Trip Dates  October 11 - 17, 2024

Photo Tour Fee: $4800 All inclusive once we leave Fairbanks. Two nights and meals in Fairbanks are not included. Once we begin up the Dalton Highway, food, vehicle rental, gas, and lodging are covered for you. It also does not include alcohol, an optional northern light excursion the evening before the trip officially begins using a secondary company, or flights.

Deposit: $2500 due to reserve a space on the photo tour (leaving a balance of $2300 due 90 days before the tour).

Fly to: Fairbanks, Alaska
Depart from: Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

Trip Leader: Matthew Studebaker

Target Group Size: Max 5 photographers, min 3
 

This epic arctic photography adventure will begin in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks is situated inside the ideal zone for Northern Lights, and as we drive north, our chances only get even better. We cross the Arctic Circle and as we explore boreal forest in search of Moose, Spruce Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Northern Hawk Owls, and mountain scenery. Our group will cross the Brooks Range mountains with Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the right side of the road, Gates of the Arctic National Park on the left. In the mountain passes we should be able to find Dall Sheep, Caribou, Willow Ptarmigan, and Gyr Falcons. The Brooks Range mountains have a stunning and stark beauty. After the mountains, endless tundra provides habitat for Red and Arctic Fox, large Caribou Herds, and Musk Ox.

Travel considerations: Fly to Fairbanks, Alaska, fly out of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

Equipment: I recommend bringing a digital SLR with matching lens. On this photo tour, we will want a wide variety of lenses. A long lens (500, 600, or 800mm or the equivalent) will be useful for mammals that keep their distance or for frame-filling portraits. At times the animals travel through scenery that is so beautiful, it begs to be included in the frame, so a mid-range lens will be useful. I found my 70-200mm to be perfect. We also will have opportunities for amazing landscapes and northern lights, so bring a wide angle as well. Bring a tripod, and bring binoculars if desired.

Schedule:
October 11 - Meet late afternoon and go over plans for the week, camera settings, brief introductions. Extra Northern Lights option if weather permits.
October 12 - Visit a few places near Fairbanks during the day looking for Moose, Spruce Grouse, and more. Northern Lights option at night.
October 13 - Drive north, cross the Arctic Circle. Look for Hawk Owls, Grouse, frosted landscapes. See the Finger Mountains and then the Brooks Range. Possible Northern Lights at night. Stay at a charming hand-made but comfortable wilderness cabin.
October 14 - Explore the Brooks Range from Wiseman, looking for Northern Hawk Owl, Ptarmigan, Red Fox, Gyrfalcon, Caribou, Dall Sheep, and the Northern Lights at night. 
October 15 - Drive to Deadhorse. Stay in Deadhorse in a humble hotel for the night. Look for Musk Ox, Caribou, and Arctic Fox.
October 16 - Based near the Prudhoe Bay, concentrate on Musk Ox, Arctic Fox, and Caribou.
October 17 - Spend the morning in the high Arctic looking for Arctic Fox and Musk Ox. Fly out of Prudhoe Bay mid day or afternoon.

Likely Species on the trip. Opportunities in bold will be the easiest/most common -

Mammals:

• Caribou

• Moose

• Musk Ox

• Red Fox

• Arctic Fox

• Dall Sheep

• A few smaller arctic animals like hare and weasels sometimes make an appearance

Birds:

• Spruce Grouse

• Sharp-tailed Grouse

• Willow Ptarmigan

• Northern Hawk Owl

• Gyr Falcon

• Gray Jay

• Boreal Chickadee

• White-winged Crossbill

• Pine Grosbeak

Landscapes

• Aurora Borealis

• Brooks Range Mountains

• North Slope Lakes and Plains

The following gallery contains images by previous participants on this trip, including Laura Keene's National Geographic Photo of the Day:

