About this Adventure

Join us for an unforgettable 11-day journey through Alaska's most spectacular landscapes. This immersive workshop combines world-class photography instruction with luxury accommodations and unparalleled access to pristine wilderness. We encourage you to share this adventure with a travel partner as it is priced for double occupancy and offers two activity tracks: one for passionate photographers and another for travelers who prefer recording memories with their eyes.

Participants will travel through three distinct regions—Denali State Park for dramatic mountain and wildlife photography, the alpine luxury of Girdwood's Alyeska Resort with glacier views and fine dining at the renowned Seven Glaciers restaurant, and the remote coastal beauty of Homer's Odyssey Lodge, where intertidal photography and wildlife sightings await.

Throughout the journey, photography sessions are balanced with professional editing critiques and curated experiences, while traveling companions can enjoy spa treatments, nature walks, and regional exploration.

Why This Photography Workshop Is So Special

Early September in Alaska offers fewer crowds, spectacular fall color, excellent wildlife viewing, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights in Denali.

With Us You're Never a Tourist

As usual, we're inviting you to a destination we have a deep relationship to and already know intimately: Gail has been photographing Alaska for more than 30 years, ever since her first assignment covering Denali for the Los Angeles Times. She has returned countless times to explore the state's diverse regions, with a special love for Homer and the remote beauty of Kachemak Bay. Her son Zack—an Alaska-based wildlife photographer for the past decade—will join us as a guide and assistant throughout the workshop.

Led by

Gail and Dotan

Gail and Dotan's teaching styles complement each other perfectly and so do their areas of expertise. The two of them will be with you all day every day: presenting, coaching, providing feedback in the field, and conducting honest, constructive critique sessions.

What's Included

11 Nights of luxury accommodations split between a boutique hotel in Anchorage, Tonglen Lake Lodge, Alyeska Resort & Spa and Odyssey Lodge.
All breakfasts, lunch, dinners & drinks
A fine dining experience with wine pairings at Alyeska's acclaimed Seven Glaciers Restaurant, recognized as one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants in 2023 by Wine Enthusiast and AAA Four Diamond Award laureate.
All Transportation in a comfortable Minibus
Boat transfers and excursions
Wilderness guides in several locations
All Site Entrance Fees
All tips for meals, guides & driver
A photographer/videographer documenting your trip producing stills & video for you to keep and share

And of course as always...

10 Days of personalized photo instruction in a small group setting by the 2 of us
Near-daily photo editing and critique sessions
Editing, sequencing and designing your own photobook of this adventure

Not Included

Airfare to & from Anchorage
Airport transfer (5 miles)
Massage and spa treatments

Accommodations

Double hotel accomodations at luxury hotels and resorts:

The Wildbirch boutique hotel in Anchorage, a JdV by Hyatt hotel
Tonglen Lake Lodge, an authentic Alaskan wilderness retreat surrounded by tundra on the edge of Denali National Park. The Tonglen Lake Lodge is an all-inclusive luxury property created by local artist Donna Gates and features handcrafted work throughout by Alaskan artisans.
Alyeska Resort & Spa in Girdwood, named No. 1 Best Hotel in Alaska by U.S. News & World Report and included in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards, 15 Favorite Resorts in the West of 2024.
Odyssey Lodge, a remote luxury retreat on a 23-acre isthmus between Peterson Bay and China Poot Bay and only accessible by boat

Itinerary

You begin your adventure by flying into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and we gather that evening for a welcome dinner at the Wild Birch Hotel—where we’ll be staying. It’s a contemporary, boutique retreat, featuring spacious rooms, local art, and an on-site craft brewery. We start and end our journey here.

Denali — Wilderness & Wildlife: Traveling north, we embark on a scenic four-hour drive to Tonglen Lake Lodge, an authentic Alaskan wilderness retreat surrounded by tundra, rugged peaks, and tranquil lake views. We’ll explore Denali State Park, photographing dramatic landscapes and incredible wildlife.

Girdwood — Alpine Luxury & Glacier Views: Next, we head south to the luxurious Alyeska Resort & Spa in Girdwood. Highlights include:

A fine-dining experience at Seven Glaciers Restaurant, perched 2,300 feet above sea level
a breathtaking tram ride overlooking the Turnagain Arm, hanging glaciers, emerald mountainsides, and the endless Chugach Range
A visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
A scenic boat ride to Portage Glacier
A relaxing afternoon at the spa (spa treatments not included)

Homer — “The End of the Road”: Continuing south, we arrive in Homer at the end of the Sterling Highway, where the vast wilderness of Kachemak Bay unfolds. We’ll explore the Homer Spit and bustling harbor before taking a water taxi to Odyssey Lodge, our remote luxury retreat on a 23-acre isthmus between Peterson Bay and China Poot Bay. At Odyssey Lodge:

Photograph sweeping views of the Alaskan Range
Enjoy peaceful wilderness and coastal beauty
Take a moderate hike to Grewingk Glacier
Watch for orca pods during the boat crossing
Capture sunrise at low tide, revealing extraordinary intertidal sea life
Enjoy a massage (not included) or a scenic view of Kachemak Bay from the sauna
Book a Fishing Charter to catch halibut and/or salmon (not included)

After several restorative nights, we return to Anchorage and the Wild Birch Hotel to complete our photo editing and sequencing for our digital books—while significant others enjoy exploring Anchorage at their leisure. After a exceptional closing night dinner, you make your way back home from Anchorage on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Who should attend

The program is designed for all skill levels from beginners to professional photographers. You should have good working knowledge of your camera as this is not a class to learn how to use your gear. You will need to bring a laptop and hard drive in order to facilitate downloading, editing and processing of images. Spouses are encouraged to join the trip and will have their own guided programming.

Terms & Conditions

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