Norfolk
Norfolk is well known for having two of the largest grey seal colonies in England. The first grey seal was observed at Blakeney Point back in 1988, though it took until 2001 when there were 25 pups being born here. This was officially seen then as a grey seal colony. The grey seals at Horsey Gap were not far behind with establishing a colony at the beaches of The Broads National Park. Natural England and The Broads authorities started a project to look after the seals during the pupping season in 2002/3. Friends of Horsey Seals took over to look after the seals in 2005/6.
Both grey seal colonies in Norfolk have grown significantly over the years. Horsey Gap had a total of 3,796 grey seal pups being born in 2022/23 and Blakeney Point reached a record of an estimated 4,500 pups being born there during the same season. The seal colony at Horsey Gap has expanded along the beaches towards the south and the north, and it appears that grey seals stay here on the beaches past the pupping season to do their moult, which makes this area a great location for our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshops (there are seals at Blakeney Point all year around, but the remote location would not allow for a prolonged photography workshop).
We offer Seal Photography in Norfolk workshops in the wider Horsey Gap area during the grey seal pupping and moulting seasons. During both of these seeasons, there is so much action to observe and photograph; from seal pups feeding of their mums to males seeking the privilege to lie close to their favourite females, seals playing and swimming in the water (during the moulting season) plus seals resting and interacting with each other on the beaches or during low tides on the sandbanks close to the shore. During the moult, there will still be juvenile seals (born a few weeks earlier), who are exploring the world around them. All of this provides our customers with great photo opportunities.
The Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop starts at 8:30am and finishes at 1:30pm. We will meet in one of the local car parks and wonder along parts of the Norfolk Coastal Path and through the dunes. We will approach the seals carefully and will set ourselves up in a safe distance, from where we can observe and photograph them safely; without disturbing these charismatic marine mammals. Part of any of our photography experiences in natural habitat areas, including the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop is teaching participants how to approach wildlife photography in a safe and non-intrusive way. During the pupping season, we will stay on the designated paths and viewing areas; and we will follow the advice of the Friends of the Horsey Seals wardens at all times.
We may stay with one group of seals or move further along as there will be groups of seals at various parts of the beaches and on the sand banks in front of the beaches (at low tide); our approach on the day will depend on where the seals are (keeping it safe) and what photo opportunities can be gained plus what participants prefer to do.
The number of participants on our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop is limited to a maximum of 3 photographers. As we will be in the seals’ natural habitat and may get relatively close at times, it is important to avoid disturbing the seals, which is easier done when keeping the groups small. The small participant numbers will of course also benefit our customers, who will have access to 1-to-1 support on any photographic aspects throughout the event.
Like on all our photography experiences participants on our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop will have the option to take a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the photography workshop. Through the online tuition, we will be able to provide training that is aimed at every participant's individual experience level.
For 2025 we have scheduled the following dates for the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop:
12 December 2025 (Friday) / pupping season - spaces available
further dates will be announced if required
The price for the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop will be £112.50 per participant. This price includes a contribution of 20% to the Friends of Horsey Seals (who look after the seals around Horsey Gap and beyond), support on any photography aspect throughout the workshop plus the option to have a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the actual workshop. Not included in the price is any catering or parking fees. We recommend, bringing a flask with a hot drink and any snacks, you may wish to have during the workshop duration.
Another benefit, which applies to all our photography experiences is that participants will become members of Big Cat & Nature Photography for one year. The membership scheme with Big Cat & Nature Photography provides participants on our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop with a range of benefits from discounts when booking future events to access to Hints & Tips articles in our Members’ Zone and to our Members meetings. For more details please visit our Membership page (by clicking on the highlighted term).
Something special for children, aged 12 - 16 years is our
The Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop is aimed at children, who have an interest in photography and wildlife. As on the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop, the children will have as part of this photography experience the opportunity to learn about photography through the option of having a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the photography workshop. Furthermore, they and their guardians will have access to 1-to-1(2) advice and support throughout the event and will be guided to good positions, from where they can take photos of the seals safely and without causing stress to the marine mammals (or any other wildlife).
