ALASKA BROWN BEARS AT BROOKS FALLS

Photograph Alaska’s top predator on a camping adventure at Katmai’s Brooks Falls

DATES: JULY 26 - AUGUST 1, 2025

It’s hard to describe the thrill of locking eyes with a 800 pound grizzly bear in the wild. In most anywhere else in the world, any sane person would be filled with terror. But in Alaska, with abundant food sources, getting on the same level as these beasts with unimaginable strength and looking them directly in the eyes is not only possible, it’s the stuff that great photos are made of.

This photography adventure will take you to the legendary Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park where we will spend 5 days and nights among these apex predators in the most iconic bear habitat on earth during the salmon run as they feast. You have seen the photos of bears catching fish jumping over the falls with dozens of friends fishing below in the river. Here we will not only be trying to capture photos of “the catch” but also intimate images of bear activity from swimming in streams, splashing in the water or even fighting with one another.

Nothing quite comes close to this totally immersive experience among the largest predator in North America, wandering in the wild with them and a backdrop of tall mountain peaks and wetlands. Wandering the grounds at Brooks you never know when a big bear will cross your path, we are guests in their home and there will no doubt from the moment you arrive whose domain we are in. That said we will be in a well staffed nook of the national park with full amenities, albeit rustic. Think of it as summer camp, with bears everywhere! Whether it’s a mother with cubs, the salmon running, or a big grizzly peacefully grazing in the grasslands, there is no better environment to see these impressive animals safely and in their natural environment at this close distance. The photographs you will come away with on this workshop will be nothing short of amazing and capture memories for a lifetime! 

Please Note: This is a camping trip, meaning that we will be sleeping in tents. However there is a dining hall, small general store, bathrooms, showers, and bar at Brooks Camp. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily or participants may prepare their own food at our campsite.  

INSTRUCTOR: BEN BLANKENSHIP & DANI LEFRANCOIS

GROUP SIZE: 4 PARTICIPANTS

COST: $5500

INCLUDED: First night’s hotel in King Salmon, float plane transportation to/from Brooks Camp, private boat bear viewing tour, waders rental, tent and sleeping pad.

NOT INCLUDED: Flights to King Salmon AK, Food, Alcohol, Camera Equipment

DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit is required to secure a spot, with a final payment of due 90 days in advance of the workshop.

ITINERARY

The trip will begin with your arrival into King Salmon, Alaska any time on July 26, 2025. The town is not very big and we will arrange transportation from the airport to our hotel for the night. We will have a group orientation and dinner that evening and the following day take our float plane to Brooks Camp. From that point on for the next 5 days we will be exploring the small park in search of photographing interesting bear behavior. The beauty of camping in Brooks is that we will have a more leisurely experience than the day trippers that come in for a few hours each day. And we have the opportunity to photograph bears during golden hour light when the crowds have already departed, hike in the river and photograph bears on eye level.

There will be no long hikes, and we will be on our own timetable. As there is no cell service it is the perfect place to disconnect and fully immerse yourself in nature and experience the wildlife. In the evenings we can relax around the fire in the main lodge with a cold beverage trading bear stories with the other guests. On our last morning August 1, we will pack up our camp and fly out to King Salmon for our connecting flights back home. Please note this itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, plane and boat availability.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Bears, bears, and more bears! Add in beautiful scenery of the wetlands in Katmai and you have an experience that only a privileged few have get a chance to see each year. The opportunity to watch bears here in their home, on their terms, and photograph their natural and wild behavior is a must do on the top of any nature or wildlife photographer’s list. You would be hard pressed to leave here and not become a steward of the Alaskan brown bear’s plight and this vital ecosystem.

Our trip to Brooks Falls will give you the chance to see and hopefully photograph one of the most classic scenes in wildlife photography. That of brown bears catching salmon jumping over the falls on their way to Brooks Lake. Yes it has been photographed countless times, but to see it in person and capture yourself is more than worth it. We have arranged private guided tours on a small boat to get us out of the main campground and more seclusion with these fierce animals. There is no doubt you will head home from this wildlife photography adventure with thousands of photos and even better memories of your week spent with Alaska’s iconic Grizzly Bears.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

BEN BLANKENSHIP

Ben Blankenship is a professional photographer, award winning documentary filmmaker, and photography instructor. He began his career working in film production as a cinematographer and film editor, but soon heard a higher calling, to devote himself to the preservation of our wild places and the animals that reside therein. He spent the next two years living in remote camps in Costa Rica, Belize, and Uganda, learning to harness the power of his camera as a tool for education and conservation.  In the years since, Ben has worked in some of the most pristine wildernesses in the world, sharing space a with an array of incredible wildlife, including many large predators. His work has been published in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Oregonian, and his most recent work will be published in The New Yorker (coming out soon).

