On a Dark Desert Highway

June 9, 2025

Cool wind in my hair. Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air… This song, “Hotel California” sets the scene as I drive through the Namib desert.

Waves of sand dunes and warm earth tones fill my senses as we travel the vast desert roads. As the breeze rolls through my shirt, I get goosebumps. The adventure has begun. My eyes frame out endless scenes and snapshots as we make our way to our first destination. We arrive at the Quiver Tree Forest. The night air is crisp, and our thoughts turn to the stars. The galaxy awaits as we set up for our first shot. The trees are magical; they appear foreign and unique. Each and every tree has a different personality with thorn-like hands reaching towards the sky.

After having our fill of crazy trees we head towards the beach, where we’ll stay to be near Kolmanskop where the deserted ghost town hosts a plethora of sand filled doorways. As you walk the once thriving streets, there is an overriding thought of desertion. It is as if a gun went off and everyone fled leaving behind their homes and even some of their possessions. It’s an eerie feeling, one that I can’t quite express. But empty, shallow, mirthless, haunting, gone… yes, gone… are words that come to mind. Photographers flock here to recreate that feel.

Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei are our next stops. The Dead Vlei (loosely translated to mean dead marsh) is home to the famous skeleton trees aka camel thorn trees, which are believed to have died approximately 650 years ago. Photographers come from far and wide to capture these trees against the orange dunes. Sossusvlei is a dune rich environment teeming with wildlife and desert creatures, making a birds eye view extremely popular. The light bounces off the dunes in a rhythmic way, creating multiple color tones as the shaded areas have rich dark tones while the sunnier areas have glistening colors of pinks and peaches. Here we will have an optional helicopter ride available.

One of my favorite trees to photograph in front of the Milky Way.

Next, we head towards the coast, our destination, Swakopmund. This stop is actually a popular, coastal city in Namibia with world class restaurants and a variety of entertainment. Photographers seek out the bird life, including the flocks of flamingos. There are also massive sand dunes with tiny desert creatures. The reptiles found on the dunes are so small and adorable, you almost need a macro lens to photograph them! We drive on top of the large sand dunes, this is a surreal experience, we have access to views that most never see. Picture golden dunes as far as the eye can see with never ending undulating lines and forms.

Aerial from a helicopter near the beach.

Our final destination on this amazing photo rich tour is Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the largest national parks in Africa. Here we will have safari game drives and photograph the usual suspects as well as some special species that we don’t often see, like the endangered Black Rhino. There are watering holes in Etosha and when it is dry, the animals (all different species) converge around the water. Making photography very special, you never know what is lurking around those watering holes in the brush-could it be a lion or two?? Maybe….

October 10-24, 2026 (14 nights) $9,999 This is an excellent price for 14 nights- Spots filled, thank you.

This tour includes:
- All accommodation
- All transfers & travels in Namibia
- Breakfast & Dinners included everywhere -except in Swakopmund which will only include breakfast.
- Bottled water in the vehicles
- All park fees
- Ghost Town early entry photo permits
- Catamaran Charters Marine Dolphin & Seal Cruise

To join this amazing 14 night photo tour or to check out the detailed itinerary for this trip CHECK OUT THE LINK.

African Safari

June 7, 2025

The sky begins to lighten, yet the sun is still below the horizon. This is my favorite time of the morning when the breeze is cool and slightly damp. The sounds and smells of life are everywhere. As the vehicle meanders down the well-worn path my excitement for what the day may bring begins to get the better of me. Small unintentional smiles edge out from my lips. My heart is pounding slightly with delight, as I hold on tightly for another pothole to gently lift me from my seat. I clutch my camera tightly as if it is my lifeline.

