Wildlife and Aurora Photo workshop in the Yukon

Yukon Wildlife and Aurora Photography Workshop

After week one sold out in less than two weeks, We have decided to add a second week of this popular workshop.

Calling all photographers that have always wanted to photograph Canadian wildlife and the northern lights in one of the best locations in the world to capture the Aurora. 

I am referring to the Yukon. It is here where you will close your eyes and breathe in crisp Yukon air. Smell spruce sap and the earthy scent of tundra, and listen for the excited howls of husky sled dogs. But the real magic happens when you open your eyes and drink in Yukon landscapes under dancing aurora borealis.

Come with me on a vacation in Canada's Yukon, it is a larger than life experience.

Now after five years of running workshops in Northern Canada, I’ve decided to take a small group of photographers to focus on the wildlife. Our target species are Canada Lynx, Red Fox, Silver Fox, Artic Fox, Muskox, Dall Sheep, Mountain Goats, Caribou, Woodland Bison, Elk, Moose, Mule Deer.  

This is the perfect trip for someone that wants to focus on capturing once in a lifetime aurora images over some of the most majestic landscapes Canada has to offer. And, photograph some of the most exotic animals Canada has to offer.

Our animal photo shoots are custom tailored private photo shoots up close and personal with some of the most desirable animal species in Canada at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

Because this group is small it will also allow us to be flexible and photograph these animals in an intimate setting with backdrops of mountains and forests. The size of the group will also allow us the flexibility to get to the locations I know produce the best aurora I have seen in Canada.

Dates of Workshop: January 21, 2018 to January 26, 2018

Maximum number of attendees: 8 attendees only

Price of Workshop: $3495USD

Deposit to Secure your spot: Your deposit of $2,000 USD will hold your space. Balance of $1,495 USD is due not later than October 1, 2017.

Single Supplement: $500

Instructor: Kevin A. Pepper

Included: All Park entrance fees, Yukon Wildlife Preserve Fees and guides, lunches while at the Wildlife preserve, guiding services by an insured and legally registered guide in the Yukon, professional photography mentorship, shared accommodation, transportation via an 8 seater SUV with sufficient luggage space for all our clothing and gear.

Not Included: Items of personal nature, your flights to get you to the workshop, laundry and telephone services, anything not listed as included. 

Weather in Whitehorse: The month of January is characterized by gradually rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs ranging from a dry -13°C to -11°C over the course of the month, exceeding 1°C or dropping below -29°C only one day in ten.

Suggested Gear List: A wide angle lens with an aperture of 2.8 or faster. A medium telephoto in the range of 70-200mm with a suggested aperture of 2.8. A 100-400mm. Sturdy tripod and sturdy ball head. A remote shutter release. Polarizer and ND filters. A minimum of four batteries and battery chargers. A flashlight.

A word from someone that attended last year

Best trip ever Kevin Allen Pepper had a blast!!! Wish to do it again!  You are awesome at your "job" !!!! Wish I had that job. Seriously Kevin, the trip last month was more than I could if wished for and you were so accommodating with the agenda all based in weather! Saw tons and had a amazing time with all of you! New friends and a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you

- Anita King, Yukon '17

Here is the itinerary. 

Day One – Sunday, January, 21, 2018 – You arrive in Whitehorse during the day and we will meet for a group dinner at 6pm on the Sunday to go over the weeks itinerary. 

After dinner, if the skies co-operate and the aurora forecast is active we will head out to one of many locations I have scouted in the last five years so you can go photograph the aurora with me in the Yukon. 

Hotel is the Westmark Inn

Day Two – Monday, January 22, 2018 – This morning we will have breakfast before we head to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve for your first private photo session with the animals of the Yukon. 

Your morning starts at 10:00am. For the next three hours we will be guided by a staff member and myself in behind the fence lines for very intimate photographic sessions with animals native to the Yukon. 

At noon I have secured the board room at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and will bring in lunch while you look at photos and we discuss your photos and how to improve in the afternoon. 

From 1pm till 4:00pm we will go back out and you will be once again be guided by a staff member and myself in behind the fence lines for very intimate photographic sessions with animals native to the Yukon. 

After dinner, if the skies co-operate and the aurora forecast is active we will head out to one of many locations I have scouted in the last five years so you can go photograph the aurora with me in the Yukon. 

Hotel is the Westmark Inn

Day Three – Tuesday, January 23, 2018 – This morning we will have breakfast before we head to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve for your first private photo session with the animals of the Yukon. 

Your morning starts at 10:00am. For the next three hours we will be guided by a staff member and myself in behind the fence lines for very intimate photographic sessions with animals native to the Yukon. 

At noon I have secured the board room at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and will bring in lunch while you look at photos and we discuss your photos and how to improve in the afternoon. 

From 1pm till 4:00pm we will go back out and you will be once again be guided by a staff member and myself in behind the fence lines for very intimate photographic sessions with animals native to the Yukon. 

After dinner, if the skies co-operate and the aurora forecast is active we will head out to one of many locations I have scouted in the last five years so you can go photograph the aurora with me in the Yukon. 

