Step into a world most people never see:
COSTA RICA MACRO
This macro photography workshop in Costa Rica is a truly special experience, led by world-renowned macro photographer Laurent Naman. Designed for all levels but especially beginners, this workshop requires no previous macro experience and will send you home with practical, real-world skills you can continue using long after the tour—right in your own garden or local green space.
COSTA RICA MACRO
Dates: March 14-18, 2026 & JANUARY 6-10, 2027
Location: SAN JOSE & QUEPOS, COSTA RICA
Price: $3299 USD; PLEASE CONTACT TO INQUIRE ABOUT SINGLE SUPPLEMENT OR BRINGING A NON-PHOTOGRAPHER SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Fitness Level: LEVEL TWO: GENTLE ADVENTURE; this tour involveS NON-STRENUOUS WALKING ON UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Group Size: 4 participants + grouP LEADER & GUIDE
What you’ll learn:
Macro Equipment Essentials
What gear you actually need (and what you don’t). We’ll cover camera bodies, lenses, extension tubes, diffusers, flashes, and simple setups that are effective without being complicated or expensive.Camera Setup for Macro Photography
How to confidently set up your camera for macro work, including focus modes, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and manual vs assisted focusing—so you’re not guessing in the field.Lighting for Macro
One of the most important aspects of macro photography. You’ll learn how to shape and control light, work with diffused flash, understand light direction, and use lighting creatively to bring small subjects to life.Perspective, Composition & Seeing Small
Macro is about more than magnification. We’ll focus on perspective, angles, backgrounds, and storytelling—learning how to slow down and truly see your subject.Ethics of Macro Photography
Ethical practice is central to everything we do. You’ll learn how to photograph macro subjects responsibly, with respect for the animal, the environment, and local ecosystems.Safe Handling & Species Interaction
How to gently and responsibly reposition subjects when appropriate, without causing harm or stress—and how to recognize when not to interact at all. Safety for both you and the species always comes first.Field Techniques & Workflow
How to approach subjects, manage your time in the field, work methodically, and troubleshoot common macro challenges.Post-Processing for Macro Images
A guided introduction to editing macro photographs, including basic workflow, file management, sharpening, noise control, and enhancing detail while keeping images natural and ethical.Building a Macro Practice at Home
How to take what you learn in Costa Rica and apply it at home—whether in your backyard, garden, local park, or during future travels.
All Images Courtesy of Laurent Hesemans & Dee Webb
Close-up of a red-eyed tree frog sitting on a green leaf against a black background.
A coiled snake with a brown and black patterned body resting on green foliage in a forest.
A large, colorful butterfly with orange, brown, white, and black wings perched on a piece of wood against a black background.
Colorful green and black poison dart frog on a mossy log.
Close-up of a small green frog sitting on a green leaf.
Close-up of a green praying mantis on a leaf against a black background.
A large group of wasps with black bodies, yellow markings, and translucent wings gathered closely together.
A yellow snake coiled around a tree branch with a small eye, blending into the natural background.
Close-up of a tiny, yellow-green frog with large, red and black eyes on a green leaf.
A vibrant green frog with bright red eyes and orange toes resting on a leaf with another frog on its back.
Close-up of a brown insect, possibly a grasshopper or cicada, perched on a dried leaf.
Close-up of a small brown frog with dark eyes, perched on a green leaf.
A spider caught in its web with a yellow and purple patterned insect in its mouth.
Close-up of a blue and black bee perched on a green plant stem, with a green blurred background.
A black and white photo of an ant carrying a large rock on its back, walking on water with ripples.
Close-up of a leaf-tailed gecko with a vibrant yellow tail, perched on a branch with a dark, blurred background.
Colorful snake coiled around a tree branch against a black background.
A yellow snake with black spots coiled around a branch against a black background, with a small insect on its body and a small round insect on its head.
Close-up of a yellow frog with brown markings sitting on a green plant stem against a black background.
Small brown lizard with textured skin on a brown leaf with a dark blue background.
