Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor icon Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Carlos Calvo Obando

Carlos is a freelance wildlife photographer and photography instructor from Costa Rica. Passionate about travel and education, he also works as a certified naturalist guide on the beaches, jungles, and mountains of that beautiful tropical paradise. With 20 years of experience leading groups and making images and portraits of Costa Rican creatures and landscapes, he loves to share his knowledge and tricks with enthusiasm, simplicity, and a good sense of humor.

It is not a surprise that throughout the years he has led many different photography tours, of different levels from beginners to advanced, for prestigious local tour operators as well as his own private photo tours and workshops. He has been very successful in combining his expertise as a naturalist guide with his skills in outdoor photography. He will help you find elusive and well-hidden wildlife (as well as the most common ones of course) and suggest the best techniques for you to get the shot!

Carlos believes photography is a field where you can learn something new every day (just like in most aspects of life). He is constantly challenging himself not only to shoot better, more impactful images, but also to share that knowledge to improve your own picture-taking experience and final results.

When not on tour, he lives in San José, Costa Rica, enjoying a peaceful life with his wife Alexandra, his daughter Sofía, and his son Sebastián, while appreciating spicy food and watching soccer games. He has published different calendars and postcards on his own, and he is currently working on a book about Costa Rican hotspots for Wildlife Photography. Some of his work has been exhibited in local museums and galleries.