Hotel is the Westmark Inn

Day Four – Wednesday, January 24, 2018 – This morning we will have breakfast before we head to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve for your first private photo session with the animals of the Yukon. 

Your morning starts at 10:00am. For the next three hours we will be guided by a staff member and myself in behind the fence lines for very intimate photographic sessions with animals native to the Yukon. 

At noon I have secured the board room at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and will bring in lunch while you look at photos and we discuss your photos and how to improve in the afternoon. 

From 1pm till 4:00pm we will go back out and you will be once again be guided by a staff member and myself in behind the fence lines for very intimate photographic sessions with animals native to the Yukon. 

After dinner, if the skies co-operate and the aurora forecast is active we will head out to one of many locations I have scouted in the last five years so you can go photograph the aurora with me in the Yukon. 

Hotel is the Westmark Inn

Day Five – Thursday, January 25, 2018 – Today I want to give you a chance to see some of Canada’s northern landscapes just a few degrees south of the arctic circle. Today we will visit Fish Lake and some private land that I have access to in the area. We will also drive west towards Kluane National Park, a World Heritage Site. 

We may even see wild herds of Dall Sheep and Elk that are in the area. 

If the skies co-operate and the aurora forecast is active we will head out to one of many locations I have scouted in the last five years in that area so you can go photograph the aurora with in South Western Yukon. 

Hotel is the Westmark Inn

Day Six - Friday, January 26, 2018 - Departure day. You can schedule your departures from Whitehorse any time on the last day. 

Are you ready for Canada's north and some of the best aurora and exotic wildlife you will photograph? Click on the following link to get your questions answered, or to register, http://www.kevinpepperphotography.com/2018-northern-lights-in-the-yukon-1-1

Exclusive Grizzly Bear Photo Workshop inside the arctic circle

I wish to welcome naturalists, filmmakers, photographers, bear lovers, and all those looking for true peace of mind.

In 2019 I am offering you life-changing wilderness adventures "off the beaten trail" for only 3 people maximum.

For the 20 guests that are allowed to travel to the remote sub-arctic of the Northern Yukon, each experiences a very exclusive, engaging and surely unforgettable because only a maximum of 3 or 4 people are allowed into this pristine location at any one time.

Dates: October 6, 2019 to October 15, 2019

Instructor: Kevin Pepper

Number of Attendees: 3

Viewing Highlights

Experience a once in a lifetime adventure "off the beaten trail" in the pristine wilderness of Northern Yukon, Canada

Discover for yourself that a peaceful and safe co-existence with grizzly bears is not only possible,  but also entertaining and fun

Live in close proximity with grizzly bears during your entire stay

Take advantage of excellent filming and photographic opportunities

Experience an exclusive small group adventure led by one of my professional wilderness guides with longstanding experience and expert knowledge in grizzly bear behavior

Included:

Services of one of our professional wilderness guides

Helicopter transportation to remote wilderness camp

Accommodation at the camp
Flights to/from Whitehorse to Dawson City

Meals while at the Bear Cave Mountain Adventures camp, including all non-alcoholic beverages and wine/ beer at dinner

Not included:

Flights to/from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Overnights in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Tips, gratuities, personal expenses

Travel, medical or any other kind of insurance coverage

Conservation of fish and wildlife in areas of high ecological values, and meeting those as passionate about nature as we are, is what my partners in this adventure strive for.

The corner-stone of our philosophy is sharing these ecologies with guests from all around the world while helping to preserve the area with all of its unique flora and fauna.

On behalf of my partners for this trip, and the Vuntut Gwitchin people of Old Crow, I invite you to experience your own wilderness journey of a lifetime "off the beaten trail" deep inside teh Arctic Circle in norther Yukon.

"The camp is a place of peaceful tranquility but where one of the most unique and exciting natural history events plays out in harmony known only to true wilderness.

When your are face to face with an ice bear, you know right then and there that you are looking at something which cannot be found anywhere else in the world."

We are getting you as close to grizzly bears in the wild as possible in the safety of a highly trained, professional wilderness guide with longstanding experience and expert knowledge in grizzly bear behavior. Your safety and the safety of the grizzly bears is of the utmost importance for us. We ensure you an enjoyable and unforgettable experience viewing them in their natural habitat.

Due to the isolated location of the camp in the unscathed ecosystem of the river system we are visiting, and our long- standing experience with grizzly bears, we have developed an intimate relationship with many of these animals over the past decades. Seeing grizzly bears at close range, even while at the lodge, is common at our location.

... the viewing experience

"By September 15th the chum salmon have returned to their spawning grounds. By then the bears have arrived and are anxious to catch them".

Grizzly bear viewing is done "face to face" on the ground with a guide. Designated viewing sites offer you many opportunities to watch the grizzlies go about their business catching and eating chum salmon.

The viewing sites are within easy walking distance of camp and provide optimum light and weather conditions for observation, filming and photography.

Groups often spend two to four hours at a site depending on bear activity. One of the viewing sites is conveniently located close to the camp at the end of a 40-meterwooden walkway. During times of cold temperatures, you can therefore easily retreat to the camp to warm up between bear visits.

Due to the closeness of our viewing sites and the excellent viewing opportunities directly from camp, the physical fitness level required for your wildlife adventure is basic.

