Invest in your photography skills and experience a place like no other.

The Southern Great Bear Rainforest Photography Workshop.

Hosted by Taylor Burk

Dates

September 18th-21st, 2024

Duration

4 days / 3 nights

Cost

Start & End Point

Port Hardy, BC

Starting at $5,000 CAD (~$3,700 USD)

1/7 spots

Availability

Join Taylor Burk for an in-depth photography workshop focused on what you personally want to achieve to enhance your skillset. From the basics of camera techniques to the intricacies of post-processing, this workshop covers a wide range of topics designed to help participants develop their skills and express their creativity through their lens. With a hands-on approach to teaching and a passion for helping others succeed, his workshops are an unforgettable experience that inspire and empower photographers at all levels.

In partnership with Sea Wolf Adventures and Coastal Rainforest Safaris, we will embark on a 4 day journey to explore islands, fjords, and temperate rainforests by boat and on foot, offering ample opportunities to capture stunning photos of coastal landscapes and wildlife such as bears, whales, otters, dolphins, sea birds, and more! But this workshop is more than just a photo tour, it's an immersive experience that encompasses a variety of elements, including cultural education and culinary delights. 

4 unforgettable days exploring islands, fjords and temperate rainforests home to an abundance of coastal wildlife.

3 nights accommodation at Ḵ̓wax̱wa̱lawadi Lodge (Echo Bay) in a rustic and remote floating cabin.

Photography mentorship, guidance and challenges to help you improve your skills.

Daily meals and snacks crafted by world-class private chef Meesh Coles.

What will each day look like?

  • *Each description is a rough guide to the day’s itinerary. We are flexible and will be dedicating our time to what makes the most sense with the conditions. As a group we can make adjustments based on what we want to focus on documenting. The plan is to be in the best possible locations to capture some incredible moments.

    Depart from Port Hardy at 8am on Coastal Rainforest Safaris’ vessel and head west to look for sea otters, sea lion haul outs, humpback whales and scenery. In the early afternoon we will travel east where orca sightings are more likely and then arrive at the floating cabin in Echo Bay late afternoon. Take the evening to relax, get situated and enjoy some good conversation over dinner and time out by the fire.

    We will be in an open zodiac-style boat ideal for marine mammal viewing in a wide variety of conditions. You will be provided with an insulated full body rain suit/lifejacket.

    *Lunch and dinner included + snacks

  • Depart the cabin early for a day of grizzly bear viewing with Sea Wolf Adventures. Today and the remaining days we will be using one of Sea Wolf Adventures’ covered vessels. Bear viewing may be from the boat in estuaries or on foot along the rivers if bears are feeding on spawning salmon.

    There will be some free time to do your own thing in the morning and evening. There will be a group editing session where we will go over all of the incredible photos we took that day. For those wanting to stay up late we will photograph the night sky and bioluminescence.

    *Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included + snacks

  • A second day of bear viewing - either at the same viewing area or a different watershed for additional viewing opportunities. As with each day, we control the schedule in regards to what we want to focus on and are having the most luck with!

    Free time to do your own thing in the morning and evening. There will be a group editing session where we will go over all of the incredible photos we took that day. For those wanting to stay up late we will photograph the night sky and bioluminescence.

    *Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included + snacks

  • A morning of whale watching with a focus on orcas (assuming they are in the area) and an afternoon visit to Alert Bay. Boat then returns to Port Hardy late afternoon.

    *Breakfast and lunch included + snacks

Paul W.

"By the end of the workshop, I could confidently say that I had made a noticeable improvement in my photography skills. Taylor's laid-back demeanour put everyone at ease, but he was also very present and actively coaching during the workshop. His ability to adapt to unexpected changes in weather or wildlife migration made the experience even more special."

What to expect.

  • Mike Willie, owner of Sea Wolf, will share his knowledge about the history and culture of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people, the First Nations people who call this land home. By supporting indigenous tourism and learning from the perspectives, stories, and struggles of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the region and its significance. It's a unique opportunity to not only improve your photography skills but also to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the region.

  • Expect all types of weather. Coastal BC can be unpredictable in the fall, but we will make the most of what we get! Thankfully rain brings these landscapes to life, and enhances the mood of your images so it’s a win-win. Come prepared for warm, cold, wet and dry conditions. A detailed packing list can be found here.

  • We will intentionally be a small group which allows for an intimate learning experience and a better overall environment. We will be covering a lot of ground over the 4 days, exploring very remote places where we will most likely be the only people in the area, avoiding any crowds.

  • Taylor will be available at all times to help guide you through your camera settings and assist you in capturing your concepts and visions.

