Behind the Shot - 6 Days, Countless Moments
Six Days, Countless Moments
One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How much can you see in six days?"
The honest answer?
A lot... and not nearly enough.
This past week I had the pleasure of guiding two photographers across both the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas. We photographed thousands of images, watched humpback whales feeding just offshore, stood among tens of thousands of nesting seabirds at Cape St. Mary's, explored historic fishing communities, and spent countless hours simply waiting for the light to do what Newfoundland light does best.
But when I think back on the week, the photographs aren't the first thing that comes to mind.
It's the conversations.
Photography tours are different from typical sightseeing trips. There isn't a rigid schedule where every stop is timed to the minute. We follow the weather. We follow the wildlife. We follow the light.
Sometimes that means staying an extra hour because the puffins suddenly decide to appear. Other times it means changing plans completely because fog has transformed an ordinary landscape into something magical.
Those unplanned moments are often the ones that become everyone's favourites.
One morning we stood quietly as Northern Gannets wheeled overhead, diving into the Atlantic with incredible precision at Cape St. Mary's. There is simply no substitute for standing on those cliffs, listening to the constant chorus of thousands of birds while watching them soar effortlessly on the ocean breeze.
Another day we found ourselves surrounded by Atlantic Puffins at the famous colony in Elliston, watching them fly through the air at what seemed like a 100 miles and hour, wings beating so fast!!
Then came one of the biggest surprises of the week.
A stop at Spillars Cove revealed puffins perched impossibly close on the cliffs. What was meant to be a quick visit turned into an unforgettable photography session as the birds seemed completely unfazed by our presence. Sometimes it's the places you don't expect that leave the biggest impression.
In Elliston the puffins were in a very giving mood and presented up with flowers!
Then there was Friday.
If there was one day that perfectly captured the unpredictability of Newfoundland, it was our Zodiac tour with Captain Bob of Discovery Sea Adventures.
We headed out hoping for a few good whale encounters.
Instead, we found ourselves surrounded.
In every direction there were humpback whales. At one point we estimated there were around a dozen animals feeding, surfacing, and travelling through the area around us.
Then the show began.
One humpback—perhaps two—treated us to breach after breach, launching completely clear of the water before crashing back into the Atlantic with incredible force. It happened again... and again... and again. Every time we thought it was over, another spectacular leap sent cameras clicking and jaws dropping.
There are moments in wildlife photography when you become so absorbed in the experience that you almost forget to press the shutter. This was one of those moments. We captured some wonderful images, but the memory of watching those powerful animals erupt from the ocean will stay with us long after the photographs have been edited.
A huge thank you to Captain Bob at Discovery Sea Adventures for another unforgettable day on the water. His knowledge, experience, and respect for the wildlife consistently create opportunities for encounters like this, and Friday's excursion will be one I'll remember for a very long time.
Of course, the wildlife wasn't the only highlight.
Every morning seemed to start the right way at Mifflin's Tea Room. Before heading out in search of whales, seabirds, and landscapes, we'd fuel up with a hearty Newfoundland breakfast while planning the day's route over coffee. By the end of the week, it had become our unofficial headquarters and a favourite stop for all of us.
Another unexpected highlight of the week was the people we met along the way.
Throughout the tour I had the pleasure of running into several people who recognized me from Facebook, listened to the Newfoundland Lens podcast, or simply knew a bit of my story. It's always a little surreal when someone stops to say hello because they've been following my photography, but it's also incredibly humbling.
One meeting in particular stood out. I finally had the chance to meet someone who has followed my work on Facebook for years. We've exchanged comments online more times than I can count, so meeting in person felt less like introducing myself and more like catching up with an old friend.
To everyone who stopped to chat this week, thank you. Whether we've known each other online for years or had just met for the first time, those conversations genuinely made my week.
That's one of the things I love most about guiding photography tours. They remind me to slow down.
When you're trying to photograph wildlife or landscapes, rushing rarely helps. The best images usually come from patience. The camera simply records the reward for taking the time to be there.
Of course, Newfoundland always has a way of keeping you humble. The weather changes without warning. Fog rolls in. Rain appears from nowhere. Wind seems determined to challenge every tripod.
And somehow those are often the days that produce the most memorable photographs.
As the tour came to an end and we made the drive back toward St. John's, I couldn't help but smile. In six days we'd experienced whales, puffins, gannets, dramatic coastlines, colourful fishing villages, quiet moments, incredible food, changing weather, and enough laughter to make the long drives seem short.
It was a wonderful week of Newfoundland experiences—but only the beginning.
One visit is never enough.
There are still icebergs to chase, moose to photograph, autumn colours to explore, winter sea ice, northern lights, and countless hidden coves waiting around the next bend.
That's the beauty of Newfoundland.
No matter how many times you return, it always has another story waiting to be discovered.
To my guests, thank you for the laughs, the conversations, and for embracing everything this week had to offer. To everyone who stopped to say hello along the way, thank you for reminding me just how fortunate I am to be part of such an incredible community. It was a pleasure sharing a small piece of Newfoundland with all of you, and I hope our paths cross again soon.