... the camp

When you arrive by helicopter at the camp you will know right away that you are in true untouched wilderness. Isolated from roads and development, the area is a valuable, zen-like ecological oasis. Here, grizzly bears and humans have long tread common pathways to share the bounty of the remarkable Fishing Branch River.

Blending well into the natural surroundings, the camp offers comfortable heated cabins of double occupancy. The main lodge consists of a kitchen and dining room where our chefs provide excellent cuisine three times a day. Dinner wine, beer and appetizers are complementary.

Each cabin, equipped with lighting, contains two single beds with duvet bedding as well as a wood heater to ensure your comfort. There is also a hot shower facility at your disposition.

Itinerary and Details

Day 1 - October 6, 2019- You arrive in Dawson City on a commercial airline flight that I will book for you and will get picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Dawson City. We will meet at the Aurora Inn and I will prepare you for your bear adventure deep inside the Arctic Circle.

If the skies are clear we will go out and photograph the aurora around Dawson City and the river.

Single accommodation

Dinner Included

Day 2 - October 7, 2019 - we will get picked up at the hotel and taken to the airport where we will meet our chartered helicopter pilot who will be taking us two hours north by helicopter this morning.

By noon we will be in-front of the bears near our camp.

Shared accommodation in cabins

All meals included

Day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and Day 8 - Oct 8 until Oct 13, 2017 - by day we will have bear viewing from before sunrise into the night.

At night we even have a viewing platform designed for aurora photography.

During the days I am available for editing help if you want to edit some of your photos while on location.

Shared accommodation in cabins

All meals included

Day 9 - October 14, 2019 - After an early morning photo shoot with the bears and a hearty breakfast we will be picked up by helicopter and taken back to Dawson City on a two hour flight that takes you over some of Canada's incredible northern terrain.

If the skies are clear we will go out and photograph the aurora around Dawson City and the river

Tonight we will stay at the Aurora Inn in Dawson City.

Dinner Included

Day 10 - October 15, 2019 - You start your journey home when you board your flight home that I will have booked for you.

Bear Information: Every fall, in the shadow of craggy mountains, as many as 40 grizzly bears shamble along the river’s banks, foraging their limit of chum salmon that have traveled thousands of miles from the Bering Sea to spawn and die. The grizzly excels at fishing.

By mid-October, winter settles in at Bear Cave Mountain; the elements of an arriving winter transform the grizzlies into the ‘ice bears' we all want to photograph.

Some of the females will be pregnant when entering a cave and may produce up to three tiny, blind and hairless offspring. These cubs travel with their mother for two to three years.

The grizzly bear's fur ranges from a cream or silver color to almost black, as shown in our Bear Galleries. Light-colored tips over darker fur render the bears a grizzled look, hence the name, grizzly. A humpy shoulder and low-slung neck further distinguish these bears. Adults weigh between 250-600 pounds.

Travel Information: The season in this location begins in mid-September where it is late Fall on the Arctic Circle. The leaves are almost gone from the willow and other deciduous trees. At the end of the season, the beginning of November, it is winter and temperatures can be very cold. Approximately 40 percent of the weather is clear and 60 percent overcast. Typically there are several days of overcast pushed out by a high pressure system of clear blue skies coming south from the arctic.  Our warm weather comes from the south, colder but clearer weather from the north.

October 01 through October 15 It can transition to winter during this time with snow staying on the ground. Daytime temperatures range between plus 8 and minus 10 Celsius or 46 and 14 degrees Fahrenheit. October 16 through November 01 Winter is in motion and staying warm at the viewing sites can be a challenge.  Daytime temperatures can be as cold as minus 10 to minus 20 degrees Celsius or plus 14 and minus 2 Fahrenheit.  Night time temperatures can drop to minus 30. We are never far away from the cabins and we can go back and get warm frequently

Items to Bring:  Warm and compact sleeping bag -  Head lamp & spare batteries - Toilet items - Fleece and synthetic clothing:  – it is lightweight and dries quickly - No GIANT duffel bags or suitcases. - winter boots - winter jacket and pants - winter hat to cover your ears - winter gloves and liner gloves - You will be flying in a helicopter and cargo space is limited. - Limit gear to 45 kilograms or 80 pounds - 400mm lens - tripod with ball head for night photography - gimball head for wildlife photograph - 70-200mm lens - wide angle lens with 2.8 aperture - remote shutter release - spare batteries and memory cards - battery charger - laptop for editing -

Note on pricing... the cost of the trip is actually $18950CAD... The USD price above will fluctuate to reflect what the actual cost is...

If visiting one of the most remote areas on earth to photograph one of natures apex predators appeals to you, click on the following link for photos, a video and more information, http://www.kevinpepperphotography.com/exclusive-flyin-grizzly-trip-inside-the-arctic-circle-1

2019 Reindeer Herders, Eagle Hunters and Naadam Festival

2019 Reindeer Herders, Eagle Hunters and Naadam Festival

We have created a workshop that introduces you to ancient Mongolian cultures in very remote parts of a country that once ruled the majority of the civilized world. These nomadic culturest have been in existence for over 900 years and through years of travelling to Mongolia we have created this trip just for photographers to enjoy intimate photo opportunities. Together we will travel through Mongolia to see first-hand the thousand year old art of eagle falconry on horseback, witness the Naadam Festival, which has origins back to the 17th century, and then travel north to see reindeer herders that only exist in remote pockets of the world and most people only ever read about in magazines or history books. 

