Bears Galore Workshop with Christopher Dodds
June 12 to 19, 2024 (8 days / 7 Nights) MOTHERS & CUBS: This is the very best time to photograph the many mothers and cubs of Katmai National Park. There have been days when we have been surrounded by four Brown Bear mothers and their cubs (Twins and triplets) playing, nursing, grazing, and clamming. Includes return floatplane from Kodiak, AK. USD$11,995.00 per person shared accommodation (2 passengers/room).
September 17 to 24, 2024 (8 Days / 7 Nights) BEARS FISHING: This is the very best time to photograph the many fishing bears of Katmai National Park. The gorgeous light from the lower sun illuminates the glowing, rich fur of the Brown Bears as they pounce and gorge on Salmon to prepare for winter hibernation. Includes return floatplane from Kodiak, AK. USD$11,995.00 per person shared accommodation (2 passengers/room).
This is a specialized Brown Bear photography tour and Includes photography on all eight days, return float-plane flight to and from our private yacht, meals, instruction, guiding and accommodations.
Tour groups are strictly limited to only 7 photographers + leader, expert bear guide and Coast Guard certified vessel, Captain and crew (Buyer beware: Other workshops don’t employ expert bear guides, instead the photographer tries to play host, instructor and bear guide/safety officer…).
The small group size means more assistance and one-on-one guidance and coaching for every participant.
Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour, 200-400mm reach is adequate to make an impressive portfolio.
Photographers of all levels are welcome, the tour pace will suit everyone’s needs and skill level.
Owners of all camera brands are welcome, my 35 years of professional photography includes the last 3 years as a Sony ambassador, 16 years using Canon as a Canon Northern Explorer of Light and 16 years using Nikon before that. I can help anyone with any brand improve their photography.
No one has spent as many days guiding Brown Bear workshops in Katmai as I have over the years.
Join world-renowned Canadian nature photographer, blogger, photo educator, lecturer, Sony ambassador, and X-rite Master Coloratti Christopher Dodds and some of the more than 2,000 Coastal Brown Bears at the best place in the world to photograph Coastal Brown Bears. Claiming the world’s highest concentration of Coastal Brown Bears, Katmai National Park in Alaska also has to be the most beautiful setting on the planet to photograph them. Truly the adventure of a lifetime, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to see, study and photograph Coastal Brown Bears in their undisturbed, natural environment without the influence or pressure that large groups and camps often cause. With a limit of only seven participants, there will be plenty of time for instruction and personal attention from Chris. Other possible species may include Bald Eagles, Tufted and Horned Puffins, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, Steller Sea Lion, Grey Wolves and Shore Birds, to name just a few.
This 8-day cruise is all-inclusive from Homer, Alaska. We start with the included float-plane flight from Homer (Day 1) over the picturesque Katchemak Bay, Surrounded by the surreal mountains and glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park. Our spectacular flight will fly over the staggeringly stunning scenery, mountains and glaciers of the Katmai Coast of Katmai National Park before rendezvousing with our privately charted yacht. Aside from meals and sleeping, most of our time will be spent in the field with the bears maximizing our time behind the camera; from the moment we get there until after our morning shoot on day 8, bears will be in our sights.
June (8 days / 7 Nights) MOTHERS & CUBS: This trip is designed around the very best time to photograph the many mothers and cubs of Katmai National Park. There have been days when we have been surrounded by Brown Bear mothers and their cubs playing, nursing, grazing and clamming; It is not uncommon to have 3 or 4 mothers with their twins or triplets to choose from simultaneously. Includes return float plane flight from Kodiak, AK.
September (8 Days / 7 Nights) BEARS FISHING: This trip is designed around the very best time to photograph the many fishing bears of Katmai National Park. The shorter days with the sun lower on the horizon offer gorgeous, soft light that illuminates the glistening, rich fur of the Brown Bears as they gourge on Salmon to prepare for winter hibernation. Includes Float plane flight from Kodiak, AK and return cruise to Kodiak aboard our vessel.
Who should attend: This workshop is highly recommended for any level photographer. Whether you are entirely new to nature photography, an experienced amateur, or a seasoned pro, there will be something to photograph and we will have plenty of time to tailor your instruction to your abilities. The seasoned pro can take full advantage of the logistics, my site and subject knowledge. This trip does require some physical exertion: Participants should be able to comfortably walk over rough terrain and wade across tidal flats & streams while wearing waders and carrying their gear.
