ALASKA BEARS PHOTO WORKSHOP
June 21-27, 2026 - 8 SPOTS LEFT
July 28-Aug 3rd, 2026 - 8 SPOTS LEFT
SOLD OUT for 2025
Scroll to bottom for future dates now available
A Photo Adventure in the Untamed Alaskan Wilderness
Experience the grandeur of the Alaskan Brown Bear in their own home - an untamed and untouched wilderness that lay before you. Immerse yourself into an Alaskan bear photo tour proven time and again to capture memories of a lifetime. Here, in the wild places of Alaska, you'll not only immerse yourself into the everyday life of these grizzlies – but also, find a respite from the distractions of a hurried life.
Highlights
Travel aboard a private yacht
Photograph Bears every day.
Photograph on land or from boat 2x / day as weather permits and generally 1x on arrival/departure days.
Possibilities of several native Alaskan animal life including Bald Eagles, Otters, Puffins, Fox, and an occasional lone wolf patrolling the shoreline.
Return to our live-a-board yacht for lunch prepared by the captain's first mate. Savory, sweet and excellently prepared dishes are consistently welcoming you back on board. After lunch cast a line off either the port or starboard side and join those in pursuit of their daily catch. Freshly caught halibut is among one of our favorites prepared for dinner during the photo tour.
Itinerary: JUNE 21-27, 2026 / 1st Bear Trip 2026
DAY 0: 20 June - ARRIVAL IN KODIAK, ALASKA
Arrive in Kodiak on or before June 20th.
Stay overnight in hotel / Best Western Kodiak Inn (Client is responsible to pay hotel room).
DAY 1: 21 June - FLOAT PLANE From KODIAK to Yacht
Float Plane company will pick up all guests from Best Western Kodiak Inn - be ready to depart by 8am. As this is an early morning pick up - we ask that all clients arrive the previous day prior to the start of the trip - do not try arriving into Kodiak the morning of 1st day).
All hard case luggage will be left in holding at Best Western Kodiak Inn.
Float plane requires large duffel for luggage and additional camera bag - no hard case luggage.
(Client pays for flight that morning, Approx. $850 Round Trip per person)
Approximate 45 minute flight to yacht.
Get situated - lunch - take skiff to 1st photo shoot.
Skiff will drop off passengers approximately 75-100 yards from shore in knee to thigh deep water. Must be able to carry equipment and walk through water (wearing waders).
Generally, we walk on land for approximately 3-4 hours while photographing the bears.
Skiff will pick us up, again, in knee deep water - bring us back to yacht.
Dinner on board.
DAY 2 - 6: 22 June - 26 June CONTINUE TRAVEL thru KATMAI WILDERNESS
Each day generally offers 2 outings to photograph bears, much like described on day 1.
Some days we will be photographing on land, and other times, as necessary from the skiff.
There will be time in between to photograph from the yacht, both landscapes and marine life. There will also be time to fish for halibut for those interested. All meals during the workshop will be on board the yacht. Christopher will also be offering instruction during times on board.
DAY 7: 27 June FINAL DAY
Early morning photo shoot - typically on land.
Pack up gear.
Float plane will arrive late morning/early afternoon to fly us back to Kodiak.
We highly recommend getting a nights stay at the Best Western Kodiak Inn on this evening.
Due to the possibility of high seas, the coordination of float plane arrival and timing of getting us back to Kodiak at a particular time isn't guaranteed.
As an evening flight out may not be guaranteed, we suggest flying out the following day.
Client is responsible for hotel room that night in Kodiak.
DAY 8: 28 June SUGGESTED DATE to FLY OUT FROM KODIAK
We fly home June 28th.
Itinerary: JULY 28-AUGUST 3, 2026 / 2nd Bear Trip 2026
DAY 0: 27 July - ARRIVAL IN KODIAK, ALASKA
Arrive in Kodiak on or before July 27th.
Stay overnight in hotel / Best Western Kodiak Inn (Client is responsible to pay hotel room).
DAY 1: 28 July - FLOAT PLANE From KODIAK to Yacht
Float Plane company will pick up all guests from Best Western Kodiak Inn - be ready to depart by 8am. As this is an early morning pick up - we ask that all clients arrive the previous day prior to the start of the trip - do not try arriving into Kodiak the morning of 1st day).
All hard case luggage will be left in holding at Best Western Kodiak Inn.
Float plane requires large duffel for luggage and additional camera bag - no hard case luggage.
(Client pays for flight that morning, Approx. $850 Round Trip per person)
Approximate 45 minute flight to yacht.
Get situated - lunch - take skiff to 1st photo shoot.
