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Three scarlet ibises in flight against a deep blue sky beside a rising moon
With National Geographic Photographer Tim Laman

Getting Creative with Bird Photography

In 8 practical and easy-to-follow lessons, Tim will show you how to use his proven creative frameworks to capture more artistic, unique, and interesting bird photos.

*P.S. Some students see noticeable improvements in just a few days.

Enroll Now
Rated 5 / 5 by photographers on Thinkific
Tim Laman crouched in a rainforest canopy hide behind a large telephoto lens
Tim Laman PhD · National Geographic
Wildlife Photographer
Who is Tim Laman?

One of the world's most successful wildlife photographers.

Tim Laman is a National Geographic photographer with a deep passion for birds and wildlife who also has a background in ornithology, having obtained his PhD in biology from Harvard University.

He has photographed 25 assignments for National Geographic magazine on a range of wildlife subjects, but with a strong emphasis on birds, which have always been a favorite subject. He is the first and only person to photograph all 39 species of birds-of-paradise in the wild.

His work has garnered numerous international awards, including the overall title “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” in 2016.

Tim has also worked on many major natural history documentaries for the BBC, Netflix, and National Geographic and produced many short films. A couple of them are “Planet Earth II” and “Our Planet – Jungles”.

PhDBiology, Harvard University
25National Geographic assignments
39 / 39Birds-of-paradise photographed in the wild
2016Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Secret Formula

The Secret Formula To Getting Creative With Bird Photography

In this course, Tim breaks down bird photography into simple, step-by-step creative frameworks, so you can learn to approach each situation with intention rather than just hoping to be in the right place at the right time with the right settings.

1A bird-of-paradise displaying on a branch above misty rainforest at sunrise
Lesson 1

Anticipation & Pre-Visualization

Learn to think about the image you want to capture before it happens, and greatly increase your chances of creating unique photographs.

2A hummingbird frozen in mid-motion at a flower
Lesson 2

Capturing The Moment

Become a good observer of bird behavior and be ready to capture the decisive moment.

3A colorful toucan perched on a branch surrounded by green leaves
Lesson 3

Beyond the Rule of Thirds

Understand when the rule of thirds works, and when you can get more creative with a variety of composition ideas.

4An egret standing in misty blue water with a soft, clean background
Lesson 4

The All-important Background

Learn to pay more attention to the background elements to enhance your bird images.

5Birds flying through atmospheric mist and cloud
Lesson 5

Atmosphere & Adding Magic

Add that extra special ingredient of interesting weather to really elevate your images.

6A wading bird mirrored in the still surface of the water
Lesson 6

Utilizing Reflections

Explore how including reflections of birds and backgrounds can enhance your photos.

7A scarlet ibis backlit against a dark, dramatic sky
Lesson 7

Creating Drama with Light

Learn to use backlighting and silhouettes to your advantage in your bird photography.

8Hornbills set within a wide rainforest landscape
Lesson 8

Storytelling with Birds in the Landscape

Add variety and storytelling power to your bird images by including them in the landscape.

The Difference

What Makes This Course Different?

First of all, it’s taught by a real National Geographic photographer — not just any photographer. What really sets it apart is the format, which lets you watch a lesson and apply it right away.

Tim Laman crouched in a stream with his camera, working behind the scenes

Behind The Scenes

Tim walks you through many of his best images and the stories behind them. You’ll see the failed attempts, what didn’t work, and how he was thinking before he finally got the shot.

Warm-toned scene of red birds among foliage

Easy Creativity Frameworks

Creativity can feel vague and hard to improve. But after 30+ years in the field, Tim has learned what works. He shares simple frameworks you can use right away, so you can start improving without overthinking it.

The Process

How Do You Go From Good To Extraordinary

I’m confident you can take good photos, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced. But I know how frustrating it can be when your images don’t stand out or feel special. It becomes much easier when you have a clear process to follow step by step…

Take one — a first attempt
Take #1: OkayStart
Take two — refined
Take #2: BetterRefined
Take three — getting there
Take #3: Getting thereStrong
Take four — a magazine-worthy frame
Take #4: NatGeoExtraordinary
Simple & Repeatable

Step-By-Step To Becoming a Creative Bird Photographer

It’s pretty easy to get creative when you know how. Follow my simple process, and you’ll see results in your own work.

01

Sign up

Click the link and enroll in the course.

02

Watch lessons

Go through the lessons at your own pace. Rewind or watch again anytime!

03

Go out and practice

Apply what you’ve learned, and you’ll start seeing results faster than you expect.

Still Not Sure…

Check Out What Our Students Say

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Penny AshbyReview on Thinkific · Nov 27, 2023

Excellent! Highly recommend for all levels of photography!

It was an honour to be taken step by step through Tim’s creative process using his stunning images to highlight each point, and culminating in a true masterpiece! I loved every minute of his course and can’t wait to get outside to practise! Thank you!

Verified student
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Richard KingReview on Thinkific · Jan 4, 2026

Got the vision started

Tim did a great job outlining his process of photographing birds. From camera settings, to timing, to atmosphere, to lighting, he captures lots of pertinent details needed to be successful out in the field. I had my camera nearby and worked through several of the lessons to get a better idea of what to expect when out in the field.

