Alaska Photography Workshop in Lake Clark National Park
Join Summit Workshops in Lake Clark National Park for a world-class Alaska photography workshop focused on wildlife, landscapes, and immersive field learning.
Photograph the Wild Beauty of Alaska
July 23-28, 2026 | Silver Salmon Creek Lodge
Tuition: $9,340 | Deposit: $3,000
Deposit due upon registration, full tuition due 120 days before the workshop. Workshops limited to 7 participants.
In the remote reaches of Lake Clark National Park, Alaska reveals itself in its purest form. Bears move along the shoreline, eagles circle overhead, and the coastal wilderness stretches as far as you can see. Our Alaska photography workshop is designed to immerse you fully in this environment while guiding you through the art of wildlife and landscape photography. With hands-on instruction in the field, you will learn how to anticipate behavior, work with natural light, and create images that reflect the true spirit of the wild.
We have been to Alaska numerous times and are excited to offer the guides and instructors to learn alongside while enjoying the beauty that is Alaska. Spouse and companion discounts are available for this workshop! These discounts are for non-photographers who want to share in this amazing experience with you. Please contact us for more information. Pricing is based on double occupancy, but you can inquire about a single supplement at an additional cost.
Why Photograph Alaska with Summit Workshops?
Alaska offers some of the most extraordinary wildlife photography opportunities on Earth, but the experience you have there makes all the difference. At Summit Workshops, we keep our groups small and our instruction highly personal, ensuring you get hands-on guidance directly in the field where it matters most.
Rather than rushing through locations, we prioritize time in proven wildlife areas of Lake Clark National Park, where bears, eagles, and other wildlife can be observed in natural, active settings. This gives you more opportunities to slow down, anticipate behavior, and capture stronger, more intentional images.
Most importantly, this experience is about respect for the wildlife and the environment. You will learn how to approach wildlife photography thoughtfully and responsibly while capturing images that reflect the true spirit of Alaska’s wild places.
The result is more than just a photography trip. It is a deeply immersive experience in one of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the world, guided by a team that knows how to help you make the most of every moment in the field.
What You’ll Learn on This Workshop
Up-Close Wildlife Photography
Capture incredible images of Alaska’s iconic bears, along with puffins, eagles, seals, otters, and more, all in their natural habitats.
Master Nature and Landscape Photography
Learn creative techniques for photographing both wildlife and stunning Alaskan landscapes, while gaining insights into the habits and habitats of Alaska’s diverse wildlife.
Personalized Portfolio Reviews
Enjoy ample one-on-one time with expert instructors for in-depth portfolio reviews, ensuring you grow as a photographer throughout the workshop.
Workshop Itinerary
Each day in Lake Clark National Park follows the rhythm of the wild, with flexible timing based on weather, light, and wildlife activity to ensure the best photography opportunities.
We spend extended time in the field photographing Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes, including brown bears along the coastline, bald eagles, and marine life. Instructors are present throughout the day, offering hands-on guidance with camera settings, composition, and wildlife photography techniques.
Breaks are built in for rest, image review, and group discussions to help you refine your skills as the week progresses. Evening light often provides additional photography opportunities before we return to camp and prepare for the next day in the field.
Please note that the final workshop schedule will be provided one month prior to the event. Keep in mind that the schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed during the workshop.
We will wake up early to catch our plane to Silver Salmon Creek. After taking a wildly scenic flight to the lodge, we’ll have time to check in and get settled. Depending on when we arrive there will likely be time to explore the area around the lodge for wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
Similar to yesterday, we will grab our cameras before the sun and head out in search of more brown bears. Rather than returning to the lodge for lunch, we will hop on a boat and head towards Bird Island to spend the rest of the afternoon photographing nesting puffins. We’ll return to the lodge in the afternoon for another lecture, some downtime, and another evening bear excursion.
Return home from Anchorage. Schedule return flights in the afternoon or evening just in case there is weather when trying to leave the lodge.
Meet Your Instructors
Morgan Heim
Workshop FacultyMorgan (Mo) Heim raises a camera for one purpose – to capture moments in an animal’s life that will make us consider what that life means. Inevitably, those stories involve people as much as wildlife. How we treat them. Why we need them. What we love, or hate about them. Mo, used to work as a wildlife ecologist for NOAA on things like killer whale surveys and the Elwha Dam Removal project. She later earned a Master’s in environmental journalism and is a senior fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). She has covered endangered fishing cats and shrimp farm development, and the environmental impacts of marijuana grows in our nation’s forests. In 2016, she became a National Geographic grantee for her collaboration on urban coyotes. Her photographic work has appeared in outlets such as Smithsonian, Discover, NationalGeographic.com, Nature Conservancy Magazine, and bioGraphic.com.
Chris Steppig
Owner / DirectorChris is the owner and director of Summit Workshops. Summit was his first job out of college and nearly 20 years later, this is home. He is in charge of all workshop operations, scheduling, logistics, faculty, social media, marketing and sponsorship. Chris has a passion for conservation, travel, and education and the workshops are a dream platform to help others reach new heights as not only photographers but as people.
