Abraham Lake Bubbles

Canadian Rockies in Winter Photo Workshop for Akari Photo Tours

for Akari Photo Tours with Viktoria Haack

Jan 16 – 24, 2027 – 1 Spot Left!
Cost: 5995 USD Double Occupancy, $995 Single Supplement

Jan 15 – 23, 2028
Cost: 6995 USD Double Occupancy, $995 Single Supplement

January in the Canadian Rockies is a fantastic time for photography – crisp air, fewer crowds, golden hour light, and eye-catching snow and ice details. This nine-day photography workshop offered through Akara Photo Tours is designed around the conditions we find each day. We’ll make the most out of early and late light, but we’ll also embrace the changing winter weather, including snowfall, mist, clouds, and sparkling sunlight, all bringing something special to the landscape. We’ll have time to work slowly and try different approaches while exploring and having fun in the winter scenery.

We’ll explore the Banff and Lake Louise areas before travelling along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Abraham Lake will be our final base. We’ll spend time exploring the lake and its famous methane bubbles and ice features, surrounded by mountains.

The small group allows for individual guidance and conversation in the field. We’ll talk through thought processes, composition, light, and camera settings to help you realize your personal vision and connection to the landscape.

Transportation and accommodations are included in the workshop, so once you arrive, you can leave the winter driving to us and focus on photography, the landscape, and enjoying the experience.

Register

Workshop Details

There are so many options for photography in this area! A large part of this workshop will be on focus stacking to create shots of bubbles and mountains that are sharp from front to back. Other concepts and techniques we can work on:

  • Manual focusing
  • Exposing for snowy scenes
  • Compositions and Seeing
  • Bracketing
  • Long exposure photography
  • Not so long exposure photography (capturing waves, movement, etc.)
  • Seeing with your long lens
  • Abstract and detail shots
Included in the Workshop:
  • Double occupancy lodging. Single supplement possible.
  • All transportation during the tour
  • Airport transfers at arrival/departure
  • Snacks and water between meals
  • All permits and entry fees
  • Instruction, guidance, and image reviews
  • Personal pre-trip phone consultations
Not Included in the workshop:
  • Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
  • Passport and visa fees, if applicable
  • Our group will dine together but the cost of most meals is not included
  • Travel medical and evacuation insurance (requried)
  • Trip cancellation insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates
  • Items of a person nature
  • DLSR or mirrorless camera
  • Tripod
  • Remote/Intervalometer/Shutter Release
  • Extra batteries
  • Extra memory cards
  • Laptop
  • Variety of lenses (from wide to long, we'll use it!)
  • Filters: Polarizers, ND, Graduated ND
  • Thermos/Water Bottle
  • Appropriate clothing and layers for the weather
  • Good footwear, backpack, etc
  • Microspikes or crampons
  • Headlamp
  • Hand/toe warmers

The workshop plan is tentative and will be adaptive to conditions and weather. Participants should expect this schedule to change.

Day 1:

  • Arrive in Calgary before 12pm and transfer to Banff
  • Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early or the day before
  • Meet and greet followed by winter weather shooting set up discussion
  • Sunset/blue hour in Banff

Day 2-3:

  • Sunrises and sunset sessions around the Banff area
  • We’ll visit some of the local lakes and also look for different compositions in the landscap

Day 4-6:

  • We move to Lake Louise, allowing easier access to many scenic viewpoints, alpine lakes, and dramatic mountain ranges.

Day 7-8:

  • We head East to the Abraham Lake area for two days to maximize your chances of capturing iconic images of ice bubbles, cracks and winter abstracts.

Day 9:

  • After a final sunrise session, we’ll make our way back to the Calgary airport.
  • Book your departing flight no earlier than 5:30 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.

“Being mentored by Monika has completely improved my photography skills. I have taken two workshops with her in the past year. She has guided me through the fundamentals of astrophotography, landscape and nature photography, and portrait photography by building on all my prior skill set. In my experience, Monika instructs with both theory and hands-on, practical in the field demonstration. Even though the workshops I have attended are in a group setting, Monika spends majority of the field time with attendees one-on-one, coaching and answering all questions you have.

Monika is not only exceptionally professional, but she is also so kind and sincere. She has always taken the time out of her busy day to answer all my questions about photography. She honestly went above and beyond on both workshops I attended; I am hoping to do more soon! Every time shooting with Monika has been a pleasure, she cares about you and your development. Monika teaches you the skills you need to improve as a photographer.”

Jonathan Gillingham

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