What's included: Return floatplane flight from Katmai to the vessel in Katmai National Park and back to Kodiak. Eight days of in-the-field photographic instruction with Christopher Dodds and eight days of expert bear guiding with the best bear guides in the world. All meals and snacks, shared accommodation aboard our privately chartered yacht (experienced Coast Guard licensed Captain and crew in a Coast Guard Certified vessel) including all related expenses except crew tips. We will maximize our time in the field, but be adaptable to the Alaskan weather; If the light is right and we want to stay out - we will. If the weather changes and we want to head back to the yacht - we will. The idea is to bring home a portfolio of amazing images and have fun making memories that will last a lifetime. I have been leading bear workshops in Katmai for years, so I know how to find lots of Bears.
What's NOT Included:
Price does NOT include transportation to Kodiak, AK, hotel accommodations before or after the adventure or items of a personal nature (souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, etc.). Suggested crew tips of US$500.00 are not included.
Getting there: Our meeting point is Kodiak, AK (Airport code: ADK).
Group size: Our group will be strictly limited to ONLY SEVEN participants with one instructor and the boat's crew and our expert bear guide.
Details: An extremely detailed email with the precise itinerary, hotel details and suggestions for the nights before (or after) the trip, camera gear suggestions and tested clothing checklist to keep warm and dry will be sent by email after your deposit is received.
Exceptions: As all good things that evolve into better things, some details may change.
Questions: Feel free to email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com or call me at +1 (514) 945-6195
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Join world-renowned Canadian nature photographer, blogger, photo educator, lecturer, Sony ambassador, and X-rite Master Coloratti Christopher Dodds and some of the more than 2,000 Coastal Brown Bears at the best place in the world to photograph Coastal Brown Bears. Claiming the world’s highest concentration of Coastal Brown Bears, Katmai National Park in Alaska also has to be the most beautiful setting on the planet to photograph them. Truly the adventure of a lifetime, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to see, study and photograph Coastal Brown Bears in their undisturbed, natural environment without the influence or pressure that large groups and camps often cause. With a limit of only five participants, there will be plenty of time for instruction and personal attention from Chris. Other possible species may include Bald Eagles, Tufted and Horned Puffins, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, Steller Sea Lion, Grey Wolves and Shore Birds to name just a few.
“It is definitely not an overstatement when I say that I had one of the most incredible times of my life this past June while on Chris’ Alaska Coastal Brown Bear Boat Trip. This experience was much more than just a workshop: From start to finish, it was an extremely well-organized adventure into a pristine wilderness area that produced many unforgettable memories and images for each member of our group.
After meeting Chris and the rest of the team in Homer, the weather cooperated, so soon the floatplane was loaded with our gear and supplies, and then we all climbed on board to begin our journey. For the next hour and twenty minutes, we flew over breath-taking scenery to the boat that would act as our home base for the next 6 days. Chris had worked hard at finding a vessel that was of ample size and had what it would take to better meet our needs and be much more comfortable for us than the other available boats – and I can attest to the fact that he was successful.
The crew was extremely warm, friendly, and eager to assist us in any way that they could, both while onboard the ship, as well as during our times on the smaller boat that was used to transport us to and from our daily drop-off and pick-up locations. The food was plentiful and simply out of this world meal after meal. It was amazing to see what could be done by one very creative and talented cook in the middle of a wilderness area. It didn’t take long for all of us to feel at home and develop a real sense of friendship and enjoyment of each other’s company, which only grew as the days of our adventure together went by. Although we had to obviously keep our voices down while in the field, there was more and more joking, laughter, chatter and other signs of camaraderie in the dining area and while travelling in the shuttle boat as we got to know each other better and better. It was one terrific group, which just added to the fun of experiencing a new place! Chris couldn’t have done a better job of putting the team together.
