Wild Death Valley
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Bears in the Wild
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At a Glance
Location
Alaska
Tuition
$16,495
Dates
August 23 – 30, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Bears in the Wild Photography Workshop
Photograph Brown Bear in Katmai National Park Like Never Before
August 23 – 30, 2027
- Camp within the wilderness surrounded by brown bear
- Included chartered flights drop you off at camp
- Learn about the wildlife from experienced researcher guides
This workshop takes you into the heart of Katmai National Park, one of the most remote and spectacular regions of coastal Alaska, where you’ll live among and photograph brown bears in their natural habitat. We will focus on capturing intimate moments of grizzly bears fishing for salmon, moving through tundra, and interacting in the wild. Guided by our pros, you’ll explore pristine river channels, lakes, and salmon streams near the Alagnak River and Bristol Bay, learning composition and wildlife storytelling. Designed for photographers seeking an authentic Alaska bear viewing and photography experience, each day offers close yet safe encounters, hands-on instruction, and extraordinary access to the wild behavior of Katmai’s coastal brown bears. This is one of the most unique Alaska photo workshops, blending adventure, education, and wilderness immersion.
Mornings start with the sound of running water as you unzip your tent to cool air, low clouds over the lakes, and the possibility of your first shots just a short walk from where you slept. After a quick breakfast, you’re out in the field on foot, often within minutes of leaving your tent, positioning yourself with your guides to photograph bears as they fish, interact, and move through the tundra.
In August, the final chapter of the sockeye salmon’s life cycle plays out in the clear Alaskan streams. After several years at sea, these fish fight their way back from Bristol Bay, up the Alagnak River, and through lakes and side channels to the same small streams where they were born. As the water fills with spawning salmon, bears move between river channels to feed on fish. Each day, you work with your guides to choose safe and respectful positions, read the light and wind, and photograph relaxed natural behavior in a truly wild setting.
Your home here is a fully outfitted backcountry camp beside small lakes within easy reach of the key spawning streams. You sleep in spacious four-season tents on thick sleeping mats, with a larger mess tent where you’ll gather for three delicious meals prepared by experienced naturalist guides. Starlink is available for essentials, but it still feels like real wilderness.
This workshop is designed to build your confidence in every aspect of wildlife photography. Whether you’re working in changing light, mastering focus on fast-moving subjects, or learning to capture animal behavior, motion, and mood, your pros are with you every step of the way. Through guidance, image reviews, and discussions on wildlife storytelling, you’ll develop your instincts and gain a deeper understanding of photographing wildlife in its natural environment.
When you’re not out shooting, you’ll just sit outside and listen to the sound of water, wind, and distant bears. How beautiful.
Your Pros
Itinerary
About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
August 23, 2027: Welcome to Homer, Alaska: Evening Meet, Greet, and Lodge Dinner
Arrive in to Homer Alaska by 4:00 PM. We will provide transportation to our lodge for our meet and greet, dinner and a good night sleep.
August 24–28, 2027: Journey to Katmai: Camping With and Photographing the Brown Bears
We’ll enjoy breakfast at our lodge in Homer before heading to the airfield to catch our flight to Katmai. The flight is about one and a half hours. Once we arrive to camp we will settle in for a snack and orientation. Depending on the weather, we’ll venture out to photograph bears that will be in the surrounding tundra and along the shore.
We’ll be spending the following four nights in our camp, which is setup with a larger mess tent for eating, private individual tents, an electric fence for safety, and a portable private John. We will plan each day according to our level of fitness and where the bears are active. The light this time of year will be mostly cloudy with an opportunity for northern lights.
The uniqueness of this camp location is to be within the wilderness living with the brown bear. They are typically sighted in the surrounding meadows and along the shoreline down by the waters edge. We will have plenty of time to photograph them while they are feeding, playing and just living. And, we will be there when the light gets good! On the last morning, we will have breakfast and prepare our personal items for the flight back to Homer. After we arrive in Homer, we’ll be transported back to our hotel for a hot shower and meal.
August 29–30, 2027: Katmai Expedition: Brown Bears in the Wild, Northern Lights Opportunities
We’ve reserved rooms at a lodge for two additional nights, giving us a full day to review our images, teach post-processing and enjoy in reliving the adventures we just had. August 30th, the workshop concludes after breakfast, and it’s time to say goodbye and fly home.
Wilderness Camp
This camp was created by two guides who have extensive experience in this region of Alaska and have spent years studying the brown bears in this area. Your safety is of the utmost importance, so an electric fence surrounds the camping area. Everyone's tents are private, giving you plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a nice rest between adventures. There is a private tent for a restroom and another private, larger tent for dining. All the food is prepared for you and dietary concerns are addressed and optional meals are prepared.
Fitness
Challenging: Walks of up to 2 miles in tundra with camera equipment and coastal environments. 4 nights camping.
Flights
Arrive at Homer Airport (HOM), Homer, Alaska before 4:00 PM on August 23, 2027. Flights out can be made after on August 30, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $750 supplement. (Hotel only)
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
- Camp bedding: cot, sheet and sleeping bag
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Single rooming available for supplement of $750.
- Travel to and from Homer, Alaska.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $750 supplement. (Hotel only)
Payment Terms
- Your non-refundable deposit of $6,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further non-refundable payment of $6,000 is due by December 1, 2026.
- The non-refundable balance is due not later than April 1, 2027.
- In addition to our standard Terms and Conditions, for this workshop all payments are non-refundable, and this is why we recommend comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancelation.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll have the opportunity to photograph brown bears in their natural habitat as they fish for salmon, move through the tundra, and interact in the wild. The workshop is designed to provide close yet safe encounters with these magnificent animals.
You'll develop skills in wildlife photography, including mastering focus on fast-moving subjects, capturing animal behavior, motion, and mood, and composing compelling wildlife stories. The pros will guide you through changing light conditions and help you build confidence in photographing wildlife.
All payments for this workshop are non-refundable under any circumstances. We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage.
This workshop requires a challenging fitness level, with walks of up to 2 miles in tundra and coastal environments while carrying camera equipment. Participants should be prepared for the physical demands of the terrain and conditions.
You'll stay in a fully outfitted backcountry camp with private four-season tents and comfortable bedding. The camp includes a larger mess tent for meals and is surrounded by an electric fence for safety. Single rooming is available at the lodge for an additional supplement.
While specific gear isn't listed, it's advisable to bring lenses suitable for wildlife photography, such as telephoto lenses for capturing distant subjects and wide-angle lenses for landscapes. Ensure you have weather-appropriate clothing and gear for camping.
Medical evacuation insurance is required, and we strongly recommend travel medical and trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the workshop.
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