Verified student
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Raffaella ChersoniReview on Thinkific · July 4, 2024

Amazing course on getting creative with birds

This course is a top-notch learning tool for bird photographers willing to learn more on topics like getting creative when photographing birds/animals with the light as well as telling a story with birds in the landscape. I would definitely recommend this course to all passionate photographers out there.

Verified student
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Guy DupuisReview on Thinkific · Feb 2, 2024

Increasing the Success Rate of My Bird Photography

This is a great course that pushed me in thinking more about by bird photography...I can see how I will be able to increase my success rate...some of the techniques I have been applying since I started shooting with my Canon 20D close to 20 years ago when I had to worry about higher ISO noise do not make sense with today’s cameras...one of the first lessons I will apply is using smaller apertures to increase depth of field and shoot at higher ISO...I will be returning to review the course material on a regular basis in the future.

Verified student
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Ron RohovitReview on Thinkific · Sep 28, 2024

An Informative and Motivating Course

I very much enjoyed the overview presentation of photographic techniques and Tim’s thought process in creating his wonderful images. The course showed how great wildlife photography requires not only knowing and understanding your camera, but also understanding the importance of seeing and the art of photography. The course also has motivated me to do more experimenting when out photographing wildlife. Thank you!

Verified student
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Richard MontagueReview on Thinkific · Mar 13, 2026

Fascinating insights into the Tim’s process

As a long-time admirer of Tim’s work and someone who also occasionally attempts to photograph birds, I found this course really interesting. The way Tim breaks down an explains his methods and way of thinking when capturing birds in their environment was really clear. Whether I can reproduce any of it remains to be seen, but I’ll certainly be looking at things in a different way next time I’m out in the wild :)

Verified student
Everything Included

Here’s What You Get If You Enroll Today

8 video lessons on…

How to anticipate the perfect shot before it even happens

What to look for in bird behavior to capture those rare moments

How to go beyond basic composition rules and create more unique images

Simple ways to use light, weather, and reflections to add mood, depth, and “wow” to your shots

How to turn ordinary scenes into story-driven images that stand out

And so much more…

Access to Our New Bird Photography Community

We've created an exclusive community for students in this course. Inside, you can share your photos, get feedback, and learn from others who are on the same journey as you. You’ll also get extra tips and insights to help you improve your bird photography.

Note: Feedback from Tim and team members may be available inside the community, but it’s not guaranteed. You can always get valuable feedback from other students.

A hummingbird feeding among flowers — photographed by Tim Laman Save 50% today

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Our Promise

Try Getting Creative for 14 days risk-free

Remember you don’t have to say YES right now. You only have to say MAYBE. Go through the materials for 14 days risk-free from the day of purchase.

You can refund yourself anytime with just a click and an email. There’s no complicated process. Just reach out to us and get a full, friendly and fast refund. No questions asked.

An elegant egret in misty water, captured with modest gear
No Excuses

You don’t need expensive gear…

You definitely don't need a super expensive big lens to get started or improve in bird photography. I would suggest at least a 300 mm lens, but it can be an entry-level, inexpensive model.

Don't worry about having the latest camera either. Personally, I have made many great images on 10 or 15-year-old cameras that are now for sale used at super cheap prices, but still take amazing photos!

A black-capped chickadee landing on a branch, a North American backyard bird
Anywhere In The World

Do I Have To Travel To An Exotic Place?

You don’t have to travel to exotic places to capture breathtaking bird photos.

That’s a big misconception in bird photography, and it’s far from the truth.

In this course, I will show you how to capture incredible, unique images taken anywhere in the world. Whether I am photographing chickadees in my backyard in Massachusetts, pelicans along the California coast, or birds-of-paradise high in the rainforests of New Guinea, I use the same approach that I will teach you.

No matter where you live, you can create stunning bird photos.

A bird-of-paradise at dawn over the rainforest

The Perfect Time Is Here…

If you’re ready to capture bird photos you’re truly proud to share with friends, family, and others, this course will get you there.

$99 $199 · one-time payment
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Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

This course is for anyone who wants to be more creative in bird photography. It’s perfect whether you’re a beginner or an advanced photographer. Either way, you’ll learn something new and see results if you apply the methods.
I’ve designed this course to be valuable for both beginners and more experienced photographers. If you’re looking for a clear, step-by-step process to become more creative in your bird photography, this course is for you.
You can go through the course at your own pace. Many students watch one lesson a day and finish the course in about 8 days. But you can also binge-watch it in a day or take more time if you prefer.
All you need is a computer or smartphone, and any camera you already have to put what you learn into action.
YouTube is a fantastic place to explore. I’ve learned a ton there myself. But the truth is… only a small portion of what you find is actually useful enough to get lasting results. The rest takes hours to sift through, and even longer to piece together into something that works.

You’re going to “pay” for this knowledge no matter what, either with years of trial and error or with a small investment to get everything organized for you in one clear, beginner-friendly system.

I’ve already made the mistakes, tested the wrong techniques, and spent the thousands of hours… so you don’t have to.

If you want to learn bird photography fast, without wasting time figuring it all out alone, this course will save you years.
$99 $19914-day risk-free guarantee
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