Alaska Bear & Wildlife Adventure
Katmai + Lake Clark — private aircraft + boat mobility from a remote lodge basecamp.
Shared field journey with mentor-led coaching in the moment — inform, practice, and feedback in real light.
Experience Overview
This is the photo safari of a lifetime — a premium, small-group Alaska expedition built for maximum wildlife time and maximum flexibility. We operate from a remote lodge base on Lake Iliamna and use private aircraft + boats to move with weather, light, and wildlife activity — so we're always in position.
Quick details
A good fit for
- Wildlife photographers who want real access + coaching.
- People who want a premium lodge base but true wilderness expedition days.
- Anyone who wants a small group and avoids crowded locations.
What's included
- All expedition transportation including to Iliamna, private planes and boats.
- 6 nights at a remote wilderness lodge (double occupancy).
- All meals during the adventure (B, L, D), including gourmet dinners.
- Professional photography instruction and guiding.
- Waders and boots for accessing rugged locations.
- Daily image reviews + coaching to tighten your results fast.
Not included
- Flights to/from Anchorage.
- Travel insurance — Global Rescue highly recommended.
- Alcoholic beverages and personal items.
- Guide & staff gratuities (avg. $500–$600).
- Single occupancy upgrade (+$1,000).
What happens next
After you register, you'll receive confirmation and logistics by email. In the field: brief orientation, coached shooting, and honest feedback while the light is still fresh.
Overview
A handcrafted photo safari into Alaska's wild heart. Limited to 5 photographers. With aircraft and boats at our disposal, we adapt to weather and wildlife activity to put you in position for extraordinary images — bears, coastlines, and remote landscapes included.
Highlights
- Handcrafted Alaska photo safari built for maximum wildlife time and maximum flexibility.
- Remote basecamp on the shores of Lake Iliamna — a gateway to a vast wilderness.
- Private charter flights + jet boats to reach remote hotspots and adapt to weather + wildlife activity.
- Katmai + Lake Clark access for iconic bear imagery and diverse wildlife opportunities.
- Ultra-small group for personalized coaching, positioning, and daily image review.
Itinerary
Arrive in Anchorage for an optional pre-trip meet-up.
Fly to our wilderness lodge near Katmai + Lake Clark. Dinner + orientation.
Daily charter flights (seaplane/bush plane) or jet boat to photograph bears + wildlife in secluded hotspots. Evenings include review + instruction.
Final morning shoot. Return to Anchorage from Iliamna.
What you'll learn
- Fast wildlife decision-making: exposure, AF strategy, timing, and behavior anticipation.
- Subject separation: angles, backgrounds, and distance control for cleaner frames.
- Story-driven sequences: portraits, action, interactions, environmental frames, and details.
- Field workflow: plan → shoot → quick review → adjust (so you improve daily).
- A simple, repeatable approach you can apply to any wildlife destination.
Why this experience matters
A handcrafted photo safari into Alaska's wild heart. Limited to 5 photographers. With aircraft and boats at our disposal, we adapt to weather and wildlife activity to put you in position for extraordinary images — bears, coastlines, and remote landscapes included.
Overview
A handcrafted photo safari into Alaska's wild heart. Limited to 5 photographers. With aircraft and boats at our disposal, we adapt to weather and wildlife activity to put you in position for extraordinary images — bears, coastlines, and remote landscapes included.
Experience details
Expedition snapshot
- Dates: Oct 1–8, 2026
- Location: Katmai, Alaska (Katmai + Lake Clark access)
- Cost: $9,880 • Deposit: $1,200
- Group size: Max 5 photographers
- Skill level: All levels • Physical level: Moderate
- Led by: Todd Nettelhorst
Why this destination matters
Why this access matters
- Lake Iliamna basecamp gives reach across a massive wilderness area.
- Private charter flights (seaplane/bush plane) + jet boats for rapid location changes.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing weather and wildlife activity for better shooting opportunities.
Possible birds & wildlife you'll see
Species and moments vary with conditions, seasonality, and access — that's why we keep aircraft and boats in the plan.
- Katmai National Park & McNeil River / Brooks Falls — iconic bear action when conditions align.
- Lake Clark National Park — glacial valleys, remote lakes, and wilderness variety.
- Coastal Alaska possibilities — grizzlies, walrus, wolves, and Dall sheep (conditions dependent).
What you'll photograph
This expedition is built around field time: bears in habitat, coastal drama, and remote Alaska scale — with mobility to chase the best light and activity.
- Brown bears and coastal grizzlies across Katmai and Lake Clark access.
- Environmental storytelling: coastlines, glacial valleys, and wilderness scale.
- Behavior and action: portraits, movement, interactions, and supporting details.
Wildlife opportunities
Private charter flights and jet boats are how we stay flexible — so we can respond when wildlife activity shifts.
- Lake Iliamna basecamp gives reach across a massive wilderness area.
- Private charter flights (seaplane/bush plane) + jet boats for rapid location changes.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing weather and wildlife activity for better shooting opportunities.
Lodging overview
6 nights at remote wilderness lodge (double occupancy). Single occupancy upgrade +$1,000
- 6 nights at remote wilderness lodge (double occupancy). Single occupancy upgrade +$1,000
Experience gallery
Ready to join this journey?
Register when you are ready — or ask a question first. We will guide you through enrollment and what to expect in the field.
After the trip
The journey does not end when you fly home. Many participants keep momentum through Intentional Seeing Mentorship — honest critique and continuity when a single trip is not enough.
See mentorship continuity →More experiences
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