Testimonials

Jeff has been a longtime friend to our nature photography club, providing programs at our meetings, material for our newsletter, and judging our annual contest.

Several years ago, my wife and I visited Red Belly Ranch for a day of photographing hummingbirds. It was my first opportunity to shoot hummers with a multi-flash set up. In addition to capturing some great hummingbird shots, we got to know both Jeff and Mary O a little better, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

So, when Jeff advertised his Explore in Focus “PUMAS and PEAKS of PATAGONIA Photo Tour” last year, I signed up.

I could not have been more pleased with the experience. Once on the Torres Del Paine location, we saw and photographed cats every day. Jeff’s knowledge and experience contributed to a highly successful and enjoyable trip.

Having shared sleeping and bathroom accommodations with Jeff for nearly two weeks, I can honestly say that I would not hesitate to do it again if he will have me.

~ L.P. – Dallas, TX

I have been on MANY photo tours and have found Explore in Focus™ to be in the top tier!

I have traveled on photo tours with Jeff on several occasions and have always come away with an amazing feeling like I’ve just shared a wonderful time with wonderful people.

Jeff is able to assess your photographic education needs and can be a tremendous help with your technical skills as well as informative about the flora and fauna of the specific area you are visiting. 

Jeff and his wife Mary O go above and beyond your expectations with the little details that make a trip special.

~ B.M. – Bartlett, TN

I have been attending photo workshops with Jeff and Mary O since the beginnings of my interest in Nature Photography. 

I have learned so much from both of them.  Jeff has been a great mentor and resource for photography; Mary O is a wonderful creative inspiration and a great cook to boot! 

This past January, I attended my first Photo Tour; the Whooping Crane tour to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.  It truly was a trip of a lifetime for me.  The photo ops were incredible and, as a birder, the chance to see these amazing birds, of which there are only about 750 left in existence, so close up, was truly a thrill.  To spend it with such great people was the icing on the cake.  I’m looking forward to the next tour!!

~ J.S. –Roan Mountain, TN 

Jeff Parker’s “Nature Photography 101 Workshop” was a perfect experience.  This was my first time attending a photo workshop and it was an extremely well-planned event.  

The entire day was balanced between Jeff’s informative training lectures and camera time in the field.  I found this to be a valuable method of understanding the features of the camera coupled with Jeff’s shared knowledge of photography.  

I would highly recommend attending a workshop by Jeff Parker.

~  A.F.  –  Bastrop, TX

I went on Jeff’s 2017 Big Bend photography tour and had an enjoyable and productive experience.

Jeff was knowledgeable and experienced in the park, and was able to plan our shoot locations where we got the best opportunities for making great images. This was the first time I had done much astrophotography, and Jeff was helpful with camera settings as well as compositional ideas.

One thing I appreciated about Jeff’s approach compared to other photography tours or workshops I have gone on is that  he was primarily trying to help the people attending the tour get the shots they wanted rather than trying to shoot for himself. I would definitely like to attend another photography tour with Jeff.

~ R.B. – Friendswood, TX

Jeff did a great job leading this tour of Bosque del Apache. Everything was very professionally done, and the overall experience was fantastic. The tour group was cordial and the group size was manageable. Jeff definitely knows all the ins and outs of the Bosque area. I highly recommend this bucket list experience and look forward to doing another tour with Jeff.

~ M.W. – Sugar Land, TX 

Jeff and Mary O. were very accommodating to the workshop participants.  Their property is a great workshop setting for all types of photography.  I look forward to another Jeff Parker workshop!

~ S.M.  – New Braunfels, TX

I just returned from a well-organized & fast-paced South East Arizona workshop with Jeff Parker & his lovely wife & business partner, Mary O.  

We had a combination of desert wildlife/flowers & scenery at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum south of Tucson & then three full days at the Santa Rita Lodge in the Madera Canyon Mountains. 

