Coaching while the moment unfolds
Get help with exposure, autofocus, shutter speed and composition as the situation develops. Make an adjustment, see its effect and put it into practice while the subject is still there.
Green Trogon Expeditions
Bird photography workshops in Costa Rica and beyond
Photograph the birds of the Neotropics at the hours and in the seasons when they are most worth photographing, with guidance in the field while the moment is still unfolding. You leave with images you could not have made on your own, and with a way of reading behavior and light that stays with you on every trip after this one.
Who we are
Bird knowledge. Photographic instinct. Personal guidance.
Green Trogon Expeditions is a Costa Rican company bringing together wildlife photography, bird expertise and practical teaching in the field.
Led by Helmut Guth, our workshops help you understand both the subject and the photograph. Learn to notice the behavior that may precede a takeoff, recognize a likely flight path, and choose your position with the light and background in mind. As the scene develops, Helmut helps you adjust your settings and composition while those decisions can still shape the image.
We plan our workshops around opportunities worth spending time with: seasonal breeding colonies, migration, active feeding areas and the changing light of each habitat. The pace gives you time to observe, photograph and apply what you are learning.
Costa Rica is our home base. Our destinations also include Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Brazil, with scheduled workshops and private tours shaped around each location's photographic opportunities.
How we work
Better photographs begin before the shutter.
The timing, pace and personal attention on each workshop serve two goals: helping you grow as a photographer and build a stronger wildlife portfolio.
Learn to anticipate behavior
Finding the bird is the beginning. Helmut helps you recognize movement patterns and behavioral cues, so you can prepare for what may happen next.
A maximum of six photographers
Every departure has six photographer spots at most. That keeps personal instruction central to the experience. Non-photographing companions may join selected departures, so the total traveling group can be larger.
Departures shaped by the season
We plan around seasonal rookeries, migration, feeder activity and favorable light. Each itinerary brings together the opportunities that make that place worth photographing at that time of year.
Time to observe, practice and refine
Unhurried sessions give you room to understand a subject, try an approach and improve it. The itinerary balances photographic variety with enough time to work each location thoughtfully.
Practical details, clearly planned
Each workshop explains its accommodation, transport, included activities and physical demands before you book. You can prepare for the journey and give your attention to photography in the field.
Workshops
Upcoming workshops
Each workshop is built around one specific photographic opportunity in one specific month. We run few of them each year, and every one is limited to a small group.
Maximum 6 photographersAgami Heron & Rainforest Photography Workshop
Caribbean rainforest, northern wetlands and Caribbean foothills
Eleven days built around a full morning at an Agami Heron breeding colony, one of only a handful documented in Costa Rica, plus private boats in Caño Negro, rainforest hides, night macro sessions and the foothill species of the Caribbean slope.
- Dates
- June 16 to 26, 2027
- Duration
- 11 days
- Walking level
- Easy to moderate
- Group
- Limited to 6 photographers
See the full workshop
Next departure after that: June 14 to 24, 2028.
In preparation
New workshops on the way
Costa Rica, all year
We are building the next departures around the seasons that work best in Costa Rica: the quetzal in the cloud forest, the highland hummingbirds and the green season on the Caribbean slope. Dates go to our mailing list before they go public.
- How to hear first
- Through the newsletter
- In the meantime
- We can plan a private tour
The photographs
Photographs from the field
Every image on this site was taken in Costa Rica, on the trips we run. Click any photograph to see it larger.
What guests say about traveling with Green Trogon
Photographing birds in the forests of Costa Rica was a trip of a lifetime. Helmut was instrumental in helping my wife and me achieve the photographs we were striving for: a patient teacher, always available for help with compositions, settings and even the sometimes-needed bird call. He is a stellar photographer in his own right, but more importantly, a good person with a good heart.
Thank you hardly says how wonderful a tour leader you are. You make each of us feel special and valued as guests. I have learned so much about birds, Costa Rica and photography from you. I would sign up to be on one of your tours anytime.
On our nature trip through Costa Rica you were a competent and dedicated guide and driver. Beyond that, you were friendly and helpful. Your good German made communication much easier for us.
Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
Who are these workshops for?
Photographers of all levels who want to improve their wildlife photography through practical experience and personal guidance. You should be familiar with your camera's basic controls and ready to work with Manual or semi-auto shooting modes on the field. Each departure describes its focus; if you are unsure whether it suits you, we can talk through your experience and goals.
How many photographers join each departure?
Every departure has a maximum of six photographer spots. Non-photographing companions may join selected departures, so the total traveling group can be larger. The number of photographers remains capped at six.
How physically demanding are the workshops?
Each itinerary states its walking level and physical requirements. Depending on the journey, photography may involve boats, hides, decks and uneven forest trails. Check the departure details for walking distances, conditions and access requirements, and speak with us about any specific needs before booking.
What camera equipment should I bring?
A telephoto lens is useful for most bird photography, while a shorter lens adds options for wildlife in its habitat. Workshops with macro sessions may call for additional equipment. We will help you prepare for the specific workshop or bird photography trip you are interested in and make the most of the gear you bring.
Can my partner come without photographing?
Non-photographing companions are welcome on selected departures, subject to the itinerary and available capacity. Tell us early so we can explain the companion arrangements, pricing and suitable activities. Companions may increase the total group size; photographer spots remain limited to six.
Which language is used during a workshop?
Helmut guides and teaches in English, Spanish and German. Check the individual departure for its teaching language, or discuss your preference with us when planning a private tour.
Can you arrange a private tour?
Yes. We plan private photography tours for individuals, couples and small groups. We begin with your photographic interests, preferred dates and pace, then recommend a route that fits the season.
How do I reserve a photographer spot?
Visit the individual workshop pages for availability, pricing, inclusions and reservation terms. If you would like to discuss the photography, equipment or pace first, book a call with us.
Private tours
Or we build the trip around you
If the dates do not fit, or you want to photograph something specific, we plan private tours for individuals, couples and small groups. Same guide, same approach, your dates, chosen together with the season that makes the subject worth photographing.
What we plan with you
- Subjects and habitats that match your photographic interests.
- Dates informed by seasonal wildlife activity.
- Personal instruction shaped around your experience and goals.
- Time in the field suited to your preferred pace.
- Accommodation and transport that support the photographic itinerary.
- Companion arrangements where the journey allows.
Let's talk about your photography 45 min
Book a 45-minute conversation with Helmut to discuss your goals, preferred dates, equipment and travel needs. We will help you understand which workshop or private tour could suit you.
The Dawn Chorus
An occasional letter from Green Trogon: upcoming workshop announcements, seasonal wildlife opportunities, practical photography insights and images from the field.