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2017 Alaska Odyssey – 14-day/13 night Photo Tour– August 16-29, 2017

$7,903.00 – $11,290.00

 

*SOLD OUT*

DESCRIPTION

Over the course of two weeks, this tour takes you to see selected Alaskan highlights. Impressive mountain scenery, vast glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and idyllic valleys await. In addition to photographing Alaska’s impressive landscapes, you will also capture a diverse range of wildlife: bears, moose, eagles, whales, caribou and many more.

This exclusive photo tour of Alaska cannot be compared to other Alaskan photo tours. We take you to unique locations, far from the tourist crowds. You will get the chance to take photos from a bush plane, a helicopter and during an all-day boat ride, as well as land-based images. Your main photographic guide, professional photographer Jeff Schultz, has lived in Alaska for over 35 years and has been the official photographer of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race since 1982. A second photo guide will also be on hand.

Non-photographer spouses will also have plenty to see and do. In addition to the breath-taking experiences of nature, you can also enjoy activities such as hiking, biking and canoeing.

WHO

Beginners to advanced photographers (maximum 9 participants) fully booked– no spaces available

This Alaskan photo tour is perfect for both beginners and advanced photographers. Due to the group’s reduced size and the support provided by two guides, the individual needs of each participant can be given proper attention.

The trip is designed to ensure that non-photographers also get their money’s worth. For example, in the Denali National Park you will have the opportunity to take part in guided or individual hikes of varying difficulty, canoeing on Wonder Lake and various other activities.

WHEN

August 16-29, 2017, 14 days/13 nights

WHERE

Anchorage, Lake Clark National Park, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Matanuska Valley, Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Brown bears in the remote natural paradise of Lake Clark National Park
  • Four days in the heart of the Denali National Park, far from the hustle and bustle at the park’s entrance. This privilege is available only to the chosen few!
  • The impressive nature and wildlife of the tundra: bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and many more. And with a bit of luck, by late August the tundra will be shining in its beautiful autumn colors.
  • Exclusive boat tour (for our group only) in the Kenai Fjords National Park with great photo opportunities: vast glaciers, picturesque mountain landscapes, bald eagles, whales, orcas, otters, seals, sea lions, puffins and many more
  • Exclusive helicopter flight and landing at remote glacier-fed lake
  • Helicopter and bush plane flight for spectacular aerial shots
  • Typical, rustic Alaskan lodges – some of which are very remote, and thus close to photographic highlights
  • Personal support and assistance from renowned Alaskan professional photographer: Jeff Schultz (Jeff will be supported by another photographic guide). Throughout the whole trip, we will be offering short, hands-on tutorials on relevant photographic topics.
  • During our trip, Sunrise is approximately 6:20 am Sunset is approximately 9:40 pm / 21:40

Slideshow

Itinerary

Day 1

Independent travel to Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage. You should arrive in Anchorage no later than 3 pm on 16 August, 2017. From the airport, the hotel’s free shuttle service will deliver you to your accommodation with the minimum of fuss.

Later in the afternoon, you will meet the other tour participants, your photography guide, Jeff Schultz, and a further guide from Amazing Views. Jeff will give you an introduction to wildlife and landscape photography and the details on your upcoming trip. Then we all head off for dinner together. To help you get over the jetlag, it is advisable to arrive a day early.

Day 2

After breakfast, we take a quick shuttle to the Lake Hood seaplane base near the hotel. This is the busiest take-off and landing point for seaplanes in the world. A typical Alaskan float plane takes us directly to our lodge in Lake Clark National Park.

After a flight of just under an hour, we land on the sandy beach next to the lodge where we will spend the next two nights. Each guest cabin and lodge room is unique, modern, spacious and very comfortable with a combination of queen and twin beds, full baths, sitting areas, individual heat sources, and electricity. The fully furnished cabins have one, two or three bedrooms and all have private decks with views of the tidal flats and Cook Inlet.

Upon arrival, we will head to look for bears, accompanied by two highly trained guides who are responsible for your safety. To allow us to move through the area rapidly, transport from one location to the next will make use of ATVs/quad bikes.

With any luck, we’ll capture our first images of the impressive bears. After a break for dinner, we will set out to look for bears again, taking the time to observe them and take photos as long as the light permits.

Day 3

We spend the whole day in the Lake Clark National Park, following bear tracks, and with plenty of time to observe and take photos. In this region, it is common to see bears digging up mussels on the beach or catching salmon in the rivers and streams that flow to the sea. We will return to the lodge for lunch and breaks.

Day 4

 After breakfast, we have more time for bear watching and photography. Around noon, we are picked up by bush plane for the return journey to Anchorage.

Our own private minibus then takes us on north to the quaint village of Talkeetna. Refreshments will be provided in the form of a delicious picnic lunch. Along the way there are countless fantastic photo opportunities.

After arriving at the hotel, you are free to do whatever you wish. Talkeetna is known for its wonderful views towards the mountains. Towards evening, when the light is particularly beautiful, we meet up again to take some photos of the stunning landscapes. After dinner, you can choose between taking some more photos, participating in a tutorial from Jeff about landscape photography, or simply enjoying the evening.

Day 5

Before breakfast, early birds can capture some images of the beautiful scenery in the dawn light. During the morning, you will have the option of flying over the Denali National Park (weather permitting). This is a unique experience, and offers fantastic opportunities to take some birds’ eye view photos.

Afterwards, we drive along the idyllic Parks Highway in the direction of the Denali National Park. The scenery is amazing, and offers great photo opportunities. We spend the night in a luxury lodge near the entrance to the park.

Day 6

Denali National Park is one of North America’s absolute scenic highlights, and is ideal for both landscape and wildlife photography. In the morning, we explore the area around the park entrance and have time to enjoy the Visitor Center to help orient yourself to the massive Denali National Park. Shortly after noon, we drive in a specially made bus to our next lodge at Camp Denali, located in the heart of the park approximately six hours’ drive away. The route is extremely beautiful, and with any luck we will see wildlife such as bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and much more and stop to photograph them from the bus. Naturally, we will stop off at several points of interest and take time to capture some photos.  We will enjoy a picnic dinner on the way in at a scenic rest stop.

We spend the next 4 nights at this amazing Camp Denali lodge in the heart of the Denali National Park, far from the crowds at the park’s entrance. Spending the nights here is a privilege afforded to very few people. If we are lucky with the weather, you will also enjoy unobstructed views of the highest mountain in North America, Mount Denali. The location of the lodge, surrounded by nature and tranquillity, is balm for the heart and soul.

Visits to the park are strictly regulated. Only the first few miles of the park road is open to private vehicles. Beyond this point, the only form of transportation are shuttle buses with fixed routes and stops. Most visitors are obliged to leave the park when evening falls. This means that only a few people get the chance to take photos in the park at the best times, in the best locations, and with the best light. On this trip, we are privileged to stay in one of the few lodges in the heart of the park. The location is idyllic, offering direct views of Mount Denali. For our Alaskan photo tour, we will have exclusive use of a minibus, which we can use to move around the park as we wish. This exclusive access is granted to very few visitors, and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Day 7-9  

We will spend three full days at Camp Denali  in the Denali National Park, with ample time for landscape and wildlife photography. We will travel to interesting locations in our private minibus and hunt out great photo opportunities. To reach the best spots, there is usually a short hike involved. One morning, we will head to Wonder Lake before sunrise, and with a bit of luck we will be able to shoot Mount Denali reflected in the lake’s surface.

Due to the group’s reduced size and the support provided by two photo guides, there is plenty time to respond to the individual needs and wishes of all participants. Our photo guide, Jeff, is available for individual coaching. Throughout the whole trip, we will be offering short, hands-on tutorials on relevant photographic topics.

Non-photographers can also make the most of the lodge’s activity program, including guided nature and wildlife hikes, slide shows by natural scientists, mountain bike excursions, canoeing, angling etc.