Not only were the migratory hummingbirds in their magnificent plumage, but we had the opportunity to shoot the magic desert bird, “Rodie” — better known as the Roadrunner.  Jeff & Mary O. provide a wonderful backdrop for the workshop, to unique shooting techniques to capture the hummingbirds in flight & bats at night. After the photography sessions Mary O. included home cooked meals with wonderful desserts.

This was my second workshop with Jeff & Mary O.  &  I look forward to attending more in the future.  A great value with lots of fabulous images now in digital storage. 

~ H.H.  – Savannah, GA

I must say that I was well prepared for the excursion of a lifetime!

The dossier was great for what to expect, tips on air travel with photography equipment, and included a GOOD packing list. I found the info on mosquitoes in that climate very useful (even though I forgot to “doctor up” when I had a very exciting time on the patio taking great photos of the hummingbirds). And the end-of-trip tipping guides were very helpful during the hurried packing-up time.

The lodge was a perfect home base. Very clean; a good large space for dining, relaxing, meetings, and visiting. The open-air rooms and baths were very welcoming at the ends of our busy days.

Though I have been a birder for about 50 years, this was my first “photo tour”. The lodge patios were where the hummingbird setups were and with the help of Jeff, our very knowledgeable bird guide, and the other photographers, everyone seemed to have all the time they wanted to get great shots of beautiful hummingbirds.

Almost every day we had the opportunity to “pile in the van” and drive to other sites to photograph birds.  Most of those sites had covered platforms for cameras and tripods.

And at the end of the day, we were always treated to Ecuadorian delights by Chef Louis!

A trip of a lifetime for me.

~ L.D.- Austin, TX

Jeff does an outstanding job with his tours.  He’s always highly organized and available for instruction in the field.  His low-key personality makes traveling with him enjoyable.  I highly recommend doing a photo tour with him.

~ T.M. – New York, NY

When I attended my first workshop with Jeff a year and a half ago, I only knew how to use my camera in full automatic mode, and took less than mediocre pictures. Now, several workshops and an amazing trip to the Pantanal later, my skills have developed from basically documenting nature to creating pictures that people enjoy looking at.

Jeff not only teaches the technical details of photography, but also addresses the creative side, like composition, color combinations etc., the whole package.

Whether you’re attending a workshop at their ranch (where you also get to enjoy Mary O’s wonderful hospitality and cooking!), or are on a tour with Jeff, he always makes sure you get great photography opportunities and learn about nature at the same time.

The workshops and tours are very well organized and of an informal nature.  As a participant you only have to focus on the fun of photographing the beautiful things nature has to offer.

~ M.S. – Brevard, NC

Great People! Great Service! Jeff and Mary O are an extremely personable and client oriented team. Always inclusive. They put their client’s needs and desires first.

Jeff shoots with you on site but is always accessible, willing and able to answer all questions. He has an equal command of the photographic workflow and technique as well as the natural history of the subject and situation at hand.

If a guide service is necessary Jeff prides himself on utilizing local guides who understand photography and photographers.

The right place at the right time. We have attended multiple tours and workshops with them within the same calendar year. Nothing grows old or feels repetitive.

We will return. Thank you Jeff. Thank you Mary O.

~ S.M. – Conway, NH

I went on a trip to Bosque del Apache, November 16-18, 2019. Great trip.

Jeff knew all the good locations to watch and photograph sandhill cranes and snow geese. He provided excellent instructions for photographing birds in flight.

His wife Mary O provided us with excellent home-cooked meals. It was a small, friendly group.

I highly recommend Jeff’s tours.

~ A.G. – Kingston, WA

Beautiful Costa Rica!  The tour I took with Jeff was informative, varied in activities, and instruction as I desired.  I was able to take time for what interested me as well as in the group.

The foliage, birds, and wildlife was amazing. I captured wonderful photography which included The Resplendent Queztal (gorgeous colors!), Capuchin Monkey in their favorite trees, Howler Monkey and flora of mixed colors which were ideal for the variety of Hummingbirds I would never have seen otherwise.

I recommend his tours as he has thought out and provided information and activities that seem to hit the best of nature for the area toured.

~ S.M. – Little River, SC