A camouflaged lizard blending into a green leaf with a textured pattern and brown and white coloration.
A close-up of a leafhopper insect with a colorful, spiked, green and yellow body, perched on a green plant stem against a green background.
Close-up of a translucent green plant with a tall, thin stem and a cluster of finger-like projections at the top, all set against a black background.
Close-up of a caterpillar on a green stem, resembling a dried flower or shrub, with a blurred blue background.
Close-up of a black and orange spider on its web against a black background.
A close-up of a brown frog with red eyes perched on a green plant stem against a black background.
Close-up of a colorful insect with blue, green, and black markings, large eyes, and prominent black horn-like structures on its head, on a brown surface.
Close-up of a carved pumpkin with textured orange surface and visible ridges.
Close-up of a green caterpillar with spiky reddish-brown and green markings on a green plant stem.
Close-up of a dragonfly facing forward, showing detailed eyes, head, and front legs.
Close-up of a tiny insect with a segmented body and feathery tail on a red surface with a pink background.
Close-up of a jumping spider on a leaf, showing detailed eyes, furry body, and legs.
Close-up of several transparent frog eggs with developing embryos inside, floating in greenish water.
Close-up of a yellow jumping spider holding a freshly caught fly on a pink surface.
A close-up macro photograph of a green moth with colorful wing patterns, perched on a leaf with an orange background.
Close-up of a green moth with brown and white markings resting on a red orange leaf.
Close-up of an iguana's eye with detailed textured skin surrounding it
Close-up of a iridescent green mosquito with detailed body and legs on a green background.
Close-up of a bee on a wooden surface with a blurred orange and yellow background.
Close-up of a colorful moth on the ground, showing orange, black, and brown patterns.
Close-up of two tiny white mushrooms with fuzzy stems and caps covered in white powder or frost on a blurred brown background.
A spider sits at the center of its web, with the web's intricate pattern visible all around it.
Two spiders with black and orange markings on a leaf with red edges.
Close-up of a jumping spider on a green leaf, showing detailed view of its body and legs.
Close-up of a mantis shrimp emerging from an eggshell.
Close-up of a red-eyed tree frog sitting on a green leaf against a black background.
Close-up of a green frog's eye with a reflective surface and intricate patterns around it.
Close-up of a dragonfly sitting on a green stem with a blurred brown background.
Close-up of a metallic green and blue colorful fly perched on a piece of wood.
Close-up of a white moth with large, feathery antennae on a pink background
Close-up of a spider with yellow and black markings, holding a white egg sac.
Close-up of an insect with intricate patterns and textures on its head and legs, standing on a textured brown surface.
Close-up of a small crab on a green and brown mossy surface with a blurred beige background.
Close-up of a cluster of transparent insect eggs on a green textured background.
Close-up of a lizard with a vibrant orange frill around its neck, standing on a green surface against a black background.
Close-up of a green caterpillar with red and white markings and spiky orange protrusions, on a green leaf.
Close-up of a frog with large black and orange eyes, sitting on a textured surface.
Close-up of a bright green tree frog with large black eyes and yellowish markings, on a blurred green background.
Close-up of a colorful frog with red eyes and green and yellow skin, sitting on dark, wet ground with small green plants.
Close-up of a frog's face with large red eyes and textured skin, with a small insect on its head.
Close-up of a red-eyed frog on wet rocks with shiny, moist skin.
Close-up of a colorful insect with bright green head, neon green eyes, orange and blue markings, and translucent wings, against a yellow background.
Close-up of a yellow and black beetle sitting on a green leaf.
Close-up of a jumping spider with large black eyes and yellow and black striped legs on a plant stem.
Close-up of a colorful moth resting on a yellow and red leaf.
Close-up of an orange furry insect with large black eyes, long antennae, perched on a green leaf.
Close-up of a moth with detailed antennae and large compound eyes, resting on a pink surface with a pink background.
Close-up of a spider feeding on a small insect on a brown leaf.