Workshop Dates: July 04-17, 2019

Workshop Leaders: Jeff Wendorff and Kevin Pepper

Tour includes: Transfers on arrival and departures,English speaking guide at all time. All lodging: Twin share in Hotel-9 in Ulaanbaatar; triple/quadruple in Ger camp/local hotel and shared Ger (men in 1 Ger and women in 1 Ger) at Kazakh nomadic family Gers. All meals are provided as mentioned in the itinerary. Costs of model, 4x4 Russian vehicles in Western Mongolia and at Lake Huvsgul, comfortable minivan/minibus in and around Ulaanbaatar, Photography session with Monks at Gandan Monastery, Park Entrance Fees, Sightseeing as per itinerary (traditional folk concert in Ulaanbaatar included), Ticket for Naadam Festival, Ulaanbaatar – Olgii – Ulaanbaatar flight tickets + Tax (15kg free luggage), Ulaanbaatar – Moren – Ulaanbaatar flight tickets + Tax (15kg free luggage), 1L of drinking water per day per person

DOES NOT INCLUDE: International air/train + tax, luggage fees above 15kg for each internal flight, Travel insurance, medical insurance, Fee for Visa, Drinks, Additional services, camera fees, Personal expenses, Items of a personal nature, gratuity to local guides etc. 

Day 1. Jul 4. ARRIVAL DAY.

Travelers arrive on your different flights and be picked up at the airport and transferred to our hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar by our drivers.

Accommodations at Hotel-9 in the city center

Day 2. Jul 5. Tour of the city, including Gandan Monastery

We will gather in the morning at 9am to enjoy a leisurely tour of Ulaanbaatar city. Today is a day to acclimate to the time change and give you a city tour of Ulaanbaatar.

This easy tour takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. You visit the Gandan Monastery, housing a 26 meter high gilded statue of the Buddha. Here you will be able to photograph the Monks as they go about their daily activities and photograph inside and around the temple. 

While out taking photos we will work on such things as using natural light for portraits and taking street style photography of the locals and monks going about their daily lives and chores.

Today we will have with us a model and a 13th Century Queens Dress. We will take our model into a natural setting and take portrait photos of her in the Mongolian Landscapes.

After our excursion into Mongolian culture and history, we will gather back at the hotel and discuss the weeks activities. Now is a chance to find out your expectations of the week and give you the itinerary for the workshop.

At night we have arranged for the group to go visit a local musical performance including throat singing and Mongolian contortionists.

Accommodations at Hotel-9 in the city center

B, L, D included

Day 3-5. Jul 6-8. Ulaanbaatar - Bayan Ulgii

Day three we will travel day to Bayan-Ogli (flight MO-97 scheduled to leave Ulaanbaatar at 06.20am and arrive in Ulgii at 08.20 local time: flight times TBA), the western most province of Mongolia.

We will get picked up at the airport and transported to our accommodations with a local family, our hosts the the next two nights. Here, you will immerse yourself in the Kazakh traditions and live and sleep in our own Ger tents with a nomadic family.

During our time here we will live in a valley surrounded by mountains, the fields dotted with sheep, yak, horses, and local families that will invite you into their homes, engage in conversation with us and allow us to take photos of them as they live as they did for generations.

We will also have four private photo shoots with traditional eagle hunters in mountain settings as they put their eagles and horses through their traditional hunting practice.

You will witness eagles flying from mountains and landing on eagle hunters arms as they ride on horseback. You will photograph eagles hunting prey and be able to photograph these hunters running and riding horses with the eagles on their arms. This truly is a once in a lifetime experience.

Shared accommodation in Ger tents for two nights, (Men in one Ger tent, women in another)

Shared accommodation at Eagles Nest on third night.

B,D included

DAY 6. Jul 9. Bayan Ulgii – Ulaanbaatar, Naadam activities.

Take the return flight from Ulgii to Ulaanbaatar (MO-98 scheduled to leave Ulgii at 08.20 local time and arrive in Ulaanbaatar at 12.20pm; exact flight times TBA), upon arrival transfer to a restaurant for lunch.

After lunch we will visit the Naadam Festival fields to photograph some of the sporting events such as horse races, archery and ankle bone shooting competitions.

Accommodation at Hotel-9.

B, L, D included

DAY 7. Jul 10. Naadam in Ulaanbaatar

Today we will enjoy a full day at the Naadam Festivals activities such as wrestling, more archery competitions and horse races. There will also be thousands of local dressed traditionally as well as lots of music and dances around the Naadam fields.

You may also want to photograph the Naadam fireworks at the Central Square at night at around 10pm. This is the largest and most intense fireworks display I have ever seen. The fireworks are just steps away from our hotel. You will be positioned to photograph the fireworks above the main square and the parliament buildings.

Accommodation at Hotel-9.