  • The trip may include some short 2-3 kilometre hikes. Participants should be comfortable and prepared to walk through muddy and rocky terrain with a backpack for periods of up to an hour or two at a time. There will also be a lot of photographing from the boat; if you get seasick very easily you may want to be mindful of this.

  • Meals and snacks throughout the workshop will be provided by the talented Meesh Coles, who will create an extraordinary culinary experience to keep us energized during our adventures. Meesh will be focusing on healthy and hearty dishes that feature locally harvested and in-season ingredients. The presentations are works of art—it’s honestly worth joining just for the food alone! To quote a past guest “When you combine good people with good food, the wildlife sightings end up being just a bonus.”

  • We approach this trip using Leave No Trace principles along with ethical and respectful wildlife photography practices. The welfare of the animals we encounter is placed first above any photo. We do not tolerate baiting.

Meet the crew

  • Photography teacher

    Taylor Burk is a renowned photographer and educator who is dedicated to sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise with aspiring photographers. Burk was born and raised in the prairies but was drawn to British Columbia for it’s mountainous terrain and coastal landscapes and now resides on Vancouver Island. He yearned for a life closer to nature and took up backpacking which eventually led to the discovery of his passion for photography. With his camera, he aims to showcase the beauty of remote landscapes and spark a desire in others to explore and connect with the natural world around them.

    His eye-catching imagery from his travels has garnered a him large online presence along with contracts with tourism boards and brands around the world. With nearly a decade of experience and a keen eye for detail, Taylor's work has made him a sought-after photographer in the industry.

  • Guide/Cultural Story-teller

    Indigenous powerhouse Mike Willie, owner of Sea Wolf, takes great pride in teaching and passing on the knowledge of his ancestors. As a ceremonial leader in Potlatches and a steward of the land, Mike and his team are active in exercising traditional laws that protect our land and water for future generations.

    Mike grew up in the remote village of Kingcome Inlet and is a member of the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation. He has been given the names, T’ɬaɬba’lisame’ (Breaching Whale and Leader) and T’ɬalis (Breaching Whale Around the World), celebrating his deep connection to the culture, the history, and the original land of his ancestors.

    Mike has spent his life travelling the waters of the Broughton Archipelago as a route to his homeland and as a place to harvest food. Dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of his traditional culture and language, Mike devotes his time to research and spending time with Elders. Passionate about sharing historical information and traditional knowledge as a speaker, multimedia producer, and teacher, Mike learned the songs of his ancestors at a young age and is an active song keeper and composer. He is respected as a leader of ceremonies in the Potlatch and takes pride in being active in his culture. Mike also has a love for tourism and gets exciting to share his upbringing to guests from around the world; he loves being on the water showing guests the exciting wildlife and scenery!

  • Guide

    Andrew has had extensive experience in B.C.’s tourism industry since 1998, when his passion for people, adventure, and nature prompted him to launch his kayaking adventure tour business, Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures. In 2012, Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures’ Kayak with Whales – Base Camp tour was recognized as a Canadian Signature Experience by the Canadian Tourism Commission.

  • Chef

    Meesh has been working as a private chef for the past 8 years. From working in the film industry, to private yachts, sailboats in the tropics, wellness retreats, corporate events and so forth. She studied Holistic Nutrition back in 2015 and always incorporates her education in nourishing ingredients and specific dietary needs into her cooking. She’s immensely passionate about utilizing foods that are in season and local. Foraging and growing/catching her own food are new hobbies she’s picked up in the last couple years that she’s excited to explore more and be able to offer to her clients. Never hesitate to come say hi and have a chat in the kitchen with her. The people make up a huge part of why she loves what she does!

EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MAY 3RD, 2024

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ADDITIONAL DATES MAY BE ADDED, SIGN UP TO THE WAITLIST

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EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MAY 3RD, 2024 - ADDITIONAL DATES MAY BE ADDED, SIGN UP TO THE WAITLIST -

Private Suite: Queen Bed
(Private queen bedroom suite beside the cabin)

Early bird: $6,750 CAD + tax
Regular: $7,000 CAD

Room 1:
Queen Bed
(Private room in the cabin)

Booked

Room 2:
Queen Bed
(Private room in the cabin)

Booked

Room 3:
Single Bed
(Private room in the cabin)

Booked

Booked

Room 4: Single Bed
(Private room in the cabin)

Room 5: 2 Single Beds
(Double occupancy room in the cabin -
0 spots available)

Booked

If you plan on booking as a couple please reach out beforehand to discuss options.

A 25% deposit is required to reserve your spot, following payments can be made in instalments. Booking and cancellation policy details can be found here, please read over them before booking.

    • 4 memorable days of fully guided adventures in the Broughton Archipelago on Kwakwaka’wakw territory.

