Alaska Fjords with Adventures NW Photography Workshop – Round trip Juneau

The Tracy Arm / Fords Terror Wilderness is one of southeast Alaska’s premier locations for landscape and wildlife photography.

This remote wilderness is only accessible by boat and the David B is one of the best options for experiencing this coastline of southeast Alaska, which is world-famous for its spectacular fjords – dramatic steep-walled saltwater canyons laced with waterfalls that rival Yosemite Valley (but absent the throngs of sightseers). On this “deep dive” in the Fjords, we’ll have the opportunity to explore these epic marine landscapes at close range. We’ll cruise the length of both Tracy and Endicott Arm and we’ll also visit Ford’s Terror, a hidden and rarely-visited location that is off-limits to most boats, perhaps the most beautiful fjord of the entire coast.

Not to be missed will be some awe-inspiring shore excursions; dropped by skiff on little-visited beaches adorned with stranded blue icebergs (a photographer’s dream!), and hike to a lonely rock-hewn perch with a world-class view of primeval wilderness utterly untouched by human hands. This is Alaska at its most wild. Whales are commonly seen, as are brown (grizzly) bears, mountain goats, sea otters, seals, bald eagles, and too many birds to list. We’ll also get up close and personal with the awesome tidewater glaciers that crown the head of Endicott and Tracy Arm: the Dawes and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers. Making photographs as these monumental glaciers calve in massive icefalls is an unforgettable experience.

What’s Included:

• Accommodations
• Meals during the cruise
• Kayaks / Shore excursions
• Permits and Fees
• Photographic Guiding and Instruction
• Image Critiques and Post-processing instruction
• Fun, new friends, and inspiration

About the David B:

While on this workshop, you’ll enjoy the creature comforts of the David B, a beautifully-appointed 65-foot wooden boat built in 1929 and lovingly restored – private staterooms with heads, a shower, fireplace, wood-fired cook stove, and gourmet meals that have become legendary on the Alaska coast. Microbrews and fine wines. This is not industrial tourism.

The boat’s “saloon” is equipped with a ceiling-mounted LCD projector and pull-down screen for evening instruction in utilizing Adobe Lightroom Classic to bring out the best in your pictures. Once the images are optimized, we’ll share and discuss the work in group critiques. Finally, we’ll spend time learning to fine-tune for printing. Everyone will go home with a gallery-quality print – ready for framing – from the workshop.

During the workshop, we’ll have extensive shooting opportunities every day, instruction time aboard the David B, and generous amounts of ‘downtime’ to savor this special place. The trip is limited to eight passengers so individualized instruction is assured.

The David B’s skiff is a marvel of engineering and ideal for photography: roomy, super-stable, and dry. “Skiffyasaurus”, as it’s known, affords us amazing close-up photo opportunities of the glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife.

Meet Your Instructors:

Alan Sanders

Alan Sanders has been making photographs since the 70’s and teaching photography since the 80’s. He has taught at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

As a recovering commercial photographer specializing in advertising and public relations, he now concentrates on fine art photography. His photographs have been in many group- and one-person shows. Alan also has work in the permanent collections of several museums as well as many private collections.

Currently, he teaches photography at Whatcom Community College and is a digital imaging specialist at Quicksilver Photo Lab in Bellingham. To see Al’s work visit his website

John D’Onofrio

John D’Onofrio’s photography has been exhibited widely in museums and galleries around the United States and utilized by the National Park Service, the National Forest Service,  the National Parks Foundation, and Defenders of Wildlife.

His work has been published in numerous calendars, books, and publications including National Geographic Adventure, Trail Runner, Tracks and Trails,  and Washington Trails, and featured on the NBC and ABC television networks.

He is co-author of Images of America: Mount Baker (Arcadia Publishing) and loves nothing more than a good adventure.

He lives in Bellingham, WA. where he serves as editor/publisher of Adventures NW magazine. You can also see his work on his website.

To learn more about John and Alan, listen to our Northwest Navigation Podcast where we talk with them about their philosophies, photography, wilderness, and being in the moment. Listen here…

For more information on photo workshops by AdventuresNW…. https://www.adventuresnw.com/photo-workshops/

Curious to see what it’s like on one of our Photography Workshops? Check out our Zoom Live Event Recording featuring our crew and instructors.

Class Details:

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll have an opportunity to make photographs in beautiful Glacier Bay.  Then we’ll use Adobe Lightroom Classic to bring out the best in your images. We’ll also discuss the use of Photoshop as well as other plug-ins that can be used in conjunction with Lightroom. Once the images are optimized, we will share and discuss the work as a group. Finally, we’ll spend time learning to print our work. Everyone will go home with at least one print – ready for framing – from the workshop.

What to Bring:

• Digital camera
• Shooting from the boat will be enhanced by lenses with built-in stabilization (optional)
• Tripod
• Laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic installed and optionally Photoshop as well.  https://www.adobe.com/downloads.html
• Lots of Memory Cards
• Extra Batteries & Battery Charger
• Lens hoods for shooting in the rain
• Mouse – because laptop touchpads just don’t work as well
• Cable release or remote shutter release

Comments from Previous Workshop Attendees:

“In seven days this workshop can transform your eye, focus your attention to detail, and restore your soul.”

–              Alison S., Eldorado Springs, CO

” Honestly, it was the best trip of my life…I learned a lot and gained a level of confidence that translated to better pictures. You are very good teachers. I am grateful to you both, for your professionalism, patience, kindness, and your humor!”

–              Laurie C., Sandy, OR

“The best outcome has been a change in the way I’m seeing. I can’t quantify what I mean but it is very exciting!”

–              Dave F., Australia

” The whole experience was unbelievable…my perspective about photography was blown out of the water!”

–              Susan. F., Stanwood, WA

“An awesome experience…with excellent instructors.”

–              Marian R., Spokane, WA

Click here to see our current schedule and rates.