B, L, D included

Day 8-9. Jul 11-12. Hustai National Park - Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes - Ulaanbaatar

After an early breakfast drive to the Hustai National Park. Just 100 km away from the capital, it is the nest of the Mongolian Przewalski horses which can be seen roaming wildly in this beautiful national park.

From there we will head to our ger camp near the beautiful Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes. After dinner you will be taken to the Sand Dunes for your chance to photograph the sun as it descends over the dunes.

Elsen Tasarkhai is one of the most picturesque places of Mongolia and is part of the 80 km long Mongol Els Sand Dunes. This place is a wonderful combination of pretty sand dunes, majestic granite mountains, grassy green land, a clear fresh spring and a tiny lake. Indeed, here you can enjoy seeing the combination of Gobi and Khangai Natural Zones.

Together we will visit the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes and Erdene Khamba Temple in picturesque Khugnu Khan Mountain Return to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel on the night of day 10.

Accommodation: Night 8 at Ger Camp near Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Night 9 at Hotel 9 

Meals: BLD

Day 10. Jul 13. Ulaanbaatar to Moren via an internal country flight, further drive to the Lake Huvsgul.

Today we travel north to Lake Huvsgal once we arrive in Moren. A day of travelling through the northern part of Mongolia to the most photogenic lake in Mongolia.

Transfer to tourist Ger camp

Meals: BLD

Day 11-12. Jul 14-15. Days to visit a summer camp of the Tsaatan Reindeer family or two, who have come down from the Taiga to the shores of the Lake Huvsgul to earn some money from tourists showcasing their huts & reindeers.

During our time here we will live in a valley surrounded by mountains, the fields dotted with sheep, yak, horses, and local families that will invite you into their homes, engage in conversation with us and allow us to take photos of them as they live as they did for generations.

We will also have private photo shoots with some of the last Reindeer herders in Mongolia.

Tourist Ger camp by the Lake Huvsgul.

Meals: BLD

Day 13. Jul 16. Flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon our arrival back in Ulaanbaatar we can visit the local cashmere outlets so you have a chance to take advantage of the very inexpensive cashmere prices in Mongolia.

Accommodations at Hotel-9 in the city center

B, D included

Day 14. Jul 17. Flight home as your schedule dictates. You will be transferred back to the hotel by our staff. 

If this trip is something that interests you, just click on this link. http://www.kevinpepperphotography.com/2019-mongolia-reindeer-herders-and-eagle-hunters

Camargue Horses Photography Workshop

Camargue Horses and Provence

On this Photography Tour we are combining two of the most photogenic locations and subjects we could think of… Provence, arguably the most irresistible region in France, Provence ranges from the snow-capped mountains of the southern Alps to the delta plains of the Camargue, and boasts Europe’s greatest canyon, the Gorges du Verdon. Fortified towns guard its ancient borders; countless villages perch defensively on hilltops; and great cities like Arles, Aix and Avignon are full of cultural glories and Frances captivating white horses of Camargue. Combined it will be an experience you will never forget.

Dates of the Tour: May 19, 2019 to May 24th, 2019
Tour Leader: Jeff Wendorff and Kevin Pepper
Maximum number of attendees: 8 plus tour leaders

Included - Transfers form Airports to hotels and return, Accommodation in 3-star hotel in Sainte Marie de La Mer, All entrance fees, Accommodation in Provence are at a 3-star hotel, Fees paid to ranches and horse guardians to facilitate transfer and photo sessions of horses, All ground transfers throughout your stay, Guiding fees, Photographic Tuition,
Excluded - International Flights, Travel Insurance, Items of a personal nature, Meals during tour.

Camargue Horses Portion of the Trip

The Camargue region of the South of France is famous for the beautiful Wild White Horses that roam the area. You will not need to be a horse lover to be transfixed whilst watching and photographing this world renowned and noble breed splashing through the shallow waters of the marshlands and lakes. When in season we can photograph Mares and Foals and also the Gardians (French Cowboys) working with the horses in their natural habitat. You will not be disappointed with the stunning results you can capture on camera.
All shoots are taken in the early morning and early evening, dawn and dusk, to ensure that we do not miss the spectacular light and different backdrops.  The Camargue is a haven for any lover of nature and the wild.  It is situated on the coast of Southern France and consists of wonderfully unspoiled wetlands, natural lakes and marshland and exceptional wildlife.
For the next 2 ½ days we will photograph at least a dozen Wild White Horses running through the marsh heading straight towards you and your camera.  It is an exhilarating experience.  Several drives take place to enable you to practice your photographic skills both technical and compositional.   We will also take images of the Camargue Cowboys (Gardians) dressed in their traditional Camargue shirts and hats, trident in hand, surrounded by the herd.
Your sessions with the horses will consist of the following scenes:
1          A shallow pond where the horses run towards us and kick up water showing the full power of their stride.
2          Time on the beach having the horses run on the sand back and forth with the sea as a back drop
3          Running out of the ocean towards us as we stand on the beach.
4          In open fields the horses will run back and forth with a bare backdrop and grass fields.
5          Stallions standing on their back legs, alone and with another stallion.

