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 hundreds of new photographers advice, mentoring and tutoring to improve their photography. A workshop with Paul will work for you too.
Featured Workshop
Photograph Red Kites and Ospreys on this workshop
This workshop we cover 2 of the most iconic and sought after species in Scotland.
- Red Kites – Argaty Red Kites. Doune
- Ospreys – Trossachs Osprey Hide. Callendar
The afternoon session will be focusing on the Red Kites. The objective here will be to capture eye catching images of the birds in flight as they feed at the hide.
A purpose-built hide for up to 4 photographers, the Red Kite Photography Hide brings you closer to the action (distance to the feeding area 35m) for an unforgettable encounter with nature!
Then we will drive the short distance to Callendar and make our way to the hide where we will have exclusive use (just our group) of the Trossachs Osprey Hide.
The hide gives you great views of the local ospreys and diving shots are possible from the hide here. The pond area is kept natural and therefore parts of it can be overgrown, however with a little luck and the Osprey diving in the right place you can capture images of the Osprey exiting the water and flying past with a fish, or at the very least you will capture images of this wonderful bird flying around just meters from the hide.
If you want to photograph Red Kites and Ospreys in the same day then this is the workshop for you.
The Price
The price is £210pp.
The price includes the hide bookings exclusively for our group.
20th June - Places available. 25th July - Places available. 8th August - Places Available.
Featured Workshop
Trossachs Osprey Hide
Photograph Diving Ospreys, Perched Ospreys, Otter and Kingfisher. All possible from one hide!!!!
Although the hide does not give you the eye level viewpoint of some of the Osprey Hides in the UK it does give you some nice natural backdrops, some excellent views of Ospreys and non stop action.
On top of this Kingfisher are regularly seen and photographed from the hide and otters are seen every day.
If anyone is interested in photographing Osprey at an affordable price then this would be a great workshop for you to try.
In addition to that you have a great chance of getting all 3 species in one workshop.
Ospreys dive incredibly quickly and often the whole sequence from dive and exit from the water is over in seconds, so therefore booking more than one slot will give you a better chance of achieving successful images.
It will also give you more opportunity to see the other species that visit the hide.
Most Osprey Photography Workshops in the UK have a very high price point so I believe that this workshop gives great value and will give you fantastic opportunities to capture these incredible birds along with a very impressive supporting cast!!!
£85pp for late morning and afternoon time slots (10am and 2pm)
£95pp for early morning and evening time slots. (5pm)
20th July - Limited Spaces Available. 24th July - Spaces Available. 1st August - Spaces Available. 8th August - Spaces Available
Featured Tour
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
Featured Tour
Kenya - Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha
2nd - 12th May 2026
Join me in searching for and photographing Kenya's amazing wildlife..
We will visit Lake Nakuru for Flamingos, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Leopard and Tree Climbing Lions. We will then travel North to the semi-desert landscape of Samburu National Reserve, this will be the main focus of the trip and we will be looking to capture unique and different images of the many elephant, lion, cheetah and leopard in this stunning landscape. The habitat of Samburu is beautiful and so different from anything else. As well as the main species we will look to capture images of Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Oryx, Somali Ostrich and Reticulated Giraffe. All rare elsewhere but found in large numbers here. In addition Samburu always throws up surprises, on previous tours we have seen Caracal, Striped Hyena and Wild Dog. Our Final stop will be Lake Naivasha where we will photograph the stunning African Fish Eagle catching Fish metres from our boat.
The photographic opportunities in May are excellent and the light is superb.
If you want to experience Kenya and a safari that is something different then this is the tour for you.
Full tuition and guidance throughout the tour.
6 participants - 3 Places Available.
Buy Gift Vouchers and Gift Experiences
The perfect gift for the novice or experienced wildlife photographer.
About
LEARN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
