See the Zoo through the lens of your camera with our special programs tailored to the needs of photography enthusiasts. Shutterbugs can join our staff photographer Cathy Burkey for group and private photo safaris. Try our new full-day photo workshops and learn more about nature and wildlife photography. Or enter a special picture you've taken of an animal at the Dallas Zoo or Children's Aquarium at Fair Park in the Tenth Anniversary of our annual Feathers, Fur & Scales Photo Contest and you'll have a chance to win a trip for two! Reserve your spot now or buy a gift certificate for someone special.

NEW! Evening Views at the Zoo

NEW!  Photograph the animals from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – the magic hours right before sunset!

You will receive a special map indicating where these animals are located and will have the freedom to move about the Zoo after the other guests have gone home.

Pre-registration is encouraged but on-site registration is available beginning at 5 p.m.

Dates:  April 14, May 12, May 19, June 23, July 14, and July 21
Cost:  $30 advanced registration; $40 same day registration

Photo Safaris

You don't have to travel around the world to photograph wildlife in natural settings. Take a guided tour with Burkey as she leads participants to animal habitats that offer the best opportunities for photographers. Zookeepers will be on hand to help encourage the animals to be in the best possible locations for photography. Photo Safaris are limited to 15 participants and pre-registration is required. The four-hour adventure begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. A continental breakfast is included. Pre-registration is required.
Dates: March 17, April 7, May 5, September 22, and November 17
Cost: $45 (DZS members), $55 (non-members)

Photo Safari/Fossil Rim Adventure

A special Photo Safari and Fossil Rim Adventure is a two-day program and is a joint effort between the Dallas Zoo and the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center at Glen Rose, Texas. The event begins with a photo safari at the Dallas Zoo on Saturday morning, then guests travel to Fossil Rim for an overnight stay and a photo safari the next morning. All meals and accommodations are included. Rates are based on double occupancy rooms. Transportation between the Dallas Zoo and Fossil Rim is not included.
       
Dates: March 31-April 1, 2012
Cost: $350

Private Photo Safaris

The perfect gift for any photographer -- private photo safaris are tailored to the individual interests of each participant. Burkey offers one-on-one guidance for finding the best opportunities to photograph their favorite animals. Cost for the four-hour program includes a continental breakfast and a handmade souvenir booklet of their experience.
Dates: April through June, October through November
Cost: $125 (DZS members), $150 (non-members)

Photo Safari/Workshop

New this year, we're introducing a day-long photo safari with an afternoon workshop lead by Burkey and a leading professional photographer. Each workshop will concentrate on various aspects of nature and animal photography.
Dates: May 26, June 9, July 7, August 11, and September 1
Cost: $125 (DZS members), $150 (non-members)

Feathers, Fur & Scales Photo Contest-Tenth Anniversary

Take a shot at winning a trip for two when you enter this year's Feathers, Fur & Scales photo contest. The annual contest is open to everyone from children to experienced professionals. The entry fee of $15 enables participants to submit up to three 8x10 prints of any animal from the Dallas Zoo or the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park. All photos must be taken between April 1 and September 30, 2012. Prints may be color or black-and-white and should be unframed and unmounted.

Photos will be judged in three categories: children (12 and under); junior (ages 13 to 18 years); novice (beginners to non-professionals); and advanced (considerable photographic experience to professionals). First, second, and third place winners will be selected in each category and best of show will be awarded. This year, we're introducing our best prize ever -- a trip for two -- for the best of show winner. Three honorable mentions in each category also will be awarded. Entry forms are available at www.DallasZoo.com, at the Dallas Zoo's administration building, and at sponsor locations.

Mail entries to Cathy Burkey, Dallas Zoological Society, 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75203-3013. Photographs remain the copyrighted property of the photographer; however, the Dallas Zoological Society and the Dallas Zoo reserve the non-exclusive right to publish images in any and all promotional or educational media without obtaining further permission from or providing compensation to the originator. Photographs will not be returned. Winners will be notified by phone and will be invited to the awards ceremony in October at the Zoo.

For more information about the photo contest or our other photographic adventures, or to purchase a gift certificate, contact cathy.burkey@dallaszoo.com or call (469) 554-7423.