May 19, 2019 - Today is a Sunday and you will be picked up at your hotel or at the Marseilles airport at 12noon today. From the airport you will be driven to the area in which we will be photographing the horses. Our first stop is Parc ornithologique de Pont de Gau. The Ornithological park is the ideal site to discover, observe and photograph a plethora of bird species, which include hundreds of pink flamingos in their natural habitat. Ponds, swamps, lawns, channels, reed beds, saltmarshes all form this vast 60 hectare area, entirely devoted to the discovery of nature and birds of the Camargue. It is on the Park’s trails, where the peaceful silence is only broken by the bird songs, that you can observe, even closer still, birds that seem to totally ignore you.
May 20 - We have two sessions with the horses today, one at first light and one late in the day. After the action at night we take images of the horses on their own or in small groups, silhouetted against the sunset
May 21 – We have two sessions with the horses today, one at first light and one late in the day. After the action at night we take images of the horses on their own or in small groups, silhouetted against the sunset
May 22 – Saving our favorite till the last day; Today begins with a morning Stallion Shoot.  This is a unique opportunity to see the White Horses entwined at full height.  The Stallions have a feisty temperament. They fight with their manes flying.  This final morning session with the horses is for more intimate portrait and posing opportunities both with the sun in front of and behind the horses.
After our horse session we will check out of our hotel and head to our next hotel that is based in Provence.

South of France Portion of the Trip

Arguably the most irresistible region in France, Provence ranges from the snow-capped mountains of the southern Alps to the delta plains of the Camargue, and boasts Europe’s greatest canyon, the Gorges du Verdon. Fortified towns guard its ancient borders; countless villages perch defensively on hilltops; and great cities like Arles and Avignon are full of cultural glories. The sensual inducements of Provence include sunshine, food and wine, and the heady perfumes of Mediterranean vegetation.

May 22 – After our final horse shoot on the morning of May 22nd we will head back to the hotel and pack up to head to our next location in Provence. In the afternoon and into the night we will spend our time around Avignon capturing the history and architecture of Avignon and the surrounding small French villages. We will end our day at the large aquaduct for a sunset photoshoot over this amazing structure.
May 23 – Today we will spend the day in Provence visiting towns like Gordes, the Plateau de Sault and the surrounding quaint farm land between Valensole, Roussillon and Avignon
May 24 – Today we have one final photoshoot in Provence before we head to the airport in Marseilles. Please schedule your flights home after 5pm on the 24th. if you cannot get a connecting flight home we can drop you off at one of Marseilles local hotels near the airport.

If you want to join Jeff and Kevin on this trip of a lifetime, all you have to do is click on the button below and we will see you in France.

Don't forget to ask us about some of the extensions we are cooking up in France and Italy... :-)

Contact me here for more information, http://www.kevinpepperphotography.com/2019-camargue-horses-and-provence

Wildlife Photo Workshop in Canada for Musk Ox and Polar Bear

Overview of Workshop

Far in Northern Canada there is a beautiful, remote and little-explored wilderness known as ‘Nunavik’ – a region that is rich with wildlife and spectacular scenery where one of the last remaining animals from the last ice age still exists today... Musk-oxen. Musk Ox herds, now in full winter pelage while gathering for the mating season, often range, relax & graze upon the forever-reaching & remote landscape as they have for thousands of years.

In the peripherials of the Musk Ox herds are Polar Bear. Polar Bears spend the summer fishing, hunting for seals, resting, sleeping and waiting for the winter sea ice to return along the shores of Ungava Bay.

Wolves and fox can occasionally be seen in the area looking for something to prey upon in order to prepare for the upcoming winter.

Waterfowl, beginning their long flight south will seemingly fill the sky, and often flock together on the local tundra ponds in order to rest and feed en-route.

Rock & Willow ptarmigan cackle in the bushes while gathering into their winter flocks as they change to their winter plumage.

The crimson and gold autumn colours on the tundra landscape, while beautiful and photogenic unto itself, serve as a background to the spectacular wildlife we will be photographing ... And often on clear nights the aurora borealis will dance & weave intricate patterns across the skies.

The clarity of the atmosphere here offers a rare glimpse of raw wilderness afforded only to very few each year - and the time of season that offers special & unique displays of raw nature that are truly magical...

Join us at a remote wildlife photo camp situated on the ‘barren grounds’ of Nunavik in Northern Canada: One of the most isolated wilderness regions remaining on mainland North America, containing one of few animals that have remained since the last ice age!

Workshop Itinerary

Day One - You arrive in Montreal and check into our hotel near the airport. We will gather at dinner time for a pre workshop briefing to discuss our time together over the coming week.

Day Two - We depart for the airport to catch our flight to Kuujjuaq. Once there we will meet our trip leaders and spend some time exploring this small traditional Inuit village. We will have a chance to meet and talk with the local people who live here year-round. From there we will further be taken by plane for a 150km flight to the city near our remote wilderness camp on the shores of Ungava Bay.

Before the sun descends we will have a chance to check out our surroundings and prepare for the northern lights if the skies are clear. 

