Alaska Photo Safari 2025
Maximum 6 Participants
No Spots Available
$11,995
Pricing based on double occupancy
- Single Supplement not available on this tour.
*Please note that due to the configuration of the Lodge property all rooms will have a shared bath with another participant(s) in our group.
Trip Details
Commonly referred to as The Last Frontier, Alaska offers vast expanses of uninterrupted wilderness and has been recognized as “One of the 10 best places to enjoy a wildlife safari in North America”. This adventure will take you deep into the pristine, Alaskan wilderness where you’ll enjoy the region’s premier site for photographing Coastal Brown Bears on shores of the Cook Inlet, near Lake Clark. When the skies are clear Mount Redoubt, Iliamna and Augustine will be visible in the distance and the snow capped mountain range. Far from the crowds of tourists we will experience these amazing animals in their natural habitat, relaxed and comfortable with our human presence. Participants will enjoy witnessing these magnificent mammals as they forage in the local meadows for sedge grasses, dig for razor clams at low tide, or hunt salmon in their native streams. Our exceptionally unique setting is home to a subset of local bears, most of which are mothers with cubs and juveniles, however we can expect to see larger males as well. At our lodge you will witness behaviors not commonly seen, including nursing, courting and even mating activities. We will have our own knowledgeable senior guide present with us at all times. These highly skilled individuals are vital to your experience. Not only will they get us properly positioned for excellent photography, but they will also share behavioral nuances and provide little known information about bear biology.
We will spend a full day exploring the wonders of Turnagain Arm on our way south to Seward, and if weather allows we will catch a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska! Our itinerary also includes a full day, private boat photography adventure into Kenai Fjords National Park! The Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is a photographer’s paradise! Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and Sea Otters are common sights. Sometimes we are lucky enough to see a Mountain Goat or a bear! Dall’s Porpoise are frequent friends and will come play in the wake of the boat. In the summer we often encounter Humpbacks, Minke, and Fin Whales which have traveled thousands of miles to feed in the rich waters of the fjords. Orcas, also known as “killer whales”, are present in our waters throughout the year. The Park is a birder’s haven, with multiple species of Puffins, Cormorants, Auklets, and more. Join us to photograph the raw beauty of Alaska and the incredible wildlife that call it home.
Itinerary
* In order to provide participants with the best photographic opportunities the itinerary is subject to change based on weather, lighting and other variables.
DAY 1: July 27th, 2025 – ARRIVE in ANCHORAGE
– No Meals Provided
After you arrival into Anchorage Airport you will transfer to your accommodations. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of our hotel and enjoy a group dinner meal. I’ll have a Wicked Good Photo Tours sign on the table to help you locate our group. There we will get to know each other and discuss our itinerary and the exciting days ahead. Overnight in Anchorage.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 2: July 28th, 2025 – ANCHORAGE to SEWARD
– Breakfast Provided
We will meet in the lobby of our hotel following breakfast and transfer via private van to Seward. We will stop enroute to enjoy and photograph the scenery and any wildlife we encounter along the way. Upon arrival we will get checked into our hotel and meet for dinner and recount the day’s events before retiring for the evening. Overnight in Seward.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 3: July 29th, 2025 – SEWARD
– Light Breakfast & Lunch Provided
We will meet early for breakfast and coffee before departing for a full day private boat tour with our very own charter in Kenai Fjords National Park! The Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is a photographer’s paradise! Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and Sea Otters are common sights. Sometimes we are lucky enough to see a Mountain Goat or a bear! Dall’s Porpoise are frequent friends and will come play in the wake of the boat. In the summer we often encounter Humpbacks, Minke, and Fin Whales which have traveled thousands of miles to feed in the rich waters of the fjords. Orcas, also known as “killer whales”, are present in these waters throughout the year. The Park is a birder’s haven, with multiple species of Puffins, Cormorants, Auklets, and more. Our captain knows all the best locations for photography! After a full day on the water we will enjoy our evening meal back on shore and retire for the evening. Overnight in Seward.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 4: July 30th – REMOTE ALASKAN LODGE
– All Meals Provided
We will meet early for our transfer to Soldotna to catch our charter flight to Lake Clark National Park. Once we have checked into the lodge and taken time to unpack we will meet for lunch. That afternoon we will head out into the field for the first shoot of the tour until Dinner. We will enjoy the last meal of the day and possibly have the opportunity for a brief session after dinner as well. Overnight at Lodge.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 5 – Day 8: July 31st to August 3rd, 2025 – REMOTE ALASKAN LODGE
– All Meals Provided
We will meet each morning for a short pre-breakfast photo session before returning to hearty breakfast. After breakfast we will enjoy another photography shoot before returning for lunch. Each day we will focus on photographing the active Coastal Brown Bears in their natural habitat as well as the stunning landscape in the region. Other potential subjects may include, Moose, Caribou, Dall Sheep, Red Fox, Swans, Puffins, Shorebirds, Birds of Prey, (including the mighty Bald Eagle) and many others. Following our afternoon meal we will return to shooting in the afternoon. We will later enjoy our evening meal and (tide permitting) have the opportunity for a brief session after dinner as well. After returning to the lodge we will retire for the evening. Overnight at Lodge.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 9: August 4th, 2025 – ANCHORAGE
– Breakfast Provided
We will meet at 6:30am for a short pre-breakfast photo session before returning to hearty breakfast. After breakfast you will depart our remote wilderness lodge at 10:00am for Anchorage with a new group of friends, wonderful experiences and memory cards loaded full of image files to remember it all by. Upon arrival at Anchorage International Airport you will check in for your flight home or continue on to the next destination. Bon Voyage!
