Alaska Fall Landscape & Glacier Photo Expedition 2027
12th September - 26th September 2027
An advanced landscape photography expedition for photographers who want full control in extreme environments.
We teach how to work when conditions are unpredictable — changing light, weather, scale and distance — and how to make strong decisions under pressure, from glaciers and tundra to night scenes and aurora.
This is not about chasing views. It’s about building reliable technique in real terrain: composition, exposure strategy, panoramas and night photography — taught directly on location, every day.
Peak autumn tundra, glaciers and Arctic light
September 12 – September 28, 2027
📍 Alaska, USA | 👤 Max 8 Participants | 📸 Up to 4 Instructors incl. Jan Šmíd, Master QEP
Designed for photographers who want portfolio-level results
A focused autumn photo expedition into Alaska’s tundra and glacier landscapes, timed for peak fall colors, early snow and dramatic Arctic light. We work in real conditions — no fixed itinerary — choosing locations by light, weather and access. Small group (max. 8), intensive field mentoring and a clear goal: strong compositions, scale, light control and images that stand out.
🎯 Ready to create jaw-dropping autumn landscapes and chase the aurora borealis?
👉 Book now and make 2027 the year your portfolio levels up!
Who Is This Autumn Photo Expedition For? 🍂📸
Whether you’re an experienced landscape photographer or a passionate beginner, this Alaska Autumn Landscapes Photo Tour & Workshop is designed to skyrocket your skills. You’ll receive personal guidance from Jan Šmíd (Master QEP) and his team of certified instructors, all while capturing jaw-dropping wilderness scenes — from fiery golden tundra and glacier-fed lakes to the dancing Aurora Borealis over Alaska’s vast landscapes.
This photography tour is ideal if you want to:
✅ Capture breathtaking single shots, sweeping panoramas, and nightscapes
✅ Learn pro techniques for Northern Lights photography and long exposures
✅ Master advanced focus, metering, exposure bracketing & focus stacking
✅ Prepare your portfolio for exhibitions or large-format printing
✅ Be part of a small, supportive group with 1-on-1 coaching
Join this Alaska photo expedition & photo workhop and experience the golden season of the Far North like never before — all while taking your landscape photography to the next level!
Many photographers ask what the real difference is between a photo workshop and a photo expedition — especially for our Alaska programs. To make it easy, here is a clear side-by-side explanation based on how we teach in the field.
🗺️ What Will We See During the Photo Tour?
Our photo trip doesn’t follow a rigid itinerary — and that’s by design. Instead, we adapt daily to the best possible light, color, and weather conditions, so you can capture truly breathtaking Alaska landscape photos at their peak.
Outside the key golden-hour and Aurora Borealis shoots, we explore the best of Alaska’s autumn wilderness: dramatic mountain passes, glacier-fed lakes, colorful tundra plateaus, serene alpine valleys, and hidden ridgelines with vast panoramic views. You’ll experience both world-famous landmarks and remote, off-the-beaten-path locations that most travelers never see.
We also incorporate opportunities for documentary-style landscape storytelling and relaxed sightseeing between major photo sessions, ensuring the journey is not only highly productive but also deeply memorable.
📍Highlights you may experience during the expedition include:
🏔️ Hatcher Pass — russet tundra, mirror tarns, elegant ridgelines for sunrise/sunset
🧊 Matanuska Glacier + Lion’s Head (optional) — long-lens ice abstracts & a commanding bluff view
🏚️ Kennecott & Root Glacier (safe edge) — historic mill town drama + glacier textures at blue hour
🧊 Valdez Trio — Worthington Glacier viewpoints, Blueberry Lake reflections, Valdez Glacier Lake ice at sunset
🏞️ Denali Highway (east) — tundra plateaus, still coves, huge skies (aurora-friendly)
🥾 Portage Pass (optional) — short climb, big “window” view to a tidewater glacier
🌊 Seward & Exit Glacier — S-curve riverbeds to ice + moody coastal sunsets (Tonsina/Lowell)
🧭 Turnagain Arm & Beluga Point — sweeping tidal lines, distant ranges, occasional beluga sightings
💎 Secret add-ins — weather-driven pop-ups we only reveal to guests on the trip
🐻 Optional (free, self-drive): evening bear-viewing scout at road-accessible salmon streams near Valdez—if activity is on.