We limit the number of participants on the Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop in Norfolk to 2 children plus one guardian each. This will benefit the young participants as I will be able to provide them with the required support and we will be able to find good positions for each child and their guardian more easily.
For 2025, we have scheduled the following Seal Photography for Teenagers workshops:
13 December 2025 (Saturday) / pupping season - only 1 space left
further dates will be announced if required
The Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop in Norfolk will cost £143.50 for 1 child and 1 guardian. As for the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop, this fee includes a contribution of 20% to the Friends of Horsey Seals, support on any photography aspect throughout the workshop plus the option to have a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the actual workshop. Not included in the price are any catering or parking fees. We recommend, bringing a flask with a hot drink and any snacks, you may wish to have during the workshop duration.
The children and their guardians will also become members of Big Cat & Nature Photography for one year. The membership scheme with Big Cat & Nature Photography provides participants on our Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop with a range of benefits from discounts when booking future events to access to Hints & Tips articles in our Members’ Zone. For more details please visit our Membership page (by clicking on the highlighted term).
You can book your space on the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop or the Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop in Norfolk by completing the form at the end of this page. Provided it is not indicated above that the photography workshop on the date of your choice is fully booked or has only 1 child space available, you can proceed directly to the online shop via the Payment Link (shown in the Green Message Box that will come up once you have submitted the booking form) to pay either the deposit or the full fee from there (depending on when you book / the full fee is required when booking 4 weeks or less prior to the photography workshop date or when buying a gift voucher). For more details about the booking process, please check our Terms and Conditions.
Feedback from participants on previous Seal Photography in Norfolk workshops:
By Glen Hooper:
Barabara is a fantastic photographer and a very good teacher and has the ability to share her vast knowledge and experience, coupled with her enthusiasm and commitment to conservation of the natural world is a real pleasure to spend time with.
If you are not sure about what date would suit you or your child best, or you would like to get a space on one of the Seal Photography workshops for a friend or family member, you can also buy a gift voucher and agree the photography workshop date at a later stage.
Please contact us via info@bigcatphotography.co.uk, if you have any questions.
Both grey seal colonies in Norfolk have grown significantly over the years. Horsey Gap had a total of 3,796 grey seal pups being born in 2022/23 and Blakeney Point reached a record of an estimated 4,500 pups being born there during the same season. The seal colony at Horsey Gap has expanded along the beaches towards the south and the north, and it appears that grey seals stay here on the beaches past the pupping season to do their moult, which makes this area a great location for our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshops (there are seals at Blakeney Point all year around, but the remote location would not allow for a prolonged photography workshop).
We offer Seal Photography in Norfolk workshops in the wider Horsey Gap area during the grey seal pupping and moulting seasons. During both of these seeasons, there is so much action to observe and photograph; from seal pups feeding of their mums to males seeking the privilege to lie close to their favourite females, seals playing and swimming in the water (during the moulting season) plus seals resting and interacting with each other on the beaches or during low tides on the sandbanks close to the shore. During the moult, there will still be juvenile seals (born a few weeks earlier), who are exploring the world around them. All of this provides our customers with great photo opportunities.
The Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop starts at 8:30am and finishes at 1:30pm. We will meet in one of the local car parks and wonder along parts of the Norfolk Coastal Path and through the dunes. We will approach the seals carefully and will set ourselves up in a safe distance, from where we can observe and photograph them safely; without disturbing these charismatic marine mammals. Part of any of our photography experiences in natural habitat areas, including the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop is teaching participants how to approach wildlife photography in a safe and non-intrusive way. During the pupping season, we will stay on the designated paths and viewing areas; and we will follow the advice of the Friends of the Horsey Seals wardens at all times.
We may stay with one group of seals or move further along as there will be groups of seals at various parts of the beaches and on the sand banks in front of the beaches (at low tide); our approach on the day will depend on where the seals are (keeping it safe) and what photo opportunities can be gained plus what participants prefer to do.
