the best possible images.

Beyond the technical side, I’ll be teaching storytelling techniques to help you create images with more depth and meaning.

April 18 — Arrival Day

Fly from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Olkiombo Airstrip in the Masai Mara. Flights are typically about $400 USD round-trip and take roughly 45 minutes. There’s also an option for ground transport, which is cheaper but takes about 6 hours, leaving Nairobi around 5-6am.

Everyone arrives at camp in the afternoon.

  • Get settled at camp with your shared room
  • Workshop introduction and overview of the week
  • 4pm: first game drive
  • Sunset safari
  • Dinner at camp
  • Evening session covering my wildlife photography techniques
April 19 - Emboo Camp
  • 5:45am: Sunrise safari
  • Morning drives usually last around 3 hours (sometimes longer if we get an amazing encounter)
  • Bush breakfast in the Mara- a highlight every time
  • Return to camp to rest
  • 1:30pm lunch
  • Afternoon presentation + Q&A
  • 4pm sunset safari
  • 7pm dinner and evening session on photography, storytelling, or wildlife biology
April 20 - Emboo Camp
  • 5:45am: Sunrise safari
  • Morning drives usually last around 3 hours (sometimes longer if we get an amazing encounter)
  • Bush breakfast in the Mara- a highlight every time
  • Return to camp to rest
  • 1:30pm lunch
  • Afternoon presentation + Q&A
  • 4pm sunset safari
  • 7pm dinner and evening session on photography, storytelling, or wildlife biology
April 21 - Emboo Camp & Maasai Village
  • Sunrise safari
  • In the afternoon, we’ll replace the safari with a cultural photoshoot at a local Masai village. We’ll photograph their traditional song and dance- I’ve been working with this village for years and have built great relationships with them. They’re always a joy to create with.
  • 7pm dinner and evening presentation
April 22 — Departure
  • 5:45am sunrise safari
  • Bush breakfast
  • Transfer to the airstrip for flights back to Nairobi Wilson Airport
  • We’ll also provide transfers to Nairobi International Airport for anyone continuing onward
Maasai Mara - Photography Workshop
location:
Emboo Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Price:
$
4600
CAD + tax
seats:
16
workshop Dates:
April 18, 2026
-
April 22, 2026
instructors:
Emmett Sparling & Tobin Sparling
Masai Mara Park fees, community fees and airport shuttle transfer fees (between NBO and WIL airports) are included in the ticket price.
1 spot left

We’ll be staying at my favourite camp in the Mara: Emboo Camp. It’s a fully carbon-neutral, renewable-energy camp located right on the Mara River. They’re also the only camp in the region with electric safari vehicles- which means you get closer to wildlife without the noise of a diesel engine. Imagine silently gliding through the grass while following a pride of lions.

Masai Mara Park fees, community fees and airport shuttle transfer fees (between NBO and WIL airports) are included in the ticket price. Food and lodging is also included and we can accommodate for any dietary restrictions.

All accommodation is in spacious shared double rooms, split by gender or upon request.

My brother Tobin will be the second instructor. Last year, he spent ten months in Kenya and Tanzania working as a wildlife guide, photographer, and naturalist. He’ll be leading presentations on the nature side of things- diving into local ecology, identifying individual animals within species, and sharing incredible facts about everything we’ll see. Tobin’s knowledge adds a whole new layer to these adventures, and that depth naturally comes through in your images and the stories you tell with them.

He’s also an extremely talented wildlife photographer and will be available to answer questions throughout the week.

We’ll be splitting into two safari vehicles during game drives (or more if needed- it’s usually easier to shoot when you have a bit more space). I’ll be with one group and Tobin with the other, and we’ll switch every drive so you’ll work closely with both of us every day.

We’ll be staying at my favourite camp in the Mara: Emboo Camp. It’s a fully carbon-neutral, renewable-energy camp located right on the Mara River. They’re also the only camp in the region with electric safari vehicles- which means you get closer to wildlife without the noise of a diesel engine. Imagine silently gliding through the grass while following a pride of lions.

Masai Mara Park fees, community fees and airport shuttle transfer fees (between NBO and WIL airports) are included in the ticket price. Food and lodging is also included and we can accommodate for any dietary restrictions.

All accommodation is in spacious shared double rooms, split by gender or upon request.

