Description
Discover the beauty of the Alaskan arctic on this multi-day winter photography adventure. From the boreal forest near Wiseman to the coastal plain views north of the Brooks Range, every location offers breathtaking unique photography opportunities. Your guide will be award-winning nature photographer Carl Johnson; you can learn more about him here. This tour is designed for serious photographers and those looking to elevate their skills — with one-on-one instruction to help you capture Alaska at its most stunning. All meals and lodging are included — from your Fairbanks accommodation to a rustic lodge in Wiseman, which will include gourmet meals by our chef Joe Hardenbrook. Come experience the magic of the Alaskan arctic in autumn!
Summary
Tour Starts
Fairbanks
Duration
Multi-day
Ending Place
Fairbanks
Fitness Level
Moderate
Minimum Age
17+
Best For
Serious Photographers
Includes
Lodging, Meals, Transportation, Photo Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive in Fairbanks no later than 5:00 p.m. We will meet at our hotel lobby at 7:00 p.m. for a group dinner. If conditions permit, we will have an early night of shooting the aurora borealis near our accommodations.
DAY 2
After breakfast, we drive north to our base camp of Wiseman. Along the way, we will stop at the Yukon River crossing for lunch and visit other great photo spots like Finger Mountain, the Arctic Circle sign, and Gobbler’s Nob. After dinner at Boreal Lodging, we will head out to capture the last of the evening light, enjoy dessert in the field, and wait for darkness to photograph the aurora borealis.
DAY 3-5
Each day our itinerary will be dictated by weather conditions. We will spend our days exploring the Brooks Range north of Wiseman, and even out onto the open landscape of the North Slope. You will learn how to visualize and compose in a variety of landscape options, including rivers, mountains, and tundra. Instruction will be a combination of hands-on in the field and classroom sessions back at the lodge.
The meals will be exceptional, prepared by Fairbanks chef Joe Hardenbrook (see below). Most meals will be conducted at the lodge, with some lunches and at least one dinner out in the field. Many nights, we will also enjoy desert out in the field after sunset as we wait for darkness to fall.
On nights with clear skies, you’ll be able to view and photograph the northern lights. Our goal will be to photograph the aurora at multiple locations to provide the best diversity in landscape compositions.
DAY 6
After breakfast, we make the trek back to Fairbanks. We will stop again and some prior locations and explore new ones. We will again enjoy lunch at the Yukon River, with a return to Fairbanks no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
About the Chef
Joe Hardenbrook is a National Merit Scholar and a graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He is a founding member of the Alaska Renaissance Project and was the main organizer and researcher for the University of Alaska Creating Alaska Project. Joe has been active in the Alaska food scene for over two decades. With a focus on Alaska ingredients, Joe specializes in adapting dishes from around the world to utilize local produce, fish, meat and grains. He has worked as the head chef at Yukon Quest checkpoints and has other experience in providing delicious meals at remote locations.
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
What To Bring
Camera With Manual Settings
Wide Angle & Telephoto Lenses
64gb+ Memory Card
Cold Weather Gear
Headlamp
Lodging
Included: Fairbanks hotel and rustic accommodations in Wiseman.
