Raw Rainforest Immersion Photography Tours
Experience a new approach to photographic tourism that truly explores the rainforest diversity diversely, with special focus on designing images, understanding the ecological role and behavior of your subjects, approaching our host communities with gratitude and reciprocity, and joining in the camaraderies that Bruce and Fausto have established over the 25 years they have worked together in this region.

Raw Rainforest programs are a celebration of the long friendship between Fausto Andy, expert rainforest guide (Indigenous Kichwa, Ecuador) and Dr. Bruce Farnsworth (California, USA) who has lived and worked in the region many years and completed feature and assignment work for such magazines as National Geographic and Smithsonian.

What makes Raw Rainforest programs unique?
We provide a rainforest experience unlike any other. In addition to the stories and insights shared by Fausto, Bruce and our community hosts, you’ll enjoy a wonderfully holistic and arts-based appreciation of the rainforest that is not found in typical mega-fauna or bird-centric tours, giving you a richer, more satisfying experience which leaves you with a feeling that you’ve experienced the plant, animal, cultural and aesthetic diversity of the rainforest.

Based in Amazonian Ecuador, the most biologically-diverse place on earth, the Raw Rainforest concept delivers a range of activities in forest, lagoon, river and canopy settings, moving with creative energy and appreciation of the many values of the upper Amazon.

A rich experience
We bring you photography expertise, professional education skills, interpretation by a trained zoologist and expert indigenous guide, along with local knowledge and relationships developed over many years in the region.

During tours, we can support your experience with individualized coaching, new creative techniques, expert interpretation and lots of perspective to enrich your caption and story-telling.

Our itineraries explore a wide range of subject matter in locations where Bruce and Fausto have previously worked together.  The tour itinerary is designed to encompass and interpret both the cultural and biological diversity of the Amazon rainforest environment of the upper Napo River.

We meet rainforest visitors at any level of knowledge or experience
Fausto and Bruce have guided rainforest tours of all levels of experience from around the world – be sure to read the extended bios for Fausto & Bruce linked below.  Whether you are a first-time visitor, an educator seeking to develop a learning unit, an experienced photographer diving into a new location, or a biologist excited to get your first rainforest experience, you will find our programs rewarding and invigorating!  We’ve enjoyed some cross-disciplinary experiences with silicon valley professionals who found both solitude and metaphore within the networks of the rainforest ecosystem.

We know that every day is new in the rainforest
Fausto and Bruce scout locations BEFORE tour activities to see what animals, fruits and flowers are active and available for viewing.  Sometimes, fallen fruit bring wildlife into view or lead to serendipitous photographs of designs in nature and the impromptu preparation of indigenous food items.  The occasional indigenous community wedding or “boda” – and the related harvesting of meats and fruits from forest and lagoon – can lead to wondrous photo opportunities.

Your participation supports communities on the Napo River
Proceeds from our tours benefit communities on the Napo River watershed, providing funds for ecotourism development, local schools, medical stations and forest monitoring & protection.

Raw Rainforest is an advocate of slow photography and always striving to minimize our impacts.  Our tour groups are limited to 8 persons, which also allows for a more relaxed and personalized experience.

Saludos!

Bruce & Fausto

Click below to learn about Fausto & Bruce

Fausto Andy, Expert Indigenous Rainforest Guide (Kichwa, Ecuador)

Bruce Farnsworth, PhD, Conservation Photographer and Zoologist (California, USA)