Camp Denali is not for everyone– lodge accommodations are in well-spaced cabins, appointed with traditional cabin amenities including hand-sewn quilts made by our staff, wood stoves and propane lights.  Drinking water comes from a spigot by your door, and may be heated in your cabin for a quiet cup of coffee, tea or for washing up. Camp Denali’s meticulously maintained outhouses offer private, convenient facilities, and each guest cabin enjoys clear views of Denali when it’s out.  The dining hall, lodge, natural history resource collection and a modern bath and shower facility are a three to seven-minute walk from your cabin.  This style of lodge makes your visit to Denali Park Camp a much more serene experience.

Day 10

After three eventful days in the heart of the Denali National Park, our minibus returns us to the park’s entrance around noon. At this point our private tour van takes us back to Talkeetna. You then have the late afternoon and evening free to do whatever you wish including the opportunity for a participant slide show and critique.

Day 11

After breakfast, we leave Talkeetna and head over the beautifully scenic Hatcher Pass and Talkeetna Mountains into the Matanuska Valley.

The afternoon is reserved for another highlight of the itinerary: a helicopter flight over a glacier to the shores of a stunning glacial lake. The lake, the icebergs, the glacier and the mountain range in the background offer truly unique scenery. If the weather allows, the doors of the helicopter will be removed. This will enable you to get the best birds’ eye view pictures. After landing, the helicopter flies off and you will spend time with Jeff and our second guide, photographing the glacier, lake, icebergs, wildflowers and much more. Towards the evening, the helicopter will return to pick us up.

We spend the night in a beautiful lodge on the banks of the Knik River, where we have a 3-course Alaskan dinner and where you can while away the evening reviewing the day’s adventures.

Day 12

The day starts with breakfast and a drive south on the scenic Seward Highway with many stops along the way for photography. We travel along Turnagain Arm and through parts of the Kenai Peninsula, to the seaside town of Seward, which we reach by late afternoon.

Day 13

After the landscapes in Denali and the Matanuska Valley and the bears in the Lake Clark National Park, today we will experience Alaska from another perspective. We will explore the world of the Kenai Fjords National Park from a boat chartered exclusively for our group. We have a very high chance of capturing a variety of marine wildlife and several species of bird on camera: whales, orcas, otters, seals, sea lions, puffins, fish eagles and many more to make the experience even more impressive, the backdrop includes glaciers leading to the sea, rugged mountain peaks and forests.

Day 14

Today is the end of our fascinating Photo Alaska trip. After enjoying breakfast together, we take a leisurely trip in our minibus back to Anchorage in time for your late-afternoon flight or follow-up itinerary.

Camera Gear

Besides two camera bodies, Jeff brings lenses from 17mm-400mm, flash with off-camera capabilities, tripod, polarizer and split-neutral density filters.

At the very least, please bring:

  • A DSLR camera with two lenses such as a 24-105mm and a 100-400mm would be ideal.
  • Several back up batteries & charger
  • Extra media cards for your camera
  • Tripod

Optional but recommended:

  • Extra camera body
  • Lenses ranging from 17mm-200mm (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/
  • Macro lens
  • Tripod – Jeff uses and recommends Gitzo
  • Polarizing Filter – Jeff uses and recommends Singh-Ray
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filters: (Jeff 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 cloth
  • Backpack type of carrying case – Jeff uses and recommends Gura Gear
  • Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use. Be sure you can hike for several miles with all your gear.  Do not bring more than you can comfortably carry.

Clothing

Dress in layers with synthetic type material, not cotton

Bring sturdy hiking boots and rain boots

Headlamp

Bring rain gear

A complete list of necessary clothing will be sent closer to the workshop date

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

Ground Transportation is provided in a comfortable van

The price includes:

  • All aspects of the photography workshop-tour
  • All 13 nights accommodations
  • Round trip ground transportation according to the itinerary
  • All meals from the first night dinner, through the last day breakfast, except dinner on Day 10
  • Helicopter flight* to Glacier
  • Floatplane flight* to Lake Clark
  • One-day boat excursion in Kenai Fjords National Park (private boat)

*All flying is done “weather permitting”. Amazing Views Photo & Adventure Tours 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 (maximum of 50 lbs per person)
  • Personal expenses
  • Beverages
  • Dinner in Talkeetna on Day 10
  • Gratuities for guides and pilots
  • Optional transfers and excursions
  • Any visa and/or airport fees
  • Travel insurance/cancellation cover

Physical and Mental Requirements

Your safety is ultimately the primary concern.

  • Physical Requirements: Good to excellent condition
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
  • Weather Conditions: Moderate to extreme. Mid -late August temperatures range from 40° F (4° C) to 60° F (15° C). May experience rain, wind or sun
  • Agility: Good to excellent (ability to climb steps into small float plane, up and downhill hiking and traveling on uneven, rocky terrain and spongy tundra)
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude is essential. You will be on the trail with like-minded people who love photography and the great outdoors as well as expanding their knowledge of the art of taking pictures. The group may consist of international travellers.
  • Activities: boating in wind, hiking to photographic opportunities on uneven tundra and terrain
  • Photographic Skill Level: Beginner to advanced

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.

Deposits:

Upon receipt of the booking confirmation, a deposit of 30% of the total amount is due at time of booking.  $500 of this deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.

The balance of the tour price is due March 1, 2017.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

Excluding the $500 deposit, the subsequent deposits are refundable until 150 days before the departure date.

For cancellations, modifications or rebooking’s later than 150 days before the departure date, the following cancellation fees apply:

Expressed as a percentage of the total package price

  • 150 – 91 days before departure: 50%
  • 90 – 0 days before departure: 100%

 

Refunds for cancellations 90 days before departure might apply in the following case: If we can fill the space with another booking we will refund the payments (minus 15% for re-booking charges with our vendors).

 

In case of cancellation or medical emergencies, we strongly recommend trip insurance.

We suggest one of these two options for insurance:


COST

$11,290 per person, based on double occupancy*.  Includes all 13 nights’ accommodations and meals from arrival day dinner through last day breakfast (except Dinner on Day 10)

Single Supplement: $1200* for all accommodations EXCEPT at Silver Salmon Creek (day 2 & 3) and Camp Denali (day 6-9). * Single rooms: strictly limited and availability must be checked. Because of the limited number of cabins and short season at both Silver Salmon Creek and Camp Denali, it is necessary for participants to share a cabin at these two locations

Attention: This trip is being offered through my Swiss-based partner tour operator, Amazing Views Photo and Adventure Tours (www.amazingviews.ch)  By reserving a spot on this photography workshop, you agree to the booking and cancellation policies as listed and the Release of Liability specified by Amazing Views.

 

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2018 Alaska Brown Bears, Glaciers and Fall-Colors Photography Workshop and Tour – September 15-22, 2018

$3,225.00 – $6,450.00

*SOLD OUT*

 


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Previous Workshop Report including Comments and Photos from Past Participants

Travel via van, helicopter and float plane to several remote Alaska areas that few get to see.  This 7 day/7 night photography workshop & tour travels to several unique Alaska locations including; a pristine, grizzly bear-populated, turquoise-colored lake surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks with fall colors at their base in Lake Clark National Park.  It also includes a helicopter-access only glacier and driving through color-rich valleys flanked by craggy mountains.  This trip is instructed and guided by Alaska professional photographer, Jeff Schultz, official photographer of the Iditarod,  and is timed for the grizzly bears feeding on salmon during the height of fall color. This trip is planned specifically for photographers by Jeff, who knows the areas extremely well. This is a trip that Jeff says “Is the trip that I’d take my family on to see a broad spectrum of Alaska that is much less visited by many people”.   It will be likely, weather permitting, that the Aurora Borealis 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, Jeff  will teach you methods he’s learned in his 30+ years as a professional photographer to help you take your landscape and wildlife photography to the next level.  Jeff 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

Intermediate* to advanced photographers (maximum 6 participants) *We consider an intermediate photographer to be one who knows how to use most of the camera features, including manual settings, and understands basic composition.

WHEN

September 15-22, 2018   7 days/7 nights

WHERE

Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, Lake Clark National Park ALASKA

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bear photography from a small boat, enabling photographers to travel to, and with, the bears at close range as they move along the shore or dive for salmon. 2 photographers with guide per boat
  • Bald eagle photography along the lake shore and river in Lake Clark National Park.
  • Helicopter flight over glacier and a half-day at iceberg filled lake
  • Potential for moose photos in fall color.
  • Fall Color mountain landscape photography
  • Fall color aerial photography from Alaskan bush plane & helicopter
  • 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
  • Complimentary for your use at the remote lodge in Lake Clark, there is: hot tub, kayaks, fishing gear with guide, internet access, beer and wine.

