In 2010,it took a long while for spring to arrive,but in 2011 the bluebells arrived nearly a month earlier than usual! For 2012,who knows when they’ll arrive,but as I write this (end of January) I’ve yet to see any snowdrops,so my guess is for a later arrival this year.But when it does,then the welcome greens and bluey-purples under dappled sunlight in the woods mean one thing to me –bluebell photography.
So when the first bluebells start to flower near Derby,it’s time to dust off the lens and get out taking bluebell photographs!
Bluebells are fun to photograph,but can be tricky to get good images of. So come and spend 2hrs in the company of friendly,enthusiastic and award-winning landscape,travel and outdoors-activities photographer,Chiz Dakin,and get some great tips on how to get better photographs of bluebells in some fantastic locations across Derbyshire and the Peak District.
Because I have some woods very nearby to where I live,I can offer these workshops at a very low price –just £25 per person per 2hr session,and numbers are limited to maximum of six participants –so there’ll be plenty of time for individual discussion and advice. Sessions start as soon as the bluebells are in full bloom (typically anytime from mid-April to mid-May),and run on demand most weekdays until the bluebells end.
I use a great location near Derby. I can keep the costs very low on this one as it’s so close to where I live that I can walk to it! Or if you wish me to travel further afield,I can offer some stunning and little known alternatives near Alfreton,Matlock and Derby for just £35 per 2hr session. (Sorry it’s a bit more expensive,but I have to cover my vehicle costs with all other locations!)
(And yes,I do take 1:1 bookings,they’re a bargain at just £5 extra!)
Contact Chiz on 07812 001505 to book a place on a bluebell photography session,or contact me through the website here.
FAQs about photo trails in general (and bluebells in particular) can be found here.
End Jan 2012:I’m beginning to get enquiries already,but please note the bluebells have recently been so variable in their peak season that I cannot fix a specific date until I know when the bluebell season is beginning. So please do get in touch,but I’ll have to get back to you when they first start to appear to fix an exact time for the session,as there’s no point running a workshop without the bluebells being there! 
2011 Bluebell flowering timeline:
Early June –a few late Bluebells still out at Froggatt Edge!
Early May –Bluebells in most places past their prime this year –very early…
21.4.11 –Bluebells in my local wood now just past their prime –other locations still at their peak.
18.4.11 –Bluebells in full bloom in several locations –book soon before they finish flowering!
6.4.11 –First bluebells beginning to appear in my nearest woodland.