Chris is an affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers. The iLCP is a U.S. based non-profit whose mission is to further environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography. This affiliation provides a tremendous opportunity to help deliver great content and also be an advisor on matters large and small. He is also a professional advisor for Outdoor Photographer magazine. Through collaboration and great communications with the editor of the magazine, there have been countless articles written by Summit Alumni in the magazine over the years.
Workshop Information
Getting there & Travel Details
We will meet in Anchorage, Alaska on the morning of July 25 for our flight to Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Anchorage.
To allow for any travel delays, we strongly recommend arriving in Anchorage on July 24 and staying overnight before departure. We suggest the Courtyard Marriott, which is conveniently located near the airport and our meeting point.
At the end of the workshop, we will fly back to Anchorage on July 30. We recommend booking return flights for July 31 to ensure a relaxed travel day in case of delays.
Health & Fitness
Please note that this workshop involves long days in the field with substantial walking over uneven terrain. Participants should be in good physical condition and comfortable spending extended periods outdoors, sometimes in variable weather conditions.
- Field sessions may include short walks on uneven terrain such as dirt paths, sand, or marsh edges.
- Expect extended periods of standing while photographing wildlife.
- Early mornings and time outdoors in varying weather conditions are part of the experience.
Additional Information
Spouse and companion discounts are available for this workshop for non-photographers who would like to share in the experience. Please contact us for details. Pricing is based on double occupancy, with the option to inquire about a single supplement at an additional cost.
What to Pack
Packing for Alaska is all about being prepared for changing weather, long days in the field, and a wide range of shooting conditions. You will likely experience sun, wind, rain, and cooler coastal temperatures all in the same day, so layering is essential.
We recommend building your packing list around layers, protection, and comfort in the field.
CLOTHING:
- Moisture-wicking base layers (tops and bottoms)
- Warm insulating layers such as fleece or lightweight down
- Waterproof and windproof outer shell (jacket and pants are ideal)
- Comfortable field pants suitable for hiking and crouching for long periods
- Warm hat and gloves, even in summer conditions near the coast
- Extra socks (we recommend bringing more than you think you’ll need)
- Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support are essential
- Comfortable camp shoes or sandals for downtime at the lodge
OTHER:
- Pack for carrying gear in the field
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Personal medications and basic first aid items
- Binoculars (optional)
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
- 2 camera bodies
- Wide angle lens
- Medium zoom lens
- Telephoto lens (ideally 400mm–800mm range)
- Tripod or monopod (optional, depending on preference)
- Camera bag
- Extra batteries and chargers
- Laptop or tablet
- Memory cards
- Hard drive
Sony Gear
We are proud to partner with Sony, giving students the unique opportunity to experience some of the latest professional camera bodies and lenses in the field during the workshop. Throughout the week, participants can check out Sony gear to test and use in real shooting conditions in the field. This hands-on access allows you to explore new equipment, refine your technique, and see how different tools can impact your creative results, all while receiving guidance from our instructors in real time.
Past Student Work
Frequently asked questions
No! Summit Workshops is available to any photographer, regardless of what brand of camera you use. We often have camera gear available to borrow, free of charge, but you are not required to use that gear or any specific brand.
ALL travel while in Alaska is included
*Includes float plane from Anchorage to Silver Salmon at beginning of workshop and from Silver Salmon to Anchorage at the end of the workshop
ALL meals and Silver Salmon lodging are included
Travel to and from our departure point in Anchorage is NOT included
Lodging while in Anchorage is NOT included
Our workshop is for shooters of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans. We all learn from and help one another, that is what makes the Summit Community so special.
Lodging & Classroom
During the workshop, accommodations and classroom space will be based at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. In Anchorage, we recommend the Courtyard Marriott for pre- and post-trip lodging.
Ready to Join us in Alaska?
This is more than a photography workshop. It is an opportunity to step into one of the most extraordinary wildlife environments on Earth, learn in the field with experienced instructors, and create images you will be proud of for a lifetime.
If you are ready for an unforgettable week of wildlife, learning, and adventure in the Alaskan wilderness, we would love to have you join us.
Explore Our Other nature Workshops
Gulf Coast Texas Whooping Crane Workshop
Join us along the Texas Gulf Coast to photograph the endangered whooping crane in its winter habitat. This workshop offers rare opportunities for intimate wildlife photography combined with coastal landscapes and bird behavior in the field.
February 17-20 or February 21-24, 2027
Gulf Coast, TX
Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop
Experience one of North America’s most incredible wildlife migrations as thousands of sandhill cranes gather along the Platte River. This workshop focuses on capturing motion, behavior, and sunrise silhouettes in a truly unique natural event.
March 18-21 or March 23-26, 2027
Kearney, NE
Our Workshop Partners
Sony Alpha Universe
Sony Alpha Universe is here for the makers, the doers, the people who dream in colors. You bring your curiosity and ideas, we’ll provide the knowledge, the inspiration, and the state-of-the-art imaging tech to help you make dreams reality.
