2027 Alaska Brown Bears, Bears, Helicopters, Bears, Glaciers & Fall Colors
September 15-22, 2027 - 7 Days and 7 Nights
Designed by Jeff Schultz, guided by Michael DeYoung-- Read Description for Details.
This is BY FAR my most popular and prized photo tour with THE BEST REVIEWS! Now, it comes with FOUR FULL DAYS AND NIGHTS (instead of 3) in Lake Clark National Park photographing Alaskan Brown Bears AND a very unique opportunity to do a helicopter fly out and landing in that same stunning landscape! …and keep everything else from previous years.
Want to photograph Alaska Brown Bears in one of THE MOST STUNNING locations for a huge variety of action and landscapes? Want to photograph WAY off the beaten path pristine Alaska glacier landscapes in prime fall color? Want to shoot aerial images of glaciers, icebergs, tundra & snow-capped mountains during several helicopter flights? Want to take your photography to the next level with a seasoned Alaskan professional photographer? Then this is the trip for you.
Travel via van, helicopters and float plane to several remote Alaska areas that few get to see. This 7 day/7 night photography workshop & tour travels for 4 days and 4 nights to a unique, remote lodge on the shores of a pristine, grizzly bear-populated, turquoise-colored lake surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks with fall colors at their base. We also do 3 helicopter flights in one day with the doors off to a helicopter-access only iceberg filled lake, a red-colored tundra ridge overlooking a 16-mile long glacier and end the day with landing on the glacier with a blue pool of water.
Typically this adventure is led by Alaskan photographer Jeff Schultz. However, due to a date conflict in 2027, it will be led by Jeff’s long-time colleague and Alaska professional photographer Michael DeYoung. Jeff does not allow just anyone to take over one of his tours. After working with Mike for over 30 years & sharing other photo tours with him, Jeff knows Mike will get you the images you want and take your photography to the next level. See more of what Jeff says about Mike here: https://www.schultzphoto.com/deyoung/
It will be likely, weather permitting, that the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) appears at night and participants get to see and photograph this. This is not just a “tour” but a photo workshop. While in the field and in the several classroom instruction sessions, Mike will teach you methods he’s learned in his 35+ years as a professional photographer to help you take your landscape and wildlife photography to the next level. Mike is not there to make his own photographs…he is there to ensure you get to make your Alaskan dream shots and to take your photography to the next level.
Who
Advanced beginner* to advanced photographers (maximum 6 participants) *We consider an Advanced Beginner to be one who knows how to use most of the camera features, including manual settings, the exposure triangle and understands basic composition.
When
September 15-22, 2027 7 days/7 nights
Where
Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, Alaska Range, Lake Clark National Park, ALASKA
Highlights
- 4 full days & Nights of Bear photography in Lake Clark National Park from a small boat, enabling photographers to travel to, and with, the bears at close range as they move along the shore and splash and dive for salmon. 2 photographers with guide per boat.
- Helicopter flight & landing during your 4-night stay at our lodge in Lake Clark National Park. You will choose from a large variety of locations to photograph both aerial and land-based images in this unspoiled environment. (Weight Limit of 300 lbs/Person on Helicopter)
- Bald eagle photography along the lake shore and river at the bear lodge.
- Three Helicopter flights and landings in one day over glaciers, an iceberg filled lake, red tundra & a blue pools of water. (Weight Limit of 300 lbs/Person on Helicopter)
- Fall Color mountain landscape photography
- Fall color aerial photography from Alaskan bush plane & helicopters
- Driving through valleys of fall colors with rugged mountain vistas.
- Potential to photograph the Northern Lights and night-sky in Alaska
- Your guide and instructor is one of Alaska’s most published and respected professional photographers
- Daily classroom instruction and critique sessions
- Superb food and accommodations
- Opportunity for additional helicopter flight(s) in Lake Clark National Pak at our bear lodge for additional cost.
- Complimentary for your use at the remote bear lodge, there is: hot tub, kayaks, fishing gear with guide, internet access, beer and wine.
