Magic of Alaska: Focus on Bears

      Sterling, AK, USA

      LP
      Langell Photography, LLC
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      53 reviews
      Aug 6 - 11, 2023
      Group size: 1 - 6
      Magic of Alaska: Focus on Bears
      Sterling, AK, USA

      Langell Photography, LLC
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      53 reviews

      Aug 6 - 11, 2023
      Group size: 1 - 6

      About this trip

      Bears are a key feature of this one-of-a-kind, magical tour

      The magic is palpable on this very special event!  Join us while we fly to three very different regions of Alaska --one each day-- for three full days of glorious bear photography!  PLUS, you'll have three additional days of excursions focused on mammals and birds on land and at sea.  Wildlife viewing and photography at its best on the Kenai Peninsula and Lake Clark National Park!


      Why is this so magical?  No other tour anywhere offers this combination of unique bear "hot spots!" plus much more!  


      The majority of bear-focused tours available take you to one location for multiple days while you photograph the same bears in the same locations, with the same foregrounds and backgrounds. If diversity is the spice of life, we've kicked it up the heat a few notches here! 

      • Fly to three incredibly active bear areas over three days:  Big River Lake, Crescent Lake, and Tuxedni Bay.
      • We will search for bears as they walk against beautiful mountain backdrops, hunt in streams, searching the coast for clams, and stun us with amazing reflections on pristine inland lakes.  
      • We will seek images of coastal brown bear adults, sub-adults and cubs
      • By boat we will also travel to the pristine, robin's-egg blue, glacier-fed waters of the unbelievably stunning Skilak Lake for some of the best chances of seeing black bears. 

      After three extraordinary days with the bears, we will also take you to three additional places for gorgeous wildlife and landscape photography:

      • Visit beautiful Homer, Alaska for a private excursion on Kachemak Bay to look for tufted and horned puffins, northern sea otter, black-legged kittiwake rookeries, common murres, seals, horned puffins, possible whales and more.  
      • Explore the beach at Homer pier (tide permitting) for sea stars, beach landscapes, images of the iconic marina, and eagles!
      • Take a dessert cruise on the Kenai River while we search for moose and other wildlife, a variety of birds, and breathe the fresh air!
      • Visit the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge for additional wildlife photography opportunities, including vast fields of stunning bright pink fireweed and other beautiful wildflowers!

      Privacy and personal touches are our signature experience:

      • Only 6 participants on each wonderfully private, one-of-a-kind, first class adventure
      • Journey by private boats, planes and vehicles to give you the comfort and photographic freedom you need to fill your portfolio. 
      • You are never without support!  Lisa Langell and/or one of her personally trained photography guides will lead each daily excursion throughout the tour, offering tailored photographic guidance and support.  This is in addition to the boat captains, bear guides and other experts that will be supporting your experience.
      • Meals prepared by our resident private chef
      • Riverfront private lodging exclusively for your group
      • This incredible experience is designed to be original and unlike any other photography tour offered in Alaska

      <Back

      Physical Fitness & Photography Skill

      Suggested Physical Fitness level: Level 3 – Moderate 
      Appropriate for those who are in good health.  Involves half to full day activities that may include light to moderate intensity walking or light hiking on mild terrain for periods of 5-30 minutes), or standing for 1+ hour at a time on location.  Elevations range from 0-8,000 feet.  May involve off-road travel in SUVs,  multi-terrain vehicles, small planes or boats, any of which can make riding a bit bumpy. Must also be able to get in and out of small boats with assistance and board/deplane bush planes with assistance.  May also involve varying weather conditions from about 40°F (4°C) to 90°F (32°C) with sun, rain, sleet or wind. Modern restroom facilities and/or vault toilets available in most cases.

      Elevation:  0 to 3000 feet, with most excursions below 500' elevation.

      Photography Skill Level:  All levels.  Hands-on instruction provided by 2 instructors as-needed to help solidify certain photography skills, tailored to you.  Knowledge of manual settings and your camera body is strongly recommended. 

