Paul McDougall

Wildlife Photographer and Tour Guide

Learn Wildlife Photography – Trying to Improve your wildlife photography?

If you don’t have a plan…

  • You spend money on trips of a lifetime and don’t get the results you want.
  • You waste time struggling on your own.
  • You guess instead of following a process.

And that leads to frustration and feeling constantly overwhelmed. Paul McDougall has given thousands of new photographers advise, mentoring and tutoring to improve their photography. A workshop with Paul will work for you too.

Featured Workshop

Learn Wildlife Photography

Beginners Wildlife Photography Workshop. Glasgow.

30th October 2024

Start with the basics.

Learn everything you need to know to get started in wildlife photography.

The workshop covers camera set up, basic settings, basic understanding of light and composition and much more.

The aim of the workshop is to introduce you to wildlife photography and get you comfortable adjusting settings to achieve different images of common subjects.

Full tuition and guidance throughout the day.

4 participants - 4 Places Available

Featured Workshop

Otter staring

Otter Workshop. Isle of Mull

11th - 14th February 2025

A 4 day small group workshop (maximum 2 people) on the Isle of Mull.

Over the 4 days you will have the opportunity to capture images of Otters and learn about the fieldcraft needed to photograph these amazing animals. The Ethics of Otter photography are incredibly important and at all times we will have the welfare of the otters at the heart of what we do.

On previous trips we have had fantastic sightings of otter kits, otters bringing in crabs and fish meters away from us and the light in February is usually superb.

An action packed 4 days full of amazing photographic opportunities.

Full tuition and guidance throughout the week

2 participants - 2 Places Available

Featured Tour

Paul McDougall Wildlife Photographer

Red Pandas in Nepal

8th – 14th March 2025

Join me in searching for and photographing the rare and elusive Red Panda in the Himalayan cloud forests.

Very few people have seen or photographed a Red Panda in the wild and It probably doesn’t make most peoples bucket lists, however this tour is an opportunity of a lifetime, to photograph a species that is relatively undiscovered in a beautiful remote area of the world that is still largely untouched by tourism.

The photographic opportunities in March are excellent and I have had a 100% success rate on all of my Red Panda Tours previously.

If you want to experience something different then this is the tour for you.

Full tuition and guidance throughout the tour.

3 participants - 2 Places Available (due to cancellation)

Featured Tour

Paul McDougall Wildlife Photographer

Finland. Bears and Wildlife in Summer

9th-16th June 2025

Join me in photographing the incredible Brown Bears in the swamps and forests of Finland.

A truly memorable experience getting up close to these amazing animals. The tour is hide based in 2 different locations. You will have the opportunity to photograph the bears in a variety of different environments from the safety of a variety of different hides all designed specifically for photography.

Bears with cubs, wolves and wolverine are all possible on this tour.

The focus of this tour is that you go home with a full portfolio of bear images and many memories to last a lifetime.

Full tuition and guidance throughout the tour

4 participants - 2 Places Available

Buy Gift Vouchers and Gift Experiences

The perfect gift for the novice or experienced wildlife photographer.

About

Learn Wildlife Photography. Tuition, tours and Workshops
At McDougall Photographic I know you want to be a great wildlife photographer. To achieve this, you’ll need to learn, develop or hone your skills. You’ll want to experience animals, birds and wildlife in the wild within some of the most exciting environments, both in the UK and abroad.
 
You may feel unsure about your next steps and that can make you frustrated in your photography progress. I believe I offer the solutions you need. Now Scotland based, photography is my work and passion and having travelled extensively throughout the world for over 20 years I teach these skills to others. I also hold guiding certifications to ensure you have a fantastic and educational experience.
 
Here’s how it works, I run skills workshops throughout Scotland and tours abroad. Join one of my Tours or sign up for the next Workshop, learn the skills you need and become the photographer you believe you can be.
 
Stop struggling alone and get the help you need to start taking photos you can be proud of.
 