My brother Tobin will be the second instructor. Last year, he spent ten months in Kenya and Tanzania working as a wildlife guide, photographer, and naturalist. He’ll be leading presentations on the nature side of things- diving into local ecology, identifying individual animals within species, and sharing incredible facts about everything we’ll see. Tobin’s knowledge adds a whole new layer to these adventures, and that depth naturally comes through in your images and the stories you tell with them.

He’s also an extremely talented wildlife photographer and will be available to answer questions throughout the week.

We’ll be splitting into two safari vehicles during game drives (or more if needed- it’s usually easier to shoot when you have a bit more space). I’ll be with one group and Tobin with the other, and we’ll switch every drive so you’ll work closely with both of us every day.

We’ll be staying at my favourite camp in the Mara: Emboo Camp. It’s a fully carbon-neutral, renewable-energy camp located right on the Mara River. They’re also the only camp in the region with electric safari vehicles- which means you get closer to wildlife without the noise of a diesel engine. Imagine silently gliding through the grass while following a pride of lions.

Masai Mara Park fees, community fees and airport shuttle transfer fees (between NBO and WIL airports) are included in the ticket price. Food and lodging is also included and we can accommodate for any dietary restrictions.

All accommodation is in spacious shared double rooms, split by gender or upon request.

A FEW NOTES about the workshop:

Important: You’ll need to arrive in Nairobi before 9am on April 18 to make your flight to the Mara. We can organize airport transfers- it’s about a 30-minute drive from Nairobi International Airport (NBO) to Wilson Airport (WIL), where flights to the Mara depart. The airport shuttle transfer is included in your workshop ticket, however the flight from Nairobi Wilson to the Mara is not.

Do you need travel booking assistance? We have a travel agent that can help you get your itinerary sorted.

Other details

  • Emboo Camp can accommodate all dietary restrictions
  • All food is included (alcoholic beverages not included)
  • Airport transfers are included
looking forward to seeing you there!
SIGN UP HERE

Workshop Testimonials

I initially joined Emmett’s workshop to get exposure to more photography styles and travel & meet other photographers, but am genuinely blown away by how much value was provided in such a short period of time. Over 3 days, I feel like my photography has improved 5 years and that I gained an unprecedented amount of insight into the business of photography. Emmett & team are so down-to-earth and approachable that it makes it easy to ask for guidance and get immediate feedback on how to get the photos you want. No question was off-limits and it truly felt like we were getting insider secrets that most others would be hesitant to talk about. If the other workshop wasn’t sold out, I’d sign up to do it all over again! 100/10 recommend :-)

Jessica Miller, 2024 Student

I truly cannot overstate the value of Emmett's photography workshop! We had incredible portfolio-building opportunities including an editorial fashion shoot with professional models and stylists, stunning landscape shoots, natural headshots, and a magical forest session on beautiful Bowen Island. Emmett's insights on storytelling taught us to weave narratives into our images to add depth and meaning to our work, and his detailed editing workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop provided invaluable techniques to immediately enhance our photography. Beyond technical skills, this workshop fostered significant personal and professional growth, encouraging us to explore our unique styles while also addressing important aspects like branding and client relationships. It was a perfect blend of learning, adventure, and inspiration. I wholeheartedly recommend Emmett’s workshop to anyone looking to elevate their craft!

Marine, 2024 Student

This was the most fun I’ve had shooting photos in a long time! I really appreciate you putting this on and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Kyle Schriner, 2024 Student

I really enjoyed this workshop, and loved meeting so many cool people. thank you so much for hosting and putting in so much effort to share everything you know to help us grow!!

Hayden Sayer, 2024 Student

I can’t recommend Emmett’s workshop enough to anyone in the industry! His approach to storytelling and the business side of things was especially eyeopening. I left with a ton of useful takeaways I’m excited to apply to my own work. Plus, just being in a creative space with like-minded people was so inspiring. The whole flow of the workshop was great - from pre-production, to shooting in the field, to post-production. Such a great experience all around!

Mady Hart, 2024 Student

Emmett's photography workshop was even better than I expected. The amount I learned in just 3 days was amazing. We shot multiple styles and locations, covered equipment set up and gear recommendations, composition, story telling and provoking emotion through photo and video, working in teams, pitching to clients and building a business, editing, social media and more!

