Primates Photography Workshop
Join us on our
Primates Photography
workshop at the Colchester Zoological Society
Pileated Gibbon
Primates Photography
workshop at the Colchester Zoological Society
Pileated Gibbon
On our Primates Photography workshop, participants can observe and photograph the wide variety of primates at the Colchester Zoological Society, including apes, monkeys, macaques and lemurs.
Knowing that depending on season, the behaviour of primates might vary (some species prefer to stay indoors when it is cold) , we offer this photography workshop type only from May until September each year. Over these months, we should be able to seeing most of the different ape, monkey, and lemur species in their outdoor enclosures. As there are over 20 primate species at the Colchester Zoological Society, there will always be some action.
This photography workshop type will be particularly of benefit for people, who plan to see some of the primates like orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas or lemurs in their natural habitat. Our customers will be able to learn on the Primates Photography workshop how to get photos, through observing the behaviour and anticipating potential photo opportunities through this. Throughout the photography workshop, participants will have access to advice on any photography aspects and help with the settings on their camera.
Borneo Orangutan - Tiga
Additionally, our customers have the option to have a 30-minutes online photography session before the photography workshop. Through this, participants will get one-to-one tuition on a level, they require. The session could cover anything from an introduction to basic photography aspects (like for example exposure and focus settings) to refreshing previously gained knowledge and more.
The Primates Photography workshop will start at 9:30 and finish at 16:30. The maximum number of participants per photography workshop is limited to four (as we feel that smaller groups are more beneficial to our customers; getting good positions and having support available when needed).
Golden Lion Tamarin - Lily
The price for the Primate Photography workshop will be £141.50 per participant. The price will cover
- Guidance around the zoo and support on camera settings plus any photographic questions,
- A 30-minutes online photography tuition session,
- The entrance fee to the zoo plus a snack voucher (a contribution towards your lunch),
- A donation of 45% to the Colchester Zoological Society (this goes fully to wildlife conservation projects)
Covered by the photography workshop fee is also that participants will become members of Big Cat & Nature Photography for one year (our workshops are meant to start and/or reignite an interest into wildlife photography or photography in general).
The membership scheme with Big Cat & Nature Photography provides participants on our Primates Photography workshop with a range of benefits from discounts when booking future events to access to Hints & Tips in our Members’ Zone and to our Members meeting. For more details please visit our Membership page (by clicking on the highlighted term).
As mentioned, we limit the number of participants to 4 photography customers on our Primates Photography workshops (minimum of two per photo day). Additionally we do allow up to 1 non-photographer guest per photography workshop (we recommend to buy the guest ticket online prior to the workshop day). However, please do check with us before bringing anyone (including a carer) along to ensure the guest space is still available (saying this, the Colchester Zoological Society is of course open to everyone, and if you bring partners, family and friends, they are welcome to spend the time around the zoo while the photography workshop participants will focus on the different primates species - entrance tickets can be bought online directly via the Colchester Zoological Society website).
Crowned Lemur
As many primate species do not like wet and/or cold weather, this workshop type has finished for this year. But we will be back to support our customers when photographing these beautiul and playful animals from April until September in 2026. Dates for the coming year will be announced over the coming weeks.
Chimpanzee - Tumba
Below is a provisional itinerary for our Primates Photography workshop:
9:30 Meeting in the zoo’s entrance building
9:40 Morning Photo Session
9:40 Morning Photo Session
Chimpanzees
Gibbons
Golden Lion Tamarins
Lemurs and Gelada Baboons(from the boardwalk)
Barbary Macaques
Mangabeys
Gibbons
Golden Lion Tamarins
Lemurs and Gelada Baboons(from the boardwalk)
Barbary Macaques
Mangabeys
11:30 Lunch Break
12:15 Afternoon Photo Session
12:15 Afternoon Photo Session
Tamarins, Marmosets and Titi Monkeys
Squirrel and Saki Monkeys
Orangutans
Capuchin Monkeys
Orangutans
Squirrel and Saki Monkeys
Orangutans
Capuchin Monkeys
Orangutans
16:30 Finish
This itinerary is only an example as changes may occur, based on requirements by participants plus seasonal behaviour and/or other circumstances around the animals or any other conditions.
Cherry-crowned Mangabey
Feedback from participants on previous Primates Photography workshops:
By Claire Hughes:
"I had such an amazing time on the Primate Photography Workshop. It rained pretty heavily at one point, but that honestly didn’t take away from the experience at all. Barbara organised the day brilliantly around the weather so we could make the very most of our time, and she also listened carefully to what I wanted to get out of the experience. I came away really happy with the photographs I took. Barbara, is so knowledgeable about the animals and photography, but also about conservation work happening around the world. I learned so much and really enjoyed every part of the day. I’m already looking forward to joining another one of her workshops in the future."
You can book your space/s by completing the form at the end of this page. Provided it is not indicated above that there are no spaces or only 1 or 2 spaces available for the photography workshop of your choice, you can proceed to our online shop via the 'Payment Link' (in the green message box that comes up after you have submitted the booking form) to pay either the deposit or the full fee from there (the full fee is required when buying a gift voucher or when booking 4 weeks or less prior to the photography workshop date). For more details about the booking process, please check our Terms and Conditions.
Please read also the Entry Terms & Conditions of the Colchester Zoological Society.
If you are not sure about what date would suit you best, or you would like to get a space on the Primates Photography workshop for a friend or family member, you can also buy a gift voucher and agree the date at a later stage.
Please contact us via info@bigcatphotography.co.uk, if you have any questions.