Close-up of a frog's eye with a heart-shaped reflection, showing detailed texture and coloration around the eye.
Close-up of a small moth with white and pinkish fur, large black eyes, long feathery antennae, and striped legs, resting on a red and green textured surface.
Close-up of a moth's face showing large compound eyes, feathery antennae, and detailed textures of the head and wings.
Green and black poison dart frog on tree bark, close-up view.
Close-up of a spider holding a small frog in its mouth.
A close-up photograph of a transparent glass frog with yellow hues and detailed textures, set against a black background.
Close-up of a frog with brown, textured skin and vibrant red eyes with black markings.
Close-up of a horse's eye with a reflection of the sky and clouds in the eye.
Close-up of a bright green tree frog sitting on a brown leaf, showing its large, dark eyes with golden patterns around the edges.
Close-up of a frog with red eyes, brown and yellow skin, sitting on a green leaf against a dark background.
A coiled snake on a wet, dark stone surface.
Close-up of a colorful insect with striped patterns on its face and large eyes, walking on a yellowish surface.
Close-up of a tiny crab with purple, yellow, and white colors, camouflaged on a yellow and orange flower with speckled petals.
Close-up of a wasp's face showing large black eyes, orange markings, and antennae.
A close-up of a black and white insect with a long snout, perched on a green, fuzzy stem against a dark green background.
Close-up of a beetle's face showing detailed eyes, antennae, and mouthparts.
Close-up of a colorful insect with black, yellow, and blue markings on a yellow surface.
A close-up of a brown spider catching a metallic green wasp on a green and red leaf.
Close-up of a colorful insect, possibly a cicada, with large compound eyes, on a red and green background.
Close-up of a jumping spider on a colorful pink and yellow leaf, showing detailed eyes and hairy body.
Close-up of a green leafhopper emerging from a dark brown pupa with a black parasitoid wasp on top, laying eggs.
Close-up of a fly's head showing large compound eyes, antennae, and mouthparts with a green blurred background.
Close-up of a tiny insect with antennae, resting on a leaf with a yellow-orange background.
Close-up of a colorful insect with a long, pointed snout, red eyes, against a yellow background.
Close-up of a tiny insect with a colorful, patterned body, sitting on a yellow leaf.
Close-up of a green tree frog with yellow eyes on a green leaf.
Close-up of a spider wrapping an insect with an orange background.
Close-up of an insect resembling a leaf, with a green, textured body and horn-like extensions on its head, perched on a green plant stem.
Four seashells on green grass.
A colorful moth resting on a multicolored autumn leaf with water droplets.
Close-up of a wasp's head with large compound eyes, orange antennae, and yellow and black markings on its body.
Close-up of a colorful insect with yellow, black, and green markings on its back, sitting on a red leaf.
Close-up view of a green caterpillar with yellow and black markings on an orange surface.
Close-up of a small pink crab spider with a tiny yellow crab spider on its back, perched on a green plant stem with a purple background.
Close-up of a black and brown snake with textured scales on a bed of green moss.
Close-up of a green and yellow spider on a web with a blurred pink background.
Close-up of a tiny green and amber leafhopper insect on a fuzzy green plant stem with a background of blurred green.
Close-up of a small lizard with a brown and yellow body perched on a yellow leaf against a dark background with blue bokeh lights.
Close-up of a spider on a branch with its web in the background.
Close-up of a jumping spider on a red leaf.
Close-up of a butterfly's head showing large compound eye and furry facial features.
Close-up of a colorful moth with large eyes, furry body, and transparent wings resting on moss and leaves.
Close-up of a colorful frog with black, orange, green, and blue markings on a brown textured surface against a black background.
Close-up of a wasp on a black stick with two brown, textured balls, one above and one below, against a black background.
Close-up of a young crocodile or alligator with detailed scales and yellow-green eye.
Close-up of a red-eyed green tree frog with orange toes resting on a green leaf against a black background.
Close-up of a small insect with large compound eyes and long antennae, positioned against a bright yellow background.
