Adventure Photo Workshop
Adventure into the wilderness along the banks of the Ayakuik River
Learn To Shoot Like The Pros
Ayakuik River Adventure Workshop
No people. No roads. Premium Kodiak bear and wildlife viewing in a raw, untamed wilderness.
The Ayakulik River valley is stunning beyond imagination, reminiscent of the Pleistocene epoch. It is covered in rolling tundra and red willows as far as the eye can see, with lush vegetation and towering ridgelines dominating the landscape. Fishermen, wildlife photographers, and naturalists rejoice!
Experience the Ayakulik River off the grid on our camping adventure photo workshop.
Come and join Professional Photographers Dan M Lee and Jessica Haydahl Richardson on a truly unique Alaskan adventure / workshop.
Both Dan and Jessica are seasoned professional photographers ready to lead you on an incredible experience in partnership with our amazing “glamping” campsite, located on beautiful Kodiak Island.
Why Join Our Photography Workshop
We possess the ONLY commercial special use permit of its kind from the US Fish & Wildlife Service for the upper Ayakulik River Drainage.
Therefore you are guaranteed an exclusive and unique experience. We host a maximum of 6 guests per week from June through October, striving for a low impact, high quality experience. Days are spent striking out from camp by way of jet boat, rafts, and hiking to get around. Comfortable amenities, great food, excellent fishing, and bear viewing in a pristine environment is to be expected. WILD AYAKULIK! A place you have to experience to believe!
Flowing for 40 miles from its headwaters, the Ayakulik River is the largest drainage on Kodiak Island, carving through the heart of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. With countless tributary streams, lakes, and ponds, it is the richest salmon and brown bear habitat on Earth. It is in this pristine wilderness that the mighty Kodiak Brown Bear reigns supreme and salmon fuel the food chain.
All 5 species of Pacific Salmon make their way home to the Ayakulik every year, along with Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead. It is an incredibly healthy and diverse ecosystem.
The Ayakulik River valley is stunning beyond imagination, reminiscent of the Pleistocene epoch. It is covered in rolling tundra and red willows as far as the eye can see, with lush vegetation and towering ridgelines dominating the landscape. Fishermen, wildlife photographers, and naturalists rejoice!
Enjoy all-inclusive food, soft drinks, lodging, tours and photographic experiences.
During your stay at the Ayakulik River Camp on Kodiak Island, you will see the many animals and creatures that call the river its home, close and personal with all kinds of animals.
Our Kodiak Island workshops are open to hobby and professional photographers.
Come and create stunning visual imagery and work alongside Dan and Jessica as they show you the beauty of Kodiak Island. From Wildlife photography, landscape and editorial photography, you will have an opportunity to try your hand at capturing images from a large array of wild subjects.
* Editorial * Landscapes * Wildlife * Macro * Story Telling
* Editorial * Landscapes * Wildlife * Macro * Story Telling
Watching Brown Bears in their natural habitat is one of the most life changing events you can experience
Sample Photo
Workshop Itinerary
THERE IS NO AGENDA !!!
We go out on raft or boat to find where the bears and wildlife are hanging out, each day is different.
* We highly recommend staying in Kodiak and day before you arrive to get early flights, and stay in Kodiak after the workshop is completed so you can enjoy Kodiak. All fly outs and bear viewing by boat or plane are subject to weather. Make sure you have the required travel insurance that covers cancellation of trips as the weather sadly is beyond our control.
Getting Here To Ayakulik River
It is just a 15 minute flight from the town of Kodiak to the river banks, but don’t wait to get here before your adventure begins, it’s begun already.
The island is deeply cut by sapphire-blue bays surrounded by jagged tall mountains. In the summer when Kodiak Island is carpeted in deep shades of green it is easy to see why Kodiak Island is called the Emerald Isle.
After take off you’re in for a treat, get your camera busy clicking each view, that is only surpassed by the next one. With postcard views out of every window, in every direction.
Keep an eye out for mountain goats, Kodiak Bears and “sitka” blacktail deer. In the bays it is not uncommon to see whales breaching the water surface. Also in the bays, purse seines are busy trying to surround schools of salmon and set nets can be spotted extending out from shore.
Local air taxi to the river is INCLUDED in your price.
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FAQ
What Clothing To Bring
The weather will be very mild June reaches around 47.0°F low and 62.3°F high with July a low of 51.5°F and highs around 65.3°F so bring layers and a waterproof shell at the very least. Contact us if you have questions about weather.
Bring enough socks (expect them to get wet) and some decent hiking books and day pack. Sleep clothes are a must as well as a towel and wash / personal hygiene kit.
Hip waders, you can buy some from Rays on Kodiak but would recommend you buy them ahead of time.
A heavy and a light waterproof jackets are essential.
Waterproof hiking shoes, please don’t wear regular “sneakers”.
Water bottle that can attach to your bag preferably metallic and some hand sanitizer.
Camera Equipment
Highly recommend the following equipment for your Alaskan photography workshop to be a success.
- Carbon fiber tripod (such as Sirui W-2204) with a ball head.
- Long lens like a 70mm-400mm f/4 or better.
- Wide angle lens 15mm-30mm f/4 or better.
- Circular Polarizer and UV Filter (Tiffen or Hoya at a minimum spec).
- Waterproof backpack.
- Full frame camera is preferred, APS-C and MFT with long glass.
- Many batteries and chargers (5 batteries and 2 chargers as a suggestion)
- GoTenna Mesh which you can buy here
- Tactical light (such as Fenix PD35)
What Cost Am I Responsible For ?
You will be responsible for your flight to and from Kodiak.
You MUST have comprehensive travel insurance.
Price Includes
Lodging, meals, nonalcoholic beverages, guided fishing, guided wildlife viewing.
Extra warm sleeping bag, fleece bag liner, pillow, and cot
Admission for two people, sharing one tent.
Photography tuition and workshop classes, signed limited edition copy of “Creative Photography : The Professional Edge” by Dan M Lee.
20% off camera protection gear at outex.com with our exclusive partnership, included with every booking.
Fishing rods, reels, and tackle if needed.
Sauna steam bath bathing facilities.
Roundtrip Float plane transportation from Kodiak City to Ayakulik River and back.
Price excludes
Flights to and from Kodiak Island
Waders (Alaska Sneakers)
Alcohol is not included nor served. If you wish to drink, please buy your own alcohol in Kodiak City before flying to camp.
Please bring your own soda if you are a fizzy drink connoisseur.
We do not have the capability to vacuum pack or freeze fish, therefore harvesting fish only happens on the last day of each trip. Fish can then be further processed in town.
Tips and gratuities are not included, you can tip online on this page.
Single Travelers
All tents have a 2 pax occupancy, if you want to travel alone you can join our waitlist and we can try and match you with a another traveler.
You can also just pay for a tent all to yourself.
Click here to join the list.