Cost
Standard Trip: $12,950 per person, based on double occupancy. Includes all 7 nights’ accommodations and meals from arrival day dinner through last day breakfast and all ground transportation as well as round-trip float plane to Lake Clark National Park, helicopter trip of your choice at the bear lodge, and helicopter flights to three locations on one day.
* Single Supplement Cost: Single occupancy for the first 3 nights’ accommodations, (last 4nights at the lodge in Lake Clark must be shared accommodations) is additional: $ 595.00.
Because of the limited number of cabins and short season the lodge in Lake Clark, it is necessary that participants share a cabin there. We will pair up likely travelers together for the double occupancy in separate beds at the lodge in Lake Clark.
NOTE: There is 300 lb. weight limit per person (including clothing) for the helicopter flight. No weight limit on the airplane portion.
FYI—During this trip sunrise is approximately 7:30 am with sunset approximately 8:15 pm
Day 1 ( September 15) Arrival Day. For those traveling from a far time zone, we suggest perhaps arriving a day or two earlier to acclimatize to the time change. We are happy to provide hotel options and potential activities.
Arrive on your own to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) Anchorage, AK. Please arrive no later than 3 pm. Transfer on a free shuttle to our hotel as you arrive. At 4:00 pm we meet at our hotel for a meet and greet, orientation for the trip and a pre-workshop classroom instruction on wildlife and landscape photography followed by dinner.
Day 2 ( September 16) Moose and Fall Landscape Day
Breakfast at hotel… As we leave Anchorage for a one-hour drive to the Matanuska Valley we’ll first drive to locations near the hotel for an opportunity to photograph moose. We then drive North for landscapes of rivers and mountains in the Knik River Valley. We have lunch in the quaint town of Palmer, Alaska. After lunch we drive 1 ½ hours northeast towards our evening destination along the Glenn Highway stopping often for fall landscapes, potential wildlife and whatever interests us, including views of the Matanuska Glacier surrounded by fall color. We will arrive early evening at our lodge nestled between the Talkeetna and Chugach Mountain ranges in private, well-appointed lodge rooms. The evening is spent with a second classroom workshop on Northern Lights and Night-Sky photography and slide show. Evening/sunset photography in the mountainous & lakes area nearby. Dinner at a nearby lodge. There is a potential of seeing & photographing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) —weather & solar activity permitting which would take place either at the lodge itself or a short drive away. Overnight at lodge in Talkeetna Mountains
Day 3 ( September 17) Fall Landscapes
Day 3 begins with an early-risers (6:00 am for those who want to) sunrise fall colors landscape photo shoot a short drive from the lodge, followed by breakfast. Late morning we are off to photograph more fall landscapes along the Glenn Highway and the Hatcher Pass area for stream and mountain landscape photos. Approx. 2:30 pm we arrive at our helicopter port and by 3 pm we will take off in 3 helicopters for a 15-minute flight directly over a 16-mile (25 km) glacier and onto the ice-berg choked shores of a glacier formed lake with the snow-capped Chugach mountains as a background. If conditions permit, the doors of the helicopter will be off for the flight in for better aerial images. At the lakeshore we will photograph iceberg & glacier landscapes. We then fly to another location to land on the tundra above the glacier and do more aerials on the way. Our third and final landing is on the glacier (glacier spikes provided for your boots) at a blue-pool of glacial meltwater. We arrive back to the helicopter pad approx.. 7:30 pm for the hour drive to our Anchorage hotel.
Day 4 (September 18) Fly to Lake Clark and BEARS !
Breakfast at the hotel. Pickup at 7:30 am and transport to air taxi at Lake Hood Seaplane Base. Fly in a floatplane for a one-hour flight to our home for the next 4 nights, an exclusive, private lodge in Lake Clark National Park. Weather permitting, there is opportunity on the flight for aerial photography. Arrive at the lodge in the late morning. After introductions to the staff and an orientation to the lodge grounds and cabin, head out to find and photograph bears.