The number of participants on our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop is limited to a maximum of 3 photographers. As we will be in the seals’ natural habitat and may get relatively close at times, it is important to avoid disturbing the seals, which is easier done when keeping the groups small. The small participant numbers will of course also benefit our customers, who will have access to 1-to-1 support on any photographic aspects throughout the event.
Like on all our photography experiences participants on our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop will have the option to take a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the photography workshop. Through the online tuition, we will be able to provide training that is aimed at every participant's individual experience level.
For 2025 we have scheduled the following dates for the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop:
12 December 2025 (Friday) / pupping season - spaces available
further dates will be announced if required
The price for the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop will be £112.50 per participant. This price includes a contribution of 20% to the Friends of Horsey Seals (who look after the seals around Horsey Gap and beyond), support on any photography aspect throughout the workshop plus the option to have a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the actual workshop. Not included in the price is any catering or parking fees. We recommend, bringing a flask with a hot drink and any snacks, you may wish to have during the workshop duration.
Another benefit, which applies to all our photography experiences is that participants will become members of Big Cat & Nature Photography for one year. The membership scheme with Big Cat & Nature Photography provides participants on our Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop with a range of benefits from discounts when booking future events to access to Hints & Tips articles in our Members’ Zone and to our Members meetings. For more details please visit our Membership page (by clicking on the highlighted term).
Something special for children, aged 12 - 16 years is our
Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop
in Norfolk
in Norfolk
The Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop is aimed at children, who have an interest in photography and wildlife. As on the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop, the children will have as part of this photography experience the opportunity to learn about photography through the option of having a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the photography workshop. Furthermore, they and their guardians will have access to 1-to-1(2) advice and support throughout the event and will be guided to good positions, from where they can take photos of the seals safely and without causing stress to the marine mammals (or any other wildlife).
We limit the number of participants on the Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop in Norfolk to 2 children plus one guardian each. This will benefit the young participants as I will be able to provide them with the required support and we will be able to find good positions for each child and their guardian more easily.
For 2025, we have scheduled the following Seal Photography for Teenagers workshops:
13 December 2025 (Saturday) / pupping season - only 1 space left
further dates will be announced if required
The Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop in Norfolk will cost £143.50 for 1 child and 1 guardian. As for the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop, this fee includes a contribution of 20% to the Friends of Horsey Seals, support on any photography aspect throughout the workshop plus the option to have a 30-minutes online photography tuition session prior to the actual workshop. Not included in the price are any catering or parking fees. We recommend, bringing a flask with a hot drink and any snacks, you may wish to have during the workshop duration.
The children and their guardians will also become members of Big Cat & Nature Photography for one year. The membership scheme with Big Cat & Nature Photography provides participants on our Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop with a range of benefits from discounts when booking future events to access to Hints & Tips articles in our Members’ Zone. For more details please visit our Membership page (by clicking on the highlighted term).
You can book your space on the Seal Photography in Norfolk workshop or the Seal Photography for Teenagers workshop in Norfolk by completing the form at the end of this page. Provided it is not indicated above that the photography workshop on the date of your choice is fully booked or has only 1 child space available, you can proceed directly to the online shop via the Payment Link (shown in the Green Message Box that will come up once you have submitted the booking form) to pay either the deposit or the full fee from there (depending on when you book / the full fee is required when booking 4 weeks or less prior to the photography workshop date or when buying a gift voucher). For more details about the booking process, please check our Terms and Conditions.
Feedback from participants on previous Seal Photography in Norfolk workshops:
By Glen Hooper:
Barabara is a fantastic photographer and a very good teacher and has the ability to share her vast knowledge and experience, coupled with her enthusiasm and commitment to conservation of the natural world is a real pleasure to spend time with.
If you are not sure about what date would suit you or your child best, or you would like to get a space on one of the Seal Photography workshops for a friend or family member, you can also buy a gift voucher and agree the photography workshop date at a later stage.
Please contact us via info@bigcatphotography.co.uk, if you have any questions.