On this unique photo experience in the center of Lake Clark National Park, enjoy the excitement of taking pictures of wild coastal brown bears in breathtaking settings while relaxing in a remote Alaskan lodge. Situated along the Cook Inlet coast, this area has verdant meadows, streams where salmon spawn, and beaches that stretch beneath the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range, providing excellent bear habitat. The timing of our visit is ideal for seeing colorful summer wildflowers and energetic spring cubs in their native habitat. The rustic, full-service lodge - exclusive to our group - offers a comfortable space for our small group of photographers to enjoy delicious homemade meals, allowing for extended hours in the field with our dedicated bear guide. Throughout your experience, you will benefit from engaging critique and editing sessions that foster your creativity in a relaxed atmosphere.
24 Jul 2026 - 30 Jul 2026 | 4:00 pm - 2:00 pm
$7695
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
All Skill Levels
IT’S ALL ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING BEARS
Imagine viewing and photographing wild coastal brown bears in idyllic surroundings from the comfort of an Alaskan Lodge. This photo adventure takes us to a special place in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. Thanks to a delicate balance of protective status for bears, cooperative visitor management and limited access, one can safely photograph wild bears here. The intimate photography experience here is unique and only exists at a few places in Alaska.
One of Alaska’s most beautiful places is Lake Clark National Park. The Cook Inlet coast is prime habitat for bears amidst lush meadows and beaches below towering peaks of the Alaska Range. Our visit is timed to catch summer wildflowers and possible spring cubs while they are still small and playful.
ENJOY COMFORT AND STYLE AT AN ALASKAN LODGE
This rustic, full service Alaskan lodge with modern amenities is an ideal setting for a small photo group. Here, we enjoy warm beds and delicious home style meals prepared from scratch. Therefore, this allows for many hours on location with our dedicated bear guide. In between shoot sessions, we learn and grow with critique and edit sessions in a relaxing atmosphere that fosters creativity. Even though we have the whole lodge to our group, some participants will likely need to share a room and/or a bathroom.
BENEFIT FROM EXPERT GUIDANCE
Receive expert photo guidance with Michael DeYoung, a 35-year professional Alaska outdoor photographer and former workshop leader for Arizona Highways PhotoScapes, for this quintessential Alaska photography adventure. Our knowledgeable bear guides will maximize opportunities to be in front of bears. On location and during critique session, Michael provides expert guidance on action technique, composition, lighting and design for wildlife and landscape photography. As a result, capture bucket list bear images you can treasure for a lifetime.
What to Bring
A Welcome Letter stating contact information, logistics, and a detailed list of recommended gear and clothing will be provided to participants at least 90 days prior to tour start date.
Notes
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Our photo tour kicks off at 4PM at the hotel meeting room for a meet and greet, orientation, and motivational presentation on photography in Alaska.
DAY 2: FLY TO REMOTE LODGE/BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY
We meet at 6:15AM and begin the transfer to a regional airport for our exciting 1-1.5 hour bush plane flight to the remote lodge where we land right on the beach.
Upon arrival, we are greeted by lodge staff who will transfer us and our luggage to the lodge and our rooms. After an orientation from lodge staff and being outfitted with boots, we will go out for our first bear search and photo session. We break for lunch and dinner, going back out in search of bears between meals and afterward.
DAY 3 – 6: GUIDED BEAR VIEWING/PHOTOGRAPHY
While on location at the lodge, the exact daily schedule will vary based on weather and tidal conditions, but typically the days start real early as sunrise light takes place at 5AM! Sunrise can be fantastic on the beach – especially on a low tide when bears are out clamming. Expect to go out real early returning to the lodge for breakfast. In between lunch and dinner, we continue traveling the local area by ATV with towed trailers searching for and photographing bears and the surrounding landscapes. If the weather goes south and no bears are around, we can retreat back to the lodge to rest or edit images.
Sometime during our stay we will have a group critique to make sure everyone is on the right track to getting the best bear images possible.
We also go out again after dinner, returning between 9-10 PM.
DAY 7: RETURN TO ANCHORAGE
After our final sunrise shoot and breakfast, lodge staff will transfer our luggage down to the beach where we await the arrival of planes that take us back to Anchorage. Since we arrive earlier than normal check-in, we will do a group lunch and, if desired, bring people downtown for any shopping needs. We check back in to our Anchorage hotel, say our goodbyes, and treasure the experience we all just shared
REMINDER: This last night is included in your tour fee. Please don’t schedule a flight out of Anchorage on the published ending tour date as a weather delay that would prevent us from flying back from the lodge would create undue complications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please view our website at DeYoung Active Photo Tours Alaska Coastal Brown Bears Photo Tour
Caption
UK
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f/8.0
20.0 mm
1/5
1/5
50