Day Three to Day Seven - The ‘Musk-ox, Polar Bear, icebergs & Aurora’ wildlife trip is relaxed and informal, yet professional and educational. Unique natural & aboriginal history, intriguing archaeology & wonderful Arctic scenery all lend dimension to caribou & wildlife encounters.

With input from our guides on where the wildlife is location, each day we will decide between a choice of daily field programs that are offered by easy day hiking and cruising the lake shorelines by boat, that includes wildlife viewing, native history and archaeology, all led by qualified naturalist trip leaders.

Our goal is to get you the best wildlife images we can acquire, so we go where the wildlife are. This may mean that if a significant wildlife event occurs, like a large gathering, or Polar Bears are in the area, occasionally we will set up spur-of-the-moment ‘spike camps’ in addition to staying at the main camp. These optional camps utilize quality expedition tents, or in some areas we are able make use of other existing facilities. Depending on the site we will be supplied with boats or canoes, mobile kitchen facilities and other equipment needed to provide a quality tent camp in the real wilderness close to the action we came to see. 

On Day seven we will make our journey home mid day. We will have you back in Montreal before dinner in order to catch your flight home from the Montreal airport. 

If photographing one of the last remaining animals from the last ice age is something that interests you, click on this link and we will get you registered to head north. https://www.kevinpepperphotography.com/contact-me 

Lets take a look at one of my favourite animals on the planet...

The Musk Oxen (Ovibos moschatus) is probably one of those animals that I have been most fascinated with since i was knee high to a grasshopper... or as my wife would say, "since Moby Dick was a guppy"...

I cant believe I haven't gone to see them in the wild before now. Ive seen them in Yukon in the Wildlife Preserve and watched them in winter and during the end of the summer, early fall when mating season occurs, but never in the wild. And thats a head scratcher to me because I live in Canada and we have some of the largest free ranging herds of Musk Ox in the world.

There are 2 known subspecies of Musk Ox, Greenland Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus wardi) also known as the White-Faced Musk ox which are found in Greenland and the Canadian high Arctic and the Barren Ground Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus moschatus) which are found on the Canadian mainland.

The Musk Ox can be found in various locations throughout northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia. At one point they were eradicated in Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia, but have since been successfully re-introduced to some areas in those countries.

In Canada you can find Musk Ox up in the Barren Lands and Arctic regions of the northern stretches of my country.

So, how long have Musk Ox been around?

They can date Musk Ox back thousands of years... its said to be one of the last remaining animals in existence since the last ice age. Now thats COOL!

Do you know why a Musk Ox is called a Musk Ox?

Well, Musk Oxen have glands that produce a strong, musky odor that gives this Ox its name.

Musk Oxen will reach lengths between 6 and 7.5 feet and have a shoulder height between 4 and 5 feet. Their weight can vary from 400 to 900 pounds. Musk Oxen have an outer coat made of long, brown hairs and an inner coat called qiviut which consists of wool. This is a special adaptation that helps the musk ox survive the freezing temperatures of the tundra. Males and females have horns that meet near the center of the skull.

Males will grow an additional "boss" across the horns that a female doesn't have. Why? Im not sure, but if you've ever seen two 900lb males charging at each other at 35MPH, then exploding in a collision that rivals a car accident, well, Im sure that has something to do with it.

These collisions generally happen in the Rut when males have hormone overload. The rut or mating season for Musk Oxen begins in late summer and early fall. Males will compete for dominance over a harem of females, and a single male will mate with several females. The gestation or pregnancy period will then last approximately 8 months and the female will give birth to one calf in the spring.

And that brings us to the real reason I wanted to introduce you to the Musk Ox... Im going to see them in the wild, FINALLY... and I want you to come with me to witness Musk Ox, Polar Bears and the predators that circles these herds looking for food... 

See the video from Animal Planet here regarding Musk Ox in the rut.

Yep, its a photo safari in Canada...

Far in Northern Canada there is a beautiful, remote and little-explored wilderness known as ‘Nunavik’ – a region that is rich with wildlife and spectacular scenery where one of the last remaining animals from the last ice age still exists today... Musk-oxen. Musk Ox herds, now in full winter pelage while gathering for the mating season, often range, relax & graze upon the forever-reaching & remote landscape as they have for thousands of years.

Polar Bears are present in the area as well. We will go and photograph the Polar Bears spend the summer fishing, hunting for seals, resting, sleeping and waiting for the winter sea ice to return along the shores of Ungava Bay.

Wolves can occasionally be seen circling the herd looking for the young and old Caribou and Musk-Ox to prey upon.

Waterfowl, beginning their long flight south will seemingly fill the sky, and often flock together on the local tundra ponds in order to rest and feed en-route.

Rock & Willow ptarmigan cackle in the bushes while gathering into their winter flocks as they change to their winter plumage.

The crimson and gold autumn colours on the tundra landscape, while beautiful and photogenic unto itself, serve as a background to the spectacular wildlife we will be photographing ... And often on clear nights the aurora borealis will dance & weave intricate patterns across the skies.

The clarity of the atmosphere here offers a rare glimpse of raw wilderness afforded only to very few each year - and the time of season that offers special & unique displays of raw nature that are truly magical...

