Scouting Newfoundland: A Preview of Next Year’s Photography Workshop

My daughter and I just returned from a photography scouting trip to Newfoundland in preparation for next year’s workshop. And what a trip it was! In just six days, we covered much of the southeastern region, including most of the Avalon Peninsula and the stunning Bonavista Peninsula. From historic St. John's to windswept puffin cliffs, we traveled a lot—and saw even more.

Day 1 – St. John's and Quidi Vidi
We arrived in St. John’s on a quiet Wednesday evening—eerily quiet, in fact. Light traffic, shuttered stores, and a nearly empty downtown made us wonder what was going on. A hotel clerk explained that it was Regatta Day, a city-wide holiday centered around rowing races at Quidi Vidi Lake—a tradition that dates back to 1816. Though we were too tired from travel to catch the races, we visited the lake and the colorful Quidi Vidi harbor the next morning. Later that day, we explored the dramatic cliffs of Signal Hill National Historic Site and stood at Cape Spear, the easternmost point in Canada.

Day 2 – The Irish Loop
The Irish Loop is a scenic drive that winds south from St. John’s, hugging the coastline before looping back inland. Named for its strong Irish heritage, it is home to countless charming fishing villages. We stopped frequently to scout photographic opportunities—boats, weathered docks, and rows of colorful houses. In Bay Bulls, I caught my first glimpse of a puffin diving in the harbor. Farther south, near the Ferryland Lighthouse, we spotted whales slapping their tails—of course, I only had my landscape lens on me at the time! Several short hikes led us to panoramic views and quiet coves, though a few of the longer treks may not make the final workshop itinerary due to time and difficulty.

Day 3 – Bay de Verde Peninsula
The northern coast of the Avalon Peninsula is more rugged, with taller cliffs and deeper bays than the Irish Loop. We ventured through a number of scenic fishing towns, eventually arriving in Harbour Grace. There, we photographed the rusting wreck of the SS Kyle and my daughter’s sharp eyes spotted a bald eagle perched nearby. She certainly earned her keep as my assistant! Fun fact: Harbour Grace was Amelia Earhart’s departure point for her historic first female solo transatlantic flight in 1932.

Day 4 – Cape St. Mary's and the Burin Peninsula
The southern Burin Peninsula brought us to one of the most memorable stops: Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. A 1.4-kilometer hike took us to Bird Rock, where thousands of northern gannets nest on a massive outcropping just offshore. The sound, motion, and sheer density of the birds was mesmerizing. I focused on isolating individual birds in flight, and later challenged myself to frame the nearby lighthouse in a shot. Afterward, we explored historical sites related to the French-English conflicts and WWII-era convoy protection—less photogenic, but rich in history.

Day 5 – Bonavista Peninsula and Puffins Galore
This was the crown jewel of the trip. We were especially excited to see the puffin colony in Elliston—and it didn’t disappoint. After a short hike, we crested a hill and suddenly, there they were: dozens of puffins lifting off, landing, and hovering in the gusty wind. I settled in just 25 feet from a small group and, to my delight, they casually approached within 10 feet, giving me some wonderful eye-level shots. Later, we visited the puffin colony at Bonavista Lighthouse. While the cliffs there were dramatic and the colony large, we found the proximity at Elliston much better for close-up photography.
On our way back, we stopped at a few natural and geological highlights: Dungeon Provincial Park (a UNESCO Geosite), The Chimney at Spillar’s Cove, Tickle Cove Sea Arch, and the peaceful harbor at Dildo, Newfoundland.

Day 6 – Wrapping Up and Heading Home
On our final day, we returned to St. John’s but made a few last stops along the way. At Salmonier Nature Park, we saw rehabilitated bald eagles, owls, foxes, and martens. While it was fascinating, photographing wildlife in enclosures with visible fencing makes it unlikely to be included in the workshop. We also returned to explore a few lesser-known harbors along the Bay de Verde Peninsula before returning to St. John's.

Final Thoughts
I had originally expected this to be a landscape-focused trip with some wildlife sprinkled in—but it turned out to be quite the opposite. Puffins, whales, gannets, and eagles dominated much of our attention. The entire region is an inspiring mix of scenic coastlines, historic charm, rugged wilderness, and small-town warmth. Now comes the challenge: distilling everything we saw into a focused, impactful itinerary for next year’s workshop.

Stay tuned—Newfoundland has a lot to offer, and I'm excited to share it with you.