 Cost

Standard Trip:   $6,450 per person, based on double occupancy.  Includes all 7 nights’ accommodations and meals from arrival day dinner through last day breakfast.

* Single Supplement Cost:  Single occupancy for all accommodations, except for 3 nights at the lodge in Lake Clark, is an additional:  $ 625.00.

Because of the limited amount of cabins and short season the lodge in Lake Clark, it is necessary that participants share a cabin there. For those that wish to have their own cabin, the single supplement cost is an additional $2450.  Please e-mail Jeff directly if you’d like to choose this option as there is very limited availability. We will pair up likely travelers together for the double occupancy at the lodge in Lake Clark.

Slideshow – Click on images and use left or right arrows to scroll

Itinerary

FYI—During this trip sunrise is approximately 7:30 am with sunset approximately 8:15 pm

Day 1 (Saturday 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 5 pm we meet at our hotel for a welcome dinner followed by a pre-workshop classroom instruction on Wildlife and Landscape Photography and orientation of the trip.

Day 2  (Sunday September 16)

Breakfast at hotel… Our first stop is a short drive up to the Chugach Mountains above Anchorage where we will find fall color landscapes and perhaps moose during the fall rut. After lunch we drive 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 stay at a lodge nestled between the Talkeetna and Chugach Mountain ranges in private, well appointed cabins.  The evening is spent with a second classroom workshop on Northern Lights and Night-Sky photography and slide show.  Evening photography in the area.  There is a good potential of seeing the Northern Lights —weather permitting.

Day 3  (Monday September 17)

Day 3 begins with an early-risers (6:30 am for those who want to) photo shoot on the trails of the lodge, followed by 8 am breakfast.  Late morning we are off to photograph more fall landscapes along the Glenn Highway and the Hatcher Pass area for stream and mountain photos. Many photo opportunities are here including sighting moose on the final miles before our next destination at a the scenic lodge in the Knik River valley.  A picnic lunch will be had along the way at a convenient time.  Evening is spent with a classroom critique session.  A 3-course Alaskan Dinner served.  More potential of seeing and photographing the Northern Lights and night sky.

Day 4 (Tuesday September 18)

After breakfast we take off in helicopters for a 15 minute flight directly over Knik Glacier and on to the ice-berg choked shores of Inner Lake George with Colony Glacier and the Chugach mountains as a background. If conditions permit, the doors of the helicopter will be off for the flight in for better aerial images. After landing, the helicopters will depart and we have the area to ourselves for 5 hours of Glacier, lake and iceberg landscape and wildflower photography.  We have a picnic lunch here and are picked up in the early afternoon.   From here we drive to our hotel in Anchorage and dinner.  After dinner you are on your own in Anchorage.

Day 5 (Wednesday September 19)

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 3 nights, an exclusive, private lodge in Lake Clark National Park.  Weather permitting, there is much 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 motor boat 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.  Our guides will find the bears for us. 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 delicious meals.  We’ll have lunch back at the lodge and 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 6 & 7  (Thursday & Friday September 20 & 21)

Each of the next two 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. At any time during the trip, 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.  As a group we may do a landscape photography outing or hike at some point. Lunch and dinner at the lodge.  The last two nights we will have a critique session as well as a teaching session on post-processing in Lightroom and workflow.

Day 8 (Saturday, September 22)

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 your hotel.

What Will I Learn?

At each of the workshop classroom sessions, Jeff will discuss his methods for shooting stellar wildlife and landscape images as is appropriate for the group.  During each days’ outings, Jeff 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.  Jeff 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

Camera Gear – What shall I bring?

Besides two Canon camera bodies, Jeff brings lenses from 14mm-400mm 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 100-400mm 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 – Jeff uses and recommends Singh-Ray
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filters: Jeff carries a 2 and a 3 stop “soft” and “hard” Galen Rowell graduated filters by Singh-Ray. Ask Jeff for a discount code to purchase these in advance if you like.
  • Flash and off-camera cord
  • Lens shades & cable release
  • Non abrasive, absorbent cloth
  • Laptop computer with image editing/processing software – Jeff uses and recommends BreezeBrowser & Lightroom
  • Backpack type of carrying case – Jeff uses and recommends Kiboko
  • Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use

Clothing

  • Dress in layers with synthetic type material, not cotton
  • Bring sturdy hiking boots and rain boots.
    Bring rain gear.
  • headlamp with red lens for night-time vision

A complete list of necessary clothing will be sent closer to the workshop date.

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

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.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Your safety is ultimately the primary concern.

Physical Requirements: Good to excellent condition

  • Degree of Difficulty:  Moderate to difficult
  • Weather Conditions: Moderate to extreme.  Mid -late September temperatures range from 40° F (4° C) to 60° F (15° C). May experience rain, wind or sun
  • Agility: Good to excellent (ability to climb steps into small float plane, up and downhill hiking and traveling on uneven, rocky terrain and spongy tundra)
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude is essential
  • Activities: boating, hiking to photographic opportunities on uneven tundra and terrain
  • Photographic Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy;

Deposits:

A 50% deposit is required at time of booking.  $500 of this deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. 

The balance of the tour price is due April 1, 2018.  

Cancellation & Refund Policy: 

Excluding the $500 deposit, the subsequent deposits are refundable until April 1st. Refunds for cancellations after April 1st are not guaranteed. If we can fill the space with another booking we will refund the payments (minus 15% for re-booking charges with our vendors).  For this reason, and for medical emergencies, we strongly recommend trip insurance.  We suggest one of these two options for insurance:

AIG Travel Guard
CSA Travel Protection

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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Alaska Brown Bears, Glaciers and Fall-Colors Photography Workshop and Tour (Sept 12-19, 2016)

Grizzly bear at Crescent Lake in Lake Clark National Park . Alaska Range. early fall landscape. 2015 Alaska

This Trip is Now Full

Travel by van, helicopter and float plane to photograph several wonderful and remote Alaska locations featuring mountains, coastlines, glacier landscapes and wildlife that few ever get to see.

DESCRIPTION

This 8 days/7 nights photography workshop & tour travels to several unique Alaska locations including; a helicopter-access only glacier; driving through color-rich valleys flanked by craggy mountains;  as well as a pristine, grizzly bear-populated, turquoise-colored lake surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks with fall colors at their base in Lake Clark National Park.  This trip is instructed and guided by Alaska professional photographer, Jeff Schultz, and is timed for the grizzly bears feeding on salmon during the height of fall color. This trip is planned specifically for photographers by Jeff, who knows the areas extremely well. This is a trip that Jeff says “Is the trip that I’d take my family on to see a broad spectrum of Alaska that is much less visited by many people”.   It will be likely that the Aurora Borealis appears at night and participants get to see and photograph both moose and bald eagles.  This is not just a “tour” but a photo workshop. Unlike other photo tours, Jeff is NOT there to make his own photos, but is always nearby to instruct or answer questions.  During both the field and in the several classroom instruction sessions, Jeff  will teach you methods he’s learned in his 30+ years as a professional photographer to help you take your landscape and wildlife photography to the next level.

WHO

Intermediate* to advanced photographers (maximum 6 participants) *We consider an intermediate photographer to be one who knows how to use most of the camera features, including manual settings, and understands basic composition.

WHEN

September 12 – 19, 2016   8 days/7 nights

WHERE

Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, Lake Clark National Park  ALASKA

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bear photography from a small boat, enabling photographers to travel to, and with, the bears as they move along the shore or dive for salmon. 2 photographers with guide per boat
  • Bald eagle photography along the lake shore and river in Lake Clark National Park.
  • Helicopter flight to glacier location
  • Potential for moose photos in fall color.
  • Fall color aerial photography from Alaskan bush plane & helicopter
  • 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
  • Classroom instruction and critique sessions
  • Superb food and accommodations
  • Complimentary for your use at the remote lodge in Lake Clark, there is: hot tub, kayaks, fishing gear with guide, internet access, beer and wine.

