Saint Paul Island with Christopher Dodds
7 Nights - 8 Days. USD$8,495.00 all inclusive from Anchorage, AK includes the return flight to & from Saint Paul Island, meals, lodging and ground transportation. (USD$9,995.00 single occupancy if available).
7 full days of personalized in-the-field instruction from Christopher Dodds.
After visiting the island over 25 times from spring to summer, these dates consistently prove the very best to ensure the maximum number of nesting and rare species. The birds will be in pristine condition for photographs.
We will be within feet of nesting Tufted Puffins, Horned Puffins, Crested Auklets, Parakeet Auklets, Least Auklets, Red-faced Cormorants, and so many more otherwise difficult to find seabirds.
Group size limited to 9 photographers.
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 39 years of professional photography includes the last 5 years as a Sony ambassador, 16 years using Canon as a Canon Northern Explorer of Light and years using Nikon before that. I can help anyone with any brand improve their photography.
Christopher Dodds has lead over 25 workshops on Saint Paul Island over the years.
St Paul is the largest of four volcanic islands which make up the Pribilof Islands in the middle of the Bering Sea (Otter, Walrus, St. George and St. Paul) between Alaska and Russia. It's one of the few places left in the world where you can sit quietly for hours and watch the birds fly past without hearing or seeing any human influence. Along with the small community of Aleut and the seasonal employees at the Trident seafood factory, St Paul is home to over 248 species of birds, the vast majority of the world's population of Northern Fur Seals, blue fox and reindeer.
Nestled among the island's vertical cliffs are many thousands of nesting Horned and Tufted Puffins, Least, Crested and Parakeet Auklets, Red-faced Cormorants, Red-legged and Black-legged Kittiwakes, Northern Fulmars, Thick-billed and Common Murres and Glaucous-winged Gulls. Winter Wrens, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, Ruddy Turnstones, Rock Sandpipers and the Island's race of the Grey-crowned Rosy-Finch all nest on Saint Paul Island.
Our small group is the key to gaining access to the island's very best offerings, and our exclusive transportation and guide ensure we get where we want to when we want for the absolute best photography. This photographic adventure is all about being out there with our cameras; we have traveled too far to spend time indoors in front of a computer or projector! Our days will be long and rewarding with our time split between seabirds, songbirds and shorebirds, and safe access to the Northern Fur Seal blinds.
Chris’ in-depth knowledge of the island and species gives him an edge when it comes to being in the right place at the right time to get the best photograph. Get hands-on help from Chris to improve your photography and take better pics! Absolute newbie amateurs to seasoned professionals are welcome; Chris has decades of experience teaching and explaining everything from the basics to the advanced fundamentals of photography. Chris shares many of the professional tips, tricks and techniques he uses every day to capture his artistic and technically perfect images; he holds nothing back!
Includes return air transportation from Anchorage, AK, 7 nights accommodation, three 4-hour excursions each of the 8 days (weather permitting), 8 full days of professional instruction, guiding and logistics management by Christopher Dodds. Not included in the price is your transportation to Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC), alcoholic beverages drinks, souvenirs, or other expenses of a personal nature.
Who should attend: This workshop is highly recommended for any level photographer. Whether you are completely 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.
Getting there: Our starting point for this adventure is Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC).
Details: An extremely detailed email with the precise itinerary, hotel recommendations, camera gear suggestions and tested clothing checklist will be emailed after registration is complete.
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 on Saint Paul Island in the Bering Sea for the photographic adventure of a lifetime!
“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
“As an experienced wildlife & landscape photographer I would highly recommend you attend one of Chris Dodds' workshops - I have attended a number of Chris' workshops and each of them reflect Chris' caring. I just attended the St. Paul, Alaska workshop - typical of Chris' professionalism, and expertise. He only takes you to those unique shooting opportunities when he is convinced that the shoot will provide you the experience you are seeking. In the Saint Paul Island workshop's case he has visited this unique special remote island for over 25 years. The local small population obviously respects Chris and they do all they can to assist the experience. You shoot from a variety of locations, with many types of birds, complimented by wild fox, sea lions etc. Chris has the talent to assist both experienced and novice photographers - he makes sure you get the opportunities you want, and if you need extra help he enjoys jumping in and helping you. If you had to summarize Chris' workshops in a few words - Great well researched locations, tremendous local knowledge, dedicate to your photographic results being all you could possibly want.”
— Wynne Powell British Columbia, Canada
“My truest feelings for my St. Paul experiences were self-expressed spontaneously and subconsciously when, as our plane taxied down the runway on our return home, I choked up at the thought that our unique week together was over. Special thanks go to you, Chris, for your special help: giving me physical support to deal with the slipperies in the early days before I developed my sea-legs, directing me to good spots for close-up photos, helping me get into and out of them as needed, and especially for your converting me to use the Manual setting for my exposures. The true value of the latter became evident as I scanned my photo results on the computer. I confess I was plenty tired physically at the end of our week, but it was a week that in retrospect I would not have missed.”
— Charles Wyttenback Cape Cod | Massachusetts | USA