Macro photography opens the door to an incredible and often overlooked universe. It’s an intimate, creative field of photography that typically requires less equipment than traditional wildlife photography, yet delivers endless opportunities for storytelling and artistic expression. From insects, frogs, and flowers to snowflakes, bubbles, textures, and abstract details—macro can be done anywhere, anytime.
If you’ve been looking to expand your photography portfolio, macro is a powerful addition.
During this workshop, we’ll focus on the foundations that truly matter—lighting, perspective, composition, and seeing differently. Lighting, in particular, is one of the most critical (and misunderstood) elements of macro photography, and you’ll gain hands-on experience learning how to use it effectively and creatively.
What sets this workshop apart is the depth of learning. In just a few days, you’ll walk away with an incredible amount of knowledge—insights and techniques that could take years to piece together online. Under Laurent’s guidance, you’ll build confidence, sharpen your eye, and develop a skill set that will support your photography journey for years to come.
This is more than a workshop—it’s an invitation to slow down, look closer, and discover beauty in the smallest details.
What’s Included:
All accommodations as listed in itinerary
Reserve entry fees for listed activities
Transportation to hotel via hotel shuttle
Transportation to location and throughout the duration of the tour
Transportation back to airport or airport hotel
All meals outlined in itinerary
Expert guiding and photography instruction in the field
What’s Not Included:
International flights to/from San José (SJO)
Beverages (alcoholic and specialty drinks)
Travel insurance
Tips and personal items
This tour begins and ends at San Jose International Airport (SJO). Please make travel arrangements based on the itinerary below, or Contact Us for travel assistance.
Daily itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in San José, Costa Rica
Accommodation: Villa San Ignacio
www.villasanignacio.com
Meals: Dinner
When we have everyone's flight details we will arrange a time to get together at the hotel to meet and go over the morning plan.
This is a beautiful little hotel with lots of birds right in the garden. I love choosing this spot to get everyone gathered up. We will have a driver waiting at the airport with a Focus photo tours sign ready to bring you to the hotel.
Evening free to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead. The hotel has an on-site restaurant.
Day 2
San José → Quepos (3.5hrs)
Transportation: We will travel by van to Quepos
Accommodation: Beautiful private cabin in the jungle.
Meals: B/L/D Included
Arrive at Paradise in the jungle,
Lunch and settle in.
Afternoon Macro class: Orientation with our Macro Guide. We will start with the basics of how to do macro even if you have a little knowledge this is a great way to learn different techniques.
The ethics of Macro photography
Evening guided walk: you won't believe the diversity of species we find here we will start to explore light and focusing techniques. As well as the ethics of macro photography.
Day 3
Bosque del Cabo — Macro Photography
Accommodation: Green Paradise.
Meals: B/L/D
Morning: We will take some time before breakfast to photograph the other species this amazing area has to offer such as: there are many species of birds, and abundant hummingbirds. You are welcome to use your zoom or practice your macro.
After Breakfast: we will go to Macro school learning the finer details of macro photography. This will include: lighting, focus, different methods, composition, ethics, gear and much more.
Lunch: Quiet time to download, pool break, or independent garden macro.
Afternoon Macro Applied: Macro is all about practice and we want to send you home with all the skills needed to continue your macro journey. We will set up practice scenarios so you can start to apply what you have learned in the morning classes.
Evening:Macro session: we will go out into the forest to apply what we have learned and practiced during the day. We will have opportunities and many species and natural as well as staged macro.
Day 4
Morning: We will take some time before breakfast to photograph the other species this amazing area has to offer such as: there are many species of birds, and abundant hummingbirds. You are welcome to use your zoom or practice your macro.
After Breakfast: we will go to Macro school learning the finer details of macro photography this will include: lighting, focus, different methods, composition, ethics, gear and much more.
Lunch: Quiet time to download, pool break, or independent garden macro.
Afternoon Macro Applied: Macro is all about practice and we want to send you home with all the skills needed to continue your macro journey. We will set up practice scenarios so you can start to apply what you have learned in the morning classes.
