Showing 1–16 of 35 results

‘Iditarod Glory” by Brian Patrick O’Donoghue, photography by Jeff Schultz

As the Iditarod’s official photographer since 1981, Jeff Schultz has documented this amazing combination of frontier spirit, physical endurance, and human-dog connection in a stunningly beautiful and sometimes brutal landscape. In Iditarod Glory we see the best photos from a man who has dedicated himself to this race for twenty-five years, and who nearly lost his life one year in a plane crash on the job. His evocative photographs capture all aspects of the race from the pre-race frenzy on 4th Avenue in Anchorage to Burled Arch finish in Nome. Rare, behind-the-scenes photos that only the official photographer could manage, are also included.

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“Appetite and Attitude: A Conversation with Lance Mackey”

45 minute video about the world’s preeminent long distance sled dog racer – and a true Alaskan legend! In 2007 – and again in 2008 – Lance Mackey made racing history when he won two 1,000 mile races back-to-back, the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod, with most of the same dogs – an incredible feat of endurance, long considered almost impossible.

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“DK Readers: Snow Dogs!: Racers of the North” by Ian Whitelaw

Photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging, age-appropriate stories in DK Readers, a multilevel reading program guaranteed to capture children’s interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge. Snow Dogs! Racers of the North takes readers into the exciting world of dogsled racing, revealing what it takes to be the leader of the pack.

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“Dogs of the Iditarod” by Jeff Schultz

Alaska’s famous furry citizens, the dogs of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, are the most athletic canines in the world. From puppyhood to first days in the harness, from championship runs across a thousand miles of snow to years of pampered retirement, these spectacular dogs are indeed man’s (and woman’s) best friends.

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“Iditarod Dreams: A Year in the Life of Alaskan Sled Dog Racer DeeDee Jonrowe” by Lew Freedman and Deedee Jonrowe

In her first-person narrative, Jonrowe describes her year preparing for the racing season and living the sledder’s life. The book begins with the 1993 Iditarod, in which Jonrowe placed second, and ends with the 1994 race. The authors cover dog training, the raising of pups for future teams, other races such as the Alpinrod in Europe, and the politics of the Iditarod.

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“Mush! The Sled Dogs of the Iditarod” by Joe Funk

The Iditarod has been called the “Last Great Race on Earth.” Spanning over 1,150 miles of the roughest terrain in the world, this race crosses jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, forest, tundra, and miles of windswept coast. Add to that the below-zero temperatures, winds that cause complete loss of visibility, long hours of darkness, treacherous climbs, and you know this nickname is no joke. A race this rugged would not even be possible for the human competitors (or “mushers”) without their sled dogs! With between 12 to 15 per team and over 50 teams competing, there are nearly 750 dogs that compete in this race every year. Doggy-lovers and children everywhere will love to learn about these dogs and just how exactly they manage to compete in this grueling race. MUSH! will teach young readers about the Iditarod, the mushers, and the dogs whose history dates back to the famous Balto. Full-color photos will be used throughout to complement the informative text.

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“One Second to Glory: The Alaska Adventures of Iditarod Champion Dick Mackey” by Lew Freedman

In 1978, Dick Mackey claimed the most dramatic victory ever in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, crossing the finish line in Nome a mere one second ahead of Rick Swenson after a two-week, 1,149 mile-run from Anchorage. Many years later Alaskans still shake their heads in amazement. In One Second to Glory, Mackey shares this and many other adventures: Making a home in the forntier state in the heady first day s of Statehood; Surviving the 1964 earthquake and helping rebuild Alaska; Mushing against “Doc” Lombard and George Attla in the heyday of sprint racing; Helping Joe Redington organize the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; experience 82 degrees below zero at Coldfoot, his famous Arctic Circle truck stop; Mackey’s colorful stories are told in his own words in interviews with Lew Freedman, outdoor adventure writer for the Chicago Tribune and longtime former sports editor of the Anchorage Daily News. Freedman has written seventeen books about Alaska.

