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In southern Slovenia, between Mount Snežnik and the forests of the Notranjska region, near the Croatian border, lies one of Europe's most promising areas for brown bear photography.
This region holds one of the highest densities of brown bears in Europe, making it a prime location for wildlife photography in Europe. We will operate exclusively in private restricted areas, ensuring minimal disturbance and optimal shooting conditions.
The combination of high wildlife density and professional photographic hides makes this destination ideal for building a strong wildlife portfolio.
Four nights in a double or triple room
Michele Bavassano
This wildlife photography workshop in Slovenia is designed as a four-day full immersion built around the concept of 24-hour photography. From sunrise to night sessions, every moment offers real shooting potential.
Afternoons and sunsets are dedicated to the European brown bear, during a highly active period with strong chances of observing females with cubs. Sessions take place in professional wooden hides without front glass, allowing direct shooting through the opening for an immersive and natural result.
Mornings are spent in water hides located within the hotel complex, attracting a variety of species and offering excellent early light conditions.
The workshop is structured to provide continuous shooting opportunities, maximizing productivity and experience.
The workshop revolves around professional wildlife hides specifically designed to maximize wildlife encounters and provide comfort during long sessions.
Sunset sessions focus entirely on brown bear photography in one of Europe's highest density areas. Shooting without front glass ensures clean images and a powerful sense of proximity.
At sunrise we work from water hides, offering close encounters and carefully prepared natural backgrounds.
During evening and night hours, photography continues in illuminated hides for nocturnal mammals, including badgers, hedgehogs, martens and occasionally nocturnal birds of prey.
For maximum comfort, airport transfer from Ljubljana Airport is included in the English workshop version, ensuring seamless logistics from arrival to departure.
The entire experience is built around continuous shooting opportunities, making it intense, productive and highly rewarding.
You will stay in Comfortable lodges surrounded by the pristine forests of southern Slovenia, in a small village immersed in nature. The workshop includes full-board accommodation, allowing us to focus entirely on the photographic experience.
Mornings will be dedicated to the professional water hides located near the lodge, offering excellent opportunities to photograph red squirrels, woodpeckers, numerous passerine species, and, with some luck, foxes, roe deer and birds of prey. The proximity of the hides allows us to maximize the best light conditions at sunrise and optimize every shooting opportunity.
Each afternoon we will move to the brown bear hides, hidden among ancient beech forests and dramatic limestone formations. The atmosphere is defined by deep silence and an extraordinary natural setting. Thanks to us priority access to the best bear locations, we will work in optimal conditions to maximize sighting probabilities and create impactful images.
To ensure smooth logistics, airport transfer from Ljubljana Airport is included, scheduled at 5.30pm on Day 1. The return transfer will depart at 11.00am on the final day, providing a seamless and stress-free travel experience.
Find out how the days will unfold and which activities make up the experience
We will meet at Ljubljana–Brnik Airport at 5:00 PM, where the group transfer to our lodge will depart. Participants can conveniently reach the meeting point with a direct international flight from their country. For those who prefer, it is also possible to reach Slovenia and the hotel independently.
After approximately one hour, we will arrive at our accommodation, nestled in the forests of southern Slovenia. Once settled in, we will gather for a detailed presentation of the workshop. Michele will introduce the different photographic locations, explain the shooting strategies for each hide, and assist participants in optimizing camera settings in preparation for the intensive sessions ahead.
Dinner will follow in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, offering the perfect moment to get to know each other before the real adventure begins.
Our days begin early, with breakfast at the lodge before moving to the nearby water hides. In the soft morning light, we will photograph a wide variety of species, including woodpeckers, shrikes, hawfinches, passerines and many other birds typical of this region. With some luck, squirrels, foxes and roe deer may also appear, enriching the session with unexpected encounters.
Around late morning we return to the lodge, allowing time to rest, review images and discuss technical aspects with the professional photographer. These breaks are an important part of the workshop, offering space to refine techniques and prepare for the afternoon session.
After lunch, we head towards the brown bear hides, hidden among ancient beech forests and limestone formations. The afternoon and sunset are entirely dedicated to brown bear photography, in one of the highest density areas in Europe. The silence of the forest, the tension of anticipation, and the possibility of seeing females with cubs make each session intense and unforgettable. We remain in the hides until sunset, when light becomes warm and dramatic.
Dinner is shared together at the lodge, and for those who still have energy, the day does not necessarily end there.
The fourth day follows a similar rhythm, beginning at sunrise in the water hides. However, depending on the group's preference and recent sightings, it is possible to dedicate the morning entirely to an additional brown bear session, further increasing photographic opportunities.
The late morning break once again allows time to rest, review images and refine techniques before the afternoon bear session. As in the previous days, we return to the forest for another extended sunset session focused on the brown bear.