Evening:Macro session: We will change locations and head to a local reserve, Rio Nuevo. Here a group of amazing Costa Ricans will show us what can happen when conservation and tourism can come together and what that means for the environment. Here we will walk through the jungle in search of macro treasures.
Day 5
Green Paradise → San Jose, Costa Rica
Transportation: road transfer (3.5hr) from Paradise to San Jose.
Here we will say goodbye. You are welcome to book a hotel near the airport or continue on your journey.
Return to San José. Book outbound flights 3:00 p.m. or later,
OPTIONAL ADD-ONs
Option 1: Extend with your Macro Guide — +2 Days of private one on one time. Stay with our amazing macro guide and teacher. This would allow you a couple more days to perfect your skills. Only one spot (or if traveling together 2 spots available). This add on will be customized. First come first served. Pricing available as customized.
Option 2: Extend your stay — Custom private one on one time. Continue on with a custom tour. This would allow you a couple more days to see what else this beautiful area has to offer. Wildlife, Birds or Landscape we have you covered. Only one spot (or if traveling together 2 spots available). This add on will be customized. First come first served. Pricing available as customized.
location & accommodations
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![Map showing a route from San José to Quepos in Costa Rica, with nearby cities and national parks labeled.]()
San Jose to quepos, Costa Rica
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![An aerial view of a swimming pool area surrounded by lush tropical greenery, with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a small grassy area.]()
Villa san Ignacio
San Jose, Costa Rica
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![A landscaped backyard with a circular white pathway, lush green plants, small trees, a gazebo with seating, a swimming pool, and a blue sky with clouds.]()
Green paradise
Quepos, Costa Rica
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![A cozy bedroom with a large bed covered in white sheets and pillows, wooden window frames, and an open balcony door revealing lush green trees outside.]()
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![Two modern houses with blue roofs in a lush green setting, overlooking a swimming pool with clear water and outdoor decor including two swan sculptures and pink flamingo lawn ornaments.]()
Tour Leader: Dee Webb
Dee Webb is a passionate photography guide and adventurer with a deep love for nature and a commitment to protecting our planet for future generations. Originally from the wild and beautiful landscapes of Australia, Dee has spent her life exploring some of the world’s most stunning ecosystems, from growing up in Australia's outback to her current life split between the biodiverse rainforests of Costa Rica and beautiful and pristine Rocky Mountains.
With an adventurous spirit and an insatiable curiosity, Dee has turned her love of travel into a career that blends her artistic vision with her dedication to conservation. Her photography captures the beauty and fragility of the natural world, inspiring others to connect with nature and understand its importance.
Dee’s tours are more than just photography workshops—they’re immersive experiences that celebrate the wonder of wildlife and the joy of exploration. Whether trekking through rainforests, hiking mountain trails, or kayaking serene waters, Dee’s approach combines adventure with a deep respect for the environment.
Her philosophy is simple: Living my best life camera in hand. For Dee, every journey is an opportunity to learn, grow, and inspire others to cherish and protect our planet.
Join Dee on an unforgettable adventure where photography meets purpose, and let her help you capture the beauty of the world while creating memories that last a lifetime.
Tour Leader: LAURENT HESEMANS
Laurent Hesemans grew up in the vast openness of the Namib Desert in Namibia. From a very young age, he was aware of the privilege of growing up surrounded by the stark beauty and incredible nature of the area, and it sparked an appreciation and interest in nature which was to become a lifelong passion.
Now based in Costa Rica, he spends as much time as possible in the forest - where his adventures have resulted in thousands of incredible images of the creatures which call these tropical jungles home. His goal is to educate and incentivise those who view his images - changing long- held opinions and helping to conserve the intricate ecosystems and incredible species which colour the rich and important tapestry of the Natural World.
Focusing primarily on documenting the tiny world beneath our feet through compelling macro images, more of Laurent’s work can be seen on his website and social media accounts