There will be two participants in one low-riding motorboat with a guide. The bears here are found in various locations around the 9-mile, glacier-fed lake and at both the inlet and outlet rivers. The real uniqueness of this location is the SPECTACULAR scenery the bears are in AND the ideal way in which we can both travel in the safety of the small boats with the bears as they move around the area and that we can relocate quickly to find more bears in different locations. We are not stuck photographing just one bear or set of bears. And these bears are CLOSE to us.
The lodge is known for its dedicated staff and delicious meals. We’ll have lunch back at the lodge and hear about the various opportunites for you to choose a custom helicopter flight that suits your interest. Then head back out to find more bears and landscapes. Evening dinner at the lodge includes beer and wine. Perhaps a time to edit images. Again, Northern Lights and/or night sky photography is a possibility.
Day 5, 6 & 7 (September 19, 20 & 21) All day BEARS, BEARS, BEARS !
Each of the next three days, after a hearty breakfast, we will take to either the small boats with 2 photographers and guide per boat or take a pontoon boat with our whole group to photograph bears in various locations. The bear activity here is such that there is a huge variety of types of images you may get. (see the samples). Every trip out onto the lake will be different. Different bears, different action, different everything.
NOTE: During these 4 days you can weave in your custom helicopter flight according to the weather, your desires and the lodge’s flight schedule. You may wish to land and photograph moose or black bears you see from the heli. Or make aerials of bears fishing or fly around the snow-covered Mt. Redoubt active volcano, or land high on a rocky mountain top. The options are endless. Conditions permitting, the doors will be off for the flight for better aerial photography.
For this helicopter trip, the entire group does not need to agree on the trip. You and your cabin-mate will decide on what trip you want to do and when you want to do it. You can also choose to add an additional flight.
At any time during the 4 days at our bear lodge, you are welcome to choose another activity, other than photographing bears, of your choice. You can take a guide and go kayaking, hiking or salmon and trout fishing. .
Day 8 Back to Anchorage.
Breakfast at the lodge. Leave on floatplane for Anchorage in morning. Arrive back at Lake Hood Seaplane base approximately 12 noon. Transfer available to the airport or the hotel of your choice.
DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABLY OF ALASKA’S WEATHER, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT MAKE FLIGHT RESERVATIONS TO LEAVE ALASKA ON THIS AFTERNOON OR NIGHT JUST IN CASE WE GET WEATHERED IN AT THE LODGE.
At each of the workshop classroom sessions, Mike will discuss his methods for shooting stellar wildlife and landscape images as is appropriate for the group. During each days’ outings Mike will also talk through his methods for making the best image at the current location with the subject at hand. He is NOT there to photograph his own images; he is there to help you take your photography to the next level. Mike will also cover the following:
- 10 Tips to making better images no matter where you are
- Composition: Do’s, Don’ts, and New Ideas
- What makes a compelling image
- Use of various types of filters
- Combining shutter speeds and f-stops… and the effects of each
- Equipment: What You Really Need, Would Like, & Don’t Need at All
Besides two Canon camera bodies, Mike brings lenses from 14mm-500mm and flash with off-camera capabilities, tripod, polarizer and split-neutral density filters.
ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT:
At the very least, please bring:
- A DSLR camera with two lenses such as a 24-105mm and a 100-500mm would be ideal.
- Several back up batteries & charger
- Extra media cards for your camera
- Tripod
Ideally, if possible, please also bring:
- Extra camera body
- Lenses ranging from 17mm-400mm. If you’d like to rent equipment while you are visiting Alaska, we recommend our friends at Stewart’s Photo Shop in downtown Anchorage. Visit them online at: http://stewartsphoto.com/rentals/
- A fast, wide-angle lens for Night-Sky/AuroarNorthern Lights 14-24mm f2.8 or faster is ideal
- A long telephoto: 400-500mm is ideal.