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“The Iditarod Fact Book: A Complete Guide to the Last Great Race” by Tricia Brown and Sue Mattson, illustrations by Jon Van Zyle

Jam-packed with fascinating facts and figures about the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This handy guide includes facts on race champions, volunteers, sleds and gear, checkpoints, mushers’ clothing, the expense of running the race, inherent dangers on the trail, food for the dogs and drivers, race history, and more. Included are 20 b&w photos by official Iditarod photographer Jeff Schultz and many illustrations by official Iditarod artist Jon Van Zyle, a member of the Iditarod Hall of Fame.

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“The Lance Mackey Story” by Lance Mackey, illustrated by Jon Van Zyle, introduction and foreword by Joe Runyan

Lance Mackey, the incredible Iditarod Champion, writes about his Alaskan childhood, his knock down battle with throat cancer, and how his obsession with dog mushing saved his life. Mackey has the distinction of being the only musher to win four Iditarod races. Not only that, he did it back to back two times by also winning the famous 1000 mile Yukon Quest. He did all this after overcoming battles with addiction, and after surviving cancer. Mackey’s loyal and boisterous fans believe he is the greatest musher ever.

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2016 Calendar – Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska

$12.00

Photography by Jeff Schultz

 

I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska since 1978 and feel it is such a wonderfully unique location with so much diversity of natural beauty, interesting activities and adventure that I wanted to begin an annual project to showcase this beauty for the world to see.To that end, I plan to produce a retail calendar each year beginning with one for 2016 with what I consider some unique photography of the Anchorage area.

 

PRICES:

Buy 5 calendars get one free
• 1 Calendar $12 + $4 postage = $16
• 2 Calendars $24 + $6 postage = $30
• 3 Calendars $36 + $7 postage = $43
• 4 Calendars $48 + $7 postage = $55
• 5 Calendars + 1 Free = $60 + $8 postage = $68

SPECIFICATIONS:

• 25 Unique Photos from Anchorage & Southcentral Alaska
• Distinctive Quotes from Famous People
• Average Daylight Hours & Temperatures for Southcentral, Alaska
• Printed on high-quality gloss paper in Anchorage, Alaska USA
• 8.6 x 11.8” folded size
• 12 x 18” hanging size
• Hole punched for hanging

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2017 Alaska Calendar

$12.00

Photography by Jeff Schultz

 

Jeff Schultz’s ALASKA 2017 Calendar showcases Alaska wildlife, landscapes and adventure photographs by award-winning Anchorage resident and professional photographer Jeff Schultz, official photographer of the lditarod. The calendar is printed in Alaska on glossy, high-quality paper and is beautifully designed. It includes Federal & Alaska holidays, moon phases, an inspirational quote each month next to a small, inset photo. The diversity of the images shows the stunning beauty of many aspects of Alaska. Click on the images on the left to see the inside photos.

 

PRICING:

Buy 5 calendars get the 6th one FREE  

Buy 10 calendars get the 11th and 12th FREE

USA PRICING:

$12 each, Buy 5 and get one FREE — 6 for $60

FREE Shipping in the USA (via media-mail. Allow 1-3 weeks for delivery)

Need your calendar faster?  Choose Priority Mail at checkout.

Calendar Prices via Priority Mail to USA customers:

  • 1 Calendar $12 + $4 postage = $16
  • 2 Calendars $24 + $6 postage = $30
  • 3 Calendars $36 + $6 postage = $42
  • 4 Calendars $48 + $6 postage = $54
  • 5 Calendars + 1 Free = $60 + $6 postage = $66

INTERNATIONAL PRICING: 

  • 1 Calendar $12 + $11 postage = $23 USD
  • 2 Calendars $24 + $15 postage = $39 USD
  • 3 Calendars $36 + $17 postage = $53 USD
  • 4 Calendars $48 + $20 postage = $68 USD
  • 5 Calendars + 1 Free = $60 + $22 postage = $88 USD

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • 25 Unique Alaska Photos
  • Distinctive Quotes from Famous People
  • Printed on high-quality glossy paper in with UV coating on cover
  •  9″ x 12″ folded size
  • 12 x 18” hanging size
  • Hole punched for hanging
  • Photographed, designed and printed locally in Anchorage, Alaska

 

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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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