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Choose Your Journey!
The Packages
Starter Pak
2-hour lesson of one-on-one time to demystify your settings and gear. Perfect for the new Nikon - or any brand - owner.
BEST Value! 4 classes of ultimate photography for the serious action photographer.
Flat Hourly Rates
A 2 hour class of capturing the Florida Scrub Jay - possibly on your head or shoulder!
The Starter Pak ($275)
What's Included:
Stop fighting your gear and start capturing the shot. The Starter Pak is a 2-hour, accelerated, one-on-one masterclass designed to get you out of "Auto" and into the field with professional confidence.
What You’ll Master:
- The Manual Transition: Break free from Auto-mode and learn to control your camera like a pro.
- The Exposure Triangle: A deep dive into ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture—and exactly how they work together to create the perfect frame.
- Elite Action Setup: I’ll show you how to configure your specific camera for high-speed tracking so you never miss a split-second of the action.
- The TGIF Foundation: An introduction to my Technique, Gear, Invisibility, and Focus method of teaching you photography. (Read more about my TGIF Method!)
The Experience:This session bridges the gap between theory and practice. We begin indoors to demystify your camera’s mechanics and dials in a controlled environment. Once you’ve mastered the "how-to," we head outdoors to put those skills to the test in real-world light and action.
The Action Pro Mentorship ($900)
What's Included:
This is TJ's most popular package.
When you're ready to move beyond the basics and master the art of action photography, the Action Pro Mentorship is for you. It is a comprehensive, one-on-one journey over four days designed to transform your skills through a structured blend of technical mastery, field experience at Florida’s premier birding spots, and professional editing. This isn't just a lesson—it's your fast track to capturing gallery-quality action shots using the proven TGIF method.
Here's what you'll get:
- Session 1: Master Your Machine (2 Hours)
We’ll deep-dive into your specific camera body. No more "Auto" mode—we’re setting up your focus tracking, back-button focus, and custom dials so your gear works as fast as you do.
You'll learn the importance of lesser known settings such as, Exposure Compensation, Light Metering, Autofocus Area Modes, and the difference between AF-S and AF-C.
- Session 2: Student's Choice (2 Hours)
Which adventure will you choose from the menu above: A Day with the Jays, Strictly the Sun, or Marshland Mastery? Each of those lessons hold their own surprises!
- Session 3: Student's Choice (2 Hours)
Again, you get to choose from the menu above: A Day with the Jays, Strictly the Sun, or Marshland Mastery? You get to select the tailored field session that appeals to you the most.
- Session 4: The Lake Harney Finale (3–4 Hours)
A half-day immersion at my favorite spot. We’ll hunt for the perfect light as well as eagles, owls, deer, and other wildlife, putting the full TGIF method into practice.
Also included is the:
- The "Pro-Edit" Bonus:
I’ll take your favorite raw file from each of the four session and perform a professional edit in ACR and Photoshop, showing you the "before and after" of what your camera is truly capable of.
- The TGIF Field Guide:
An exclusive PDF cheat sheet covering my Technique, Gear, Invisibility, and Focus secrets—perfect for keeping in your camera bag.
- The Direct Line:
As a Mentorship student, you get priority text/email access to me for any "emergency" gear or setting questions you may have in between sessions.
Maximize your investment with the Action Pro Mentorship—the absolute best value for those committed to mastering their craft. Because it includes my exclusive 'Direct Line' bonus, I am just a text away whenever you're in the field or at your desk. The training doesn’t have an expiration date; you’ll have the ability to text me with questions long after our sessions end, ensuring your growth as an elite photographer never stops. In a sense, the lessons are never really over.
Lake Harney Signature Session ($350)
What's Included:
The Ultimate Action Expedition | 3-4 Hours
Experience the "crown jewel" of Florida action photography. The Lake Harney Signature Session is an immersive, half-day field expedition designed for photographers who want to master elite action in a high-stakes environment where we sharpen your reaction time for those "now or never" moments—like an owl suddenly launching from a branch or a deer leaping from the tree line.
What We’ll Master in the Field:
- Instant Reaction & Tracking: Learn to anticipate the movement and nail the focus before the subject is gone.
- Target Acquisition: I'll teach you how to correctly approach and quickly acquire your subject in your viewfinder so you'll miss fewer action shots!
- Anticipating the Action: A perched eagle is a portrait; a launching eagle is an elite action shot. I’ll teach you the "ready-state" techniques to instantly ramp up your shutter speed the moment a subject breaks cover, ensuring you capture the power of the first wingbeat with total clarity.
- Real-World TGIF Application: We will put the full Technique, Gear, Invisibility, and Focus method into practice in real-time as the action unfolds.
- Advanced "Wait-and-Watch" Tactics: I’ll show you how to read the body language of wildlife so you’re already pressing the shutter when the action starts.
- The Pro Perspective: Shoot side-by-side with me at my favorite personal location and see how I configure my custom dials for unpredictable movement.
What you'll see:
No one can guarantee that you'll see any wildlife when you are out.
But at Lk. Harney, I can come close! This wilderness area is target rich with several Barred Owl families, Bald Eagle families, and plenty of deer! Not to mention the occasional raccoon and bobcat, turtles, snakes, gators, manatee and dolphins!
