Churchill Polar Bears 2024

Randall Ball

Randall is an award-winning photographer based in Houston, TX who specializes in capturing stunning environmental portraits of wildlife. His journey in photography began as a combat photographer in the Marine Corps. Later, he pursued a formal education at the renowned Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. Randall's commercial work has been featured in worldwide in advertising campaigns and major magazines. In addition to his photography, Randall is passionate about teaching. As an Adjunct Faculty Photography Instructor, he has conducted organized classroom study and in-the-field workshops domestically and abroad. In 2021, he began leading workshops for Art of Seeing Photography Adventures and continues to lead many of our Photography Adventures. Click here to see a selection of Randall’s images.

Randy will be by your side throughout the expedition to help you make the most of every opportunity and to offer tips, critiques and coaching.

We’ll use our day in Winnipeg to review wildlife photography fundamentals – everything from proper tripod technique to exposure settings and focus modes. Ken will also cover more advanced tips specific to the conditions we will encounter in Churchill. We’ll also spend lots of time talking about practical ways to develop your Photographer’s Eye and expand your creative vision.

In Churchill, expect (optional) nightly sessions covering workflow and processing using Adobe Lightroom as well as image critiques.

Q: How is this trip different than other polar bear tours?

A: Every aspect of this workshop is specifically designed for passionate (but not necessarily expert) photographers who are looking for the best opportunities to bring home portfolio-worthy images of polar bears and other arctic wildlife and landscapes. We are not confined to a tundra buggy or attached to a large group of non-photographers. Finally, this trip is meant to be a learning experience about the art and craft of wildlife photography as much as an opportunity to photograph polar bears.

Q: How should I book my travel?

A: You should arrive in Winnipeg (YWG) no later than 1 pm on Day 1 of your session. Our return flight to Winnipeg on Day 6 should arrive in Winnipeg in the late afternoon, but this flight is often delayed by weather. We suggest planning an overnight stay in Winnipeg (NOT included in workshop fee) and flying home the following day.

Q: Can you guarantee we will see polar bears or northern lights?

A: No. When it comes to nature, there are never any guarantees. The workshop is timed specifically to maximize our chances of encountering large numbers of polar bears based on historical freeze-up dates, but climate change and other factors are making things less predictable these days.

We need clear, dark skies and the right type of solar activity for the northern lights (aurora borealis) to appear. In 2024, the night sky will be relatively dark (no moon) for both sessions but we still need the other factors to coincide to have any chance at photographing the aurora – again, no guarantees.

Q: Is it safe?

A: Polar bear viewing and photography can be done safely if everyone follows the rules and acts appropriately. Our guides are experienced professionals who are knowledgeable about bear behavior. They also carry deterrents including firearms which are only deployed as a last resort. However, these bears are wild animals and individuals may not behave as expected. Intentionally approaching large predators for viewing or photography is an inherently dangerous activity. As stated in our Terms & Conditions, by registering for this workshop, you explicitly acknowledge and accept this risk.

Q: What else is there to photograph?

A: Beside polar bears, we may also encounter other arctic species. Arctic fox, Red fox, Arctic hares & Ptarmigan are common. Other species such as gyrfalcon, rough-legged hawks, caribou, snowy owl and wolves live here as well but are much more rarely seen. Landscapes are also an option and can be quite dramatic with the right light and weather, especially after freeze-up begins. Finally, we will be on Aurora (northern lights) alert the whole time we are in Churchill – if conditions look promising, we’ll head out after dark to hopefully capture some images of the Northern Lights. However, this trip is not specifically focused on Aurora photography.

Q: What will the weather be like and how should I prepare for it?

A: Layers upon layers - a detailed packing list including specific clothing recommendations will be provided to participants after registration.

Q: What kind of photo equipment should I bring?

A: Specific recommendations will be provided to participants after registration but a telephoto lens of at least 400mm (35mm equivalent) is strongly suggested as a starting point.

Q: Where will we stay?

A: Our accommodations are rooms in private residences (think Air BnB) that residents rent out during bear season. It’s a bit unconventional, but it’s the best choice among very limited choices in Churchill. Items for self-serve continental breakfast like bread, cereal, boiled eggs and fruit are provided

Q: What & where do we eat?

A: Lunch and dinner are at local restaurants. Again, choices are limited so we typically eat at the same restaurants daily. However, the food is surprisingly good and the menus include plenty of options for vegetarians.

Day 1 Winnipeg – our adventure begins at 3pm with Introductions and a Workshop Overview followed by a session on Wildlife Photography Fundamentals & Advanced Techniques. We want to hit the ground running in Churchill, so we use this day to make sure everyone’s camera settings are dialed in, answer questions and let you know what to expect for the coming week.

Day 2 Winnipeg – Churchill – we board our morning flight to Churchill after an early breakfast. We’ll transport you to our accommodations upon arrival to drop off our bags and change. We’ll have lunch in town and then head straight out into the field until sunset, exploring the shores of the Hudson looking for polar bears and other wildlife.

Afterwards, we’ll head back to our home base where you can shed some layers and relax for a bit before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant. Dining options in Churchill are limited, but surprisingly good.

Days 3–6 Churchill – Starting before sunrise each day, we venture out along 15 miles of coastline in a 4X4 van piloted by our licensed professional bear guides, looking for polar bears and trying to anticipate their behavior to be in the best positions for eye-level photography. Whenever a photo opportunity arises, we’ll maneuver our vehicles as close to our target as the situation safely allows before getting out to begin shooting. Solo bears, sparring males and mothers with cubs are common sights. Other species such as arctic fox, red fox, arctic hares, gyrfalcon, rough-legged hawks, caribou, snowy owl and wolves may be spotted as well. Shooting opportunities can last from less than a minute to an hour or more. Once the opportunity is over or we’ve had our fill, we get back in our vehicle to continue the hunt.

We break for lunch in the afternoon to recharge and warm up at the log cabin style Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill before heading back into the field for more wildlife hunting with our lenses until twilight.

Back at our home base Randy will host optional presentations nightly on image management and post processing in Adobe Lightroom before we head out as a group for dinner.

Our post dinner schedule will be dictated mostly by the weather. If conditions look favorable, we may head out to hopefully photograph the Northern Lights.

Day 7 Churchill–Winnipeg – one more day of photography – the number of shooting hours today depends on Calm Air’s flight schedule which varies from year to year. Then, we will head to the airport to catch our flight to Winnipeg. Sadly, our adventure is over upon arrival at Winnipeg airport.

We understand life happens and plans may change. If you need to cancel your reservation, the following policies apply to this workshop:

Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferrable to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from date of cancellation in accordance with the following schedule:

Regardless of when you cancel, if we fill your spot*, you will receive a refund of all fees paid less your deposit and $150 processing fee. If we cannot fill your spot, the amount of your refund is based upon the cancellation date:

• Cancellation 120 days or more from workshop start date: 100% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable up to 24 mos.

• Cancellation 90 – 120 days from workshop start date: 50% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.

• Cancellation less than 90 days from workshop start date: No refunds.

*canceled spots are filled after the workshop reaches full capacity

Click here to read our complete Terms & Conditions

Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy which covers medical evacuation is a requirement for participation in this workshop. Such policies typically cover many other things like lost luggage or non-refundable payments if you need to cancel your trip.