Soon the sun will peek over the horizon, my thoughts begin to race as I know the clock is ticking and the very small window to capture a golden backlit image is fleeting. I tell the others in the vehicle to keep their eyes open for any movement. Our guide is on top of things, he knows the savannah wilderness like the back of his hand and has already locked-in on a subject. It’s a lone cheetah walking, no wait— it’s two cheetahs walking—most likely to the next termite mound. I look behind me and see a cheetah lying in the brush, he is obscured by the burnt leaves that are hiding him. I move myself in the vehicle the best I can, to capture the shot directly above. I wanted to work the scene more but after a few glorious moments with the cheetah, a call comes in about a lion pride preparing for an early morning hunt. I still haven’t fully exhausted the cheetah shots but it’s time to move on.

When we roll up to the lions there are just two large males that are walking to join the rest of their pride. I’m sure that if a hunting opportunity arises, they will no doubt partake but for now they are just walking. Our vehicle gets into position to capture the majestic beasts coming straight at us. Soon the lions join the rest of the pride, I pick out a young male still slightly backlit and capture him alone, his breath envelopes his face—I am thrilled! Within a few minutes it is time to move on as a Serval cat has been spotted. The entire vehicle quietly squeals for joy. There seemed to be endless sightings that morning and I could hardly catch my breath.

As the day comes to a close, I’m reminded of the lyrics from the Pretender by Jackson Browne… and when the morning light comes streaming in. We'll get up and do it again. Amen

The thrill of a safari, the anticipation of what is to come and the sheer joy on each and everyone’s faces is enough to keep me coming back for more. But there is also an unexplainable draw to the Mara, it has a hold on me like no other place in the world. It feels fresh, and mysterious. There is an adventure at every turn and no two safaris are ever the same. “There is a heartbeat in Africa that is unexplainable, unpredictable, undeniable and real…as real as you can get.—Denise Ippolito 2025”.

Join one of our professionally organized safaris and experience the magic for yourself.

Mongolia and Pallas's Cat

June 2, 2025

Join me for my second trip to Mongolia - August 16-26, 2027 . My guide has upgraded the camp and added some great photo opportunities to this trip, including a Pallas’s cat add-on. August 8-15, 2027.

Mongolia is truly one of the world’s last hidden gems: pristine, undiscovered and brimming with a unique culture that has spanned over thousands of years. It is a place where you can experience far-reaching landscapes from dramatic mountains to canyons, deserts, and crystal clear rivers and lakes; where the warm hospitality of the locals will move you to your very heart and soul. During this photo tour we will visit the Gobi Desert in addition to the Eagle hunters. The Gobi desert portion was one of my favorite locations that we visited on my last trip to Mongolia. I love sand dunes but with camels—over the top! I’m also looking to capture more landscape scenes. The Eagle Hunter portion of the trip was an amazing mix of culture and history. Watching the eagles and eagle hunters interact was an experience I won’t soon forget.

This entire tour has undergone some major improvements from my last visit- including huge improvements to the food in the Gobi camp as well as a chef for eagle hunter camps, new tents, generators and starlink, etc…

Mongolia is known as a country with the last true nomad and a great history of Chinggis Khaan! It is one of the most sparsely populated country in the world. Mongolia is unique and relatively unexplored travel destination that offers a great combination of scenic landscape, nomadic life style and rich culture.

The first part of our adventure is the eagle hunters festival in West Mongolia. You will be witnessing the cultural heritage of Kazakhs, their ancient art of eagle falconry, as well as the breathtaking landscape of the Altai Mountain Range! The second part of our adventure is the Gobi Desert, where you will have the rare opportunity to photograph the local Mongolian as they are herding the Bactrian camels across the Khongor sands in South Mongolia.

Get yourself ready and be inspired by the beauty of Mongolia..

Join in on this 11 days 10 nights photography adventure workshop to Mongolia for the unique cultural experience and learn about cultural, portrait, and landscape photography with some of the best photographers on earth.

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival in Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Ulaanbaatar (UBN), we will transfer you to hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Because of the limited flight into Mongolia, you have may arrive one or two days earlier, and have time to explore the beautiful city of Ulaanbaatar.