This is why I call this session the "Crown Jewel"!
The Lake Harney Signature Session is designed for the photographer who wants more than just a memory—they want the masterpiece. We’ll push your skills to the limit in this high-stakes environment to ensure you walk away with the technique, the focus, and the shots of a lifetime. Come see why this remains my favorite spot to hunt for elite action.
You must be able to walk approximately 3 miles.
Landing the Launch ($350)
What's Included:
With the Space Coast busier than ever, rocket photography has become the ultimate challenge for the modern action photographer. Whether you’re traveling from across the state or across the globe, you know the reality: You only get one shot. There is no 'take two' when the engines ignite.
Don’t leave your once-in-a-lifetime frame to chance. Join me for a specialized session where we dial in your technical setup to ensure you capture the raw power and awe-inspiring scale of a launch. From managing your settings for a long-exposure "streak" shot to nailing focus on the moving pillar of fire as the rocket lifts off, I’ll help you 'Land the Launch' with gallery-quality precision by:
- Tactical Positioning: Leveraging my knowledge of the best vantage points for specific pads, I’ll choose the optimal spot for your launch based on trajectory, sun (or moon) position, and your lens reach.
- Taming the Flame: I will teach you the exact exposure settings required to capture the texture of the rocket while maintaining the intense brilliance of the engine exhaust.
- Go Streakin'!: If it's a night launch streak shot you are after, I've got your back. I'll help you dial in the best settings for the particular launch!
- Predictive Composition: Master the art of "leading the shot" to ensure you capture the rocket's ascent without clipping the nose cone or losing the scale of the pad.
- Zero-Hour Preparedness: A full pre-flight checklist for your gear to ensure lens caps are off and batteries, cards, and settings are locked in before the countdown hits T-minus zero.
This specialized session begins exactly three hours before ignition. It isn't just about clicking a shutter; it’s about the preparation. We spend those first three hours dialing in your settings, checking the line of sight, and running through the "what-ifs" so you're ready when the clock hits ZERO! The session typically lasts 3–4 hours, covering the setup, the launch, and a post-launch review of your shots.
The TJ Waller Scrub Guarantee: Space is hard, and scrubs happen. If the mission is scrubbed before the engines ignite, your package includes one "Scrub Token." This allows you to reschedule your session for the next attempt at no extra cost.
Don’t let your bucket-list shot go up in smoke. Book your "Landing the Launch" session today!
Note:
Many times one class will consist of other elements of another class.
In this class you will also have the opportunity to get wildlife photos as well!
A Day with the Jays: The Ultimate Scrub Encounter ($250)
What's Included:
Imagine trekking through the Florida scrub when a flash of blue drops from the sky and lands right on your head. That isn't a fluke—it’s a typical day where I take you out to photograph the Florida Scrub Jay. Found nowhere else on Earth, these naturally curious birds don't just let you take their picture; they want to be part of the process.
Here is what you’ll experience:
- The Ultimate "Close-Up": These birds aren't shy. You’ll learn how to manage your gear and focus when your subject is literally inches from your lens—or even perched on your hat! (Great for phone selfies too!)
- Mastering the "Scrub" Light: The Florida sun on white sand creates brutal highlights. I’ll show you how to balance your exposure so those iconic blue feathers pop without washing out the frame.
- Action in an Instant: From a stationary branch to a sudden flight path—master the shutter speeds needed to freeze the motion of these fast-moving birds.
- Ethical Wildlife Interaction: We’ll apply the "Invisibility" technique to ensure we’re respecting the habitat of this threatened species while getting world-class shots.
- Macro & Portrait Hybrid: Whether you're shooting wide to show the environment or tight to show the detail in their eyes, I’ll help you nail the composition every time.
This session is a deep dive into the heart of Florida’s unique ecosystem. We’ll spend 3–4 hours in the field, moving through the oak and sand pine scrub. I’ll guide you on everything from bird behavior to the technical settings required for small, high-speed subjects.
Don’t just take a photo of wildlife—experience it. Book your "Day with the Jays" session today!
Strictly the Sun ($250)
What's Included:
Mastering the Golden & Blue Hours
Many times the perfect sunrise or sunset is the only pursuit that matters. But capturing that "wow" factor involves more than just pointing and clicking at the sun. I’ll work with you to nail the cinematic landscape shots you’ve been dreaming of—the kind that belong on a gallery wall, not just on your phone. You choose the venue, or I’ll take you to one of my secret "tried and true" spots.
Here is what we’ll master:
- The Death of Auto-ISO: Learn exactly when to kill the Auto and manually lock in your ISO for a clean, noise-free exposure.
- Aperture & Depth: How to choose the right F-stop to ensure everything from the foreground texture to the distant horizon is tack-sharp.
- Stable Shooting (With or Without Gear): I’ll teach you how to improvise for rock-solid shots when you don't have a tripod, and how to maximize your stability when you do.
- The Art of the Foreground: A sunrise is just a bright light without a story. We’ll find the elements that give your landscape depth and scale.
