Kristi Odom
Join us in the Subarctic to photograph
POLAR BEARS!
A photography adventure to the Polar Bear Capital of the World with two Nikon Ambassadors, Kristi Odom and Tamara Lackey
November 1st- 8th 2025
Known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”, Churchill is surrounded by the wildlife and habitat of three distinct eco-zones: arctic marine, arctic tundra and boreal forest. An Arctic port town in northern Manitoba, Canada, Churchill has the unusual distinction of being home to around 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. The first sea ice generally accumulates at Cape Churchill, thanks to a counter clockwise current in the Hudson Bay and lower levels of salinity from the flow of fresh water from the Churchill River.
Adapted for the cold, arctic polar bears have a thick fur coat that appears white in coloration but is actually translucent. The world’s large land carnivore, these beautiful and massive animals can stand up to 10 feet tall and weigh up to 1500 pounds!
This photography workshop is an unusual experience to get eye-level with these extraordinary bears. Unlike other polar bear tours which put large groups in tundra buggies, we will remain a small group of just eight participants, which allows us use of our guide's 4×4 vehicles as we explore a network of trails along the Hudson Bay shoreline, right in the middle of a Polar Bear migration route. Our experienced guides, and their coveted permits, allow us to safely exit the vehicle to create some of the best photography opportunities available, giving you the best angles of, and experience with, these amazing and powerful bears!
Photo by Discover Churchill
ITINERARY
This is our expected itinerary but, as always in the wild, it may be subject to change.
Day 1
Today our adventure begins! On arriving at Winnipeg, you will meet the group at our hotel. Our first night is in a hotel close to the airport to give us plenty of time to rest after a long flight. The group will come together for a lecture in which Kristi and Tamara will walk through the photography tools and techniques that will enable you to better capture what you will be experiencing on the adventure ahead!
Day 2
Today we will head to the airport and fly to Churchill, widely known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. The first week of November is considered one of the absolute best times in to see Polar Bears, as they gather by Hudson Bay, testing the freezing waters and waiting for the ice to form.
Once we arrive, we will explore the area while looking for wildlife. Each night in Churchill we will be on Aurora watch and, if the Aurora Borealis makes an appearance before midnight, we will go out to photograph the sky. With around 300 nights a year with the Aurora Borealis visible, Churchill is one of the best destinations on earth to see the Northern Lights. This time of year may have a lot of cloud cover, so with some luck we will get to see this amazing dance of lights in the sky.
Day 3 through Day 6
We embark on four thrilling days, and possibly two additional half days, across the tundra in search of polar bears and diverse wildlife.
This intimate setting guarantees ample opportunities for observing wildlife - and for producing stunning images of these amazing creatures. As dusk falls, we will spend time in personalized critiques, one-on-one sessions with Kristi or Tamara, or small group presentations for those who wish to further refine their photography skills while still in the field, able to apply whatever custom teachings they most wanted to learn to the next day’s shoot.
Each night our guides will be on Aurora watch. If the skies clear, we will go out and photograph the light dancing in the sky.
Day 7
Our last morning may be spent on the tundra looking for polar bears, if weather and potential time constraints allow. We then fly to Winnipeg and have an evening image share and a group dinner to share all our favorite memories.
Day 8
Today we will enjoy our final breakfast together, spending time saying goodbye to new friends and the amazing guides and staff that helped us to explore the polar bear capital of the world!
DETAILS
Dates
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November 1st- 8th 2025
Education Overview
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Class on optimal camera settings and photography techniques for better photographing Arctic Wildlife
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Autofocus Modes and Fast-Moving Photography Skills class
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Overall Camera Techniques and Photography Considerations to improve your visual storytelling
Inclusions
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Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill
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All meals, once you arrive in Churchill
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Four full days and a potential additional two half days, of polar bear viewing. (Please note that, as we are in the wild, we can not make any guarantees as weather can shift unexpectedly.)