    • 3 nights accommodation at Ḵ̓wax̱wa̱lawadi Lodge (Echo Bay) in a rustic and remote float cabin + transportation to and from Port Hardy. Internet access is available here.

    • All meals and snacks which will be prepared for you daily by talented private chef, Meesh Coles. The meals are just as good as the views and wildlife encounters!

    • Photography lessons and personal guidance in the field by Taylor Burk. Our aim is to get you in the best possible position to take incredible photos along with any help and critique needed along the way.

    • Local and informative guides who know all the best spots to photograph wildlife and costal landscapes. These guys can spot a needle in a hay stack, in the dark, 10km away.

    • Travel costs to reach Port Hardy and accommodations before and after the workshop/photo tour are the responsibility of the participant. We will depart the marina the morning of the 20th and plan to be back late afternoon on the 23rd. We highly recommend that you spend the night in Port Hardy or somewhere near by the night before.

    • Breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 4 will have to be covered by the participant.

10% of profits will be donated to the Nawalakw Healing Society.

During our trip we will visit the Nawalakw language and culture camp, hi'ma̱nis ḵ̓aḵ̓ut̓ła̱'at̓si, located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Ḵwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w people, one of the four tribes of the Musǥa̱makw Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w. Learn more about the incredible work that they do here.

Immerse yourself in nature surrounded by likeminded people.

Franky H.

“The GBR workshop was one of the most inspiring and profound experiences I have had. The beautiful nature that you experience coupled with Taylor's knowledge and welcoming presence makes for an unforgettable trip. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to see a special part of B.C. and expand on their photography knowledge, you won't regret it!”

Here’s what past guests are saying…

  • “I knew that we were going to look for grizzly bears, also for humpback whales, sea lions and maybe we could find some orcas if we were lucky…what I didn’t know was that this was going to be one of the most amazing inspiring experiences I have ever done in my life. It was one of those experiences that fills you heart but also changes you, one that makes you love this world more and makes you understand why some people fight so hard to protect it and all the species on it. Being so close to all these amazing creatures and admiring them in their natural habitat is the most incredible feeling that makes you feel infinite joy! This is a truly spectacular experience that everyone should do once in their life!”

    -Fernada C.

  • "I had always wanted to see this beautiful region, so when Taylor announced that he would be hosting a workshop out there, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only did we get to see tons of wildlife like orcas, grizzlies, sea lions and porpoises, but it was also an amazing opportunity to learn from someone as skilled and knowledgeable in photography as Taylor; always willing to answer questions or help with whatever you need. Also getting to hear from Mike about the culture and the history of the Kwakwaka'wakw people was incredible. I love learning about other cultures and so Mike was an absolute goldmine of knowledge. All and all, this trip was genuinely amazing, the only thing I'll warn you of is this: you won't want to leave. If you love wildlife, want to become a better photographer, or are just looking for a life-changing adventure, then this is the trip for you."

    -Ben G.

  • “I would recommend this to anyone, not only for the amazing scenery, group dynamics and length and learning, but also a great chance to help understand what the First Nations people have experienced and are continuing to experience and where we need to go as a shared community. Reconciliation requires understanding, and a trip like this creates an exciting, engaging and thought provoking method to do that.”

    -Keith D.

  • “I had the opportunity to go on a photography workshop with Taylor Burk and the experience blew me away. The Great Bear Rainforest is a unique part of British Columbia that I have always been curious about and travelling with Taylor opened my eyes to so much more. He was a wonderful partner to the photography group and created an environment that was fun, enjoyable and educational. In addition Taylor engaged with local members of the community in putting the trip together, which meant that we were able to experience this unique location in a very mindful, respectful and authentic way - certainly something that made the trip very special for me and the rest of the photographers. I look forward to returning again!”

    -Marg M.

  • "Taylor and our guides were willing to work on the fly and change the plans to make the best possible experience; you can't force the weather or wildlife encounters, you just have to be prepared for the unexpected.  I feel like that's the exact approach that's needed on a trip like this and is what allows for the best possible experience. Taylor, Mike, Andrew and Meesh are there to help you get the best photographs possible and more so, share and create an absolutely unforgettable experience. "

    -Graeme O.

  • "I originally signed up for this workshop as a way to continue to develop as a photographer, but what I got was so much more! Not only did we get an amazing photography experience and get to explore one of the world's most beautiful coastal rainforests, we also had the pleasure of getting fully immersed in the local culture.”

    -Simon S.

  • “The GBR workshop was one of the most inspiring and profound experiences I have had. The beautiful nature that you experience coupled with Taylor's knowledge and welcoming presence makes for an unforgettable trip. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to see a special part of B.C. and expand on their photography knowledge, you won't regret it!”