Please join me at a remote wildlife photo camp situated on the ‘barren grounds’ of Nunavik in Northern Canada: One of the most isolated wilderness regions remaining on mainland North America, containing one of few animals that have remained since the lat ice age! The Musk Ox

See the workshop page for details. https://www.canadawildlifeworkshops.com/2018-musk-ox-polar-bear-photo-safari 

2018 Iceland Landscape and Northern Lights Photography Workshop

2018 Winter Iceland Landscapes and Northern Lights

Join me in Iceland, with a small group of 8 guests, as we take you on the hunt for the perfect light and amazing landscapes at this most beautiful arctic paradise. Led by Kevin Pepper and and Skarpi Práinsson, explore the surreal landscapes, seascapes, fjords, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, rivers, northern lights, and stars that are the beauty of Iceland. Over 9 days and 8 nights we’ll cover a tremendous amount of this country—expect to be amongst a group of like-minded photographers who will work hard to learn new techniques and get amazing imagery. You’ll be up early and up late, shooting sunrise, sunset, and northern lights. This workshop is all-inclusive and will feature plenty of instruction in the field and in the digital darkroom.

From your home, fly to Reykjavik, Iceland to arrive on or before March 14, 2018. Our workshop begins the morning of March 15, 2018, when we’ll board our private winter-equipped Mercedes Sprinter and head out immediately. For the next 8 nights, we’ll guide you around Iceland to the best shooting venues, each beautiful in their own unique way. Accommodations will be double occupancy with en-suite facilities (single rooming is available). We arrive back in Reykjavik late in the day on March 23, 2018 and you can schedule flights home or elsewhere anytime on March 24, 2018.

Dates: March 14, 2018 to March 24, 2018

Instructor: Kevin Pepper and Skarpi Práinsson

This itinerary is flexible—we may adjust it based on weather and light conditions or other factors.  

March 14, 2018: Fly from your home to arrive in Reykjavik (KEF) anytime this day. You’ll likely relax today, but there’s also plenty to do in Iceland’s capital city, and we will provide plenty of information to you. Group dinner this evening, with introductions and a run-through of the itinerary and what you can expect.

March 15–17, 2018: After breakfast and checkout, we will board our private, winter-ready Mercedes Sprinter and begin our journey. We’ll head out to Iceland´s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where dormant volcanoes and glaciers reside side by side on this narrow westward peninsula, full of coastline and mountains. Here at Snæfellsnes are some of Iceland’s oldest volcanoes, inactive for thousands of years, but their vast lava flows are still visible in the landscape. The dramatic backdrop of a beautiful mountain range keeps us perfectly positioned between them and the sea, where the coastline varies between cliffs, beaches, marsh, and farmland. Volcanic craters and Snaefellsjökull glacier are some of our highlights on this day, and we stop at the small fishing village Grundafjörður for lunch. We photograph the famous Kirkjufell (Church mountain), a series of volcanic cliffs and rock islets constantly being crashed by waves.

March 17–18, 2018: We will leave Snæfellsnes, and make our way to to Gauksmýri. Along the way, we can expect to see and photograph some of Iceland’s most beautiful landscapes. In and around Gauksmýri, our photo ops will include friendly Icelandic Horses, and the great mountains Baula and Skessuhorn—but the main feature of this area is Hvítserkur, the great sea stack off the northwest coast of Iceland. We will photograph Hvítserkur Rock at sunset and sunrise, and, if lucky, with the Northern Lights!

March 18–22, 2018: After sunrise, breakfast and checkout, we will travel clockwise around Iceland, passing through beautiful countryside, seaside and more. We can stop at Húsavík, a lovely small port-town in the North of Iceland. Our destination will be Mývatn, in Iceland’s North. We will base for four nights in Mývatn, so we are well-positioned to see and photograph some of Iceland’s best winter landscapes. Our photography menu here includes: Dimmuborgir, the lake area near Kálfaströnd; Hverir and Hverfjall; waterfalls Godafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, Geitafoss, Dettifoss, and Selfoss; Husavik harbor, sea stack Bakkastakkur, geothermal areas Viti (Hell), and Leirhnjúkur. We will have no shortage of things to choose from, sunrise, daytime, sunset, and with luck, Northern Lights at night!

March 22–23, 2018: We return to Gauksmýri, and again photograph the wonders of this area, but for sure another chance (or two!) at Hvítserkur Rock.

March 23, 2018: After photographing sunrise, we have breakfast and checkout. We'll make our way back to Reykjavik, arriving sometime in the late afternoon. We will have our last dinner together this evening. Workshop concludes.

March 24, 2018: Flights home anytime this day from Reykjavik (KEF).

What’s Included

• Double occupancy lodging (Single available, just ask)
• All transportation during the workshop in Iceland
• All meals during the workshop
• Photographic guiding and instruction from two pros
• Image reviews, post-processing instruction
• Inspiration, fun and a great time!

What’s Not Included?

Airfare from your home to and from Iceland. Travel and trip insurance (recommended). Alcoholic beverages. Tips for our guides. Anything else not specifically listed above in the “what's included” section.

Contact me by clicking on this link and i will give you more details. http://www.kevinpepperphotography.com/2018-iceland-workshop-in-march