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Shared Accommodation in Winnipeg on both ends of the trip (in a double room with two beds)
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Five nights shared accommodation in Churchill (in a double room with two beds)
Exclusions
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International Air tickets to Winnipeg
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Travelers Insurance**
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Alcohol
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Items of a personal nature
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Gratuities
Cost
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Price:
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$10995
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$3500 nonrefundable retainer at time of booking
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Maximum 8 Photographers
**Travel Insurance is Required
FAQ
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Is November a good time to photograph Polar Bears?
Yes! This time of year is often referred to as prime "Polar Bear Season" in Churchill because it coincides with the annual migration of polar bears to the shores of Hudson Bay as they wait for the sea ice to form. The congregation of polar bears near the coast during this time means that there is a significantly higher chance of encountering multiple bears, making it easier to capture various behaviors and interactions.
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What animals might we see?
Wildlife sightings can vary based on factors like weather, luck, and the specific habitat we're exploring. We hope to see Polar Bears, Arctic Hares, Arctic Foxes, Red Foxes, Ptarmigans, and a variety of birds.
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How do I get there?
You will need to fly into Winnipeg on November 1st and out again on November 8th. You are welcome to arrive early (early arrival is encouraged in case of flight cancellations or delays), but all costs outside of our trip dates will be your responsibility. From Winnipeg, you will fly to Churchill. The Canada domestic flight is included in the trip price and scheduled for you. The flight to Winnipeg from your location and back home again is not included in the trip price.
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How physically demanding is this trip
Our vehicles will be doing most of the work. We can sit back and enjoy being driven around to see and experience the wildlife, while capturing the moments with our cameras.
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What kind of vehicle will we be in?
We are not in one of those huge 40-person tundra buggies that are common for polar bear trips, instead we are in 4x4 GMC Savanna vans with doors on both sides and step stools for easy access. Originally configured for 10 passengers they have been modified to fit 5 photographers comfortably. There is a photo in the itinerary above.
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How many guests are in each vehicle?
Maximum 4 guests, one instructor and one guide in each vehicle.
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Any recommendation for travel insurance?
We personally use an Allianz Global policy.
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What about Visas?
Canada does not currently require US citizens to have a visa for stays under 180 days (but this is subject to change). Please check the Canadian Embassy website, or travel.state.gov for up-to-date information.
TAMARA LACKEY
Tamara Lackey is a renowned professional photographer, speaker, author and program host. A Nikon USA Ambassador, Tamara has taught a wide range of programs, from delivering inspirational presentations at Google, Disney, and Harvard to leading dozens of photography adventure treks to being invited to speak on stage at The Nikon Global Mirrorless Launch Presentation in Tokyo, helping to introduce its first new line of ground-breaking mirrorless camera systems. The author of nine books on photography, Tamara is also the creator and host of Chasing Frames, a television show focused on capturing adventures through photography, found on PBS.org.
Tamara is the co-founder of Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit focused on rescuing animals in need of refuge and connecting them with children in under-resourced communities. Strongly focused on conservation practices, education, and animal welfare advocacy, the sanctuary is currently being built out on 83 acres of land in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with a notable emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. This sanctuary will serve as a model for conservation, demonstrating best practices in solar power, land management and habitat preservation, creating a space that not only supports abused animals and local wildlife but also educates visitors on the importance of conservation efforts. In keeping with her passion for conservation and animal welfare advocacy, Tamara also created Coco Bistro & Bar (cocochapelhill.com), an award-winning plant-based restaurant in North Carolina that serves “Seriously Delicious Foods That Take Less From Our Planet”.
To see more of Tamara's work visit her website,
KRISTI
ODOM
Conservation photographer and Filmmaker, Kristi Odom, has worked in some of the earth's most remote locations to help document stories that will help protect our planet's biodiversity. She is an internationally awarded photographer, an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, a Nikon Ambassador and a motivational speaker.
She believes strongly in the power of photography to help create positive change and ultimately help protect the planet's wildlife.
Her accolades include over 60 international photography awards. Her work has appeared either online and/or in print for the following clients: National Geographic, Washington Post, New York Times, Forbes, Rollingstone, Nikon, Microsoft and Outside Mag.
