Coast Mountain Magic Photography Workshop - Tatla Lake
Dates: July 26- Aug 1* 2024
$4995 CAN (approx. $ 3700 USD)
$1350 CAN Deposit ($1000 USD)
WHY TAKE THIS TRIP? If you're a photographer looking to capture the beauty of the great outdoors, then a trip to British Columbia's rugged wilderness is a must. With towering peaks, sparkling lakes, vast glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and fields of wildflowers, this spot has it all.
By venturing off the beaten path and exploring a land where few have dared to tread, you'll have the opportunity to photograph some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. And with experienced dedicated landscape photographers Tristan Todd and Blake Randall by your side, you'll have access to expert guidance and support as you capture the grandeur of nature at its finest.
Whether you're a seasoned photographer or simply someone who loves capturing the beauty of the world around them, this trip will be a truly unforgettable experience. So pack your camera and join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey through British Columbia's rugged wilderness.
ITINERARY: July 26 - Drive to Tatla Lake and spend the night there. We will fly out the next day hopefully early but that depends on how busy the helicopter pilots are. July 27th to 31th on location. July 31 shoot the sunrise and then fly out return to Tatla lake for photo editing. We added on an extra night this year at the end of the trip just incase we get delayed by the helicopters. There is a reasonable chance we will be delayed flying in or flying out.
TRIP COST AND PAYMENT INFO: COST PER PERSON: $4995 CAN (Approximately $3700 USD)
DEPOSIT: $1000 deposit due upon sign up. Your deposit is transferable to another tour if your spot can be filled. Should you need to cancel prior to 90 day before the start of the trip you will be given a full refund minus $200 administrative fee.
The remainder $4995 CAD is due 30 days prior to the start of the trip
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: LOW to MODERATE. To get the most out of this trip participants should be able to hike over uneven terrain for up to 4km with their camera gear. However, if you don’t feel like hiking with the group there is fantastic scenery right next to camp.
WHATS INCLUDED:
Helicopter drop-off/pick-up
2 nights of lodging in Tatla Lake
4 nights in the mountains
Tuition for 2 photography instructors per trip
Hands on photography instruction
Supplemental gear upon request
Communal solar panels for charging batteries
Communal water filter
Large shelter for eating, cooking, shade and bug refuge
Dinner while camping (mix of fresh and dehydrated)
WHATS NOT INCLUDED:
Transportation to/from Tatla Lake
Travel/medical insurance
Snacks, alcohol, etc
Dinner in Tatla Lake
FAQ’s
Q: Can I fly my drone?
A: To fly a drone that weighs 250g or more in Canada, you must be licensed by Transport Canada. Non-Canadians cannot receive a Canadian license, and no other forms of licenses or certificates are accepted. If your drone is 249g or less, you can fly it without a Transport Canada accepted certification. So if you're coming from outside of Canada, feel free to bring your drone if it weighs 249g or less. For more information, please visit Transport Canada:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/flying-your-drone-safely-legally
Q: What happens if the weather is bad?
A: Bad weather is a reality and inherent risk of adventures in the mountains, even in summer. We cannot control the weather, and refunds will not be given because it rained. It is highly recommended to bring a book or something to keep yourself occupied during any potential downtime. When we were here in 2021, it was blazing hot and sunny for the entire trip, often too hot for hiking, so we often covered our tents with our sleeping bags to stay cool, or sat in the lake. When we were there in 2022, the weather was a bit more mixed with a little bit of rain and fog that delayed our pick-up helicopters by 6 hours. We do not recommend booking any return flights on the same day that we catch our helicopter out. We communicate with our pilots via satellite text messages when necessary for updates regarding flying conditions and flight times.
Q: What about forest fires?
A: This area is usually spared the worst of the forest fire smoke. In the event that our pilots are going to be too busy fighting fires to bring us in, credit will be given to use for a future workshop. However, this scenario is highly unlikely. In 2021 our pilot simply took us in and out between his firefighting runs. In 2022 we did have some smoke at the location, but nothing that negatively affected the trip. 2023 was the worst fire season in B.C.’s history. Our helicopter was delayed by 7 hours on the way in but it didn’t effect shooting. There are possible delays on getting to and from our site if the helicopters are extremely busy.