Travel Planning
Participants must arrive in Anchorage, Alaska prior to 6pm on July 27th, 2025!
We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip.
Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event, beyond our control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, over bookings by the lodge, where a change is required, we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed on to the participant.
Included
1. Exclusive group of only 6 participants
2. Accommodations day of Arrival in Anchorage
3. Transportation by charter plane to and From Remote Alaskan Lodge
4. Turnagain Arm private sightseeing tour
5. Turnagain Arm tram ride experience
6. All ground transportation during the tour
7. Full day private boat charter into Kenai Fjords National Park
8. Light Breakfast and Lunch provided on boat tour
9. Accommodations For 9 Days and 8 Nights Total
10. All meals at the Lodge included
11. Pro Photographer Mentoring by Nathaniel Smalley
12. Guide Services by Senior Licensed Guide
13. Any applicable park fees and permits
14. Drop off to Anchorage Hotel or Airport at conclusion of tour
Excluded
1. Airline flights to and from Anchorage, Alaska
2. Taxi transfers to/from Anchorage Hotel
3. Snacks or alcoholic beverages
4. Meals not listed in the itinerary
5. Travel, Equipment or Health Insurance
6.Items of a personal nature
7. Recommended gratuity of $300 for lodge staff
8. Any Passport or Visa fees
What to Bring
1. Camera with manual mode capability
2. Cable release or remote control for your camera (Mirror Up and Exposure Delay will also work)
3. Lens filters of your choice (ND, CPL, GRAD, etc.)
4. Telephoto Lens (Minimum 400mm)
5. Wide Angle and/or Portrait Lens
6. Extra batteries for your camera & charger
7. Sturdy Tripod and Gimbal Head
8. Warm clothes (down jacket, softshell jacket, polartec jacket, long underwear)
9. Waterproof / Windproof Clothes (GoreTex jacket + pants)
10. Waterproof Boots
11. 2 pairs of Insulated Gloves (Recommended Gloves link)
12. Headlamp with extra batteries
13. Warm Socks & Hat
14. Gratuity for Lodge staff (Recommended tip $300 total)
Difficulty
This is an outdoor nature photography tour, so being fit and in good health will allow you to enjoy the trip more comfortably. However, our planned activities should be within the ability of most people in moderate to good shape. Conditions can be cold and wet rocks can sometimes be unstable and slippery, so please pack appropriate clothing for the conditions.
Participants are required to sign a standard medical and waiver of liability form. Every effort is made to keep participants safe during all stages of the tour, but each person is solely responsible for avoiding personal injury or damaging their equipment during the trip.
Cancellation Policy
This cancellation policy protects our business losses and as such is strictly adhered to. Exceptions will not be made. We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip. At his discretion, Nathaniel may lead the tour even if it does not meet the minimum number of participants required.
1). Cancel more than one year prior to the original tour start date:
Full refund, minus any initial deposit and all PayPal transaction fees. Refunds will be paid via PayPal and processed within 72 hours of the request being approved.
2). Cancel less than one year prior to the original tour start date:
A refund will only be issued if the tour is sold out and your vacated spot filled by another participant signing up. This refund would exclude your initial deposit, single supplement payments and any PayPal transaction fees.
* Should you fail to complete the payments as scheduled for this tour you will forfeit your deposit, all payments and your spot on this tour.
** You’ll be promptly notified and provided a full refund (including your deposit) should the tour be canceled by Wicked Good Photo Tours.
Testimonials
"Recently in 2018 I guided Nathaniel and his photo workshop participants at one of Alaska’s premier bear viewing lodges. As the senior guide there for the past 8 years I have worked with countless photo workshop leaders. Nathaniel stands out as one of the very best! He is hands on, giving each participant 100% of his attention. His knowledge in photography such as camera use and image processing is impressive. (I even picked up several valuable tips from him!) Overall if you want to learn more about photography Nathaniel is your guy! You will take away a wealth of information and with his help capture some amazing images!”
David R.