Before our flight out of Homer, Chris shared with us that he was delighted that he had been able to get us an exceptionally experienced bear guide and naturalist for our trip, and it quickly became apparent that Chris knew what he was talking about. Chris himself also has experience as a guide and is very familiar with bears and the areas that we would be exploring. So… when a bear was spotted, it was very interesting to watch and listen to the two of them work together to “get inside of the bear’s mind” and attempt to predict what it was going to eventually do. Time after time, within a few minutes, the bear that we had chosen to photograph did exactly what Chris and the guide had told us what it was likely to do. Therefore, since we had already moved into position and had our camera gear all set up for action, we were ready to greet the bear as it casually approached us in an ideal location to photograph it. This ability to anticipate the bear’s next move was especially helpful when it was a sow with cubs. As a result, we got to photograph them when they came out of the tall grasses that had pretty much concealed them because of their small size – enabling us to get unobscured images of them eating, nursing, playing, standing, and exhibiting all of the other entertaining things young bears do! Chris and our guide coached us in techniques as to how our group could earn the bears’ trust and, as a result, the bears were completely comfortable with us and went about their routines just as if we weren’t there. Amazing job gentlemen!”
— Mike Fuller, NY | USA
“The trip with Chris on the ship along the Katmai coast was fantastic. Without a doubt, it was one of the top photo trips I have taken over the last several years due to the amazing variety and density of wildlife in such completely unspoiled and uninhabited wilderness. Unlike land-based lodges, with the ship, you have the opportunity to photograph in several of Katmai's secluded bays versus being limited to an area adjacent to a land-based lodge. What helped make the trip so successful was Chris's work ethic where he is always ready to shoot in any weather conditions and will stay in the field as long as there is any possibility for high-quality photography. This is essential in a place like coastal Alaska where it can go from direct sunny conditions to heavy overcast to rain in the blink of an eye and where the sun doesn't set until the late evening. If the best time to photograph Brown Bears chasing down salmon was after 10:00 PM, you bet we'd be on the river bank waiting on the massive Brown Bear boars to make their spectacular runs--photography is the top priority, after the safety of course. The daily great fresh seafood didn't exactly hurt the trip either.
As I write this I've only a little over two weeks removed from returning from Katmai and I'm still having serious withdrawals--right now I really want to be on the ship's skiff heading to shore to photograph more bears, eagles, and wolves.”
— Steve Metildi, Southern California | USA
“Last week I finished editing my photos from the Alaska Bear Boat Trip, and I have lots of photos that I consider good. After what I have learned in your workshops, I am very conservative to call a photo “good” but can report that I have many more good photos from the trip than I expected to get.
The photo opportunities in Katmai National Park were numerous, the weather was cooperative, and trips to shore resulted in excellent light. You work hard to make your trips productive, informational, and an opportunity to improve one’s photography, and this trip was no exception.
The other participants were courteous and positive individuals with whom it was fun to share travel and photographic experiences. As you know I have been on more than a dozen trips with you and often there are other repeat customers/photographers on the trips. My experience is that the photographers who make multiple trips with you are always individuals with whom it is a pleasure to spend 3-7 days. Many of these people are as interested in my photography as they are in their own, and frequently it is possible to learn from one another. These folks are friends by the end of the trip, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future. The crew of the boat is helpful, the cook is experienced, the bear guide is knowledgeable, and the food is elegant. It was amazing to eat so much good food on the boat considering the limited facilities and space in which to prepare the meals.
The most memorial trip which you offer. The success of my photography from this trip is a result of the specific organization of this trip but also from the invaluable photographic expertise that I have gotten from your trips in this past. I have and do recommend your trips to other photographers as a fun way to spend time and improve their photography. You have helped me become a better photographer and I am happy to call you “friend”. Best wishes to you and your wife, Julie.”
— Dennis Stone Columbus, Indiana, USA
“I found Chris via the strong images on his web site.
Having now taken two of his photo workshops, I have seen a significant improvement in my images due to improved capture and post processing techniques. Having taken many other wildlife photo workshops, Chris stands out for his top notch instruction. His workshops provide many excellent photo opportunities.
If you are serious about your photography and want to get better, Chris can help you in many ways. He is willing and able to explain what he is doing and why he is doing it. He emphasizes not only the vision but also the execution in the field and the post processing.
It was fun shooting with and learning from Chris. I give a hearty recommendation to anyone considering a photo workshop with Chris, a recommendation I plan to follow.
— Carl Zanoni Connecticut, USA
“Chris, Thanks for another great photo adventure to Alaska!!!!!! This is the third trip with you and they keep getting better. Always challenging. Always easy-going. Always taking my photography forward. (Take a look at my site for a few new pictures from Alaska.) Your instruction is the best I've experience in taking these kinds of trips. You always seem to know where to put us in the absolute best place. Top Notch!!!! Can't wait till the next one.....wherever that might be. Thanks again!!!!!!!”
— Jeff Moore Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA