The Churchill Summer Experience

​

Churchill is located approximately 1000 km North of Winnipeg on the shores of Hudson Bay. This Epic Photo Escape operates on Treaty 5 land, the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, Inuit, and the Homeland of the Red River Métis. 

​

Known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” Churchill is home to about as many humans as Polar Bears. Each year a sub population of roughly 800 Polar Bears migrate through the area from July until November while patiently waiting for sea ice to form again. 

​

Our workshop gets you eye level with these amazing bears.  Unlike other polar bear tours which put large groups in tundra buggies, with the use of our guide's 4×4 vehicles, our small group explores a network of trails along the Hudson Bay shoreline smack dab in the middle of a Polar Bear migration route. Our expert guides and their permits allow us to exit the vehicle to create some of the best photo opportunities, giving you the best angle and experience with these amazing and powerful bears! We'll also get a unique perspective from the water on chartered Zodiak boats, while surrounded by Beluga Whales - an experience that only the summer offers. 

 

Immerse Yourself in a Vibrant, Wild and Cultural Adventure:

​

Embark on the photographic journey of a lifetime in Churchill, Canada. If all goes to plan, we’ll encounter majestic polar bears, playful beluga whales, bouncy arctic hares, as well as myriad birds including eagles and sandhill cranes. If we're lucky, we'll also take in the mesmerizing dance of the Aurora Borealis. We'll explore this amazing place by land, by boat and even by dog cart! Join us and share in this incredible opportunity to capture nature's most captivating spectacles through your lens with mentorship and guidance from the two of the best in the industry, Jen Waicukauski and Erica Robinson (learn more about them further below)!

​

What Awaits You:

​

🐾 Polar Bear Encounters: Get ready to capture the Arctic's apex predators in their natural habitat. Our expert guides will ensure a safe and respectful distance while allowing you to photograph polar bears in their stunning tundra surroundings. Seize the chance to document their raw power and serene moments as they roam among the blossoming fireweed, trundling through the boreal forest and along the rocky shorelines of the Hudson Bay.

​

🐋 Beluga Whale Spectacle: Explore the water world of Churchill's Hudson Bay and photograph the curious beluga whales in their element. Our experienced team will guide you to prime locations for exceptional shots of these friendly and inquisitive creatures. Your lens will be your window to their underwater symphony. It will also be a treat for your ears; our guides bring along a hydrophone so that we can listen to their beautiful underwater songs.

​

🌌 Aurora Borealis Extravaganza: While this time of year can have cloud cover, on a clear night we may witness the night sky come alive with vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple as the Northern Lights paint a celestial masterpiece. Learn the art of capturing this ethereal phenomenon if it makes an appearance during our Trip. One of the Trip Leaders, Erica Robinson, is a night sky photography expert and has planned a class on this topic just for you! With an average 300+ nights a year of visible Northern Lights, Churchill remains one of the best destinations on earth to experience the Aurora Borealis. Uniquely situated directly under the Auroral Oval, even on nights with little solar activity the odds of catching a glimmer of Aurora are high provided the skies are clear. 

​

🐺 Dog Sledding & Cultural Talk: Enjoy an enriching talk on Dog Sledding, Métis Culture, and life in Churchill, Manitoba. Learn about the symbiotic relationship between humans and huskies, the rich Métis heritage, and the intricacies of life in this Arctic wonderland. Then brace yourself for an exhilarating adventure as you hop onto a dog cart (it’s August, so we’ll use carts instead of sleds) and tour the enchanting boreal forest. Feel the rush of fresh Arctic air, hear the rhythmic patter of paws, and capture the untamed beauty of the landscape—all through the lens of your camera.

​

📸 Guidance & Education by Professionals: Jen and Erica are seasoned photography mentors and will lead optional classes during the Trip. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to build your basic skills or an experienced photographer aiming to refine your techniques, Jen and Erica will provide personalized guidance to help you achieve your creative vision.

​

🗓️ Logistics: First, you’ll need to get yourself to the wonderful City of Winnipeg. From there, we fly together to Churchill. Once in Churchill, this Epic Photo Escape is all-inclusive covering accommodations, meals, transportation within Churchill, and of course photography mentoring and guidance (see the registration page for a full list of inclusions and exclusions).

​

Book Your Spot Today:

​

Seize this unique opportunity to create captivating photographs and video of polar bears, beluga whales, arctic hares, migratory birds and the Aurora Borealis. Space for this exclusive adventure is limited to just eight students. Join us on this Epic Photo Escape to learn, explore, and capture the Arctic's wonders in the most stunning way possible.

​

What You'll See

(All images by Trip Leader Jen Waicukauski, during a workshop in Churchill, August 2023)