Greetings everyone, sorry for the few posts recently. I’ve been very busy planning an epic workshop next June – I’ll be formally (and fully) announcing it asap! So stay tuned. I’m leaving on Friday for my annual fall color solo adventure “up north”. I’ll be traveling along the Denali Highway for several days. Hiking and photographing the tundra along the 135 mile long gravel “highway” during the peak of fall color. Last year I had a great trip again, and I always look forward to this time of the year. The fall is so short lived up north, but the colors are absolutely breath-taking. Oh, and the rolling tundra, dotted with lakes and ponds, and taiga forest and the Alaska Range to the north ain’t too shabby either. If you are interested in seeing some shots from last year – here are a few links to my Journal entries afterward.
And here is a link to my article on this area published on Photo Travel Review’s website.
Regardless of the weather, I can’t wait to get back up there. It’s vast beauty incarnate.
I also just read a comment on one of my recent posts and thought I would republish it here. A little shameless self-promotion. As some of you know, I just led a solo client workshop/tour earlier this month. My client, Matthew M., was from New Jersey. He contacted me after seeing an old ad I had placed in Outdoor Photographer Magazine. Here is his trip report from the epic adventure.
“Dave,
Loved your shots of our recent trip. Each one I saw brought back such strong memories. For those reading, I’m the solo client Dave just went out with. I had never met Dave but was intrigued by his ad in Outdoor Photographer. I spoke with him on the phone and shared both my experience and my goals for this once in a lifetime trip to Alaska. He seemed like the perfect blend of logistics planner, pro photographer, Alaska guide, and patient teacher. Throughout the planning phase of the trip Dave carefully listened and expertly tailored the trip to meet both my needs and my abilities. I really appreciated his transparent approach to the costs and options while planning as well as his open and honest input as to where to put the money I had. His advice on what to bring (and what not to bring) was extremely helpful and saved me from spending hundreds of dollars on gear I didn’t need.
My arrival in Anchorage on a rainy Tuesday was was short lived as Dave met me at the airport and off we went to Homer. The drive was a great chance to get to know each other and Dave’s knowledge of the wildlife and terrain was encyclopedic. We arrived in Homer late that night, but already having shot photos of moose and a beautiful evening landscape outside Homer. Day 2 was a bit of a washout as our trip to Katmai was canceled due to weather. Dave was already thinking of ” plan B ” and off we went to shoot fireweed. The next day dawned overcast but we managed to get to Katmai via Bald Mountain Air Service. The team at Bald Mountain was knowledgeable and professional and the rest of the day was filled with shooting wonderful pictures of the bears. Dave really worked hard to help me see other ways to use my equipment and I quickly began to see an improvement in the photographs I was taking. The rest of the trip was just as rewarding. Dave was an outstanding teacher and guide and I would recommend him to anyone photographing in Alaska. Please feel free to contact me though Dave if you would like a personal reference. As for me, I’m already planning to return next spring for another great Alaskan photo experience with Dave. Thanks again for making this a once in a lifetime trip.”
Thanks Matthew, it was a real pleasure to work with you. Photo workshops are very rewarding for me, I really love doing them. Everything from the logistics planning ahead of time, the workshop itself, and the friendships made along the way. And all of my clients know that the learning doesn’t end when the workshop is over. I always make myself available beyond the workshop experience, and it is always great to keep hearing from past clients & new friends.
Workshop Client Matthew M. scoping out a field of tall grass at Tonsina Point, near Seward, Alaska.
It was a great trip. And like I said, and as you read what Matthew typed – I’ve got another one coming up early next summer. This will be a group tour, and a cooperative effort with a great friend and fellow photo workshop owner/instructor. But that’s all I’m going to tell you for you now… so check back often, I’ll have an announcement soon.
Now get out and shoot!