Skiff will drop off passengers approximately 75-100 yards from shore in knee to thigh deep water. Must be able to carry equipment and walk through water (wearing waders).
Generally, we walk on land for approximately 3-4 hours while photographing the bears.
Skiff will pick us up, again, in knee deep water - bring us back to yacht.
Dinner on board.
DAY 2 - 6: 29 July - 2 August CONTINUE TRAVEL thru KATMAI WILDERNESS
Each day generally offers 2 outings to photograph bears, much like described on day 1.
Some days we will be photographing on land, and other times, as necessary from the skiff.
There will be time in between to photograph from the yacht, both landscapes and marine life. There will also be time to fish for halibut for those interested. All meals during the workshop will be on board the yacht. Christopher will also be offering instruction during times on board.
DAY 7: 3 August FINAL DAY
Early morning photo shoot - typically on land.
Pack up gear.
Float plane will arrive late morning/early afternoon to fly us back to Kodiak.
We highly recommend getting a nights stay at the Best Western Kodiak Inn on this evening.
Due to the possibility of high seas, the coordination of float plane arrival and timing of getting us back to Kodiak at a particular time isn't guaranteed.
As an evening flight out may not be guaranteed, we suggest flying out the following day.
Client is responsible for hotel room that night in Kodiak.
DAY 8: 4 August SUGGESTED DATE to FLY OUT FROM KODIAK
We fly home August 4th.
Logistics
Please arrive in Kodiak, Alaska at least one day prior to beginning of workshop dates.
June 20th for the June 2026 Workshop and July 27th for the July/Aug 2026 Workshop.
Lodging in Kodiak is not included in the workshop fee. You will need lodging on both the day prior to workshop dates as well as the final night of the trip (See Itinerary above).
Lodging should be at the Best Western Kodiak Inn.
We will board a float plane on the 1st morning of the workshop dates to fly from Kodiak to the yacht. Float plane is not included in cost of trip. Current costs average around $850 for round trip flight and may be paid directly to the float plane company the morning of departure. Float plane will pick up passengers on the final day and return us to Kodiak.
(Client pays float plane round trip ticket , Approx. $850 per person)
Once on board, meals and passage throughout Katmai is included.
Participants will need to be capable to hike at least a 1/2 mile in dirt or sand.
Much of the workshop includes walking through grassy lands for approximately 3-4 hours.
We will be taking breaks as we spend plenty of time photographing bears in their habitat during those walks.
Participants will also need to be able to carry their own gear while wading in knee deep water from the skiff to shore and then back again. This involves walking in water (in waders) for approximately 75-100 yards.
We will arrive back into Kodiak on the Final day of the workshop. It is highly recommended to secure a hotel stay on the final day of the workshop.
Due to the possibility of high seas, the coordination of float plane arrival and timing of getting us back to Kodiak at a particular time isn't guaranteed.
As an evening flight out may not be guaranteed, we suggest flying out the following day.
Client is responsible for hotel room that night in Kodiak.
ARRIVAL IN KODIAK
*** You will need to fly into and out of Kodiak, Alaska
Please take note of your specific workshop itinerary above
Arrival Flight: at least 1 day prior to start of workshop (see itinerary above)
ADDITIONAL HOTEL STAY IN KODIAK
We suggest staying at the Best Western Kodiak Inn located in Kodiak, Alaska.
Hotel Overnight in Kodiak prior to first day of workshop.
Overnight stay in Kodiak at hotel on final night of workshop.
Client is responsible for hotel room stays in Kodiak.
DEPARTURE FLIGHT FROM KODIAK
Departing Flight: we suggest the following day after workshop concludes (see itinerary above)
Additional Notes
Participants Need to be able to hike at least a 1/2 mile in dirt or sand.
Participants will need to be able to walk for 3-4 hours at a time in grassy lands with frequent breaks.
Participants will also need to be able to carry their own gear while wading in knee deep water from the skiff to shore and then back again. This involves walking in water (in waders) for approximately 75-100 yards.
Pricing
$8,495 PER PERSON
(All Rooms Shared - 2 Participants)
June 21-27, 2026 - NOW BOOKING!
July 28-August 3, 2026 - NOW BOOKING!
June 21-27, 2026 - 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
$8,495 per person (Each cabin will have 2 to a Cabin - No Single Occupancy)
$3,000 Non-Refundable Deposit
Balance Due February 21, 2026
Deposits and Balances please pay in cash or check.
CC will incur a 3.5% merchant processing fee.
Plan to Arrive to Kodiak on June 20 or before & Depart on June 28
July 28 - August 3, 2026 - 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
$8,495 per person (Each cabin will have 2 to a Cabin - No Single Occupancy)
$3,000 Non-Refundable Deposit
Balance Due March 21, 2026
Deposits and Balances please pay in cash or check.