In the Day 1, we will meet in the hotel lobby in early morning, and will embark on the trip to Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, and downtown Ulaanbaatar

In the evening, we will have the welcome dinner in the local restaurant. Over the dinner, we will give you an overview of our exciting journey ahead.

Overnight in hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2 – 4: Khongor Sand Dunes in Gobi Desert

After breakfast in the hotel, we will go to the airport and take the domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad. The flight time is 1.5 hours. In the case that no flights are available, we will travel by cars from Ulaanbaatar towards Dalanzadgad at no additional cost. Depend on the arrival time, we will either staying in the hotel in Dalanzadgad or driving straight to the Khongor Sand Dunes.

Our main stage for the next two days – Khongor Sand Dunes, one of the largest and the most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia, with the area over 900 square kilometers, and some dunes can reach the heights of 100 to 300 meters! The inhabitants here name the Khongor Sand Dunes as “Singing Dunes” due to the “roaring” or “blooming” noise when the sand grains move over one another in the windy condition.

Bactrian camels will be our companies in the photography sessions. Bactrian camels are double-hump camels native to the Gobi Desert. They are among the most adaptable creatures on Earth, as they can cope with drought, high altitudes, and extreme temperature between +40°C in the summer and -30°C in the winter. Domesticated Bactrian camels are a separate species from wild Bactrian camel, they have served as pack animals in inner Asia since ancient times, and as a form of transportation on the Silk Road. We will be having 5 camels and 2 local Mongolians in their traditional costume to be posed in the sand dunes for photography! You will be witnessing the amazing shadow of sand dunes casted by the low-angled sunlight and the camels walking across the sand dunes, just like the silk road era!

Overnight in hotel in Tourist Ger Camp in Day 2 and Day 3; and hotel in Dalanzadgad in Day 4. The amenities of the Tourist Ger Camp include comfortable beds, clean public shower and seat toilet, and limited hour of electricity.

Day 5: Mongolian Nomadic Show & Mini Nadaam Festival

After the breakfast, we will be catching the flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon return to Ulaanbaatar, you will be brought to the Mongolian Nomadic Show offers an immersive experience into the traditional lifestyle of Mongolian nomads.

Mongolia, the ancestral home of ancient nomadic tribes, continues to preserve this way of life as families still raise the five main types of livestock and migrate across the vast steppes in search of the best pastures. The Mongol Nomadic Show begins with performances of the Mongolian long song and the horsehead fiddle, honoring time-honored traditions. Following this, a mini version of the Mongolian National Naadam Festival takes place at the camp, featuring archery, wrestling, and horse racing.

The Mongols are descendants of the greatest warriors the world has ever seen with good reasons, but first and foremost it is their training. As soon as they were old enough to sit on a horse and hold a bow they started hunting and also from a young age they were taught a fighting style called Bökh, but is generally referred to as Mongolian wrestling today. Mongols are expert horsemen as well, both men and horse had great endurance and could travel anywhere from 80-120 kilometers a day, which was an unheard of speed in those times. Their skills with the bow and arrow were so good they could shoot accurately from a horse even from behind. The Mongols are extremely proud of this heritage, so even if today they are amongst the friendliest people you can find, they are still great with horses, bow and arrow and considered amongst the toughest wrestlers in the world. We will have the opportunity to meet some of those warriors, both archers and wrestlers, where they will demonstrate their skills, and if you are up for it… maybe step into “the ring” with one of them!

In addition, a nomadic family will demonstrate their unique daily activities, including herding livestock, milking sheep and goats, shearing sheep, making felt, setting up a traditional ger (yurt), and preparing traditional foods such as tea, dairy products, and fermented airag. Additionally, there are opportunities to enjoy traditional Mongolian games, as well as throat singing, folk music and dance performances.