The final morning is dedicated to a comprehensive editing and post-processing session. Together, we will review the images captured during the workshop, discuss file selection, cataloging strategies and workflow organization. Each participant will have the opportunity to present their images and receive feedback.
We will conduct an in-depth post-production session using Lightroom, Photoshop and Camera Raw, focusing on light management, color balance, contrast control and atmosphere enhancement. The goal is not only to improve individual images, but to refine each participant's overall photographic vision.
At around 11:00 AM, the workshop concludes and we transfer back to Ljubljana Airport, arriving approximately at 1:00 PM.
The group transfer departs from Ljubljana–Brnik Airport at 5:00 PM on Day 1. Any flight landing before this time will be compatible with the scheduled transfer. If necessary, a private transfer can also be arranged.
For departure, arrival at Ljubljana Airport is expected around 1:00 PM on the final day, making flights departing after 3:00 PM safe and convenient.
Participants may also choose to spend one or more nights in Ljubljana before or after the workshop, depending on flight availability and personal travel preferences.
Passionate about nature, he travels in search of the perfect shot, exploring pristine areas around the world. Through his camera he tries to share moments and emotions. Michele defines his photography as “A search for art in nature”. He works as a professional photographer and proposes events in the most interesting and important destinations in Italy and abroad. His images have been used by Discovery, BBC, ENEL and have been published in numerous magazines around the world.
Discover all the places and views that you can admire during this trip. All the material shown here comes from our trips
Joining the workshop is simple and straightforward.
Just click on “Book Now” and follow the registration procedure by entering your personal details. At the time of booking, only a deposit payment is required — not the full workshop amount.
Once the process is completed, your participation will be officially confirmed and you will receive a confirmation emailwith all the relevant details.
The remaining balance will be requested according to the terms indicated at the top of the page, usually 60 days before departure.
A clear and transparent system designed to make your booking experience easy and secure.
This itinerary offers an exceptional range of wildlife photography opportunities, allowing you to photograph animals at various distances and in different environments.
TO 70–200mm lens is already sufficient to achieve excellent results, especially in the water hides. However, for those who enjoy tighter portraits and more detailed compositions, we recommend bringing a focal length of at least 300mm or longer.
A versatile telephoto lens is ideal for brown bear photography, while a wide-angle or mid-range lens can be very useful for capturing environmental shots of the Slovenian forests and the atmosphere surrounding the hides.
Thanks to the structure of the sessions and the variety of shooting distances, it is entirely possible to build a strong portfolio without extremely long or specialized equipment.
If you feel you may not have the ideal gear for this workshop, there is no need to worry.
It is possible to rent camera bodies and lenses at special rates specifically for our events. A curated catalog of professional equipment is available to all participants, with delivery directly on location.
No security deposit and no credit card guarantee are required.
Feel free to contact me for more information about available equipment and rental options.
We recommend dressing in layers, as temperatures may vary throughout the day, especially between early mornings and evening sessions.
There will be no long hikes involved. The hides are reached either by car or with short, easy walks, making the workshop accessible to everyone.
More detailed clothing recommendations and practical information will be provided after registration.
Participants may reach the hotel independently by car, or join the group transfer from Ljubljana–Brnik Airport.
The group transfer departs from the airport at 5:00 PM on Day 1. Any flight landing before this time will be compatible with the scheduled transfer. If necessary, a private transfer can also be arranged upon request.
For departure, arrival at Ljubljana Airport is expected around 1:00 PM on the final day, making flights departing after 3:00 PM safe and convenient.
Participants are of course welcome to spend one or more additional nights in Ljubljana before or after the workshop, depending on flight availability and personal travel preferences.
By booking by paying the deposit to the organizers you accept the following clauses:
1. Since this is a pre-registration, the organizer will endeavor to promptly communicate any possible change in the price of the tour, characterized by cost fluctuations. An annual price fluctuation of around 5% is highly likely if booking is made more than one year in advance. in relation to potential changes in prices of ground services (for example changes influenced by fluctuating costs of electricity, fuel and more).
2. The price of the entire workshop will be paid via the payment methods offered by the organizer, such as bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or cash according to the procedures and deadlines established by the organizers, taking charge of the transaction costs.
3. In the event that the tour does not take place due to the organiser, the entire amount paid will be refunded.
4. In case of cancellation for personal reasons of any kind and in any case not dependent on the organizer, the deposit and any other registration fees will be retained as a reimbursement of expenses.
5. In case of cancellation for personal reasons within 60 days of departure, the entire balance of the tour will be required.
By registering, paying the deposit and sending your personal data you again accept clauses 1,2,3,4,5.
We will reply to you by email as soon as possible
JUST EXPLORERS SRLS
VAT number: 01708500556
Address: Via G. Verdi 86 Castel Viscardo 05014
PEC: just.explorers@pec.it
+39 328 856 6896
info@justexplorers.com
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