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All images © Mark Vanderkam

Canadian Rockies:

Outback by Helicopter

March 23 - 29, 2017

8 Participants ONLY

Join us for an exciting spring/winter trip to capture the best of the Canadian Rockies. Early spring is one of the best periods to photograph this region as open leads of water and wildlife begin to appear at the lower elevations while it is full arctic conditions up high.

After the long winter freeze, the days are finally starting to get longer and we can normally expect to see lots of fresh powder snow in the mornings and stirrings of life (elk, mountain sheep and goats, grouse, owls, moose, deer, and possibly even wolf and bear) throughput the lengthening days.

Our routes will cover a few of the most famous locations for your portfolio, plus plenty of secret spots that are unknown to the majority of shooters. We will range for hundreds of miles from south to north, beginning in world-renowned Banff Alberta and trekking far and wide to capture peaks, waterfalls, lakes, valleys, and hopefully clearing storms and amazing sunrises and sunsets and night scenes as well (with the chance for aurora borealis!).

On this particular trip, we’ll use helicopters to be dropped off into the Canadian Rockies Outback. Your creative juice will start kicking as soon as we take off!. After flying over snowy peaks, we will end up in remote valleys, with frozen lakes surrounded by majestic mountains.

The workshop will be guided by two professional landscape photographers, Mark Vanderkam, based in Banff, Canada, and Oliver Klink. We have reserved special permits for each of you to photograph in the outback.

The workshop starts in Calgary. We then drive towards Banff, where we will make special stops for unique photoshoots. On Day 2, we’ll take an helicopter to the remote outback, stayed there for 2 to 3 nights (weather permitting). We’ll return to the Banff area, where we will further explore remote regions, only accessible by permits.

In the outback, we’ll stay at comfortable lodges/huts. Imagine waking up surrounded by 3,000 meters high mountains. WOW.

Hope to see you in March for this unique adventure.

Mark and Oliver.

Registration:
Double Occupancy: $4,700
Single Supplement: $850

Deposit (non-refundable):
$700 (Double Occupancy)
$850 (Single Occupancy)

Deposit

Full payment due by December 15, 2016 (payable by check)

Questions? Contact Oliver Klink

Talented Instructors

Oliver Klink 55 Inches traveling exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors. The exhibit is a selection of images of ice and rugged land from various parts of the world, including Iceland, the Arctic, Antarctica, and Alaska. His image, “Diamond Forever” has won many awards in local photocontests, and received “mentioned” in the Black and White Spidar Awards. “Photographing ice and rugged land in remote part of the world is rewarding, especially when you can see the changes over the year. Greenland is a special place, when you travel with a small group of people, have majectic landscape (almost) to yourself, and can reflect on the effect of the global changes.”

Mark Vanderkam is a passionate outdoorsman and wilderness landscape photographer, based in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Mark has an intimate knowledge of the Canadian Rockies and has explored the wild lands through northern British Columbia and up into the Yukon. As an artist, Mark seeks to capture and convey the awe and wonder he feels when exploring mountains, glaciers, valleys, waterfalls, and wild shorelines. As a leader of photographic tours with an adventurous edge, Mark strives to help his clients get access to incredible locations in the best possible lighting conditions, so they can explore whole new dimensions of their personal artistic journeys.

Topics Covered

- Photographing grand landscape with ice and rugged land
- Accessing remote locations, off-the-beaten path with safety in mind
- Daily review of images (emphasis on “what else can I do”)
- Brainstorming sessions (theme, story telling, portfolio, hero shots)
- Post processing and workflow (efficiency, accuracy, quality)

Included

Included:
- 7 days of guided photoshoot
- Helicopter flights to remote lodge
- Transportation to all the photoshoot locations
- Accommodation, meals (see itinerary for details)
- All excursions, permits, and fees
- Snowshoe rental
- Instruction booklet emailed before the workshop

Not Included:
- Transportation to and from Calgary airport (YYC)
- Transport from airport to hotel
- Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages
- Meals (see detailed itinerary)
- Travel Insurance
- Tips to local staff

Fee

Double Occupancy: $4,700
(Single Supplement: $850

Deposit (non-refundable):
$700 (Double Occupancy)
$850 (Single Occupancy)

Full payment due by December 15, 2016 (payable by check)

Payment

Deposit (non-refundable):
$700 (Double Occupancy)
$850 (Single Occupancy)

Terms and Conditions

Physical Difficulty

- You are traveling in the wilderness, where we aimed at providing all the comfort. However, unexpected events can change our itinerary in a heart beat.
- You will be shooting in cold and snowy conditions.
- We will travel by snowshoes (averaging 2 miles) to photoshoot locations.
- However, the photographic opportunities are incredible. It is an amazing adventure and photographic experience.

