Brown Bears of Alaska
Embark on an unparalleled Brown Bear photography workshop in the pristine wilderness of Alaska. This exclusive expedition centers on the renowned regions of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks. Our operations are based at a remote lodge in Iliamna, fully equipped with four float planes and multiple boats, providing us with access to over 120 distinct locations. Our daily itinerary is adjusted based on real-time information about bear activity, ensuring you have the best possible photography opportunities while in Alaska with us.
Trip Dates
July 4th – 9th, 2026
Tuition Costs
$10,000
Group Size
8
Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate Hiking
Alaska Brown Bears Photography Workshop
- The workshop begins on July 4th, 2026, at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska (ANC). For more details about arrival and departure recommended times, please refer to the FAQ section below.
- This workshop requires a charter flight from Anchorage to the small town of Iliamna, AK. This comes with an additional cost of $650, which is due when your final invoice is sent out.
- Our lodge in Iliamna owns three seaplanes and two tundra-tire-equipped planes, which provide us with access to over 120 different locations around the Lake Clark and Katmai National Park regions of Alaska. Each day, our team receives updates on bear activity in the area, enabling our private group to adjust its daily itinerary on the fly to ensure you have the best possible bear viewing opportunities.
- This trip includes five full days of this “fly-in/fly-out” service.
- This trip is designed for photographers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Our team will help you learn how to master the AF system on your camera as we photograph Alaska Coastal Brown Bears in a variety of different situations. This can include eating sedge grass, clamming in low tidal flats, and fighting for spawning salmon.
- This adventure takes place in mid-July, allowing our clients to potentially see Spring Clubs, as well as Mothers (Sows) with their adolescents, and large male bears (Boars). By the end of June, the spawning salmon begin to move up the various streams & rivers around Alaska.
What is Included?
- All Transportation Once in Iliamna, AK
- All Hotel Accommodations
- All Meals
- All Necessary Permits
- All Photo Education
What is Not Included?
- Charter Flight to/from Anchorage
- All Alcohol & Drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fees
Brown Bears Workshop Adventure
With two photo instructors present for the duration of the workshop, you will have plenty of opportunity for one on one instruction to further the skills that you feel you need to work on. If the workshop is full and you wanted to be added to the waiting list, click HERE.
* please read the workshop F.A.Q. section on this page to learn more about visiting Alaska.
All Workshop Deposits Are Transferable to
Other Workshops if Something Comes Up...
*See our Cancellation Policy for more info...
Areas to Explore
Brown Bears of Alaska Adventure
- Lake Clark National Park
- Brooks Falls National Park
- Katmai National Park and Preserve
- and much more...
Join the Workshop Waitlist to learn more about any upcoming adventures...
Join the Workshop Waitlist to learn more about any upcoming adventures...
F.A.Q
Absolutely! Although I might be a bit biased 😉 While there are numerous photography workshops available in places like Alaska, few offer a similar experience. With us, you get five full days of our fly-in/fly-out experience, which covers over 120 potential destinations in the Katmai region via multiple float planes. Each day, our team tracks the location and activity of the bears, allowing us to change our daily itinerary on the fly.
In addition to all of this, I have not only been working as a photo workshop instructor for 18 years, which has included leading trips for National Geographic, but I have also spent over 10 years exploring the Southern Patagonian region of South America. I work hard to ensure that I meet each of my clients at their level, providing ample one-on-one time while we are out in the field. This helps ensure that you get the most out of this workshop experience.
This workshop begins on July 4th, 2026, at noon near the Anchorage Airport (ANC airport code). You most likely will want to arrive a day early to help you deal with any jet lag from your travels. On July 9th, 2026, the workshop concludes around 9 pm in Anchorage, Alaska.
** Before you purchase any flights, please double-check with us to make sure the flight times line up with our schedule.
Yes, this workshop requires you to take a charter flight from Anchorage to the small village of Iliamna, AK. This comes with an additional cost of around $650. The exact price will be confirmed closer to the workshop’s start date.
Yes, outside of the workshop’s tuition fees, and the additional cost of the charter flight ($650), all of your meals are included at our lodge. Gourmet chefs will prepare each meal, taking into account your food preferences and allergies.
In Alaska, even in the Summer, you can expect the weather to vary wildly. On average, you can expect temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the low 80s°F. You should always be prepared for rain, so don’t forget your rain jacket!
On average, mosquitoes are generally not a significant issue, but I do recommend bringing bug spray just in case.
While this workshop is not overly physically challenging, we never know exactly where the bears will be at a given location. Since we have over 120 different possible destinations, some spots may require additional walking or hiking to reach the best viewing angles. You should be able to walk over uneven ground for 1-2km if needed while carrying your camera gear.
The workshop tuition listed above is based on double occupancy (shared rooms). If there is availability for a single room at the workshop, the additional cost is USD 1,500. This is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is contingent upon room availability at our lodge in Ilianma, AK.
With this photo workshop, we are laser-focused on photographing Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears. In many situations, we will have very close access to bears. You will want to have a lens with a range of 70mm to 400mm. With a teleconverter, extending the range to 600mm could be worthwhile.
I will be bringing the following:
Sony a1 II (2)
Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM II
Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM
1.4 TC & 2X TC
Meet Your Instructors & Guides
Colby Brown
Owner/Photographer/Author
Colby Brown is a photographer, photo educator and author based out of Eastern Pennsylvania. Specializing in wildlife, landscape and travel photography, his photographic portfolio spans the four corners of the globe and all 7 continents. Not too long after picking up his first digital camera in 2006, Colby was leading workshops for National Geographic in South America, further spurring his love for both travel and photo education. In 2011, he founded The Giving Lens, an organization that blends photo education with support for various non-governmental organizations (NGO) and causes around the world, such as child education, clean drinking water projects, and women’s rights.
Testimonials
A very focused workshops on iconic images of Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine. Throughout the workshop I learned a ton and was able to try many new techniques and approaches with my photography. A big thanks Colby and Pedro!
Like most anything, what you get out of workshops depend largely on you, your guide and the weather at your location. You understandably have no control over the last one, some control over the second and complete control over the first one. By going with a(...)
The 2018 Patagonia workshop was the first with Colby, and I did not go home disappointed. I have taken many workshops before, but this was the most educational and fun ever. I just wish the PUMA that Colby has ordered showed up 🙂
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Cancellation & Refund Policy
No one wants to miss out on a trip of a life time…but things do happen. In those situations, the following applies…
The first thing to note is that deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable. In addition, all cancellations are subject to a minimum of a $150 service charge to cover PayPal transaction fees. In most situations, we ask for the remaining balance of a workshop is to be paid 120 days from the start of the workshop in question. If you wish to cancel within 120 days from the start of a workshop and we find someone to fill your spot, you would be entitled to receive a refund (minus your deposit and the $150 processing fee) or transfer to another workshop with no penalties or fees.
If we don’t find someone to fill your spot, what does your refund window actually look like?
120 Days or More...
Your deposit will be transferable to another Colby Brown Photography Workshop without issue.
90 to 120 Days
You will receive a refund of 50% of the full tuition fees minus the non-refundable deposit.
Less Than 90 Days...
If you wish to cancel within 90 days of your workshop starting, you are not entitled to a refund.