- Capture the Crepuscular: Stop leaving "God Rays" to luck. Learn the specific techniques to anticipate and capture those majestic sunbeams that pierce the atmosphere, adding instant cinematic drama to your sunrise frames.
- White Balance & Color Science: Stop letting the camera "guess" the colors. We'll dial in the settings that make those Florida oranges and purples actually pop.
These sessions are built around the light. We’ll spend at least two hours on-site, but Mother Nature doesn't always follow a clock—so neither do I. If the light is still hitting, we’re still shooting. Tripods are welcome but not required; I'll teach you how to get the shot regardless of the gear you’re carrying.
Don’t just watch the sun go up or down—capture it forever. Book your "Strictly the Sun" session today!
Marshland Mastery ($250)
What's Included:
Marshland Mastery: Action in the Reeds
This is our most popular pursuit for visitors and locals alike who want to experience the "real" Florida. Whether you are hunting for your first shot of an alligator in the wild or looking to capture the iconic pink feathers of the Roseate Spoonbill, the marsh is a target-rich environment. Because it’s a major stop for migrating birds, it’s the perfect tactical training ground to sharpen your skills on moving subjects.
In this session, you will:
- Master Target Acquisition: Learn the "Elite" way to pull your camera up and lock onto a moving bird or a surfacing gator instantly. No more hunting through the viewfinder while the shot flies away.
- Tracking through the Tangle: Learn how to use your camera’s advanced AF zones to stay locked on a subject moving through thick reeds without your focus jumping to the background.
- The "Water-Surface" Exposure: Stop letting the sun’s reflection on the water trick your light meter. I’ll show you how to expose for the feathers so your subject pops against the marsh.
- Flight Path Anticipation: We’ll study the behavior of herons, egrets, and ospreys so you can predict the flight path and be ready before the wings even spread.
- Low-Angle Impact: I’ll teach you the techniques for getting low to the water’s edge to create that intimate, professional perspective that makes your wildlife portraits stand out from the crowd.
- Managing the "Gator-Eye" Perspective: Capture the prehistoric textures of an alligator's scales and eyes while maintaining a safe, ethical, and professional distance.
We’ll head into the heart of the wetlands for a 2-hour session during peak activity hours (usually morning). This session is designed to be high-energy and high-reward, giving you the practice you need to become more comfortable and fluent with your gear in a beautiful, wild setting.
Don’t just take a picture of the marsh life—master the action within it. Book your "Marshland Mastery" session today!
The Trifecta: Lighthouse, Sunrise & Action ($300)
Location: New Smyrna Beach Jetty (Smyrna Dunes Park)
This is the ultimate gauntlet for the photographer who wants it all. In one single morning, we will master three completely different disciplines of photography. No filler, no boring crap—just high-level technique in one of Florida's most iconic locations.
The Three Pillars of The Trifecta:
- The Lighthouse: We meet in the Smyrna Dunes Park parking lot at 6:00 AM sharp. While it's still dark, we’ll take the 15-minute walk down the boardwalk to the jetty to capture the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. I’ll teach you the long-exposure techniques needed to make that beacon pop against the night sky.
- The Cinematic Sunrise: As the sun breaks the horizon, we’ll shift gears instantly. You’ll learn how to manage the exploding colors of an Atlantic sunrise, nailing the "Wow!" factor for a landscape shot worthy of your wall.
- The Action: Once the sun is up, we ditch the tripods to go handheld, quickly dialing in your action settings to track and capture the fast-moving shorebirds that call the jetty home.
This is elite action photography at its finest.
What’s Included:
- Direct Instruction: Hands-on coaching from TJ using the TGIF (Technique, Gear, Invisibility, Focus) system.
- Three Skills in One: Mastery of Long-Exposure (Lighthouse), Landscape (Sunrise), and Action (Birds).
- Gear Optimization: Real-time help dialing in your camera for changing light conditions.
Quick Details:
- Duration: 2-3 Hours
- Investment: $300.00
- What to Bring: A sturdy tripod, your camera, a wide-angle lens for the lighthouse/landscape, and a telephoto lens for the birds. (And maybe a thermos of your favorite morning beverage!)
Is "The Trifecta" Available Today?
Because Smyrna Dunes Park opens at 6:00 AM and it takes us 15 minutes to reach the jetty, this class is highly seasonal. It only works when the sun rises after 7:15 AM (typically late Autumn through early Spring).
Check the sunrise time below. If it’s after 07:15, let's ride!
Didn't See What you're Looking For?
Don't see your specific passion listed? Whether you need a private, bespoke lesson tailored to your unique technical hurdles or you require a professional elite action photographer for a high-intensity event, let’s talk. From individual deep dives to small group workshops for friends and family, I’ll help you build a custom experience that hits your specific goals.
Investment:
- $300 (Minimum 2-hour session)
- $100/hour for each additional hour
Take the Next Step: Ready to stop guessing and start capturing? Contact me today to discuss your custom needs.
Note: I specialize exclusively in action, technique, and craft; I do not offer wedding services or instruction.
To be willing to go where no one else wants to go, or do what no one else wants to do, will produce the photos no one else can get.
TJ Waller