CC will incur a 3.5% merchant processing fee.
Plan to Arrive to Kodiak on July 27 or before & Depart on August 4
Trip Includes:
Lodging throughout the photo tour workshops as outlined in Schedule - includes all nights aboard yacht.
If you arrive early you may be able to stay earlier or later but your package only includes the nights for the workshop on the yacht (not hotel stays prior and post boat tour).
Lodging through the workshop - aboard a private yacht
Meals aboard the yacht
Transport from boat to shore during workshop
Trip Does NOT Include:
Flights or transportation to Kodiak, Alaska.
Airline Fees to Kodiak, Alaska / Insurance / Passports / Personal Expenses
Additional Float Plane from Kodiak to Yacht (Approx. $850)
Additional Hotel stay at Best Western Kodiak Inn prior to or post trip.
Alcoholic beverages
Excessive baggage fees
Gratuities: Suggested Gratuities are: $25 per day per person for boat captain - $10 per day per person for Cook - $10 per day per person for the Deckhand
Any additional tours, activities, etc. not expressly mentioned in the workshop.
Any additional nights accommodations that take place beyond the time frame of the workshop dates
Laundry (there is an on-site facility)
Any emergency services, if necessary.
Any meals outside of those mentioned above.
Recommended Camera Gear
Suggested Photo Gear
2 camera bodies
One long lens 400mm to 600mm
One medium length lens up to 300mm
Several memory cards
Card reader
Three extra camera batteries
2 battery chargers
Small power strip
Compact 1TB external hard drive
Computer W/Charging cord
3 to 4 cleaning cloths
Rocket blower
Headlamp or small flashlight
Waders and wading belt
Wading boots - no felt soles
Small roll of gorilla brand clear tape for wader repair
Headlamp or flashlight
Personal Gear List
What Should I Wear?
Rain Jacket
Fleece coat
One set long underwear
Several long sleeve fishing shirts
Underwear
One pair wool socks
Several pairs cotton socks
Finger less gloves
Fine mesh head net
Hat
Lounge pants for boat
2 T-shirt's to wear on the boat
Comfortable shoes to wear on boat
Shampoo, Soap, razor, Tooth brush, toothpaste, Towel, Tylenol
Large duffel (to transfer clothes on to the float plane)
OFF bug wipes or small can of spray
Join Christopher Balmer as he hosts this workshop and takes you on a photographic journey through Alaska. Christopher will also be instructing on how to master your camera throughout the workshop.
NEED MORE INFO?
CONTACT US!
208-523-6789
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028
2025
June 24-30, 2025
SOLD OUT!
$7,995 per person (Each cabin will have 2 to a Cabin - No Single Occupancy)
$3,000 Non-Refundable DepositBalance Due March 25, 2025
Deposits and Balances please pay in cash or check.
CC will incur a 3.5% merchant processing fee.
Plan to Arrive to Kodiak on June 23 or before & Depart on July 1
2026
June 21-27, 2026 - NOW BOOKING!
July 28-August 3, 2026 - NOW BOOKING!
Cost: $8,495
2027
June 20-26, 2027 - NOW BOOKING!
July 28-August 3, 2027 - NOW BOOKING!
Cost: $8,995
2028
June 20-26, 2028 - NOW BOOKING!
August 5-11, 2028 - NOW BOOKING!
Cost: $9,295
To Register - Call us at Perfect Light Camera at 208-523-6789
June 24-30, 2024 - SOLD OUT!
July 29-August 4, 2024 - SOLD OUT!!!
Skill Level
Beginner to Pro
Great Trip for Non-Photographers
Return to our live-a-board yacht for lunch prepared by the captain's first mate. Savory, sweet and excellently prepared dishes are consistently welcoming you back on board. After lunch cast a line off either the port or starboard side and join those in pursuit of their daily catch. Freshly caught halibut is among one of our favorites prepared for dinner during the photo tour.
Following a break on board, return to shore for yet another late afternoon until dusk photo adventure. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, puffins, sea otters, fox, and an occasional lone wolf patrolling the waterfront. Traveling along the shoreline, one cannot help but begin to see how untouched and pure this landscape has remained. Waterfalls, glaciers, and snow-covered peaks all adorn this pristine wonderland. If you’ve not experienced the wilds of Alaska, you absolutely must join us on our Alaska Bears photo tour workshop and encounter Alaska’s brown bear with the very best accommodations and photographic education.
Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, puffins, sea otters, and an occasional lone wolf patrolling the waterfront.
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