What to pack

· Clothing: My Mom says, "there is no such thing as weather that's too cold, there is only 'underdressed'." With that in mind, I would rather you bring too many layers than not enough. In my experience, quality winter clothes make a big difference. While a nylon fill coat from Walmart might look almost the same as a 850fill down coat from REI, when you are on the bow of a boat on the arctic ocean, I assure you, they don't feel the same . . . I have learned this through experience. If you don't already own basic cold weather clothes, I recommend going to your local outfitter and talking to their staff and trying some things on. 
· Boots: Warm winter boots and comfortable warm socks. Sometimes I layer a thin sock under a thicker hiking sock. We may wander off the road several hundred feet once in a while in snow up to a foot deep. That would be unusual but I don't want you wearing sneakers.
· Jacket: You will want a warm coat. Be prepared for temperatures from zero the lower 40's, with a moderate wind at times. Previous participants said they were happiest with a down jacket and a windbreaker or shell on top of that. 
· Hat and Gloves: I recommend wearing a ski mask to keep your face warm if it is windy. A warm hood or beanie could be nice as well. Wear the warmest gloves possible but make sure you can still operate your camera gear with your gloves on. 
· Warm Pants: Layering is essential especially when we photograph northern lights in the Brooks Range. Wear long underwear or a warm cotton under layer. You can wear regular pants over that, and then I recommend something to block the wind on top, possibly with some insulation. 

Cell Phones and Internet: We will have fast wifi in Fairbanks, and no internet in the Brooks Range except it may be available during two or three meals at a roadside rest station.  We may only have phone reception around Fairbanks and Deadhorse.

Weather and Schedule:
The sun will rise and set around 8:00am and set at 7:00pm. Most days it will be common to wake up with temperatures in the mid 20's. Some afternoons we could see temperatures in the lower forties near Fairbanks. In the Brooks Range at night (while photographing Northern Lights) it would be typical to see temperatures around 15 degrees, but I have seen it as low as 5. We will use as much photographable light as we can each day, shooting sunrise through to sunset with a lunch break in between.

Transportation: There will be a lot of driving during this trip in order to gain access to a variety of habitats. On the final day of the trip we will drive about 240 miles, but depending on the road conditions and how often we stop, we will likely be in the vehicle for the better part of 10 hours.

Hotel:
More information to be provided about where to stay upon signing up for the trip. Fairbanks hotel costs are not included in the photo tour fee. All lodging north of Fairbanks IS included in the photo tour fee. Four nights will be booked as double occupancy or humble dormitory style accommodations. Single Occupancy may only be possible on request for an uncharge for a couple nights, but not all locations. All accommodations are very humble. Keep in mind we are staying in the outer reaches of the most remote lands in the country.

Meals: Meals will be included in the trip cost in all locations except Fairbanks.

Learning / Slideshows: 
On the first day, and during a couple mid-day breaks I will go over some tips, composition, and post processing ideas. My clients on this trip are usually very experienced photographers though, and unless you tell me otherwise, I am presuming that everyone is taking this trip more to maximize productivity than to learn how to use their gear. Along with a few brief slideshows and discussions. I will try to talk about my photographic vision for each situation and spout off my camera settings in the field as well as peek over everyone's shoulder from time to time to check histograms and exposures. Aside from that, I'll need YOU to tell me if you have additional questions, learning objectives, or concerns. I think all of you know your way around your camera fairly well but please don't hesitate to let me know if you have questions. If I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to find out. 

My job is to know the area, do many hours of research, know and be able to ID the animals instantly and understand their habitat and behaviors, drive you to the most productive areas at the right time of day, be prepared to attract the animals or assist the group in stalking them, advise on how to make the most of each photo opp, ensure that everyone has their physical needs met, and ensure that everyone gets the most and highest quality images in the time we have.

Your job is to communicate your needs and have fun. I want to emphasize that each of you please communicate and keep me aware of your needs.

Physical Requirements:
Almost all the photography on this trip will be done right from a boat or from the road next to our vehicle. If for some reason we can't find Caribou or Musk Ox right next to the road, I will hike up to a half mile into the tundra with whoever wishes to join me, but this probably will not be necessary. There may be a high step into the boat.

See the gallery below for some behind the scenes photos of our trip:

Photographic Objectives:
I want everyone to walk away with a beautiful portfolio of Alaska mammals at the beginning of the winter snow fall. We will try for everything from action shots, to tight portraits, to wildlife-scapes showing the context of the landscape with the animals. Northern Lights will be a big priority as well at night. 

Cancellation Policy: Participant will receive a full refund of their deposit minus a $250 re-listing fee if we are able to fill the cancelled space. If we are unable to fill the cancelled space, we cannot issue a refund or credit of any kind. 

To sign up for the Photo Tour, please add the deposit to your cart at the top of this page. E-mail me with any questions at matthewstudebaker@gmail.com