Extensions and Specials

Overview

Where: Canadian Rockies
When: March 23 - 29, 2017
Who: Oliver Klink, Mark Vanderkam
Airport: Calgary, Alberta (YYC)
Accommodations: Huts, lodges, and hotels
Weather: -20F – 50F. Moody Sky
Cost: $4,700 (+$850 single supplement)

Workshop details for Canadian Rockies: Outback by Helicopter

Agenda What to Bring Logistics

Agenda

7 days of guided photoshoots and reviews
March 23 - 29, 2017
NOTE: Itinerary might change based on weather condition.

Day 0 (March 22): Arrival on your own in Calgary (YYC)
There are many hotels in Calgary. We do suggest searching www.kayak.com for a hotel class that fits your needs.
Overnight in hotel (Calgary).

Day 1 (March 23): Banff Area
Our exploration starts in Calgary and leads us to Banff, following weather and light
Frozen lakes, snowy peaks
Overnight Banff Region

Day 2-4: Canadian Rockies Outback
Helicopter drop off in a remote region of the Canadian Rockies.
Exceptional views of high peaks in the Canadian Rockies.
Overnights at an outback lodge

Day 5-6: Off-the-beaten path Exploration
Exploration by road to off-the-beaten path of the Canadian Rockies
Wildlife in their natural environment
Overnights at a remote lodge

Day 7: (March 29) Final Exploration and return to Calgary
Early morning light
Return to Calgary
Conclusion of the workshop (around 5PM)

What to Bring

Upon paying the balance for the workshop, you’ll receive a detailed coursebook describing what to bring, recommended camera gears, booking your flight, extra activities pre or post workshop.

Clothing: (temperature ranges from -20F – 50F)
- Comfortable and warm layered clothes
- Hat, gloves, hand and feet warmers
- Weather proof cloth (snow, rain and wind)
- Sturdy shoes (hiking), snow boots (for snowshoeing)
- Hat, sunglasses, and sun screen
- Knee pads for low angle shooting

Camera Equipment:
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- Lens for wildlife: 200 – 400mm+
- Lens for grand landscape: 10 – 300mm
- Tripod
- Weather proof gears (camera and lens protection)

Other Equipment (Optional):
- Small notepad (notes, observations, …)

Photography Review Equipment (Recommended):
- Laptop (with power cord), memory card downloader
- Post processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, plug-ins)
- External hard drives (backup)

Logistics

This workshop includes

Included:
- Helicopter flight to Canadian Rockies outback
- Accommodation in hotels and remote lodges
- All meals
- All excursions
- Snowshoe rental
- Daily reviews (including tips on post processing, file management, idea to build portfolio)

Not Included
- Airfare to and from Calgary (YYC)
- Excess baggage charges
- Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance (recommended)
- Tips to local staff

Travel Recommendations:
- Plan on arriving in Calgary on March 22 (any time). Your return flight can be booked after 7PM on March 29.
- We can assist with booking extra nights in Calgary (pre workshop) and airport transportation.

About this workshop

This workshop takes place in the outback of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll helicopter in and out. When in the outback, we’ll travel mostly by snowshoes to the photoshoot locations (averaging less than 2 miles). The weather is unpredictable, which as we know makes for incredible and moody pictures.
We are going to be at an altitude around 8,000 ft. Make sure to consult your doctor for personal information.
This is a winter workshop, where being prepared is essential for the trip. Please read the what to bring section and feel free to ask questions.
Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance Suggestions:

Here are a few recommendations but please browse around as services and prices vary.

- Travelex Travel Select http://www.travelexinsurance.com (800) 228-9792
- Travel Guard http://www.travelguard.com/ or Travel Insurance Services http://www.travelinsure.com.
- Travel Insurance Services (Walnut Creek, CA) http://www.travelinsure.com/cobrand/select/photoex (800) 937-1387
- Atlas International Insurance (HCC Medical Insurance Services) http://www.visitorsmedical.com/atlasinternational.html
- TEN (Travelers Emergency Network) Emergency Evacuation Coverage https://www.sevencorners.com/insurance/HW7C6YH
- Medjet Assist 1-800-527-7478 https://medjetassist.com

Example Images from Past Workshops

03-23-2017 CANRockies

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