TESTIMONY ON JEFF’S WORKSHOPS

I’ve been on a LOT of photo workshops over many years.  None of them compare to the quality of trip that I had on the 7 day 2015 Denali Alaska workshop I did with Jeff Schultz.  The attention to detail on the logistics, meals, lodging and locations was superb. Nothing was left wanting.  Jeff’s first night classroom photo instruction gave a really good foundation for us all.   Every time we were out shooting, Jeff was not taking his own pictures but rather took the time to go to each participant to see what and how they were shooting and the results they were getting. He then made suggestions if the participant wanted or taught more on how to make it a better image if needed. Very few of the instructors I’ve had do that.  Jeff is not there to compete with me or the other participants.  On the contrary, he made sure we were making good images. He even loaned us some of his equipment to make better images. It was ALL about us as participants. Not about him getting a paid photo vacation. The critique session we had toward the end was invaluable to hear what other participants thought of my images as well as to see what others shot in the same place.  I highly recommend any trip that Jeff Schultz puts together and I look forward to another trip with him soon.

– Joe M.  Colorado

 

Slideshow

Itinerary

FYI—During this trip sunrise is approximately 7:30 am with sunset approximately 8:15 pm

Day 1 (Monday September 12) 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 International Airport (ANC) Anchorage, AK.  Please arrive no later than 3 pm. Transfer on a free shuttle to our hotel as you arrive.  At 5 pm we meet for a pre-workshop class room instruction on Wildlife and Landscape Photography and orientation of the trip at our hotel along with dinner.

Day 2  (Tuesday September 13)

Breakfast at hotel… Our first stop is a short drive up to the Chugach Mountains above Anchorage where we will do our best to find moose during the fall rut.  If none are around, the fall colors of the Chugach are a most willing subject.  After lunch we drive 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 stay at Sheep Mountain Lodge in private, well appointed cabins.  The evening is spent with a second classroom workshop on Northern Lights and Night-Sky photography and slide show.  Evening photography in the area.  There is a real good potential of seeing the Northern Lights —weather permitting.

Day 3  (Wednesday September 14)

Day 3 begins with an early-risers (6:30 am for those who want to) photo shoot on the trails of the lodge, followed by 8 am breakfast.  Late morning we are off to photograph more fall landscapes along the Glenn Highway, a visit to the base of the Matanuska Glacier and through the history-filled and scenic area of Palmer, Alaska surrounded by 2 mountain ranges. Many photo opportunities are here including sighting moose on the final miles before our next destination at the scenic Knik River Lodge.  A picnic lunch will be had along the way at a convenient time.  Evening is spent with a classroom critique session.  A 3-course Alaskan Dinner served.  More potential of seeing and photographing the Northern Lights and night sky.

Day 4 (Thursday September 15)

After breakfast we take off in helicopters for a 15 minute flight directly over Knik Glacier and on to the ice-berg choked shores of Inner Lake George with Colony Glacier and the Chugach mountains as a background.  This is the same location I use for my one-day glacier workshop in June. If conditions permit, the doors of the helicopter will be off for the flight in.  If not possible, each passenger will have a sliding window to make aerial images of the glaciers and vast mountain vistas.  After landing, the helicopters depart and we have the area to ourselves for 5 hours of Glacier, lake and iceberg landscape and wildflower photography.  We have a picnic lunch here and are picked up in the early afternoon.   From here we drive to our hotel in Anchorage and dinner.  After dinner you are on your own in Anchorage.

Day 5 (Friday September 16)

Breakfast at the hotel.  Pickup early from hotel 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 3 nights, Redoubt Mountain Lodge.  There is much opportunity on the flight for aerial photography and, weather permitting, we will do an extra amount of flying to make aerials of some of the other areas of Lake Clark National Park.  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 motor boat 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.  Our guides will find the bears for us. 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.  No need to bring anything longer than a 400-500mm lens.  And for the most part, you’ll be better off using a 100-400mm zoom on one body and a 24-105mm on another.

Redoubt Mountain Lodge is known for its delicious meals.  We’ll have lunch back at the lodge and 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 6 & 7  (Saturday & Sunday September 17 & 18)

Each of the next two 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. At any time during the trip, you are welcome to choose another activity, other than photographing bears, of your choice.  You can take a guide and go kayaking, hiking or fishing.  As a group we may do a landscape photography outing or hike at some point.  We can all travel together as a group on the pontoon boat.   Lunch and dinner at the lodge.  The last two nights we will have a critique session as well as a teaching session on post-processing in LightRoom and workflow.

Day 8 (Monday September 19)

Breakfast at Redoubt Mountain Lodge.  Leave on floatplane for Anchorage in morning.  Weather permitting, we will do some extra amount of flying in the immediate area for aerial photography.  Arrive back at Lake Hood Seaplane base approximately 12 noon.  Transfer available to the airport.

What Will I Learn?

At each of the workshop classroom sessions, Jeff will discuss his methods for shooting stellar wildlife and landscape images as is appropriate for the group.  During each days’ outings, Jeff 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.  Jeff 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

Camera Gear

Besides two Canon camera bodies, Jeff brings lenses from 14mm-400mm plus a 1.4 teleconverter 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 100-400mm would be ideal.
  • Several back up batteries & charger
  • Extra media cards for your camera
  • Tripod

Optional but recommended:

  • Extra camera body
  • Lenses ranging from 17mm-500mm (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 Northern Lights
  • A macro lens or extension tubes
  • Polarizing Filter – Jeff uses and recommends Singh-Ray
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filters: Jeff carries a 2 and a 3 stop “soft” and “hard” Galen Rowell graduated filters by Singh-Ray. Ask Jeff for a discount code to purchase these in advance if you like.
  • Flash and off-camera cord
  • Lens shades & cable release
  • Non abrasive, absorbent cloth
  • Laptop computer with image editing/processing software – Jeff uses and recommends BreezeBrowser & Lightroom
  • Backpack type of carrying case – Jeff uses and recommends Kiboko
  • Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use

Clothing

Dress in layers with synthetic type material, not cotton

Bring sturdy hiking boots and rain boots

Headlamp

Bring rain gear

A complete list of necessary clothing will be sent closer to the workshop date

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

Ground Transportation is provided in our 12-passenger custom photo 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 Redoubt Mountain Lodge
  • All 7 nights accommodations
  • Beer and Wine at Redoubt Mountain Lodge
  • All meals from the first night dinner, through the last day breakfast.
  • * All flying is done “weather permitting”. Jeff Schultz and Alaska Photo Treks 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. I will send a list of recommended clothing, camera gear as well as weight information.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Beverages at dinner meals other than Redoubt Mountain Lodge
  • Gratuities for guides and pilots.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Your safety is ultimately the primary concern.

  • Physical Requirements: Good to excellent condition
  • Degree of Difficulty:  Moderate to difficult
  • Weather Conditions: Moderate to extreme.  Mid -late September temperatures range from 40° F (4° C) to 60° F (15° C). May experience rain, wind or sun
  • Agility: Good to excellent (ability to climb steps into small float plane, up and downhill hiking and traveling on uneven, rocky terrain and spongy tundra)
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude is essential
  • Activities: boating in wind, hiking to photographic opportunities on uneven tundra and terrain
  • Photographic Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.

Deposits:

A 50% deposit is required at time of booking.  $500 of this deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. 

The balance of the tour price is due March 1, 2015.  

Cancellation & Refund Policy: 

Excluding the $500 deposit, the subsequent deposits are refundable until March 1st. Refunds for cancellations after March 1st are not guaranteed. If we can fill the space with another booking we will refund the payments (minus 15% for re-booking charges with our vendors).  For this reason, and for medical emergencies, we strongly recommend trip insurance.  We suggest one of these two options for insurance:

AIG Travel Guard
CSA Travel Protection

COST

Standard Trip:   $6,450 per person, based on double occupancy. Includes all 7 nights’ accommodations and meals from arrival day dinner through last day breakfast.

Less Accommodations Trip (No Anchorage Hotels): $5,950 per person/double occupancy. For those who live in the Anchorage area or prefer to make your own accommodations for the two nights in Anchorage. Includes 5 nights’ accommodations and meals from arrival day dinner, through last day breakfast.