Q: What clothes and gear should I bring?
A: We have a gear checklist that will be sent to every participant. Daily temperature range is typically 5c (40f) to 25c (77f).
Q: Are the bugs bad?
A: The bugs can be bad at times, but mostly during mornings and evenings. Bring a bug net and hat for your face, or even a light pair of gloves to protect your hands when shooting during periods of high bug activity.
Q: Do I need travel or medical insurance?
A: If you are relying on flights to get you to Vancouver or Canada, please be sure to have travel insurance in the event you need to cancel or change your plans. If you're not a resident of British Columbia, please ensure you have medical coverage as well.
Q: How will we get to Tatla Lake?
A: All participants are responsible for getting themselves to Tatla Lake. However, we will happily facilitate carpooling arrangements among participants! If you intend on driving, or would like to be a driver, please let us know. The drive will take anywhere from 10-12 hours depending on traffic, stops and potential road closures/detours.
MEET THE TEAM
Blake Randall
Blake is a full time landscape photographer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has always held a passion for adventures in the great outdoors and over the last several years has become obsessed with sharing his love with nature through photography. Blake has won multiple awards in some of the most well regarded competitions, including Photographer of the Year for the Natural Landscape Photography Awards (NLPA) and Photograph of the Year for International Landscape Photographer of the Year (ILPOTY).
Tristan Todd
Tristan is a landscape photographer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over the last ten years, landscape photography has become a core part of his identity, transforming the way he sees the world and becoming his deepest passion. He loves to teach others, helping them hone their craft and have that "aha!" moment where everything clicks. Tristan strongly believes in not simply showing compositions to students and calling it a day. His goal is to build your skills, teaching you how to find your own unique images and scenes, while breaking down why each element in the composition is so important and what it contributes to the final image.
THE NITTY GRITTY
It is important to note that we are not wilderness outfitters, we are photography instructors. This is an adventure style trip to learn mountain photography in one of the most beautiful locations in Canada. You MUST be self sufficient and responsible for your own safety, comfort and well-being. However, we will follow best practices to ensure the experience is as positive as possible for both students and the environment, such as:
at least 2 satellite communication devices to communicate with loved ones, our pilot or in the event of emergency, SAR
wilderness first aid certification for all photography instructors and first aid kits
maintaining distance from wildlife
avoiding the trampling of sensitive vegetation
ensuring that drones are not flown near wildlife, or flown without license
keeping food/scented items and cooking in a secure area away from the tents
providing toilet facilities
providing a gear checklist, plus gear supplements for things that cannot be flown with, such as bear spray or fuel
Payment, Cancellations, Refunds, COVID-19
Full payment must be made by May 15, 2024. We accept all major credit cards, and if you have a Canadian bank, we can also accept etransfers. For any cancellations before May 15, a full refund, including deposit, will be given. For cancellations after May 15, a refund minus deposit will be given.
In the event that the trip cannot continue forward due to natural disaster, such as severe forest fires, our preference is to rebook you for the 2025 trip.
In the event you cannot make the trip for reasons directly related to COVID-19 (positive test, travel restrictions, flight cancellations), a refund minus the deposit will be given or we can automatically rebook you for the 2025 trip.
TESTIMONIALS
LUCAS COMETTO
“Tristan and Blake's workshop was very well run and organized. The entire experience, from the helicopter ride to the off-trail hikes made for a unique and incredible experience. Blake and Tristan have a photographer's eye and do their research on the lighting conditions before tours so they positioned us to take the best photos with the given conditions. They were also a pleasure to be around and good-natured. I highly recommend their tours!”
LESLIE ROBINS
“I highly recommend the Coastal Mountains of B.C. workshop with Tristan and Blake. The location is stunning, I shot some of my favorite landscapes during the workshop I attended. Food was great, and the logistics and support were fabulous. Tristan and Blake always prioritized assistance and guidance for the workshop participants before their own photography. I give the workshop five stars!!"
ANDREA HEAL
