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Mountain Photography

Photo: Jeff Bartlett

Capture nature & explore the wild with professional photographers.

Mountain Photography is Big Nature's program designed to take your camera skills to the next level. This is a week long; blending photography, hiking and capturing nature. With a combination of classes, one on one and hands-on instruction by professional photographers, teachers and guides - you will come out of this a stronger photographer, editor, and dreamer.

Enjoy ALL INCLUSIVE with delicious food, stays at two iconic properties, and never ending growth. All this while among the most stunning scenes of Canada.

You can expect to learn more about lighting, use of filters, tripods, contrast scenes, balance, perspective and night photography. By the end of the week you will create compelling images using new principles.

This is living life BIG and will have you remembering the Canadian Rockies for years to come.

A Place to Capture

June 20th - June 26th, 2021

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You Deserve it!

Photo: Jeff Bartlett

Photography is about telling a story. It's about taking a concept and chronicling a narrative. The creativity and talent you'll acquire within this program is endless. You'll be coached to understand the relationship between the scene and yourself. You will uncover the connection you can create with our environment as you experience the unfolding of work through different moods, lighting, mountains and lakes.

Bring dimension into your existing talent as you collaborate with other artists in an intimate group. Participants will be kept to fourteen to ensure you have the time you need with your instructors. The inspiration that is ignited when working with others is remarkable.

Photo: Lee Nordbye

Translating our visions

Big Nature Photography Program will take you deep into the Rockies and show you a different perspective. You WILL absolutely get that incredible shot to blow up on your wall, but along with that, you'll learn the story of this place as guides narrate the history, geography and passion of the Mountains. This true collaboration of experts in the field is one of a kind.

  • Reflection

    The story behind the shot

  • Diamond Light

    Unique Elements

  • Power

    Different Moods

Photo: Lee Nordbye

Meet our Experts

Regardless of where you are in your photographic journey, Big Nature guides and the professionals we collaborate with believe there is always more to learn.

"You don't take a photograph, you make it."

Ansel Adams       

Jeff Bartlett

Jeff Bartlett focuses on the art and craft of adventure by blending photography, video and writing. He's primarily drawn to mountain environments and lives in our beautiful mountain town, Canmore, Alberta.

While his focus often remains on the landscapes themselves, his biggest passion is highlighting mountain sports and their culture to inspire people to get outside and explore our wonderful planet for themselves.

 

Jeff has travelled around the globe, working on assignments for major destination marketing organizations, outdoor retails and tech companies, including National Geographic, Eddie Bauer, Samsung Canada, Sandisk Europe, Toyota USA, Travel Alberta and Visit Faroe Islands.

Jeff also films and directs video projects, beginning with a year-long collaboration on the Chasing Darkness video series. He's produced videos for Travel Alberta, Quebec Maritime, and Salsa Cycles.

Meet Jeff

Lee Nordbye

Lee Nordbye has been exploring Alberta since he was young with his first Kodak Instamatic. As an adult, his love affair with the Canadian Rockies continued as he became an artist, explorer, storyteller and coach. Admittedly, he got a little lost along the way, becoming an accountant first, before catching his dream as a full-time professional photographer. We, at Big Nature, are so glad he realized his potential!

 

The Canadian Rockies are Lee’s favourite place in the world to adventure in. Along with hiking, he enjoys to just sit, listen and observe their majesty. He has made visual storytelling of these peaks his life's work and has been featured in numerous magazines like Crowfoot Media, The Current and Calgary Guardian.

Lee finds it incredibly exciting to create art. He says, “First and foremost, we need to get outside and focus on the moment. Literally. Then, all the B.S. that goes on in our world fades away.”

Meet Lee

Big Nature is thrilled to be offering this unique opportunity. Never before has Banff National Park had such an integration of professional hiking guides and photographers. We have the means to get you far from the beaten path to release the artist within you.

Reflection

Natural Wellness

Full Potential

Fulfilling Life

Itinerary

Day 1, Sunday – Kananaskis

You will be met by your guides at YYC Calgary International at 1:00 pm. Enjoy a lovely drive getting to know your guide as you're introduced to the area. We will perhaps take a little walk before arriving at Pomeroy Lodge, our incredible home for three nights.

Pomeroy Lodge is nestled in the Kananaskis Valley of the Canadian Rockies. It is the perfect place to take stunning photos. They say you can point your camera in any direction out there, and the result will be a great picture! Now imagine how great your photos will be with the help of our talented guides.

Take a moment to relax and welcome yourself to the week before enjoying a luxurious dinner with your new friends and guides. There will be a brief classroom session following dinner.