* Single Supplement Cost:  Single occupancy for all accommodations, except for 3 nights at Redoubt Mountain Lodge in Lake Clark, is an additional:  $ 625.00. Because of the limited number of cabins and short season at Redoubt Mountain Lodge, it is necessary for participants to share a cabin. For those who wish to have their own cabin, the single supplement cost is an additional $2,450. Please e-mail Jeff directly if you’d like to choose this option. Limited availability. We will pair up likely travelers for the double occupancy at Redoubt Mountain Lodge.

 

Book Your Trip Now This Trip is Now Full

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.

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

Details

Alaska Brown Bears, Glaciers and Fall-Colors Photography Workshop and Tour (Sept 15-22, 2017)

$2,975.00 – $6,450.00

 

tripadvisor-widget

Previous Workshop Report including Comments and Photos from Past Participants

Travel via van, helicopter and float plane to several remote Alaska areas that few get to see.  This 7 day/7 night photography workshop & tour travels to several unique Alaska locations including; a pristine, grizzly bear-populated, turquoise-colored lake surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks with fall colors at their base in Lake Clark National Park.  It also includes a helicopter-access only glacier and driving through color-rich valleys flanked by craggy mountains.  This trip is instructed and guided by Alaska professional photographer, Jeff Schultz, official photographer of the Iditarod,  and is timed for the grizzly bears feeding on salmon during the height of fall color. This trip is planned specifically for photographers by Jeff, who knows the areas extremely well. This is a trip that Jeff says “Is the trip that I’d take my family on to see a broad spectrum of Alaska that is much less visited by many people”.   It will be likely, weather permitting, that the Aurora Borealis 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, Jeff  will teach you methods he’s learned in his 30+ years as a professional photographer to help you take your landscape and wildlife photography to the next level.

 

WHO

Intermediate* to advanced photographers (maximum 6 participants)  fully booked– no spaces available  Please Contact us to be put on a waiting list.   *We consider an intermediate photographer to be one who knows how to use most of the camera features, including manual settings, and understands basic composition.

WHEN

September 15-22, 2017   7 days/7 nights

WHERE

Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, Lake Clark National Park  ALASKA

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bear photography from a small boat, enabling photographers to travel to, and with, the bears as they move along the shore or dive for salmon. 2 photographers with guide per boat
  • Bald eagle photography along the lake shore and river in Lake Clark National Park.
  • Helicopter flight to glacier location
  • Potential for moose photos in fall color.
  • Fall color aerial photography from Alaskan bush plane & helicopter
  • 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
  • Classroom instruction and critique sessions
  • Superb food and accommodations
  • Complimentary for your use at the remote lodge in Lake Clark, there is: hot tub, kayaks, fishing gear with guide, internet access, beer and wine.

 

 Cost   fully booked– no spaces available  Please Contact us to be put on a waiting list

Standard Trip:   $6,450 per person, based on double occupancy*.  Includes all 7 nights’ accommodations and all meals from arrival day dinner through last day breakfast.

Less Accommodations Trip (No Anchorage Hotels): $5,950 per person/double occupancy.   For those who live in the Anchorage area or prefer to make your own accommodations for the two nights in Anchorage.  Includes 5 nights’ accommodations and meals from arrival day dinner, through last day breakfast.

* Single Supplement Cost:  Single occupancy for all accommodations, except for 3 nights at the lodge in Lake Clark, is an additional:  $ 625.00.   Because of the limited amount 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 at the lodge in Lake Clark.

Slideshow – Click on images and use left or right arrows to scroll

Itinerary

FYI—During this trip sunrise is approximately 7:30 am with sunset approximately 8:15 pm

Day 1 (Friday 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 International Airport (ANC) Anchorage, AK.  Please arrive no later than 3 pm.  Transfer on a free shuttle to our hotel as you arrive.  At 5 pm we meet for a pre-workshop classroom instruction on Wildlife and Landscape Photography and orientation of the trip at our hotel along with dinner.

Day 2  (Saturday September 16)

Breakfast at hotel… Our first stop is a short drive up to the Chugach Mountains above Anchorage where we will do our best to find moose during the fall rut.  The fall color here is spectacular.  After lunch we drive 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 stay at Sheep Mountain Lodge in private, well appointed cabins.  The evening is spent with a second classroom workshop on Northern Lights and Night-Sky photography and slide show.  Evening photography in the area.  There is a good potential of seeing the Northern Lights —weather permitting.

Day 3  (Sunday September 17)

Day 3 begins with an early-risers (6:30 am for those who want to) photo shoot on the trails of the lodge, followed by 8 am breakfast.  Late morning we are off to photograph more fall landscapes along the Glenn Highway, in the Hatcher Pass area and through the history-filled and scenic area of Palmer, Alaska surrounded by 2 mountain ranges. Many photo opportunities are here including sighting moose on the final miles before our next destination at the scenic Knik River Lodge.  A picnic lunch will be had along the way at a convenient time.  Evening is spent with a classroom critique session.  A 3-course Alaskan Dinner served.  More potential of seeing and photographing the Northern Lights and night sky.

Day 4 (Monday September 18)

After breakfast we take off in helicopters for a 15 minute flight directly over Knik Glacier and on to the ice-berg choked shores of Inner Lake George with Colony Glacier and the Chugach mountains as a background. If conditions permit, the doors of the helicopter will be off for the flight in for better aerial images. After landing, the helicopters will depart and we have the area to ourselves for 5 hours of Glacier, lake and iceberg landscape and wildflower photography.  We have a picnic lunch here and are picked up in the early afternoon.   From here we drive to our hotel in Anchorage and dinner.  After dinner you are on your own in Anchorage.

Day 5 (Tuesday September 19)

Breakfast at the hotel.  Pickup early from hotel 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 3 nights, in an exclusive 12-guest lodge in Lake Clark National Park.  There is much opportunity on the flight for aerial photography and, weather permitting, we will do an extra amount of flying to make aerials of some of the other areas of Lake Clark National Park.  Arrive at the lodge in the late morning.  After brunch and introductions to the staff and an orientation to the lodge grounds and your cabin, head out to find and photograph bears. There will be two participants in one motor boat 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.  Our guides will find the bears for us. 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.  No need to bring anything longer than a 400-500mm lens.  And for the most part, you’ll be better off using a 100-400mm zoom on one body and a 24-105mm on another.

The lodge is known for its delicious meals, peaceful atmosphere and attention to detail.  We’ll have lunch back at the lodge and 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 6 & 7  (Wednesday & Thursday, September 20 & 21)

Each of the next two days, after a hearty breakfast, we will take to either the small boats with 2 photographers and guide per boat, or if the weather is rainy we’ll take two or three covered pontoon boats to photograph bears in various locations. At any time during the trip, 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 fishing.  As a group we may do a landscape photography outing or hike at some point. Lunch and dinner at the lodge.  The last two nights we will have a critique session as well as a teaching session on post-processing in Lightroom and workflow.

Day 8 (Friday, September 22)

Breakfast at the lodge we leave in floatplanes for Anchorage in morning. Arrive back at Lake Hood Seaplane base approximately 12 noon.  Transfer available to the airport. 

What Will I Learn?

At each of the workshop classroom sessions, Jeff will discuss his methods for shooting stellar wildlife and landscape images as is appropriate for the group.  During each days’ outings, Jeff 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.  Jeff 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

Camera Gear

Besides two Canon camera bodies, Jeff brings lenses from 14mm-400mm plus a 1.4 teleconverter 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 100-400mm 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 Northern Lights
  • A macro lens or extension tubes
  • Polarizing Filter – Jeff uses and recommends Singh-Ray
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filters: Jeff carries a 2 and a 3 stop “soft” and “hard” Galen Rowell graduated filters by Singh-Ray. Ask Jeff for a discount code to purchase these in advance if you like.
  • Flash and off-camera cord
  • Lens shades & cable release
  • Non abrasive, absorbent cloth
  • Laptop computer with image editing/processing software – Jeff uses and recommends BreezeBrowser & Lightroom
  • Backpack type of carrying case – Jeff uses and recommends Kiboko
  • Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use

Clothing

Dress in layers with synthetic type material, not cotton

Bring sturdy hiking boots and rain boots

Headlamp

Bring rain gear

A complete list of necessary clothing will be sent closer to the workshop date

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

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 lodge in Lake Clark National Park
  • All 7 nights accommodations
  • Beer and Wine at lodge in Lake Clark National Park
  • All meals from the first night dinner, through the last day breakfast.
  • * All flying is done “weather permitting”. Jeff Schultz and lodge vendors are 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
  • Gratuities for guides and pilots.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Your safety is ultimately the primary concern.