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Cancelation Policy

       

      The following is an excerpt from the full terms and conditions provided at the time of registration.

      Langell Photography understands that unexpected situations arise that result in your inability to join us on this event.  We will definitely miss you and realize this is a difficult decision for you. 

      If you do not have travel insurance, which is very strongly recommended, here is what to expect:

      Your initial deposit is non-refundable.  No exceptions or credits provided. Payments due are scheduled approximately as follows, based on the start date of your event.  Once paid, they become non-refundable:


      Deposit:  Due at registration

      1st Installment: 10 months from start date

      2nd Installment: 7 months from start date

      3rd Installment: 5 months from start date

      Final installment: 3 months from start date


      If you need to cancel your reservation, all payments you have made up until the date of cancelation are non-refundable. Payments not made on-time will have a 5-day grace period for you to complete payment.  If your payment is not completed by that time, your seat may be cancelled and no refund issued.  For your convenience, we offer auto-billing to your credit card so that you never miss a payment.


      If you choose to pay for the entire event up front in one lump sum, should you need to cancel, your refund will be pro-rated according to the due dates for each installment, compared to your cancelation date.    (For example, if you canceled after the 3rd installment was due—but prior to the final installment due date, the amount equal to the portion calculated for the final installment will be refunded to you.)


      No refunds, credit, certificates, etc. will be issued for cancelations as a large percentage of your payments are directed toward non-refundable fees we pay to secure your excursions, lodging, meals, transportation, staffing and more.


      Langell Photography, LLC reserves the right to resell, gift or otherwise utilize your canceled reservation for any purpose at the discretion of Langell Photography, LLC without further obligation or consideration to you.


      Substitutions/transfers:  If you wish to substitute another individual in your place, we will gladly transfer your reservation to another individual providing you notify us in writing via email and include their name, address, phone number and email address. Langell Photography, LLC. will credit the new buyer as follows:   


      The individual to be transferred/substituted in your seat must be approved by Langell Photography, must be over 18 years of age, confirm he/she is mentally and physically able to participate, agree to all terms, and pay Langell Photography in full for any amounts remaining by the due dates provided in your reservation.

      What’s included

      • Meals
        Prepared by our private chef, our delicious meals are included for the duration of your tour. Snacks, tea, coffee and water are also provided daily.
      • Ground transportation
        All ground transportation to and from Kenai (ENA) airport and throughout the tour is provided.
      • Lodging
        Lodging (shared living areas, private bedrooms, 2-guests per shared bath).
      • Excursions
        All bush flights, boat tours and guided excursions listed in the tour
      • Gratuities
        All staff and guides are fairly compensated and tips are included. Additional tips are always appreciated, but not required.

      What’s not included

      • Airfare
        Airfare or ground transportation to/from your city of origin and Kenai, AK

      Available Packages

      Single Room

      Our clean, comfortable and private single rooms offer 2 beds (full and twin, or two twins).  You will have one shared bathroom per two participants.  

      $8,995
      Deposit: $4,498

      Itinerary

      Day 1: Morning
      Arrival

      We will meet you at the Kenai Airport (ENA) and take you directly to the lodge about 30 minutes away.  Once you arrive at the lodge, settle in, capture images of wildlife and nature along the Kenai River, and get acquainted with your fellow travelers.  


      We'll also share a hearty lunch prepared by our private chef!  

      Your Organizer


      LP
      Langell Photography, LLC
      53 reviews
      A nature photographer and birder from the age of eight, Lisa is the founder of Langell Photography, LLC. She began her own business in 2010 after long vibrant careers as a floral designer, educational psychologist, consultant and in helping launch and manage two startups that grew into leading companies in the Ed-Tech space. Since then, she has earned numerous awards and has been published in Outdoor Photographer, Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick and more.

