Fieldwork requires a lot of equipment, but photography requires even more! During our June 2024 photography workshop, we transported over 100 lbs. of equipment — by hand — through working permaculture farms and up and down steep, rain-soaked limestone trails to protected caves. We partnered with Proyecto CUBABAT, a conservation project I’ve been involved with since 2012, to teach bat photography techniques to local and international photographers and to create outreach materials for Proyecto CUBABAT for their long-term conservation efforts.
Planning began long before we reached Cuba. We coordinated with Proyecto CUBABAT to gather information on moon phases, fruiting trees, and bat behavior — helping us plan field and studio photos. Once we arrived, our first target was at Cueva Cristales, where we aimed to photograph one of the world’s smallest bats, Gervais’ funnel-eared bat (Nyctiellus lepidus). Duncan Hicks, MTBC’s Operation Manager, Danielle Cordani, MTBC’s Conservation Program Coordinator, and I arrived early at Cueva Cristales to set up the cameras. We set up the flash and flight beam at the cave entrance, away from the bat chamber, following Merlin’s hand drawn diagram closely. However, our flight beam was mostly triggered by the larger Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis). A key lesson learned: the diagram is just a guide and must be adjusted for the working space and bat behavior. It took us six hours to redo our setup — this is why we arrive well before the bats emerge!
When we visited Jardines Bellamar, a local permaculture farm, Merlin was excited to find flowering Royal palm trees at ground level (normally too high to easily photograph), which he suspected were pollinated by bats. Moving from tree to tree, he used his experience to predict which flowers would open soon and taught us how to frame shots by considering how a bat might approach fruit aerodynamically. Even with this foreknowledge, getting the perfect shot remained a challenge. Our workshop participants arrived shortly after and received a lesson in ethical bat photography, eager to learn and collaborate. It was truly inspiring to see individuals from diverse backgrounds coming together, sharing their techniques and knowledge, all united in their support for bat conservation efforts in Cuba.
When heavy rains kept us out of the field, we set up a makeshift photo studio in the garage of our homestay to train five Waterhouse leaf-nosed bats (Macrotus waterhousii) from a nearby colony. Within a day, the two most outgoing bats would come when called. Amazingly, these two then trained the remaining bats to trust us, showcasing their remarkable intelligence. This was my first experience training wild bats, and I was astonished by how quickly they adapted to our presence. Managing five eager bats was tricky, especially as they started performing without waiting for their cue. Merlin explained the importance of not only training bats to come when called, but also ensuring that they approach from specific angles and wait their turn to prevent “butt shots” — Merlin’s least favorite photos. We had also hoped to capture the natural hunting behavior of Mactrotus bats, known for their large ears. They’re “gleaners” that pluck insects like katydids off of leaves or the ground, but the rain made it difficult to find their prey. Despite the challenges, we managed to get some great shots of the bats in action. After a few nights, we returned them to their cave.
When I joined the MTBC team, I expected to learn about conservation and some photography, but I didn’t anticipate trying to catch up to Merlin Tuttle’s 60 years of experience! His advice resonated: “A good photo can greatly aid conservation, while a bad one can reinforce negative public attitudes.”
During the workshop, I had to balance my primary role of managing logistics and field surveys with learning the intricacies of camera settings, the importance of lighting, the rule of thirds, and how to avoid the cardinal sin of cutting feet out of photos. My most important lesson was to take test shots to ensure everything was set correctly. Photography wasn’t just about capturing moments—it required a full-time commitment to detail.
Using the skills I’d learned during the week; I framed a shot along a bat flyway among the fruit trees. With the help of Proyecto CUBABAT members, we created makeshift tripods and flash stands from sticks, ropes, and clamps. Although finicky, the setup worked, proving that fancy gear isn’t necessary for great photos. After the flashes triggered, I eagerly reviewed the photos, only to find that my bats were see-through! I had left the shutter open for over 300 seconds instead of the recommended 10–30 seconds. While not ideal, it created a cool effect for the Antillean ghost-faced bat, and I learned a valuable lesson for next time.
Despite the challenges—rain, technical setbacks, and steep learning curves—our trip to Cuba was an invaluable experience in both bat conservation and photography. With guidance from Merlin Tuttle and collaboration between local and international experts, we successfully trained bats, applied advanced photography techniques, and deepened our understanding of conservation storytelling. This journey reinforced the vital role bats play in ecosystems and highlighted the power of imagery to inspire conservation and public engagement.
To learn more about Proyecto CUBABAT, visit their Facebook page or their official website. For more on how Merlin Tuttle photographs bats, see his guide here. If you’d like to join us in the field, become a member for first notification of opportunities to join us.
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Michael Lazari Karapetian has over twenty years of investment management experience. He has a degree in business management, is a certified NBA agent, and gained early experience as a money manager for the Bank of America where he established model portfolios for high-net-worth clients. In 2003 he founded Lazari Capital Management, Inc. and Lazari Asset Management, Inc. He is President and CIO of both and manages over a half a billion in assets. In his personal time he champions philanthropic causes. He serves on the board of Moravian College and has a strong affinity for wildlife, both funding and volunteering on behalf of endangered species.
