Master Bird and Nature Photography in Panama's Most Biodiverse Hotspot

Cerro Azul sits in the Chagres Watershed area of the Panama Canal, making it one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. The property itself is a living nature documentary, with over 400 bird species calling this area home. You'll find hummingbirds, tanagers, orioles, and rare species like the mud-mud trunk all waiting to be photographed. The lodge is strategically designed so you can literally sit indoors and photograph amazing subjects through the windows. They're putting out eight cases of bananas per week just to keep up with the constant influx of birds seeking food. This isn't a location you have to trek for hours to find the subject matter - the subjects find you.

Estess Suarez is a Panama-born, internationally acclaimed wildlife and photojournalism photographer who has spent years documenting nature across the globe at exactly the right moment with exactly the right gear. His resume speaks for itself with multiple Pitzer Prize nominations and wins, plus a Robert F. Kennedy International Photojournalism Award. After living most of his life in the United States, Estess returned to Panama about a year ago and has since rediscovered the incredible wonders of his home country's fauna and flora. He's not just a technical master - he's passionate about teaching others, whether they're curious family members or complete beginners. His approach focuses on helping students understand that sometimes the smallest tweaks and refinements can be the difference between a good photo and a truly exceptional one.

These workshops are all-inclusive, meaning you arrive and everything is handled. You'll stay in the two-bedroom lodge with all meals included, a coffee bar to fuel those early morning photo sessions, and drinks throughout the day. The property provides hiking sticks if you want to venture beyond the lodge grounds to search for additional bird species and capture nature in different settings. You can join as a solo participant, bring a partner, or come as a couple - the workshop format flexes to work for whatever arrangement makes sense for you. You're not just learning photography theory in a classroom. You're out in the field, camera in hand, with a master photographer actively coaching you on composition, lighting, camera settings, and the subtle adjustments that transform a decent shot into a stunning one. Plus, you'll connect with other photographers who share your passion, creating a community that extends far beyond the workshop dates.

While the Cerro Azul property is perfect for bird and nature photography, Estess brings experience across multiple photography disciplines. He's taught street photography workshops across the world and can guide you through landscape, wildlife, photojournalism, and more. This means if you're interested in expanding your skills while in Panama, your instructor can point you toward opportunities in Panama City for street photography, or guide you to other regions with distinct visual storytelling potential. The workshop can be tailored to your interests and skill level - whether you want deep technical training or want to discover how to see the world through a photographer's lens for the first time.

Getting on the schedule for these photography workshops is straightforward. Austin Hess, the COO of the Bird's Nest Experience, and his team manage bookings and can work with your schedule and preferences. You can reach out via WhatsApp at +507 6767-9710 (if calling from outside Panama, use +507 before the number) or email info@thebirdsnesipanama.com. The team is running workshops throughout the year, so there's flexibility to join during a season that works for your travel plans. Whether you're an absolute beginner wanting to understand the fundamentals or an experienced photographer looking to refine your technique and discover new subjects, there's a workshop format that fits your needs. The response from participants has been incredibly positive, with people noting how these experiences have fundamentally improved their photography skills and their connection to Panama's natural environment.

Panama attracts expats and travelers for many reasons - visa flexibility, retirement benefits, tropical climate, and proximity to the United States. But one thing people often discover after relocating or visiting is that Panama's natural beauty demands to be captured and shared. Photography workshops like these offer a structured way to engage with your new home or travel destination at a deeper level. You're not just seeing the birds and nature - you're learning to really see them, to understand light and composition, to tell visual stories. For expats considering relocation to Panama, spending time in nature while learning a new skill is an incredible way to experience what daily life could look like. For tourists extending their stay, a photography workshop transforms a vacation into an enriching educational experience. The other benefit is that you're building connections with other photography enthusiasts, which creates friendships and community that extends well beyond the workshop dates.