Join Nikon Ambassadors Michelle Valberg and Tamara Lackey for an all-inclusive photographic adventure at one of the best grizzly bear encounter opportunities in North America!
Photograph the abundant grizzlies as they hunt for salmon in the azure blue waters of Chilko Lake and the Chilko River! Remote, spectacular, and pristine, the Chilcotin Country of British Columbia remains largely undiscovered by outsiders. Stay in riverside safari-style tents perched high above the waters while grizzlies feed on salmon right in front of you and meander nearby. Lake lies at the heart of this vast and diverse region, flanked by the jagged, ice-etched Coast Range on the west and sage-covered plateaus on the east. The lake, a 55-mile-long alpine basin filled with clear glacial water, is our base for natural adventure on a scale rarely encountered.
From our wilderness camp we will embark on nature walks, river trips and lake excursions that bring us close to the abundant wildlife that thrives in the Chilcotin: Canada’s true “Wild West.” Based out of Bear Camp, guests will be dazzled by fine food, beverages, great hospitality and a “Canadian twist” on the classic wildlife safari.
Prior to our grizzly adventure, we will meet in Vancouver for a full-day photography workshop with Michelle and Tamara, along with instructive image critiques, to ensure you feel confident to be able to capture the spectacular images you will see throughout our grizzly adventure. Enjoying a night out in Vancouver, we head to Chilko the next day to begin our grizzly bear adventure!
Michelle Valberg, a renowned wildlife photographer and esteemed Nikon Ambassador, has spent over three decades captivating audiences with her extraordinary storytelling through the lens. Her photographic journey has taken her to the farthest reaches of the globe, where she fearlessly seeks out thrilling adventures and remarkable photographic opportunities. Throughout her work, Michelle's deep-rooted love for Canada and the Arctic shines through in her breathtaking imagery. With her portfolio gracing the covers of prestigious magazines, international publications, exhibitions, and embassies worldwide, Michelle Valberg has firmly established herself as a trailblazer in the world of photography. Her iconic images have transcended their visual impact, finding a permanent place on a Royal Canadian Mint coin and Canada Post stamps, thereby solidifying her imprint on Canadian culture.
Beyond her exceptional photography, Michelle is a captivating public speaker, community leader, and a dedicated advocate for animals, the environment, and conservation. Her influence extends far beyond the realm of her photographs as she actively participates in various charitable initiatives, embodying her commitment to making a positive impact.
Michelle co-founded Project North, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of childrenliving in the far north. Since 2008, they have delivered over $2 million of sporting equipment to more than 40 northern communities. Michelle Valberg's remarkable accolades and contributions to the field of photography speak volumes. With four captivating books published, she has left a lasting legacy of her artistry. Recognizing her exceptional achievements, Michelle holds the prestigious titles of Canadian Geographic-Photographer-in-Residence, Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and International Fellow of the Explorer's Club in New York City. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and relentless pursuit of excellence have earned her the illustrious Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers, the gold medal at the World Photographic Cup, and the esteemed appointment as a member of the Order of Canada.
Michelle Valberg's boundless passion, undeniable talent, and unwavering commitment to conservation make her an extraordinary force in the world of photography. Through her lens, she captures the awe-inspiring beauty of our natural world and inspires others to cherish and protect it.
Tamara Lackey is a renowned professional photographer, Nikon USA Ambassador, author and show host. She speaks at a wide range of programs and conventions on the power of photography, presenting at Google, Disney, CES, Photo Plus Expo, Harvard Law School and more. She has shot a series of commercial photography campaigns for Nikon and was also selected to present her work on stage as part of the Nikon Global Launch Event in Tokyo, helping to introduce a new line of ground-breaking mirrorless camera systems.
Tamara has co-produced and hosted multiple live broadcasts for creativeLIVE and other livecast media, and she hosted her popular web series, The reDefine Show, for seven years. Her newest TV show, Chasing Frames with Tamara Lackey, focuses on capturing experiences and adventures through photography and is broadcast on PBS North Carolina and on PBS.org.
Tamara leads photography adventure workshops around the world and is the author of nine books, Her latest is The Posing Playbook. In addition to being a Nikon Ambassador, Tamara also has the distinction of being recognized as a Legend of Light by Profoto, an ON1 Guru and she is also part of the Think Tank Pro Team.
Tamara is the Executive Director of Beautiful Together, a non-profit she co-founded in 2014 that is focused on a mission she cares about deeply: Connecting animals in need of refuge with children living in underserved communities. Beautiful Together is currently building out 83 acres of property in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to house an animal sanctuary and host local youth programs, while still continuing ongoing work in Ethiopia, as well.
I am proud to be a Nikon Ambassador, and I have been since 2015.
I am always happy to answer questions about my favorite gear or preferred techniques.
I am also a big fan of ON1 Photo Raw 2023 editing software. You can see why it's a natural part of my workflow on my Photography Favorites page. If you aren't familiar with ON1, they have a free trial and you can purchase it at 30% off by using Promo Code "Tamara" (this is an affiliate link).