✨ …and much more. We never reveal all our spots up front 😉 – some places are just too magical to spoil in advance. Trust us: this tour goes far beyond the guidebooks.
🗺️ Teaser Itinerary
(Booked guests receive the full private day-by-day with timings, GPS, Plan A/B/C. On location we pivot live to chase light, clouds & aurora.)
📍 Days 1–2 · Hatcher Pass Kickoff
Golden hour: mirror tarns & russet ridgelines (fast access, big payoff).
Micro-coaching: composition, tele-layering, bracketing—on the spot.
Aurora window: open northern bowls & still water if the wind drops.
📍 Days 3–4 · Matanuska Glacier Theater
Long-lens lab: blue seracs, graphic ice lines from curated lookouts.
Optional bluff: short hike, huge panorama over ice & braided rivers.
Aurora window: dark roadside pull-outs with zero light pollution.
📍 Days 5–6 · Kennecott & Root (Wrangell–St. Elias)
Iconic mill town: red buildings under 4,000 m peaks—magic at blue hour.
Safe glacier edge: abstracts & meltwater curves (no crevasse terrain).
Optional free bear scout (if salmon are active) at day’s end.
Aurora window: clean valley skies; we hold the night if it pops.
📍 Days 7–8 · Valdez & Thompson Pass Switch-Up
Valdez trio: Worthington viewpoints • Blueberry Lake reflections • Valdez Glacier Lake ice at sunset.
Waterfall play: silky long-exposures in slate canyons.
Aurora window: high-pass clarity.
📍 Days 9–10 · Denali Highway (East) — Big Sky Mode
Minimalist coves & tundra plateaus: pastel dusk, tele compression heaven.
Secret knolls: tiny climbs, massive horizons (guests only).
Aurora window (prime): panoramic north views & mirror-foreground options.
📍 Days 11–12 · Portage ➜ Seward — Glacier & Coast
Portage Pass (optional): short push, jaw-drop glacier “window.”
Coastal blue hour: black-pebble minimalism, driftwood, tide pools.
Exit Glacier patterns: S-curve riverbeds guiding the eye to ice.
Aurora window: sheltered bays for reflections if KP and clouds align.
📍 Days 13–14 · Kenai Lake & Turnagain Arm — Finale
Turquoise coves: glass-calm reflections for a last-light closer.
Beluga Point: sweeping tidal lines & mountain stacks.
Wrap: image reviews, editing flow, departure from Anchorage.
🟢 Physically Accessible Photo Tour, Adapted to Your Fitness Level
This expedition is suitable for all levels of fitness. Most photo locations require only light walks. If you're eager for hikes to high-altitude spots, you’ll have that option. And if you prefer an easy photo workshop with accessible viewpoints, we’ve got you covered too.
✅ No one is left behind.
✅ Flexible plan each day based on weather and fitness.
✅ up to 4 instructors, multiple vehicles = personalized approach.
📍 Location: Alaska, USA
📅 Dates: 12th September - 26th September 2027
⏱️ Meeting point: Anchorage International Airport (ANC) – individual pick-up for all arriving participants.
👥 Participants: Max 8
👨🏫 Instructors: up to 4 – Jan Šmíd (Master QEP), Martin Strouhal (QEP), Pavel Drexler (Adobe Certified Professional), Michael Prouza
✈️ Flights: Group support available
💰 Price: 8990 USD
(🇨🇿 orientační cena pro CZ účastníky: 149 000 Kč — USD price applies to international bookings; CZK rate reflects local currency & local services)
💼 Deposit: 2999 USD
🏠 Accommodation: Cozy Alaskan cabins & lodges (or mid-range inns where cabins aren’t available), booked in twin rooms; limited single rooms available for an additional supplement.
🍽 Meals: self-catering or restaurants
🌐 Language: English (🇨🇿 český lektor k dispozici)
Why Photograph Alaska in Autumn – On Expedition with Jan Šmíd 🍁✨
Alaska is often called the crown jewel of the North — and for good reason. Vast mountain ranges, endless wilderness, and untamed coastlines create a cinematic backdrop for every shot.
But what makes autumn in Alaska truly unforgettable?
🐻 Wildlife Encounters at Their Peak
From grizzly bears preparing for winter to moose roaming the tundra, Alaska in autumn offers incredible opportunities to photograph iconic wildlife in their natural habitat.
