BugShot Borneo
A BugShot trip to Borneo's Mulu National Forest is a thrilling macro photography adventure through pristine rainforest in search of spectacular large, brightly colored insects and other extraordinary jungle creatures.
BugShot Borneo
*All Bug Photo’s are from Nicky Bay
Join BugShot for an unforgettable adventure into the ancient rainforests of Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the heart of Malaysian Borneo. Home to some of the world's largest cave systems, towering limestone karsts, and over 60 million years of rainforest history, Mulu is one of Southeast Asia's greatest biodiversity hotspots, offering incredible opportunities to photograph insects, spiders, fungi, reptiles, birds, and other rainforest wildlife. This will be a VERY popular BugShot so don’t wait long to register!
Whether you're passionate about macrophotography, natural history, or simply experiencing one of the planet's most spectacular ecosystems, this workshop provides unparalleled access with four internationally renowned instructors. Learn alongside Nicky Bay, celebrated for his stunning tropical arthropod photography; Thomas Shahan, acclaimed macro photographer specializing in vivid, intimate arthropod portrais; John and Kendra Abbott, dragonfly expert, ecologist and organizers of BugShot; and Piotr Naskcrecki, entomologist, conservation biologist, and award-winning photographer revealing the extraordinary diversity of the planet’s “smaller majority. Together, they'll help you refine your photographic skills while exploring the extraordinary diversity of one of Earth's last great rainforests.
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Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, the park protects over 52,000 hectares (128,000 acres) of pristine tropical rainforest, dramatic limestone karst formations, and one of the world's most extensive cave systems. Mulu is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, including an incredible diversity of insects, spiders, fungi, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Its unique combination of ancient rainforest, caves, rivers, and mountain habitats makes it one of Southeast Asia's premier destinations for wildlife observation, macro photography, and nature exploration.
Getting There:
Most international participants fly into Singapore (SIN) before connecting to Kota Kinabalu (BKI). You will arrive at Kota Kinabalu and then we will stay at Promenade hotel, Kota Kinabalu Sabah (included in registration). From there I will arrange with a local guide to get us all flights on AirBorneo for a short flights directly into Mulu Airport (MZV), located only a few minutes from park headquarters (BKI to MZV flight is included in registration).
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Workshop is from 24 May - 2 June, 2027 at Mulu National Park.
Workshop is limited to 20 participants.
Workshop is based in Mulu National Park, Borneo
Instructors: Nicky Bay, Alex Wild, Piotr Naskrecki, and John Abbott (Please note: changes in instructors may be necessary depending on workshop enrollment).
Topics include:
• Macro & microphotography equipment
• Composition
• Lighting & flash
• Working with live insects
• Focus stacking
• Telling a story with images
• Night photography
• Photo critique and one on one photo editing
• Daily bug walks with instructorsA general day will consist of starting the morning in the filed and then a talk or two in the middle of the day and then out in the field with instructors again in the afternoon. We will have talks on natural history at night and then end the day with a backlighting for insects.
If you have any questions you can contact kendra@abbottnature.com
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Flexible, expert advice when you need it. Book hourly support across a range of topics—from planning to problem-solving. This focused consultation will help clarify your goals, map out next steps, and identify opportunities for growth.
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What’s Included
Comfortable lodging (double occupancy) email kendra@abbottnature.com for questions with single occupancy
All meals throughout the workshop once everyone arrives
Hotel in Kota Kinabalu
Domestic flight (BKI to MZI)
Instruction from world-class photographers, artists, and scientists
Access to field sites and guided excursions
Hands-on photography guidance and natural history learning
What is NOT Included:
Alcohol
Tips
Souvenirs
Additional add on activities
Cancellation Policy
90+ days before: Full refund minus $100 fee
60 days before: 50% refund minus $100 fee
30 days or less: No refunds
Tentative Itinerary
Instructors
Nicky Bay is a macro photographer, instructor, and author known for documenting the remarkable biodiversity, biology, and beauty of insects, spiders, and other small creatures around the world.
Thomas Shahan is an acclaimed macro photographer and artist known for his vivid, highly detailed portraits of insects and spiders, particularly jumping spiders.
Piotr Naskrecki
Piotr Naskrecki is an acclaimed entomologist, conservation biologist, author, and nature photographer known for revealing the extraordinary diversity and beauty of the planet’s “smaller majority.”
John Abbott is an internationally recognized entomologist, author, and nature photographer specializing in dragonflies and damselflies and sharing the extraordinary diversity of the insect world.
FAQs
I've never photographed insects before. Is this workshop for me?
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Yes! Many participants have little or no experience with insect photography. Our instructors will help you with camera settings, lighting, composition, finding subjects, and field techniques. We work with everyone from beginners to experienced professionals.
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Do I need expensive macro equipment?
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No. A macro lens is helpful, but many participants create amazing images with close-focusing zoom lenses or extension tubes. We'll provide gear recommendations before the workshop and can help you make the most of whatever equipment you already own. Just reach out to kendra@abbottnature.com and ask how we can modify your equipment for bugs.
Will there be opportunities for birds and mammals?
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Definitely. Borneo is famous for its incredible biodiversity. While insects are our primary focus, we'll also be watching for hornbills, kingfishers, primates, squirrels, reptiles, frogs, and many other rainforest species. Wildlife encounters are always part of the adventure, although nature never works on a schedule.
How physically demanding is the workshop?
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Most activities involve easy to moderate walking on rainforest trails and boardwalks. Some trails include stairs, uneven surfaces, roots, and occasional mud. You'll be carrying your camera gear, but we are not racing through the forest, we stop frequently to photograph wildlife. We rarely make it 100 meters down a trail.
What camera gear should I bring?
Recommended equipment includes:
Camera body (or two if available)
Macro lens
Telephoto lens (optional but recommended)
Wide-angle lens for caves and landscapes
Flash
Diffuser
Extra batteries
Plenty of memory cards
Rain cover for your camera like a poncho