Join us on an instructional photo tour and workshop to Alaska, the last frontier. The goal of this trip is to photograph Alaska's stunning landscapes and wildlife by land and private boats. We will explore coastal fjords, glaciers, mountains, forests, and diverse wildlife including coastal brown bears and bald eagles. Four distinct boat tours on smaller boats will let us get close to wildlife and access secluded coves that larger boats can’t reach.

Homer
Known for its breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife, Homer offers a multitude of stunning vistas. We will explore several neighboring regions that boast remarkable habitats for bald eagles, puffins, seals, sea lions, and moose. To capture these magnificent creatures, we will take two small boats specifically designed for wildlife photography.

Seward
Nestled between Resurrection Bay and the majestic Kenai Mountains, Seward stands as an enduring testament to Alaska's rich history and beauty. This charming coastal town captivates with its harbor, shops, oceanfront dining, and art galleries.

Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, is known for its rugged coastal fjords. It’s an excellent spot for wildlife photography with unique opportunities to capture nature’s beauty. We will be visiting parts of the park that are only accessible by boat to get the full experience.

Bears at Lake Clark (new for 2025)
This day-trip adventure starts with a scenic boat ride to Lake Clark, where you will experience the beauty of Alaska's coastline. Be on the lookout for sea otters, whales, and bald eagles along the way.

At Lake Clark you will have the chance to photograph brown bears and their cubs in their natural habitat. Capture stunning shots of these incredible animals against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and lush landscapes.

Marine and Bird Life
Alaska is home to diverse marine and bird life. We will have the chance to see sea otters, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, tufted puffins, horned puffins, murres, auklets, and porpoises. Additionally, we might encounter several whale species, including orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and beluga whales, as well as moon jellyfish and more.

The variety of birds sets Kenai Fjords apart from other coastal areas. Large colonies of sea birds including Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Gulls, Murres, Murrelets, Auklets, and Puffins nest on the many spectacular granite ledges. An abundance of plankton and fish start the food chain in motion. Stellar Sea lions slide out on rocks to bask in the sun. Sea Otters float on their back to take a nap, eat, and groom. Whales continue to work the edge of the tidal currents.

There will be many opportunities to photograph the abundant wildlife found in Alaska!

When:
July 20-27, 2025 (2 spaces left)

Getting There:
Airport: Anchorage AK (ANC)
Pickup and Drop-off at Airport will be provided. There is no need to rent a car.

Itinerary:
The schedule will be flexible to maximize getting the best light for photography.

Day 1: Take shuttle from the airport to Anchorage Hotel by 4 pm. We will start with introductions and have a short group meeting to discuss plans for the upcoming week. After the group meeting, we will leave to photograph the local wildlife and landscapes.

Day 2: We will photograph our way to our next location: Homer, Alaska. Along the way we will visit several locations for wildlife including an incredible opportunity for bald eagles.

Day 3: Lake Clark Bear Boat: We will be taking a boat to Lake Clark for a day trip to see coastal brown bears and their cubs. This exciting opportunity allows us to capture these magnificent animals in stunning backdrops while observing their natural behaviors.

Day 4: We will take an eight-hour ride on a small boat to visit several incredible locations for landscape and wildlife photography. We will have opportunities to photograph large groups of sea otters, puffins, whales, and other wildlife, and also spend a lot of time photographing eagles.

Day 5: We will check out of our hotel and drive to Seward. This is a beautiful ride, and we will plan for several stops along the way.

Day 6: We will take a boat out to see Kenai Fjords National Park. The boat ride will be approximately eight hours and lunch will be provided. This national park is incredibly beautiful, and you could spend a lifetime photographing it. The longer boat ride allows us to photograph some incredible glaciers, sea bird colonies, and multiple whales. There are some nice options for dinner or a quick photo shoot when we get off the boat.

Day 7: We will take another boat ride out to explore Kenai Fjords National Park. We will cover some different locations than the previous journey. The boat ride will be approximately eight hours and lunch will be provided.

Day 8: Our journey back to Anchorage will be filled with stops along the route. We will aim to be back in Anchorage by 3 pm for departing flights.

Skill and Fitness Level Requirements:
Anyone with an interest in photography from a beginner to professional is welcome on this tour. The participants should have a working knowledge of their camera, a love of nature, and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting.

Participants should also be able to climb in and out of boats in sometimes slippery conditions carrying photo gear. Participants should also be comfortable riding in boats with changing sea conditions. This is not a good tour for anyone who is prone to sea sickness.

This trip may include some hikes from 1 to 2 miles roundtrip.

Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

Group size:
Our groups are small just 4 people per instructor. This group size allows for flexibility in our plans if interesting and unexpected photo opportunities present themselves. This is the best way to approach wildlife with a small group.

Price:
$9495
Deposit: $2000
Balance due: Six months before the start date of the trip.
Note: There is an option to extend this trip to photograph Coastal Grizzly Bears (Brown Bears).

Price includes:
Hotels (7 night’s stay) lodging is double occupancy. If you prefer your own room (single occupancy) it is an additional $300. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart if you want your own room.

• Four separate private boat to different locations.

• Permits and admission fees

• Professional Instruction on photography, wildlife identification and behavior

Transportation is provided from hotel to field locations. Many tours have multiple cars following each other. This is a problem for parking and finding wildlife. We will travel in private vans and private boats, which will give us easier access to wildlife. No need to rent a car.

What is not included:

• Food and drinks will not be included. We will eat at local restaurants. Each participant will be responsible for their own food tab.

• Air travel is NOT included.

• Tips to boat operators and their assistants

Payments:
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart.

Testimonials:

Cancellation Policy:

About Us:

John Slonina (leader)

A professional nature photographer who has been photographing for several decades. During the workshop, you will receive information on photography techniques and the natural world. Understanding the natural world not only increases your appreciation of nature but also helps you become a better nature photographer.

We hope you can join us at this incredible place. If you have any questions, please contact us.