🍂 Fiery Tundra Colors
The landscape transforms into deep reds, golds, and oranges, painting the Last Frontier in breathtaking tones that make every frame pop.
🌌 Northern Lights Over the Wilderness
With clear, crisp nights and minimal light pollution, autumn is prime time for capturing the Aurora Borealis dancing above mountains, glaciers, and remote valleys.
🌨️ Snow-Dusted Peaks
As the season shifts, the high mountains receive their first snowfall — adding striking contrast to the vibrant autumn colors below.
🌡️ Crisp, Comfortable Temperatures
Cooler days bring fresh, clear air — perfect for hiking, exploring, and long hours of photography without the extremes of winter cold.
📸 Recommended Photography Gear
To get the most out of your Lofoten photo expedition, we recommend bringing a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a sturdy tripod, and a selection of wide-angle to telephoto lenses. But don't worry — even if you shoot exclusively on a smartphone, you're still welcome! We adapt our approach based on your gear and experience level.
🎒 Not sure what to bring? After you register, you'll receive a detailed gear checklist, plus personal advice tailored to your needs.
🧭 Still deciding on your setup? No problem. As part of your expedition package, we offer:
Equipment consultations before the trip
Tips for optimizing your current gear
Guidance on choosing tripods, filters, cameras, or weather-proof clothing
(Limited) access to test gear during the expedition
Whether you’re a seasoned pro fine-tuning your lens lineup or a beginner looking for a reliable kit — we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared for every location and lighting condition.
✅ What’s Included in the Price ❌ What’s Not Included
📸 Full photo instruction — led by Jan Šmíd, Master QEP. Techniques for single shots,
panoramas, seascapes, glacier abstracts, aurora/night, bracketing, stacking, workflow & editing.
🎯 Personal mentoring & daily image reviews — constructive feedback sessions every day.
🛌 14 nights in hand-picked Alaskan cabins/lodges & mid-range inns — double/twin occupancy as
standard; single room available for a supplement; kitchen/laundry where available.
🚘 All ground transport — 2× SUVs or 1× 12–15-seat van, airport pickup/drop-off (Anchorage),
all fuel, parking, Whittier tunnel fee.
🗺️ Full logistics — permits/parking where needed, precise sunrise/sunset/aurora borealis plans,
safety briefing (bear safety, glacier margins).
✈️ Flight assistance — route advice and group coordination (flights not included).
🎒 Extras — pre-trip gear & clothing consult, printable packing list; optional Sony gear test
(subject to availability — request in advance).
Flights (international & domestic)
Meals & drinks (self-catering / restaurants)
Travel/medical insurance & evacuation coverage
Single-room supplement (on request)
Personal gear (e.g., microspikes, trekking poles, headlamp, bear spray purchase)
Optional paid activities (e.g., Kenai Fjords boat cruise, guided glacier tour, flightseeing Wrangell/Prince William Sound)
Visa/ESTA fees, excess baggage, costs from weather/road closures or itinerary changes beyond our control
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Not at all. This photo expedition is open to all skill levels — from enthusiastic beginners to experienced photographers. Jan Šmíd (Master QEP) and his team provide individual guidance tailored to your needs, so you’ll always be learning at your own pace.
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Yes! One of the main highlights of the expedition is chasing and photographing the Aurora Borealis. If the skies are clear and the solar activity aligns, you'll be guided on how to capture stunning aurora images, both technically and creatively.
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Autumn in Alaska brings fast-changing weather—from dramatic skies and golden light to moody clouds, coastal rain, and even early snow in the high passes—creating ideal conditions for breathtaking landscapes and the Northern Lights.
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A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings, a sturdy tripod, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, ND filters, and weatherproof clothing are essential. After registration, you'll receive a detailed gear checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared.
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Ano. I když jsou stránky a komunikace primárně v angličtině, účastníci z Česka a Slovenska se hlásí pravidelně. Vše vysvětlím jasně a srozumitelně — techniku, práci v terénu, kompozici i plánování focení. Nemusíte se bát jazykové bariéry, český lektor je vždy k dispozici.
📅 Limited spots available – Book your place now!
👉 JOIN THE EXPEDITION
(You’ll be redirected to the registration form / contact section)
💡 Got questions? Reach out directly and we’ll help you with flights, equipment, or anything you need to prepare.