Paul McDougall
Wildlife Photographer
Paul McDougall Wildlife Photographer

LEARN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS

Mallard Duck

Beginners Workshop

Glasgow

Start with the basics. Learn everything you need to know to get started in wildlife photography. The workshop covers camera set up, basic settings, basic understanding of light and composition and much more. The aim of the workshop is to introduce you to wildlife photography and get you comfortable adjusting settings to achieve different images of common subjects.

Otter Relaxing

Species Specific Workshops

Throughout Scotland

Is there a species that you have always wanted to photograph? Whether it be Pine Martens, Ospreys, Red Kites, Red Squirrels, Otters, Badgers, Dippers, White Tailed Eagles or something else. There is a workshop for you. Choose from any of my species-specific workshops that are either hide based or at a location that is renowned for that species. 1, 2, 3 and 4 day workshops available. Full tuition and guidance throughout the workshop.

Bear Cub

Species Specific Tours

Worldwide

Whether it be trekking gorillas in Uganda, a Kenyan safari, getting up close to brown bears in Finland or searching for the elusive and rare Red Panda in Nepal. There is a tour for you. Choose from any of my species-specific tours to a destination that is a hot spot for that species. All tours are small group trips and are fully guided with expert photographic advice given throughout so you go home with images to be proud of.

Paul McDougall Wildlife Photographer Book

Read my bestselling book

and learn all the skills you need

My book the Ultimate Beginners Guide to Wildlife Photography – from taking a shot to capturing a moment gives you all of the information that you need to start taking great images. The book is easy to read and simplified. It takes you through every step of wildlife photography and what you need to know. There are also 11 easy to follow assignments to give you some practical experience after each section. Available now on Amazon. It is the perfect place to start on your photographic journey.

Paul McDougall Wildlife Photographer Udemy Course

Complete my online

training course and learn

all the skills you need

If reading the book is not for you then sign up for my online training course – Each section is pre-recorded and fully illustrated with images and diagrams. There are 11 modules packed full of information and hints and tips to help you become a better photographer. There are also assignments after each section so that you can put in to practice what you have learnt. It is the perfect course to give you all of the foundation knowledge and practical experience to start you on your photographic journey.

Available now on Udemy
Use Code WEBSITEOFFER
to get for £14.99.

Paul McDougall Wildlife Photographer online mentoring

Book a portfolio review

or online mentoring session

Do you just need a bit of advice or some help with reviewing your portfolio in a different way? Or do you just want some pointers on how your images can be improved? A Portfolio or Mentoring Session is your time to discuss exactly what you want to remotely or face to face. I will spend the time reviewing your images and give some hints and tips of how you can take your photography to the next level.

Touch the Wild Safaris

‘Unbelievable Safari. We have been so lucky and seen everything that we wanted to and more. Would recommend Touch the Wild to anyone.’

Anna – Australia

Touch the Wild Safaris

‘Great safari. From start to finish, Paul and driver Sammy knew we were looking for specific images on this trip and they got us in the best places to capture those shots. We had our own vehicle and had complete control over how long we stayed at sightings, which was exactly what we wanted.’

John – United Kingdom

Touch the Wild Safaris

‘Dream come true to finally get to Africa, we picked Touch the Wild and chose a safari that included Masai Mara and Samburu. Paul handled our booking from start to finish and accompanied us to provide expert photography advice. My husband was so happy to see how much his photographs had improved throughout the trip.’

Debbie – Switzerland

Touch the Wild Safaris

‘Always wanted to go to Masai Mara. After spending ages looking at companies and safaris, we decided to go with Touch the Wild. Not the cheapest, but we liked what they offered and as keen photographers, we felt the opportunity to have Paul with us was worth it. Every evening we reviewed images and Paul gave so much time up to explain about camera settings and how we could improve. We left the trip with some brilliant images and the whole trip was amazing. Would recommend.’

Dave – United Kingdom

Touch the Wild Safaris

‘Loved my safari. Saw so many elephants and lions. A dream come true. Very knowledgeable guides.’

Stephen – United Kingdom

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