- A macro lens or extension tubes
- Polarizing Filter – Mike uses and recommends Breakthrough filters
- Graduated Neutral Density Filters: Mike carries a 2 and a 3 stop “soft” and “hard” Galen Rowell graduated filters by Singh-Ray.
- Flash and off-camera cord
- Lens shades & cable release
- Non abrasive, absorbent cloth
- Laptop computer with image editing/processing software – Mikeuses and recommends Lightroom
- Backpack type of carrying case –
- Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use
Ground Transportation is provided in a 12-passenger luxury van.
The price includes:
- All aspects of the photography workshop/tour
- Round trip ground transportation from Anchorage to the Matanuska Valley and back to Anchorage.
- Helicopter flight* to Colony Glacier
- Floatplane flight* to Lake Clark lodge
- All 7 nights accommodations
- Unlimited beer and wine at Lake Clark lodge
- One glass of beer or wine at other dinners
- All meals from the first night dinner, through the last day breakfast.
- * All flying is done “weather permitting”. Jeff Schultz and our lodge vendor is not responsible for flights that are cancelled due to weather and/or weather delays
What’s not Included:
- Air transportation from your home to and from Anchorage, Alaska.
- Any personal gear. You must bring your own photography gear, clothing, toiletries and outerwear. There are weight restrictions on gear for the flights. A list of recommended clothing and camera gear as well as weight information will be sent after registration.
- Personal expenses.
- Beverages at dinner meals other than Redoubt Mountain Lodge
- Recommended Gratuity for your guide/staff at Lake Clark Lodge-- $100-$150 per person
Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.
Deposit, Payment Schedule & Cancellation Policy
Due to Alaska’s short season as well as the high demand for, and limited number of places on this Alaskan photo tour, the following payment conditions apply:
A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking.
The balance of the tour price is due March 1, 2027 via check or Venmo. An invoice for the balance will be sent 30 days prior to that time. Payments can be made prior to this date as well.
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
All cancellation requests must be received in writing. Excluding the $1000 non-refundable portion of the deposit, the deposits are refundable ONLY if we can fill your space(s) with another booking. We typically have a waiting list for these trips, but cannot guarantee one will be available should you choose or need to cancel.
Except for the $1000 non-refundable deposit, 80% of any deposits forfeited can be applied to a future Jeff Schultz Photography OR Mike DeYoung photo tour.
We are sorry but there will be no refunds for delays or cancellations because of weather, flights, or other unforeseen reasons before arriving, during or after the photo tour. We highly recommend arriving in Anchorage 1-2 full days before the trip. Jeff Schultz Photography Inc. & Mike Deyoung Photo Tours are not responsible for additional costs which may be incurred by such delays.
We have the right to cancel this photo tour for lack of registrants up to 60 days prior to the photo tour date. In the case that we cancel the photo tour, 100% of your deposit and payments will be returned. However, Jeff Schultz Photography Inc. does not assume responsibility for any other costs incurred by our client because of our cancellation of the trip.
We are sorry, but due to our short season here in Alaska, we are unable to make exceptions, for any reason, to our cancellation policy including medical or family emergencies.
For these reasons, and for medical emergencies, we strongly recommend trip insurance.
Here are a few options for insurance. Review the companies and choose the best policy for your needs:
Covid-19 Alaska Travel Information
Click here to read about current travel protocol and restrictions to Alaska
and Jeff Schultz’s mitigation plan
BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW
Contact us directly if you have questions about the workshop/tour or would like to book directly.
After booking What’s Next? Upon booking we will contact you to confirm your space and see if you have any specific questions we can answer at that time. Then, several months before the workshop, we will e-mail you a list of other essential personal gear, any specialized photography gear we feel will enhance your experience, and more detailed information on where and when to meet for the first day. We will also ask for emergency contact information and medical information.
Attention: By reserving a Jeff Schultz photography workshop/tour, or private photo tour or class, you are agreeing to a Release of Liability. Click and read the link before completing your booking.
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