Day 2, Monday – Kananaskis

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On Day 2 the adventure truly begins. After a delicious breakfast, we will take you to a lake famous for huge vistas! Your photography experts will apply the lessons learned in the previous night’s classroom session. Keep an eye out for morning wildlife along the roadway!

Learn all about telling stories through photography in a classroom session following dinner.

Day 3, Tuesday – Kananaskis

Day 3 is all about getting above the treeline! We will take you to one of the highest points accessible by car in all of Canada. We won’t have to walk far to be in the realm of the Big Horn Sheep. They are experts at navigating the high places. Who knows what images you might capture in the land above the trees.

Enjoy an evening classroom session once we return to the hotel.

Day 4, Wednesday – Kananaskis to Banff National Park

We will move our adventure to Lake Louise on day 4. Things get even BIGGER as we travel North on the Trans Canada through Banff, one of the worlds first National Parks. It isn’t hard to understand why people are so drawn to Banff and the main ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Our narrative will switch to big glaciers, big peaks and naturally coloured emerald lakes. What strange forces could have created this place?

We will check into Castle Mountain Chalets, our new home in the forest following a day of exploring Banff National park.

An evening classroom session will be held by the crackling fire in the main lodge.

Day 5, Thursday – Banff National Park

Today our journey takes us up the Icefield’s Parkway, one of the world’s most beautiful roads. Glaciers and Icefields ooze through massive openings in the mountains. Their presence gives us a hint as to how the natural beauty all around us came to be. We will stop at a few different locations to practice the previous night’s lessons.

We will take you for dinner in Lake Louise tonight, then relax back at Castle Chalets for our final classroom session.

Day 6, Friday – Banff/Yoho National Parks

Our final day together will take us to Yoho National Park, which was formally added to Canada’s park system in 1886. The power of Takkakaw falls will drop your jaw to the floor, and the colour of Emerald lake will leave you wanting more! Which is good, because next you will see what all the fuss is about on the shores of world famous Lake Louise!

Tonight will be special! Following a celebratory dinner in the main lodge at Castle Mountain, you will have your chance to share your most favourite photos with your new Big Nature friends with a slide show. Let’s all clink a glass and enjoy our last evening together.

Day 7, Saturday – Lake Louise Area/Head home:

We hate goodbyes! But every incredible trip must come to an end. We will make sure we get you to the Calgary airport on time following some breakfast with our last view of the Canadian Rockies.

Watch your mailbox when you get home! We will be sending you a blown up photo of your choice, and a memory book with photos from you and your fellow photographers.

*Please don’t book return flights before 12pm.*

Included:

  • All meals, tea, coffee
  • All accommodations
  • All Activities and lessons
  • Hiking guides
  • Photography experts
  • Transportation throughout
  • Gratuities for servers and other non-Big Nature staff
  • Blown up photo for your wall
  • Photo flip book with photos from all participants

Not Included:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuity for Big Nature guide
  • Camera equipment
  • Hiking gear
Gear list

"Your most important gear is your eye, heart and soul"

Marius Vieth     

  • Camera and Lenses

  • Tripod and Filters if you have

  • Batteries and memory card

  • Backpack and the ability to carry 25 pounds

Full Gear List HERE

It is important to be prepared to hike in the mountains. This is for your safety, but as well for the productivity and happiness of your group. We expect you to carry in your pack or on your body your camera gear and..

2 Litres of Water

Lunch / Additional Snacks - Provided by Guides, carried by YOU *

Sunglasses / Sun Hat

Sunscreen / Bug spray

Full Rain Gear - Gore-tex or equivalent Pants and Jacket

Hiking Pants and Long Shirt - You may start in shorts, but then carry pants

Fleece or equivalent mid layer

Sturdy Footwear - Proper comfortable Hiking Shoes or Boots

Mitts / Toque / Buff - for early mornings and late nights

Personal Medication and Money

Trekking Poles - Not Mandatory, but read why you may want Trekking Poles - we can also provide them.

Head torch - For late night or early morning adventures.

OTHER - Items we recommend for your to bring on the trip, but no need to bring on the trail.

Laptop - light room and/or photoshop

Smartphone

Passport

Casual comfortable clothes for Dinners. We call it "Mountain Casual" Anything goes!

 * This is an active trip - We need you to hike for 8-10 kilometres (4-6 miles) and carry a 20 pound pack.

 

Two Incredible Locations

We will begin at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and move midweek to Castle Mountain Chalets to explore deeper into Banff, Yoho and Kootenay Park.

  • The Pomeroy

    Kananaskis

  • Banff

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We look forward to meeting you!

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