Outer Banks After Dark - April 2025

The Outer Banks is known for its rich history – indeed, the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," the Wright brothers, majestic lighthouses, and beautiful beaches. Furthermore, its barrier islands are filled with opportunities for all photographers alike.

Join us on this 5 day / night photography adventure in some of the darkest skies in the country east of the Mississippi.

Some of the locations we will be shooting are:

• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
• Bodie Island Lighthouse
• Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
• Oregon Inlet Saving Station
• Hatteras Pier
• Jennette's Pier
• Nag's Head Pier
• Black Bears and Owls of the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula 

    

The Bears of the Albermarle - Pamlico Peninsula 

Just across the water from these islands, in fact, is the densest concentration of black bears in the entire world. Moreover, they are also the biggest!

 Bear Facts:

• Coastal NC has the world’s largest population of them.
• The Albemarle/Pamlico Peninsula has the highest densities in the world.
• There is an average of 4 per square mile on the peninsula.
• The current world record is from Eastern NC and weighed 880 lbs.
• They have a prey mentality instead of a predator mentality.
• They don’t stand up to intimidate you. It is for a better view and to get a better scent.

Photographing the Bears:

We will spend two sessions photographing them in Eastern North Carolina in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. 

First, we will head to the refuge before sunrise and shoot until mid-morning; subsequently, we will continue our efforts in the afternoon until dark.

April and May is the time of the year that "Mama Bears" are beginning to bring their COY (cubs of the year) out into the world.

Photographing Barred Owls:

While searching and photographing the black bears in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, we often have opportunities to photograph Barred Owls.

Additionally, they typically sit in trees overlooking their territory near the road; therefore, they are easy to shoot with a telephoto lens in the 150-600mm range.

Workshop Dates: 

April 25 - 29, 2025 

Arrival Date in Rodanthe, NC: April 25 by 3 PM

Departure Date: April 30, 2025

Arriving In The Outer Banks By Air:

Closest Airports

• Norfolk (ORF) — 3 hours from the mid-Outer Banks
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — 4 hours
• Richmond (RIC) — 5 hours

Transportation Included:  We will travel together in a 15 passenger van during the workshop from the hotel to our shooting locations.

Lodging Included: Single Occupancy in Rodanthe, NC

Our home base hotel is located in beautiful Rodanthe, NC - which is centrally located on the Outer Banks steps away from the Atlantic shoreline.

Outer Banks KOA Resort, 25099 North Carolina Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968.

All rooms provided are single occupancy.

All rooms are a spacious 2-person Vacation Suite including a full bathroom, large kitchen with refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, and dining area.

Relax on your private balcony, featuring a table and chairs, with a view of either the Pamlico Sound or Atlantic Ocean. 

Price For Workshop:

$3,995.00 Per Photographer Participant

*Deposit to Hold Your Spot Today $1995 for Photographer

$795.00 Per Non-Photographer Guest (includes shared room, all group dinners, transportation to locations and group activities)

*Deposit to Hold Your Spot Today $400 for Guest

The cost of this workshop DOES include:

• 5 Nights of single occupancy lodging at Outer Banks KOA Resort
• All transportation from hotel to shooting locations in our 15 passenger van
• 5 nights of instruction by Craig Wennersten
• Welcome reception dinner on our first day in the Outer Banks
• Final night group dinner 
• Post processing instruction using Lightroom Classic CC
• Permits and park entrance fees 
• Plus...all the Milky Way Bars you can eat! :-)

 The cost of this workshop DOES NOT include:

• Lodging outside of workshop dates
• Transportation to and from the workshop
• Flights and rental cars
• Meals not listed as included in the itinerary
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities for resort staff and instructor(s)

Trip Insurance:

• To protect yourself from the unexpected we strongly recommend trip insurance. You can purchase a policy here or from a variety of other vendors online at a very reasonable cost.
• Image 10 Photographic, Inc. will not be able to offer refunds or credits on deposits for any circumstance. We strongly recommended to purchase trip insurance any unforeseen emergency or situation for which cancellation is desired or necessary. Please protect your investment.
• See Our Cancellation Policy here

More Info On How To Prepare For Your Workshop here.

 See You In The Outer Banks !  

Please feel free to contact Craig if you have any questions or need any help with your gear or equipment requirements. I am happy to help!

 Night Photography Workshop In The Outer Banks