Enjoyed a super weekend in Assateague with lots of new photography friends. Visited many beautiful spots and tried to do them justice capturing them to pixels. Thanks much, Irene.

Dave Darrah

I had the good fortune to participate in Irene’s Spring 2022 Chincoteague Photo Workshop. Essential to the success of any workshop is for the leader to be proficient not only in the technical aspect of photography, but also have complete command of the subject matter and knowledge of the geographical area. Irene hits all the notes. She is there to provide coaching on composition and exposure. Our subject matter was birds and horses. Irene understands the behavior of the animals. This is critica… Read more

Tom KallecheyWorkshop ParticipantOsprey Photo WorkshopsChincotague NWR

You teach how to home in on the important parts of the scene. You help develop a photographer’s eye and focus on the important details. You teach how to work the subject to take advantage of the best light and shoot at the decisive moment. After over twenty years of taking your courses, there is always more to see and learn from you. I am always developing new insights and improving my photographic skills.

Merv Pinerman

Irene I want to express how pleased I was with your Tangier Island photo workshop. Your coordination and knowledge of the Island made the time spent worthwhile. Knowing where to go in the early morning dawn and the boat charter to photograph the working watermen were the highlights of the trip. I also found the critique of our photos very helpful and showed that making a good photograph better is just taking a second look. I would encourage anyone who wants to improve their photographic … Read more

Bob Chzran

The Johns Hopkins U. class, “Photographer’s Eye,” used St. Michaels as the source of subjects to improve my “eye” for composition and photography skills. The lectures and field exercises gave me new perspectives on how to take better photos. Irene’s wealth of knowledge and experience helped me to improve composition, be more sensitive to light, and see in a new way. The small class size was a plus. I enjoyed the perspectives of my classmates and more hands-on instruction. … Read more

Edward Bouwer, Ph.D. , Chair, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

This was my 3rd photo workshop with you and, as in the first two experiences, I was not disappointed. You are an excellent workshop leader and I always come away from your workshops knowing more about the technical and creative skills of photography and I’m always happy with the photo opportunities you presented and the results I have achieved. Thanks, and I look forward to doing more workshops with you in the future. Tony Kouneski

West Virginia Photo Workshop Oct 2022

I attended Irene’s workshop at the Chincoteague Wildlife Reserve in the Spring of 2022. She was an outstanding guide. She knows the wildlife and their behaviors, which helped us to maximize our experience. She had access to areas of the island that were not open to the public. She worked with each participant individually, teaching composition and camera settings. She does not take her own photos during the workshop, ensuring that her attention was solely on the workshop participants. She had … Read more

Chincoteague Photo Workshop, May 2202

Every time I have attended one of Irene’s photo workshops, I have learned something new that improves my photography. Besides her great photo and teaching skills, she has an uncanny ability to spot animals in the wild. On Skyline Drive, she spotted a dark shape in the crotch of a tree. She stopped, saying she think she saw a bear. I didn’t believe it, but the black blob sprouted ears & was a bear cub. Irene’s enthusiasm is contagious and I find myself discovering unique photo opportunities in… Read more

Greg Hay

Presentation at the Horizon Photography Summit, Fall 2018 I attended a presentation by Irene at the Horizon Photography Summit Fall 2018. Her work was so inspiring. It’s clear that she understands both the technical and creative aspect of nature photography. There is so much that goes into making beautiful and inspiring nature photography images, and she’s a master at her craft. Jean Meile

Jean MeileAttendee

On behalf of the Gaithersburg Camera Club, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for an outstanding, well-organized presentation on “A Passion for Wildlife Photography, the Stories Behind the Images“. The wildlife images which you shared were stunning. Your insights on wildlife photography such as composition, lighting, shooting angles, and lenses and other equipment were helpful. I enjoyed hearing your observations on the behavior patterns of the animals and how each photo sho… Read more

Mel Sessa, Gaithersburg Camera ClubProgram Co-Chair