Washington, USA
"I enjoyed my trip to Alaska with Nathaniel photographing the Coastal Brown Bears so much in 2018, that I joined the 2019 trip in addition to going with Nathaniel to the Arctic to photograph Polar Bears. Nathaniel provides safe and unique opportunities to photograph these magnificent apex predators and so much more in his Wonders of Alaska Photo Tour and Polar Bear Experience. He has gathered the finest guides in the best locations, transports and accommodations all wrapped in a package with your comfort, pleasure and photographic education at the center. Nathaniel is a delightful, polite, educated and fun instructor, leader and trip organizer. My photography skills and general nature photography knowledge has improved exponentially because of his thoughtful and effective guidance on all of the trips I’ve been fortunate enough to attend. I look forward to my next adventure with him.”
Lois C.
Oregon, USA
"My wife and myself took Nathaniel's Alaska Photo tour at Lake Clark National Park. What a other-worldly place to be. To experience the wildlife on foot and being so close to them, but also in a safe distance is something that is very unique and will create memories forever. Nathaniel would constantly be by our side and assist with camera settings and give tips on how to compose and what action to expect. He kept reminding every time we changed the composition or move around to check our histograms first. For a amateur photographer like us the tips he was giving us in the field was like gold. He also spent time every evening discussing the photographs on a computer and teaching editing techniques. I kept asking him questions back and forth by email before the trip and he would respond within a day or so, even when he was in remote locations. He such a polite person, I would definitely take his tour again. He has done lot of ground work for his trip and shared that knowledge to us as well. He also had the best wildlife guide for his teaching group so that did reflect in the best wildlife viewing experience we had. Good Luck Nathaniel, we are looking forward to more photo tours in the near future!”
Vik V.
California, USA
"I was attracted to Nathaniel's course because of the beauty and the unique perspective exhibited in the photos of the bears at the Alaska photography experience. I was not disappointed. The opportunity to photograph bears was ever present, the access easily acquired and the support from both Nathaniel and the staff from the lodge was outstanding. Nathaniel immediately was able to correct some settings and equipment uses that I had been utilizing as I had been aware I was not getting as crystal clear images as I wanted and, Voila! I had them! As I travel for work, it had been especially important to me to have my husband accompany me on the trip and Nathaniel jumped in and set up the trip so both my husband and son could come on the trip and fish and the three of us spend time together. I would highly recommend spending your valuable time and resources and one of Nathaniel's photographic opportunities."
Amy K.
Wyoming, USA
"Wonders of Alaska 2017 was my first workshop with Nathaniel, but I'm sure it won't be my last; he was as kind, caring and patient as he appears online. Nathaniel was extremely attentive during the entire workshop, he shared technical and artistic knowledge during shooting, spent time reviewing and editing files in the evenings so that we really learned as we went along, and were able to put the learning into practice while still on the workshop. The weather conditions were difficult at times, but Nathaniel's experience and attention to his students meant that the group learned how to work around suboptimal lighting and we all went home with great photographs! I love bears and this trip afforded us hours of watching every day, not the usual glimpse here and there that I was used to in Yellowstone, we even got to watch a mom nurse her two cubs! I couldn't have asked for more."
Jackie H.
Texas, USA
"I just returned from Nathaniel's Wonders of Alaska trip, he is a fantastic photo workshop leader. He is able to give his participants close attention which is so important on these trips. He is patient and takes the time to teach. He is kind and without attitude, which I have not found with other instructors. He makes sure to keep his trips small so he can ensure everyone is getting the personalized attention they need. He takes time to review pictures at the end of the day and to give feedback ensuring you are prepared for the next day. The photo book that he provides the participants of the trip is an added bonus! He makes everyone feel respected and welcome no matter what level of photographer they are. I really appreciated the effort and enjoyed reminiscing about the trip. The effort Nathaniel put forth for his guests did not go unnoticed! I highly recommend a workshop or safari with him."
Mindy R.
California, USA
"Nathaniel of Wicked Good Photography is wonderful. I observed him for almost a year before booking with him. He truly believes in the "leave no trace behind" principle, he does not like baiting animals for a shot and he limits his workshop sizes so that everyone gets time with him one-on-one. Before booking with him, I asked him questions and he was very kind and attentive. Another feature that I appreciated is that he took care of all of the accommodations and he checked every room before handing us our keys. He spends time helping each participant while processing pictures and he provides personal as well as group instruction. He is easy going and truly cares about all of us. It is important to feel very comfortable with the person who you book with and he/she should be approachable."
Thea M.
Oregon, USA
"I had the best experience with Nathaniel on his Wicked Good Photography tour to Alaska in September. Nathaniel was an excellent instructor and we had such an amazing experience! It was so much fun, I can't wait to travel with Wicked Good Photo Tours again!"
Anita R.
California, USA