Physical Requirements: Good to excellent condition

  • Degree of Difficulty:  Moderate to difficult
  • Weather Conditions: Moderate to extreme.  Mid -late September temperatures range from 35° F (4° C) to 60° F (15° C). May experience rain, wind or sun
  • Agility: Good to excellent (ability to climb steps into small float plane, up and downhill hiking and traveling on uneven, rocky terrain and spongy tundra)
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude is essential
  • Activities: boating, hiking to photographic opportunities on uneven tundra and terrain
  • Photographic Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy;

Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.

A 50% deposit is required at time of booking.  $500 of this deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. 

The balance of the tour price is due March 1, 2017.  

Cancellation & Refund Policy: 

Excluding the $500 deposit, the subsequent deposits are refundable until March 1st. Refunds for cancellations after March 1st are not guaranteed. If we can fill the space with another booking we will refund the payments (minus 15% for re-booking charges with our vendors).  For this reason, and for medical emergencies, we strongly recommend trip insurance.  We suggest one of these two options for insurance:

AIG Travel Guard
CSA Travel Protection

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.

 

Clear

Supplements

Select options

Colony Glacier Landscape Photography Workshop. Friday June 9th and Saturday June 10th, 2017 with optional Sunday June 11th

$525.00 – $625.00

tripadvisor-widget

Previous Workshop Report including Comments and Photos from Past Participants

Looking to get more out of your digital camera and learn techniques to create stunning summer landscape images?  This in-depth workshop is designed to help the intermediate & advanced photographer learn how to get the most out of their digital camera.  Join Jeff Schultz, official photographer of the Iditarod, as he shares his photography expertise in this Glacier Landscape Photography workshop.  Jeff will teach you simple yet powerful lessons that will take your photography to the next level.  The workshop begins Friday evening with an indoor classroom teaching on the practical use of a digital SLR or Mirroless camera for summer landscape photography.  On Saturday turn Friday night’s teaching into hands-on, practical use as you take your camera out into the field at Inner Lake George and Colony Glacier–a 10-minute helicopter flight from Knik River Lodge in Palmer, Alaska.  Jeff is on-hand to answer your questions and will demonstrate several of his techniques for successful  landscape photography.  OPTIONAL… participants meet on Sunday afternoon for a review and critique of images taken Saturday. This is one of THE most powerful ways to learn.  Jeff will also demonstrate post-processing techniques in Adobe Lightroom to make your images just that much better.

 

WHO

Intermediate to advanced photographers (maximum 6 participants, minimum 3)

WHEN

Friday June 9, 2017 6:00pm – 8:30 pm classroom session in Anchorage. Location TBA. Saturday June 10, 2017 6:00 am to 4 pm

If the weather proves not flyable on Saturday, the workshop may move to Sunday

WHERE

Anchorage and Palmer, Alaska

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Guided by one of Alaska most published and respected professional photographers
  • Pre-Workshop classroom instruction
  • Spectacular glacier, iceberg and mountain setting
  • Optional Post-workshop meeting to review images and learn post-processing in Adobe Lightroom

 

COST

$ 525 per person (Friday & Saturday)

Optional Day on Sunday $100… minimum of 3 people.

 

Slide Show: Click on right side to see images from this tour.

Itinerary

Day 1 Friday June 10, 2016   6:00pm – 8:30 pm classroom session in Anchorage. Location TBA.  This pre-workshop instruction will give you the knowledge you need to make the most of your day at the glacier.

Day 2 Saturday June 11, 2016 Leave Anchorage at 5:45 am and drive with Jeff in a comfortable van or meet at the Knik River Lodge at 7 am. At the lodge we will get a helicopter briefing and, weather permitting, remove the doors of the helicopter for a better vantage for the 10-minute flight to Inner Lake George. We will land along the shore of the ice-berg strewn lake where we will spend the day photographing and hiking along the edge of Inner Lake George and surrounding ridges. There will be planned instruction as well as Jeff is on hand to answer your questions and guide you in your landscape pursuits. There is no trail and hiking will be on uneven terrain with rocks, brush and such. Not recommended for anyone with a heart condition. We will depart the lake approximately 3 pm. Expected arrival back to Anchorage is approximately 6pm

Day 3 (Optional) On Sunday we will meet from 1pm – 4:30 pm in Anchorage. The idea here is to review & critique the participant’s images made on Saturday. This is one of THE very best ways to learn and see what others saw while out there and the techniques they used to achieve the results. Jeff will demonstrate, with participant images as well as his own images, processing techniques using Adobe Lightroom.

What Will I Learn?

At the pre-workshop classroom session, Jeff will teach, in-depth, with a powerpoint show, techniques for shooting stellar landscape images as is appropriate for the group and this outing.  During the photography session at the lake, Jeff will 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. Jeff will cover the following:

  • 10 Tips to making better images no matter where you are
  • Composition: Do’s, Don’ts, and New Ideas
  • What makes some photos better than others
  • How to make the best photo from any subject –What makes a compelling image
  • Obtaining proper exposure
  • Depth of field… getting everything in focus
  • Using filters to enhance your photography
  • Combining shutter speeds and f-stops… and the effects of each
  • OPTIONAL DAY – View what others shot and learn techniques of using Adobe Lightroom

Camera Gear & Clothing

Besides two Canon camera bodies, Jeff brings lenses from 17mm-200mm , flash with off-camera capabilities, tripod, polarizer and split-neutral density filters.

ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT:

At the very least, please bring:

  • A DSLR or Mirrorless camera with one lens
  • Several back up batteries
  • Extra media cards for your camera

Optional but recommended:

  • Extra camera body
  • Lenses ranging from 17mm-200mm (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/
  • Macro lens
  • Tripod – Jeff uses and recommends Gitzo
  • Polarizing Filter – Jeff uses and recommends Singh-Ray
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filters: (Jeff 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 cloth
  • Backpack type of carrying case – Jeff uses and recommends Gura Gear
  • Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use. Be sure you can hike for several miles with ALL of your gear.  Do not bring more than you can comfortably carry

Clothing & Personal Gear

  • This is the wilderness where weather can change in an instant. There are no services near here. You will want to be prepared with appropriate clothing to last the entire day.
  • Dress in layers in non-cotton material.
  • Sturdy Hiking boots
  • Your own food and water for the day. The workshop provides none and there are no clear water streams available.
  • Bear Spray – though we’ve never seen a bear here, it’s always good practice to have.

Be sure you can carry all your gear with you at one time.  It’s not practical to leave gear as we hike along shooting images.

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

  • We provide transportation from Anchorage to & from the Knik River Lodge in Palmer, Alaska or you may meet us at the lodge in your own vehicle.
  • We provide an insured air-taxi
  • There is no lodging at this location
  • You are to provide your own meals & water for the entire day.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Your safety is ultimately the primary concern.

  • Physical Requirements:  Better than average to excellent condition
  • Degree of Difficulty:  Moderate to hard
  • Agility:  We will be walking up and down hill and over uneven terrain, over and around boulders, rocks, loose gravel and through brush.
  • Weather Conditions:   Expect wind, rain and sun.
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude
  • Photographic Skill Level:   Intermediate to Advanced photographers.
  • Clients are required to inform us of health problems, allergies and physical limitation at booking due to the extreme remote location and physical activities involved.  All clients must sign a liability release waiver prior to the trip

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Deposits: Payment in full required at registration. We will refund the payment if we can fill your position.

After Booking What's Next

Several weeks before the workshop, we will e-mail you the following:

  • a list of any other essential personal gear & any specialized photography gear we feel will enhance your experience.
  • more detailed information on where and when to meet for the Friday night class and subsequent departure information for Saturday.