      Reviews

      Jam packed learning experience and photography opportunities! Lisa's workshop is very well organized...with activities tightly scheduled throughout each day. Intensive...informative...fun...great instruction from Lisa as well as all of her assistants. 18 participants, yet plenty of individual help when needed. The schedule is intense...be sure to eat well and stay hydrated throughout the day! And get plenty of sleep that first night because Saturday is a lonnng and intense day!!! Truly...I came away with an increase in knowledge about various techniques...especially high key techniques and panning. And an even better understanding about my camera! Well worth the cost. A great experience!
      By Kathryn W for Magic of Cowboys 2024 on Jan 29, 2024
      Lisa Langell's Magic of Cowboys 2024 has been an excellent workshop. She is detailed and organized with helpful handouts, she provides personal assistance and has plenty of Add'll assistants to also help participants. The day-to day program is well paced. Pre-workshop and post on-line sessions are also extremely useful. The locale is great, the models which she provided very approachable and willing to work with photographers on poses. I am not new to workshops; I have attended many over the years. This is one of the best I have attended. It was so enjoyable I'd sign-up again! Emily M. Wilson /Seattle
      By Emily M W for Magic of Cowboys 2024 on Jan 25, 2024
      This was a terrific experience. If you're looking to both master your camera and immerse yourself in the awesome culture of cowboys & cowgirls, this is for you. Lisa's staff is knowledgeable, patient, and available throughout the entire workshop. The ranch personnel are delightful. The location is fantastic. Lisa Langell is a consummate professional and surrounds herself with the same caliber of people, from the fantastic food to the handouts, from the staff to the photography activities, this is a first rate experience.
      By Lindy G for Magic of Cowboys 2024 on Jan 23, 2024
      My sister and I had a wonderful time. I was fortunate that my brother in law had decided not to go and I was given the opportunity to take his place. Lisa was so accomodating in this change at the last minute. There was no additional charge. Which was great! I wasn't able to participate in the zoom meeting that Lisa had and that was ok too. Her staff as well as herself were so great in helping me with settings and the use of my camera. I loved how she would give us settings and suggest what lens to use before each event. The models, the cowboys, and we even got to meet the owner, were so nice and PATIENCE with us. They taught us about ranch life, the horses, cows and surviving cholla attachments(I had several). I must say the weather was coopertive as well. We didn't get our Sunday baked chicken through no fault of Lisa. however, they came up with Plan B and so pizza it was. Funny thing was we had eaten there two nights in a row but never had the pizza. That was good on both accounts. We had a traditional meal cooked like on the range. That was so good! The ladies did a great! This trip was my first workshop. I was very happy with everyone and the other photographers. We seemed to all get along well. Special shout out to the girls who got up early to make coffee at 5 am. they don't even drink coffee. Lisa and her team were just amazing! Loved being there in the open country. Experiencing early sunrise with a rider and saguaro cactuses for beautiful silhouettes. Horses running in the arena, great for panning shots. Sunset with riders running down the road dust and all. Beautiful!!! Learning high key and low key exposures. The only thing I would add is that it would of bee fun to sit around a campfire with the cowboys. However that runs into a longer day and I understand how hard that would be to pull off. The days were early and so full of moments. I can't complain at all. I would do this trip again and highly reccomend it to others. Thank you Lisa and staff for a great experience with my first workshop. :)
      By Adrienne M for Magic of Cowboys 2024 on Jan 23, 2024
      Thank you so much for the very kind words! We truly appreciate them and are SO pleased that you had a delightful time! It was great to have you and we sincerely enjoyed you and Heidi attending our Magic of Cowboys event!
      By Langell Photography, LLC on Jan 23, 2024
      LP
      LS
      I am so impressed with everything that this workshop provided! From Lisa and her staffs professionalism, the ranch, the instruction, right down to the food served! I went in knowing little about manual settings and left with a good understanding and the will and drive to learn more! Simply put...I loved it!
      By Lisa S for Magic of Cowboys 2024 on Jan 23, 2024
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