Coastal Brown Bears Photography Tour
Join Alaska photographer Carl Johnson, for an amazing photographic experience in the Alaskan wilderness with magnificent coastal brown bears! Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that promises both breathtaking photography opportunities and intimate encounters with Alaska’s majestic wildlife. This exclusive journey is designed for both seasoned photographers, fishing and nature enthusiasts eager to experience the rugged charm of Alaska’s pristine wilderness.
DATES: July 26-31, 2026
Price: $7,695 per person double occupancy
Group Size: Maximum 6 people
About Carl Johnson
Carl Johnson is an acclaimed award-winning nature photographer based in Anchorage, Alaska, renowned for his evocative imagery of Alaska’s remote landscapes and wildlife. His work not only captures the natural beauty of these regions but also emphasizes the cultural and environmental narratives intertwined with them. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers and Anchorage Tourist Board.
Carl is the only full-time Alaska resident who is a Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers. Additionally, he is a member of Nikon Professional Services, the North American Nature Photography Association, Professional Photographers of America, and the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers.
Trip Overview
This six-day/five-night journey will be based at a luxury remote wilderness lodge on the Cook Inlet coast of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Day 1
Arrive in Anchorage no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first day. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby to proceed to a welcome gourmet prix fixe dinner at the private Chef’s Table room in one of Anchorage’s finest restaurants, Kincaid Grill.
Day 2
After breakfast, we will have a mid-morning departure by charter small plane. The flight will take approximately one hour, and we will land on a beach at low tide or a lake near the lodge. Lodge staff will greet us and take our gear via ATV to the lodge. After we settle in and have lunch, we will proceed out for our first photo excursion with the bears.
Day 3-5
We will enjoy three full days of brown bear viewing and photography, with a mixture of behaviors and settings. The dramatic mountains of the Aleutian Range will serve as a backdrop as we photograph bears clamming, grazing, playing, and fishing. Each day, we will have breakfast at the lodge, head out for a morning photo excursion, return to the lodge for lunch, and head out again. On one day, we will take a boat trip to the Tuxedni Wilderness on Chisik Island to photograph a Horned puffin rookery.
Carl Johnson will act as your photo guide during the entire trip. He will provide field instruction throughout the day, answering any questions you may have on settings, composition, or anything related to photography. After dinner in the evenings, he will conduct classroom instruction sessions.
Day 6
There is a short window for bear viewing after our 8:00 a.m. breakfast before we depart the lodge at around 10:00 a.m. for our small plane flight back to Anchorage.
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations in Anchorage upon arrival
- Group welcome dinner and wine pairing
- Meals and snacks at the lodge
- All alcohol or other drinks with meals at the lodge
- Charter flight from Anchorage to lodge
- All guiding
- Daily national park fees
- Lodging sales taxes
What is not Included
- Airfare to and from Anchorage, AK
- Personal cameras and other photography gear
- Refund if weather does not cooperate, including flight cancellations or
rescheduling or extra meals/lodging - Gratuity for guide and lodge staff
- Alcohol or other drinks not with meals
- Travel/trip/medical insurance
HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoying pure Alaskan wilderness in a remote luxury lodge
- Learn about brown bear biology and behavior
- Opportunity to see other wildlife such as American bald eagle, red fox, sea otters, kittiwake, Horned puffin
- Opportunity for early fishing or bear watching. Most likely we will have guides to take us before breakfast and also after dinner in the evening light to photograph bears.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
- Six ways to make deeper connections to nature through photography
- How to be an ethical wildlife photographer
- What makes a compelling image
- Creative uses of depth of field and shutter speeds
- Digital workflow and photo processing
HOW WILL I LEARN?
- Evening classroom sessions to evaluate photographs
- Specific assignments in the field to learn specific skills
- Evening instruction on Adobe Lightroom
- Hands-on instruction in the field to meet your specific needs
What should I Bring
Camera Gear
DSLR or mirrorless camera
Extra batteries and charger
Wide angle lens
Telephoto lenses ranging from 200-600mm
Tripod
Laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic
Multiple memory cards and card reader
Clothing and Personal Gear
Wool socks
Comfortable walking or hiking shoes with good traction, good insulation, and water resistance
Shell jacket
Thermal layers
Rain gear (pants and jacket)
Hat and sunglasses
Non-cotton pants
Mud boots and/or waders (the lodge may have your size available – we’ll check for you).
To book:
Nonrefundable deposit 50% required
Final payment 60 days prior to arrival also non-refundable within 60 days.
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Contact us for more information or reservation.