 

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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Northern Lights 300 Sled Dog Race, Winter Landscape & Night-Sky/ Aurora Photography Tour & Workshop January 25-30, 2018 — 5 Days/5 Nights

$2,247.50 – $4,495.00

Experience a rare and epic winter adventure that combines photographing dog teams during a popular sled dog race– the Northern Lights 300 (which  takes place over a portion of the same trail as the Iditarod) with a potential for night-sky and aurora pursuits under the northern sky.  During this workshop/tour, you’ll be guided by one of Alaska’s most published professionals, Jeff Schultz, official photographer of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. After photographing the excitement of the race start, you’ll chase the race via bush plane and land along the trail (weather and conditions permitting) for more dog mushing photo ops before continuing on to the turn-around point at the most prestigious inn on the Iditarod Trail, the award-winning Winterlake Lodge. Nestled in the foothills of the Alaska Range, the lodge provides unparalleled hospitality and cuisine in one of the most stunning locations on earth, and will be your accommodations for the remainder of the trip. There will be opportunity to photograph dog teams for many hours as they arrive, rest and depart again from the Finger Lake area, which is surrounded by pristine mountain peaks. During dark hours, weather permitting, you’ll have a chance to photograph the night sky and possibly, if they are out, aurora displays. Throughout the workshop, Jeff will provide teaching sessions, photographic support and area expertise to ensure you get your Alaska dream shot.

WHO

Intermediate to advanced photographers (Minimum 3, maximum 5)

WHEN

January 25-30, 2018.

WHERE

Anchorage, Big Lake, Winterlake Lodge, Anchorage  — Alaska

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Guided by one of Alaska most published and respected professional photographers
  • Pre-Workshop classroom instruction
  • Photograph a real sled dog race
  • Snowmobile to areas to take photos
  • Bush plane flying and land along trail to take photos on the way to the lodge. (weather and conditions permitting)
  • 5-star cuisine and accommodations at Winterlake Lodge. Read more at: withinthewild.com
  • Dog sled rides at the lodge
  • Potential (weather permitting) to photograph the northern lights & night-sky photos
  • Nightly photo classroom sessions including; Night-Sky Photography, Landscapes, Workflow and critique sessions.

COST

Cost is inclusive of all meals, transportation, transfers, guides, and lodging from Anchorage.

Standard Trip: 5 days/5 nights  $4495–    Thursday night presentation & Anchorage hotel plus 4 nights at Winterlake Lodge through Tuesday morning the 30th. Single Supplement: $250

SLIDESHOW – Click on images and use left or right arrows to scroll

Itinerary

Thursday January 25th

  • Evening get together and presentation in Anchorage on photographing dog mushing.  Heavy appetizers and beverages including wine served.  Begins at 4:00 pm, ends at 8:30 pm.
  • Thursday night at an Anchorage hotel for those from out of town.  On your own for locals.

Friday 26th

  • Breakfast at hotel included
  • Early morning: drive to Big Lake area prior to start of Northern Lights 300 sled dog race.
  • Photograph dogs at the kennel of Iditarod Champion Martin Buser
  • 10 am:  Photograph race start. Various opportunities to shoot at start line and we will travel along trail via snowmobile to several locations
  • Transfer to airstrip for bush plane flight.
  • Photograph teams from the air and land on river or lake along race route to photograph teams (weather & landing conditions permitting).
  • Late Afternoon;  Arrive Winterlake Lodge
  • Early evening.  Appetizer hour and dinner at Lodge —  Evening presentation on photographing the night sky and the northern lights
  • Late evening/early morning: potential northern lights and/or star photography — weather permitting

Saturday 27th

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at lodge.
  • Early morning and all day long — photographing dog teams arriving and resting and leaving from Winterlake Lodge area via snowmobile, walking and/or snowshoeing.
  • Saturday night – slide show of participants images and critique
  • Saturday night late — Night-Sky star photography and/or Aurora Photography — weather permitting.  If it is cloudy, this will not be an option.  Likewise, even if it is clear, the Aurora may not be strong enough for good photography

Sunday 28th

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at lodge.
  • Morning and day time—we will use the lodges’ dog team for photographing and provide the opportunity for you to ride on the sled for a unique perspective.
  • Sunday early evening will be additional instruction time on night photography and painting with light.
  • Sunday night — Night-Sky star photography and/or Aurora Photography — weather permitting. If it is cloudy, this will not be an option.  Likewise, even if it is clear, the Aurora may not be strong enough for good photography.

Monday 29th

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at lodge.
  • Daytime: On your own for a variety of lodge activities and photography of same including; cooking class, dog mushing, snow mobiling, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing.
  • Evening: Slide show of Jeff’s best Alaska images and how he created them. Showing of more participant images and critique.  Workflow and Lightroom image processing demo.  Northern lights photography, night photography, painting with light.

Tuesday 30th

  • Breakfast at lodge.
  • Depart late morning for Anchorage. Arrive Anchorage noon.  End of tour..

What Will I Learn

At each of the workshop classroom sessions, Jeff will discuss his methods for shooting stellar dog mushing, winter landscape and night-sky images as is appropriate for the group and answer any questions you have. During each day’s outings, Jeff 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.  Jeff 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
  • Workflow

Camera Gear – What shall I bring?

Besides shooting with two Canon camera bodies, Jeff brings lenses from 14mm-400mm and flash with off-camera capabilities, tripod, polarizer and split-neutral density filters.

ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT:

*At the very least, please bring:

  • A DSLR or MILC camera with one lens
  • Several back up batteries & chargers
  • Extra media cards for your camera
  • Tripod– A necessity for night-sky photography
  • Camera Release
  • Laptop computer with image editing/processing software – Jeff uses and recommends BreezeBrowser & Lightroom

Ideally, if possible, please also bring:

  • Extra camera body
  • Lenses ranging from 17mm-400mm.
  • A wide angle & wide aperture (2.8 or wider) for Night-Sky Photography
  • (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/
  • Polarizing Filter – Jeff uses and recommends Singh-Ray
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filters: Jeff 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 cloth
  • Backpack type of carrying case – Jeff uses and recommends Kiboko
  • Any other easily transported photography gear you like to use

Clothing

  • Dress in layers with synthetic type material, not cotton
  • Cold weather winter gear is mandatory
  • Headlamp (ideally with a red lens or red cellophane to put over the light)
  • Cold-weather boots
  • A complete list will be provided prior to the workshop.

A complete list of necessary clothing will be sent closer to the workshop date

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

Our Anchorage hotel is 4-star and located on Lake Hood, near the airport with free shuttle service.

 

The Winterlake Lodge is an award-winning lodge described as “Rustic Luxury”.  You will have your own  comfortable room in a cabin with robes, drinking water dispenser and a private deck with a view.  The room does NOT have running water in the winter. There is a composting toilet in the bathroom and sink with water dispenser. Showers and flush toilets are available in the main lodge. The lodge provides daily housekeeping service. The beds are fitted with high-quality linens, down duvet covers, and oversized pillows. They use L’Occitane amenities in the bathrooms. There is a hot tub on the deck and a sauna (bring your suit). The meals are prepared by trained chefs and a select curated “menus of the day” are paired with wines from favorite vineyards.  Read all about them at:  www.withinthewild.com

 

Luggage weight limit on the plane is 60 lbs.  Please limit yourself to one camera bag, one duffle/soft-luggage clothing bag and one daypack/laptop bag.  Extra luggage can be held in Anchorage for you.

 

This tour is inclusive of transportation (from Anchorage), all lodging and most all meals. (see itinerary for details)

Not Included:

  • Travel to and from Alaska
  • Personal expenses
  • Photography equipment
  • While not mandatory, gratuities for the lodge kitchen, wait staff and guides is recommended.

Safety, Confidence and Being Prepared

Your safety is ultimately our primary concern.  We use some of the best Alaska pilots and each carries the necessary full insurance as required.  Likewise the lodge carries complete insurance and are qualified for Alaska backcountry living.