    -Franky H.

  • "By the end of the workshop, I could confidently say that I had made a noticeable improvement in my photography skills. Taylor's laid-back demeanour put everyone at ease, but he was also very present and actively coaching during the workshop. His ability to adapt to unexpected changes in weather or wildlife migration made the experience even more special."

    -Paul W.

  • "The Great Bear Rainforest workshop was a trip of a lifetime! This was my first time to the area and I was blown away with how much wildlife and amazing locations we were able to see. My favourite part of the workshop was the time spent on the boat learning from Taylor and the guides.  Whether it was a photo or business question or just to swap travel stories, Taylor was always there to chat."

    -Colin N.

  • "Spending time in the Great Bear Rainforest with Taylor and his partners was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I learned so much about photography and the rich heritage and history of the area."

    -Catherine Y.

  • "I was delighted to participate in the September 2022 GBR workshop and had a great experience. The wildlife viewing opportunities were exceptional and Taylor’s photo tips helped me to capture some very special images."

    -Glen R.

View a gallery of photos from our talented guests here.

FAQs

  • Wildlife is never guaranteed but we chose this time specifically because it is one of the best periods to view grizzly bears, dolphins, sea lions, eagles, whales and orcas in the area along with a variety of sea birds.

  • You can either drive or fly directly into Port Hardy. This small coastal town is located on Vancouver Island which is accessible by car, boat and air.

    Driving: If you’re travelling from Vancouver or the mainland you’ll need to catch a ferry to either Nanaimo or Victoria. Google maps will be able to direct you efficiently. It’s roughly 5.5hrs from Victoria and 4hrs from Nanaimo.

    If you wanted to make a trip out of it you could also arrive to Vancouver Island by ferry via Port Angeles, WA or Powell River, BC (Sunshine Coast).

    More information regarding travel by land is available here.

    Flying: You can fly directly into Port Hardy, BC from Vancouver, BC (YVR South Terminal) with Pacific Coastal Airlines.

    More information regarding travel by air is available here.

    Bus: There is a bus that travels to Port Hardy, you can view the schedule here.

    We suggest that you arrive the day before to make sure that you get there on time for our early departure on the 18th.

    If you have any questions or are looking for things to see along the way please don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • We will meet at the Coastal Rainforest Safaris office in Port Hardy, BC the morning of September 18th, 2024 around 7:30 am. A full itinerary and trip details will be sent to you in advance.

    7185 Market St Unit 4A, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0

  • You can find an assortment of options in and around town here.

    I highly recommend the Kwa'lilas Hotel - Port Hardy's premier First Nations destination hotel, offering a curated selection of authentic local Indigenous arts and culture.

  • Absolutely! You can make incremental payments that you're comfortable with. The remaining amount has to be paid in full 60 days before the trip starts.

  • Here’s a list of items that we recommend you bring.

  • This workshop is open to 7 participants and is designed for an intimate experience for photographers of all skill levels. It will feature a fun, positive and interactive learning environment.

    As for the guides, we will have Mike, Andrew and Taylor with you throughout the trip. Meesh will be at the cabin cooking up some delicious meals for us as well.

  • 100%, you don’t have to be a photographer to join, you're more than welcome to come for the experience and enjoy good company in nature! We have had guests in the past just use their phone and soak in the moments as they happen.

    • Travel costs to reach Port Hardy and accommodations before and after the workshop/photo tour are the responsibility of the participant. We will depart the marina the morning of the 18th and plan to be back in the afternoon on 21st. We highly recommend that you spend the night in Port Hardy or somewhere nearby the night before.

    • Breakfast on day 1 (there is a great cafe near our meeting spot if your hotel doesn't include breakfast) and dinner on day 4 will have to be covered by the participant.

    • Alcohol - we are not licensed to serve alcohol but guests are welcome to bring their own to enjoy responsibly at the end of the day!

  • We are accepting and encouraging international bookings.

    We welcome everyone no matter their race, national or ethnic origin, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, or religion.

  • This trip will be photography focused meaning that we will be dedicating as much time needed with our subjects, waiting for the best light and moments. You don’t get the same experience on a regular guided trip as there are more time constraints and mixed group interests.
    Our aim is to put you in the best position possible to capture incredible images and have a great time doing so!

  • Not at the moment but I am working on it for future trips!

    In the meantime check with your employer to see if they provide a “continuing education” stipend. There are some companies, especially in tech, who offer their employees this benefit which can be used towards this workshop.

  • Check out the work from the talented photographers who have joined us in the past here.

 

Partners

Want to sharpen your skills beforehand?

Check out Taylor’s online landscape photography workshop, it’s currently on sale for only $99!