Today, he calls the jungles of Costa Rica home, but Alaska will always hold a special place in his heart.  For the past six summers, he has spent weeks on end camping alongside one of Alaska’s most iconic animals; the brown bear. “Camping with Alaskan brown bears is a humbling, and unforgettable experience. There’s nothing like opening your tent in the morning to see a mother bear and her two cubs grazing just 50 feet away, totally calm and completely comfortable with your presence.”

Ben is an experienced photography instructor. He has taken well over 500 clients into the wilds of Africa, South America, Alaska and many other places. His goal is his clients’ success and enjoyment, and hopefully, for them to walk away with some of the best photos they’ve ever taken, and definitely some unforgettable stories.

DANI LEFRANCOIS

Meet Dani Lefrancois: part wilderness child, part road trip aficionado, and full-time photo guide. Hailing from the overly tamed, highly populated area of the Niagara Region in Southern Ontario, Dani's childhood was a blend of summer camps and road trips with mosquito bites and car sickness (but only if she’s reading). She practically grew up with a map in one hand and a camera in the other, ready to explore the world around her and capture nature at every turn. Her love affair with photography was truly sparked on a fateful journey to Cape Breton Island, NS, where the rugged landscapes and salty air whispered secrets only a lens could capture. But it was a wild romp through Banff & Jasper National Parks and through Yukon and Alaska that lit the fire under her tripod, making her realize that snapping shots wasn't just a hobby—it was her calling.

 In 2011, Dani packed her bags, bid farewell to the Ontario flatlands, and set up camp in Banff, where the mountains echoed her ambition, and the glacier fed lakes sang her name. With her trusty adventure dog, Tuzo, by her side, they conquered trails, played in rivers, and Dani took more photos of Tuzo pooping in pretty places than she could count.

When Dani's not squeezing as much life out of a photo day as possible from sunset to the night sky to her favourite, sunrise, you'll find her cruising the open road, windows down, music up, and the tallest can of iced tea that she can find within arm's reach. Hiking, driving, knitting and Netflixing, she's a woman of extremes from always on the go or not moving at all. For the past two decades, Dani's calendar has been a graveyard of missed photo contest submission deadlines, a testament to her eternal optimism and perpetual forgetfulness. She's watched deadlines sail past like ships in the night, waving goodbye to her dreams of fame and fortune, one missed entry form at a time. But hey, who needs prizes when you've got a camera full of memories and a dog who thinks you're the greatest photographer in the world? For Dani, the real prize lies in the moments she captures, not the awards she misses out on. As Dani's wild journey continues, she finds the most joy in guiding others around the majestic landscapes of Banff National Park and to exciting new locations around the world. And though her track record with contest deadlines may leave something to be desired, Dani's determination remains unshakable.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, Dani knows the true treasures lie in the simple joys—camping under a blanket of stars, hiking to hidden waterfalls, and sharing her passion for the landscape with anyone who will listen. So, as Dani Lefrancois blazes her trail through life, camera in hand and Tuzo by her side, one thing's for certain—wherever Dani goes, laughter, love, and endless possibilities are sure to follow.

CANCELLATION POLICY & TRAVEL INSURANCE - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. In the event of emergency where Chris cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend getting travel insurance to cover such costs. Two companies that we recommend are Ripcord and Squaremouth.

A $200 change fee will be charged for changes or cancellations. Participants who cancel prior to 120 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Any cancellations within 120 days of the workshop cannot be refunded under any circumstances. Only if we are able to fill the vacancy, will the participant will receive a credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Workshop credits are good for one calendar year from the date of the missed workshop. If a desired replacement workshop is sold out, we will work with you on the credit.

Any cancellations within 60 days of the workshop (for any reason) will forfeit their entire registration fee as it is extremely difficult to fill the space on that short of notice. If a true emergency arises last minute we will do our best to work with you granting a partial credit towards a future workshop, but this is not guaranteed. Again travel insurance is strongly recommended.