Overnight in hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 6 – 8: Kazakh Eagle Hunters

After the breakfast, we will take the 2 hours domestic flight from Ulaanbaater to Olgii. Our drivers will pick us up and drive toward the Altantsugts Soum and Tsambagaraw Mountain, which is our base for the next few days. You will be welcomed by the Kazakh family and you will enjoy the traditional meals in one of the Kazakh Ger camps.

The tradition of eagle hunting is over a thousand years old and Genghis Khan is believed to have engaged in the sport. The Kazakhs inherited the sport from their Turkic and Mongol ancestors and were practicing it when they emerged as an ethnic group since 15th century. The hunting with golden eagles is primarily for fur, not for meat. The main preys are red and Corsac foxes, hares, wild cats and wolf. Usually, the female eagles are captured from their nests while they are a few months old. They are then trained by their owner, and a close relationship develops along the way. The eagle will stay with her owner for 4 to 10 years, when she is of breeding age. She is then released as far as possible in order to discourage her from returning, and the owner will continue to monitor her to ensure she is feeding and reintegrating. In 2011, UNESCO added Kazakh eagle hunting to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as an example of living human heritage. As one eagle hunter told National Geographic, “When Kazakhs came into the world, they were eagle hunters.”

In the middle of the day when the light is harsh outside, we will be photographing the Kazakh people with their traditional costume inside their Ger camp, with the ambient lights coming through the door. The results will simply blow your mind! If you are brave enough, you will be given the rare opportunity to get up closely to the golden eagles and let them stand on your arm!

Over these days, you will be having the traditional cuisines together with the Kazakh family, you will be enjoying their foods after the long days of photographing. The Kazakhs will also present you their epic instrumental music, dancing and vocal singing!

Overnights in Kazakh’s Ger Camp. The amenities include beds, seat toilet, heater, and limited hour of electricity.

DETAILS:

Dates: August 16-26, 2027

Pallas's Cat— pre-trip extension 8-15 August 2027

Cost: $6995.00 Double occupancy

Single Supplement: $795.00-limited availability.

Participants: 12

Included:

· Sharing twin accommodation in hotels

· Ger camp /All accommodations

· All ground transportation

· Drivers

· Fuel

· Photography Guides and Tour leaders

· National park fees

· All Meals

· Private Eagle hunting mini-festival, Eagle hunting activity

· Beverages (bottled water)

· Additionally we prepare electric cord line, power generators for remote places with no electricity

Not Included:

· Medical and/or evacuation insurance

· Alcoholic beverages

· Visas -US Citizens do not require a visa if visiting for under 90 days.

· Single supplement in hotels ($795.00) .

· Extra baggage charge -Limit of baggage on Domestic flights is 15kg total (carry on and check-in), around US$2-5 charge per extra kg paid by credit card at the airport.

· TIPS- $300.00

Camera Gear:

· Two camera bodies, sturdy tripod

· Lens selection between 14-400mm, polarizers and ND filters if desired.

What to Wear:

· Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperatures +5 – 20 C)

· Waterproof pants

· Warm down-jacket and thermal pants

· Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photo shoots.

Physical difficulty

The main photo tour in Mongolia is easy to moderate in terms of physical activity. Most of the locations, even in the mountains, will be easily accessible from where our drivers will park. The first and second locations in West Mongolia are about a 50-100 meter walk from the car, whereas the third location involves a 300-meter walk with a 20-30 meter ascent on a 20-30% slope to reach a small panoramic hill. At the Gobi Desert, you will need to be prepared to walk in sand dunes, which can be moderately physical in nature. We recommend that you bring hiking poles for this part of the tour if needed. (30-40 minute walk to reach the beautiful inner dunes.)

Weather: (Averages During Our Trip)

Coldest: +1°C to -2°C

Normal: 6°C to +8°C

Warmest: +13°C to +16°C

The Gobi desert is the warmest area in Mongolia. But it’s autumn time and it gets cold in the night time. So please bring warm clothes.

*itinerary subject to change due to local conditions and/or weather.