Whether you're wanting to learn for yourself or you're already working in the industry, this workshop has plenty for everyone. The supportive and creative space created by Emmett and his team provided an amazing place to learn.

Sam Hamilton, 2024 Student

Emmett and his team rock!! You are all awesome and outstanding and I would highly recommend the workshop. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

Chris Armitage, 2024 Student

I had an incredible time at the 3-day photography workshop! From the storytelling sessions to the in-the-field photoshoots with talented models and stunning landscapes, every day was packed with value. The editing day helped me refine my shots and learn new techniques. The informal Q&A about the creative business side was super helpful and down-to-earth, making it easy to connect with fellow creatives. Plus, we were well fed! Highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to level up their photography and grow within the industry or just have an amazing time with Emmett and other creatives.

Suelee Wright, 2024 Student

I had a lot of fun! It's not intimidating at all to the beginner/intermediate level. The workshop is really informative and covers useful topics and real world examples. I have been looking for a new direction after I quit my corporate job in June and I think I might have finally landed on something. I realized that I enjoy shooting portraits a lot in addition to landscape photos. I am inspired to start a portrait project and a photography focused ig account/ portfolio; thanks to you and the amazing classmates I met.

Erin Hsu, 2024 Student

The workshop is a perfect experience for anyone new to photography or for creatives looking to elevate their skills in photography and storytelling. The structure of the weekend was spot on; a great blend of classroom learning and hands-on shooting in beautiful locations. Emmett took the time to engage with each of us individually, making the weekend feel truly personal. An inspiring experience! I’m excited to put everything I learned into practice.

Lydia Garde, 2024 Student

Emmett brought us along with him into his world of storytelling, adventuring, and endlessly creating. No matter your level he’ll meet you where you’re at and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Each part of the weekend was thoughtfully planned and the whole team took great care of us along the way. I really enjoyed shooting and learning alongside a small group of like minded creatives. We left feeling inspired and armed with new ways of thinking, seeing, and bringing it all together in post-production. I think any creative looking to tell more impactful stories can get a lot out of this workshop!

Jasmin Yip, 2024 Student

I really appreciated how you simplified everything and how you were an open book with sharing your knowledge & stories. Thanks for a great weekend, I enjoyed getting to know you a bit better and have already noticed a difference in my approach to photography :)

Kristen Oaks, 2024 Student

That was such an amazing workshop. You guys put it together so well and took us to so many awesome spots. I learned a ton and had so much fun! Kenzie’s cooking was delicious! He should definitely charge people even more.

Claire Planeta, 2024 Student

Emmett's workshop was so entirely worth it — it was amazing to see his entire workflow and thought process for the work he produces! Would highly recommend if you're looking to up-level your skills and enjoy a weekend full of photography.

Sarah Teng, 2024 Student

This workshop was a blast and super helpful for anyone who wants to learn about the business of freelance photo & video production.

John McAlester, 2024 Student

I walked away with new skills in editing, shooting and storytelling, plus lots of great knowledge from industry professionals — not to mention the bonus preset pack Emmett provided. I would 100% recommend this workshop to any beginner or senior photographer and I think I got more than my money's worth from this experience.

Shane Storozuk, 2024 Student

AMAZING!!!!! There really aren't the right words to express how appreciative I am for everything.

Jess Mac, 2024 Student

Emmett's workshop was packed with tons of valuable information and insight.

The balance between classroom sessions and in-the-field shooting was proportionately perfect and the number of attendees worked great for this format.

I walked away with new skills in editing, shooting and storytelling, plus lots of great knowledge from industry professionals — not to mention the bonus preset pack Emmett provided.

The models were lovely to work with and the meals Kenzi provided were nutritious and scrumptious. Can't forget Innes, either, who is a wonderful human and great asset to the workshop.

Emmett assembled a fantastic team that really helped us get the most out of every minute!

I would 100% recommend this workshop to any beginner or senior photographer and I think I got more than my money's worth from this experience.

Shane Storozuk

If you want to learn from a really knowledgeable and humble photographer in many aspects of photography and business. Emmett is a master of his craft and I learned so much during the three day workshop. Very inspiring and you will meet some great people along the way as an added bonus.

Stephen Smyth