Physical Requirements: Better than average to excellent condition

  • Degree of Difficulty:  Moderate to difficult. (walking in knee deep snow may be encountered)
  • Agility:  Very Good (for getting into and out of small aircraft, riding on sled of snowmobile and walking on uneven terrain)
  • Weather Conditions: Moderate to extreme.  January temperatures range from 30° F (-1° C) to MINUS  -20° F (-29° C).  May experience snow, wind or sun.  I like to tell people; if you can stand in one place for an hour and not be cold, then you have the right gear.
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude
  • Photographic Skill Level:  Intermediate to Professional
  • Clients are required to inform us of health problems, allergies and physical limitation at booking due to the extreme remote location and physical activities involved.  All clients must sign a liability release waiver prior to the trip.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Due to the remote nature of this trip we have special deposit and cancellation policies.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy;

50% Payment is required after confirmation of space. $500 of this is NON-REFUNDABLE. The balance is due 90 days in advance of trip.

Cancellation & Refund Policy: 

Refunds for cancellations are not guaranteed.  If we can fill your space, then we will refund the deposits (minus a 10% charge).  We highly recommend all guests to purchase travel insurance. Due to the remoteness, we cannot offer refunds for changes or cancellations due to weather.

AIG Travel Guard
CSA Travel Protection

 

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. We will e-mail a copy of this for you to sign and return. Click and read the link before completing your booking.

If at any time, you have any questions whatsoever, about the workshop, please e-mail Jeff Schultz directly at:  jeff@schultzphoto.com

 

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Sea-to-Summit Turnagain, Alaska One-Day Photo Workshop & Tour

$775.00 – $1,425.00

7 hour Custom Photo Workshop & Tour Available Year Around for 1-4 People

 

150613-4M6927-Edit

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DESCRIPTION

Turnagain Arm is a 40-mile long body of salt water, just south of Anchorage which branches off of Cook Inlet. Turnagain Pass is the highest point of the Seward Highway at 900 feet. Both Turnagain Arm and Turnagain Pass is a photographers’ dream playground. A plethora of diverse photography subjects awaits on this 50-mile drive. Wildlife including Dall Sheep and Moose and birds including Arctic Terns & Bald Eagles are quite common. In addition, the diverse scenery of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and the tidal flats make for stunning landscape photography.

This workshop and tour is private and custom designed to you and/or your small group of 4 or less. It is not combined with others. You’ll start with a 2-hour indoor classroom instruction time (the day before your trip or the day of, at your discretion) where Jeff will teach you simple yet powerful lessons on the practical use of a digital SLR or Mirrorless camera that will take your photography to the next level. These instructions are tailored specifically to your interests.

After the classroom instruction, Jeff will use his 35+ years of photographing along Turnagain Arm & Turnagain Pass to take you to specific areas that interest you. You will travel to areas off the beaten path where others rarely visit. During this time, Jeff is there to instruct you with techniques that will make your images the very best they can be. By the end of the workshop & tour, you will have made images in stunning locations and gained knowledge you can use in your future photography endeavors.

Every day & season on this workshop/tour is different. We let the season, weather and wildlife dictate our moves each day.

The classroom workshop is 2 hours and the photography tour/workshop is 5 hours in length. The classroom workshop can be skipped if so desired and the time applied to a longer tour time. This tour/workshop is available year around and will be tailored to your time-frame. We suggest photographing during sunrise and/or sunset times.  Maximum 4-people. Reserve early as not all dates are available. Contact us to check availability.

 

winter landscape of Turnagain Arm with Kenai Mountains and clouds at sunset Alaska 2014 stock

WHO

Beginning to advanced photographers (maximum 4 participants, minimum 1). All participants must be from the same group. We do not combine others to fit into your group.

WHEN

This custom tour/workshop is available nearly any day when Jeff is available.  2 hours classroom time & 5 hours in the field time. Classroom time can skipped and applied to a longer tour time. Not all dates available. Contact us to check availability.

WHERE

Classroom instruction at Jeff’s home/office. Photo Tour/Workshop is along Turnagain Arm to Turnagain Pass, south of Anchorage, Alaska

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Spectacular and diverse Alaska scenery and potential wildlife
  • 2- hour classroom instruction in making better images, tailored to your specific interests and needs. (Classroom time can skipped and applied to a longer tour time.)
  • 5 hour private tour/workshop and custom itinerary let’s you go where you want to go, when you want to go.
  • Close to Anchorage
  • Guided and instructed by Jeff Schultz, one of Alaska’s most published and respected professional photographers and the Official Photographer of Alaska’s Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

 

160602-7D9476TESTIMONY ON JEFF’S SEA-TO-SKY WORKSHOP

After living in and shooting Alaska for 38 years, my time with Jeff opened my eyes to photographic possibilities I hadn’t considered. Jeff is extremely knowledgeable and has a keen eye for details. He’s also funny and has a very understandable teaching style. He’s flexible with regard to conditions and times, and is able to turn lemons into lemonade with ease. If you’re interested in improving your day and night photography, (and hearing some great Iditarod stories), I highly recommend Jeff.

– Jim W

 

 

Slide show: Click on right side to see images from this tour.

Itinerary

The 2 hour classroom instruction is best done the evening before the trip, but can also be done the day of. Classroom time can skipped and applied to a longer tour time.

This is a custom day tour/workshop. The day is yours and Jeff will take you to places that you have an interest in photographing & teach you the techniques you’d like to learn. Locations vary according to the season. The timing of the day trip is totally up to your schedule. For best photography opportunities Jeff suggests a very early morning departure, (preferably before sunrise) OR leaving at such a time that allows us to be out shortly after sunset. Due to Alaska’s extreme latitude, Sunrise and Sunset times vary greatly by season. Contact Jeff to discuss the best time what subjects we will likely encounter according to your dates.

What will I learn

At the pre-workshop classroom session Jeff will teach, in-depth, with a powerpoint show, techniques for shooting stellar landscape images as is appropriate for you and your group and this outing. The classroom time can be tailored to your specific interests or will be on general landscape and wildlife photography. Jeff will cover the following:

  • 10 Tips to making better images no matter where you are
  • Composition: Do’s, Don’ts, and New Ideas
  • What makes some photos better than others
  • How to make the best photo from any subject –What makes a compelling image
  • Obtaining proper exposure
  • Depth of field… getting everything in focus
  • Using filters to enhance your photography
  • Combining shutter speeds and f-stops… and the effects of each

During the tour portion, Jeff is there to help guide you in the use of these techniques.

Camera Gear

Please bring the camera gear of your choice. Anything from a DSLR, a mirror-less camera, point and shoot and even your smart-phone. A tripod is necessary for some photos and can be provided at no charge if you don’t have your own.

Clothing

Dress in layers for the weather and season at hand. Wear sturdy hiking boots.

Transportation, Lodging and Meals

Transportation is provided. Jeff will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, or plan to meet at a designated place in Anchorage. Please bring your own meal, drink and snacks to last the day.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Much of the locations on this tour are accessible near the vehicle or with short walks from our vehicle either on paved or uneven ground.  Some on marked trails, some with no trails. There are some areas, should you choose to go, where it will involve longer hikes and on steeper terrain.

  • Degree of Difficulty:  Easy to Moderate
  • Weather Conditions: Vary by Season
  • Agility: Average agility
  • Mental Requirements: A flexible and positive attitude is essential
  • Activities: Walking or hiking to photographic opportunities on uneven tundra and terrain
  • Photographic Skill Level:  Beginning to advanced

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Deposits:

Payment in full is due at time of booking. Cancellations may be made with refunds according to the following schedule:

30 days or more prior to departure: 100% refund minus 10% processing fee

29-14 days prior to departure:  75% refund

13-8 days prior to departure: 50% refund

7 days or less prior to departure: no refund unless we can fill your spot.

 

The Sea-to-Sky Turnagain Tour & Workshop is an all-weather tour. No refunds are given due to weather conditions.

For this reason, and for medical emergencies, we strongly recommend trip insurance.  We suggest one of these two options for insurance:

AIG Travel Guard

CSA Travel Protection

COST150613-4M6945

1 person $775

2 people $1025

3 people $1275

4 people $1425

 

Book Your Trip Now

Contact us now to see if your date(s) are available.

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 weeks before the tour, we will contact you to confirm on where and when to meet or pick you up.

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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