Black Rock Forest is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to advancing scientific understanding through research, education, and conservation. Its 3,920-acre living laboratory in the Hudson Highlands—just 60 miles north of New York City—offers exceptional opportunities for insect photography. The forest’s mosaic of oak–hickory woodlands, wetlands, ponds, and rocky ridges hosts a remarkable diversity of butterflies, moths, dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, and other arthropods. Black lighting, streamside habitats, and sunlit meadows create ideal conditions for macro work and observing natural behavior. During our four days and three nights on site, participants will explore these habitats while engaging with an active research community. Black Rock Forest’s collaborations with universities and cultural institutions enrich this immersive experience in insect-focused learning and creative fieldwork.

The housing at Black Rock Forest will be 2-4 bunkbeds per room. They are rooms that come with sheets, blankets, pillows towels. The bathrooms are dorm style, so all rooms will share a male or female dorm style bathroom.

If you choose NO housing at checkout you will have to reserve your own housing.

There are a few hotels near Black Rock Forest:

Hampton Inn & Suites Newburgh Stewart Airport
Homewood Suites by Hilton Newburgh-Stewart Airport
Courtyard Newburgh Stewart Airport
Red Roof Inn & Suites Newburgh – Stewart Airport/ West Point
Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Point-Fort Montgomery by IHG
Cromwell Manor Inn - a fancier B&B
The Thayer Hotel - a very fancy hotel

The world on the street is to not stay at Cadet Motel. 😉

If you get your own housing all of the meals are still included in your registration fee.

Getting There
Participants will arrive Thursday 9th of July 2026 around 4 pm. We will get settled in and have dinner and then have some instruction on intro to entomology or intro to photography and start black lighting. The workshop will end Sunday, July 12th around noon.

More info on getting there will come soon.

• Workshop is limited to 30 participants.
• Workshop runs from Thursday through Sunday (July 9-12, 2026).
• Workshop is based Black Rock Forest, Cornwall, New York. Just north of New York City.

Instructors: Clay Bolt, Danae Wolfe and John Abbott. (Please note: changes in instructors may be necessary depending on workshop enrollment or other reasons).

This workshop brings together three leading insect photographers whose complementary styles create a rich learning environment for participants. Clay Bolt, known for his conservation-focused storytelling and groundbreaking work with native bees, offers deep insight into photographing insects in ways that inspire public engagement and stewardship. Danae Wolfe, a specialist in macro techniques and ecological interpretation, excels at teaching participants how to capture fine detail, behavior, and habitat context using accessible tools and creative field approaches. John Abbott, an internationally recognized odonate photographer and scientist, brings decades of expertise in photographing dragonflies, damselflies, and fast-moving insects in flight. Together, they provide an unparalleled opportunity to build technical skills, sharpen artistic vision, and explore the diversity of Black Rock Forest through a macro lens.

Topics include:
• Macro & microphotography
• Insect storytelling for conservation
• Composition
• Lighting & flash
• Working with live insects
• Focus stacking
• High-speed flash
• Reverse lens photography

Field sessions will explore a variety of habitats

If you have any questions you can contact kendra@abbottnature.com

NOTE: The itinerary can change this is tentative.

Registration fee :
• With housing and meals - $1100 (Double occupancy rooms, Dorm Style Bathrooms)
• No housing, meals ARE included - $925

NOTE: There are Three BugShot Scholarships available for students and adults this year! Scroll down for more information.

If your housing option is not available email me kendra@abbottnature.com

The fee for the workshop includes:
• Daily one-on-one and group instruction from Clay, Danae and John.
• Daily instruction on macro photography
• All meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday Lunch
• Double occupancy rooms, dorm style bathrooms (if housing option is selected).

The fee for the workshop does NOT include:
Transportation to the field station, alcohol, drinks and snacks outside of meals, souvenirs.

Cancellation policy is as follows:
– 90 days prior: 100% refund minus $50 cancellation fee
– 60 days prior: 50% refund minus $50 cancellation fee
– no refunds 30 days before workshop