Deposit Info:

A $2000.00 deposit is required to hold your spot for this tour. All final payments should be made via check made out to "Denise Ippolito LLC". Wire transfers accepted from overseas participants and participant is responsible for all transaction fees on both sides. All tour deposits are non -refundable, please check your schedule closely before making your deposit. Credit cards will only be accepted for deposit payment only. All other payments must be made by check or wire transfer.

Final payment due by December 15, 2026.

Trip insurance is highly recommended for all trips. A detailed PDF file will be sent to all participants once we get our entire group together. Please do not purchase airfare until I let you know that the trip is a go.

SIGN UP HERE-

Pallas’s Cat add-on -

Magnolia Heaven

May 29, 2025

I just returned home to NJ from my recent trip to Charleston. I had a private client for a one day walk-around in downtown Charleston. I also spent a little time on my own trying to get stuff done in my Charleston house. I also needed to get a shot of a magnolia flower for a client that requested one for her home. She wants a large photo, and I already got paid for the gig, so the pressure is on yikes! I spent some time at Magnolia Gardens trying to capture an image that she would like for her home. She ended up liking both and can’t decide between them. But she only has room for only one. One has warmer tones and the other has slightly cooler tones. She said both the warmer and cooler toned image would work for her décor as she has a greige color palette. One photo is of a slightly older bloom which shows some yellowing, while the other is a fresh blossom with some greenish tones. She has left it up to me and wants me to surprise her-your thoughts on which one I should send her??? She said she will be using a white frame to display it in.

So, I took into consideration some of the feedback and worked on the image. BTW, I really appreciate everyone’s comments and help. The other one I posted was almost SOOC before but now I have darkened the background considerably, and took a slice off the top. In some ways, I feel like it lost its freshness and it also competes with another image I am working on. BUT, I do see how some could consider the green area distracting. Let me know your thoughts, if you return to this page. Thx.

Finland Photo Tour- January 4 – 10, 2026

May 20, 2025

Join award winning photographer and international tour leader, Denise Ippolito for a Finland photo tour in January. I will be joined by legendary landscape photographer Christian Høiberg and internationally acclaimed tour leader Kah-Wai Lin .

During this tour we will visit some of the best locations in the world for winter wonderland photos. This will be the first time I am visiting, so I am going to be well armed with drivers, helpers, award winning photo guides and photo instructors (all very knowledgeable about these specific locations) and I have worked with them all in the past and they are a great team. Plus, I am also hiring two specialized local guides to join us on one of our excursions so that we can make the most of our time there. I am really looking forward to this adventure. I hope you can join me.

Dates: January 4-10, 2026

Price per person: US$4700. based on double occupancy, Single supplement: US$750

Limit: 8 – 10 participants, Exact times and details will be provided to all via an additional information sheet once we get our entire group together.

All locations require a fair bit of walking. There are trails that are easy to follow. Everyone can move around and decide for themselves how much walking they want to do. There will be plenty of assistants to help if needed. At Kuntivaara no walking is required, but if you choose to explore the options are endless. All locations are huge! So we can spread out across several kilometers if we want.

If a geomagnetic storm is in progress, aurora photography will be possible. Its a bit south of the aurora oval, but it is still possible from our locations and our guides have photographed the aurora there several times.

Temperatures range from -5 to -35 degrees Celsius. So, basically you need thick down jackets, snow pants, warm boots (I’ll wear my Arctic Muck boots), basically everything you need for cold weather photography. If you have been to Norway or Japan in the winter this trip will be similar but slightly colder. It will not be wet or windy, and that is a plus for photography.

Snowshoes are available for rent if needed.

Included:

Ground transportation

Hotel Accommodations

Entrance fees to all sites

Snow mobile transport to Kuntivaara

Two professional local guides to Kuntivaara

Award winning photography instruction

Snacks and warm drinks at Kuntivaara

Not included:

Airfare to and from Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)

Meals and drinks