Join professional adventure photographers Pete O’Hara and Jenna Dixon for an immersive 4-night, 5-day Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop during the annual salmon run in Bute and Toba Inlet. This all-inclusive experience includes:
✔ 3 world-class grizzly bear viewing trips
✔ Boat-based opportunities to photograph marine wildlife – humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles
✔ Expert photography instruction to refine your wildlife photography skills
✔ Accommodation, most meals, and seamless transportation to prime photography locations
Spend your days capturing the raw power and beauty of grizzlies as they fish for salmon in their natural habitat. This workshop is designed for photographers of all levels who want to immerse themselves in the wild, focus on their craft, and create unforgettable images in one of the most spectacular wildlife habitats on the coast.
Limited spots available – book your adventure today!
Award winning photography instructors
Pete O’Hara
Peter O’Hara is an adventure filmmaker and photographer whose career has taken him from television production in Toronto to documenting the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies and beyond. With a keen eye for cinematic storytelling and a deep connection to the landscapes he captures, Peter’s work spans commercial campaigns, documentary filmmaking, and editorial photography.
His collaborations include Disney, HGTV, The Property Brothers, Destination BC, and Travel Alberta, with his images featured in Smithsonian, Canadian Geographic, and National Geographic. An award-winning creator, Peter has been recognized by the Shorty Awards and the WAVE Elevate Creative Fund, furthering his passion for visual storytelling and mentorship. Through his workshops and projects, he continues to inspire photographers and filmmakers to push creative boundaries while capturing the untamed beauty of the natural world.
Jenna Dixon
Jenna Dixon is a landscape and adventure photographer with a passion for remote, cold-weather, and mountainous regions. Drawn to the raw and untamed elements of nature, she uses her lens to capture the wild beauty of these landscapes, crafting compelling visual narratives that transport viewers into the heart of the experience.
Her work has been featured in Time Magazine and National Geographic, with exhibitions spanning from New York to Miami, as well as in leading Canadian publications. She has collaborated with Travel Alberta, Travel Yukon, Tourism Vancouver Island, and other tourism boards, along with a range of commercial brands and editorial outlets. Combining photography with storytelling, Jenna’s work offers an immersive glimpse into some of the world’s most remote and awe-inspiring places.
Peter and Jenna call the heart of the Canadian Rockies home, where they run Silver Fern Productions, a creative studio specializing in adventure and landscape photography, filmmaking, and immersive workshops. Drawing inspiration from the rugged beauty around them, they offer unique experiences that blend their expertise in visual storytelling with a deep passion for the outdoors.
On this tour you will enjoy:
- Comfortable hotel accommodation with most meals included
- An intimate, small-group experience for personalized instruction and wildlife viewing (Workshop limited to 10 participants)
- A hands-on photography workshop covering techniques for capturing grizzly bears and marine wildlife, along with expert tips on post-processing
- Photography instruction & critiques from award-winning professionals
- Travel aboard a well-maintained, 12-passenger covered vessel, ensuring diverse photographic opportunities
- Guided grizzly bear viewing experiences in remote mainland inlets during the peak of the salmon run
- Opportunities to photograph marine wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles
- Cultural and ecological interpretation from Homalco and Klahoose First Nations guides, sharing knowledge of the land, wildlife, and Indigenous perspectives on conservation
- Nature insights from a certified Naturalist Guide and experienced Captain
- Breathtaking, serene landscapes as you travel through the narrow passages of the Discovery Islands, leading into Bute and Toba Inlet
What to Bring:
- A sense of adventure
- Warm, layered clothing to stay comfortable in varying conditions
- A reusable water bottle
- Your photography equipment (see recommendations below)
Photography Equipment Recommendations:
Since we'll be spending a significant amount of time photographing from boats, we recommend a portable, hand-held setup for maximum flexibility. For wildlife photography, a DSLR or mirrorless camera paired with a telephoto lens of at least 100-400mm or 200-600mm is ideal to capture sharp, detailed images. Longer focal lengths are essential for photographing distant wildlife, such as whales.
While the grizzly bears often come within a few meters of the viewing platforms, a wide-angle lens can also be useful for close-up shots.
If possible, we also recommend bringing a laptop with Lightroom and Photoshop installed to follow along with the editing process. While not mandatory, it will allow you to practice your skills and get personalized guidance during the workshop.
Sample Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Check in to your hotel in Campbell River starting at 3 pm.
At 5.30 PM, the evening will begin with a welcome session and an overview of the workshop, followed by a camera settings and techniques session to optimize your gear for wildlife photography. We'll then cover best practices for photographing whales and marine life from the boat, and prepare you for grizzly bear photography, focusing on shooting from platforms, adjusting settings, composition tips, and practicing patience.
Dinner is on your own, but there's an optional group dinner meet-up for those who want to connect and discuss the day’s session.
Day 2
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then we will be heading to the Campbell River Whale Watching office for the full day Toba Inlet Grizzly Bear Tour.
After departing from the dock at 7 AM, enjoy wildlife viewing and photography opportunities on the way, with a snack served before grizzly bear viewing with the Klahoose Frist Nation Guides at Toba Inlet from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Capture breathtaking images of bears fishing for salmon in their natural habitat, all while receiving expert guidance from Jenna and Pete. They’ll help you fine-tune your camera settings for the best possible shots in dynamic lighting and movement conditions.
After we serve a gourmet lunch at Toba Inlet, you'll travel back to Campbell River with more wildlife and photography opportunities.
In the evening, join an optional photography seminar with Pete and Jenna to review your shots and fine-tune your settings for the next day.
Day 2 includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. Dinner is on your own, with an optional group dinner meet-up.
Day 3
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then head to the Campbell River Whale Watching office for the full day Bute Inlet Grizzly Bear Tour.
Depart from the dock at 9 AM, for extra wildlife viewing and photography time on the way to Bute Inlet. After enjoying the stunning scenery, gourmet lunch will be served at Orford River, followed by bear viewing with the Homalco First Nation guides from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Photograph grizzly bears in action as they fish for salmon, with Jenna and Pete providing expert guidance to help you adjust your settings for the best shots in varying light and movement.
Afterward, travel back to Campbell River with snacks served on departure and some wildlife viewing along the way, depending on daylight.
Day 3 includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. In the evening, dinner is on your own, with an optional group dinner meet-up.
Day 4
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then head to the Campbell River Whale Watching office for the full-day Bute Inlet Grizzly Bear Tour.
Depart from the dock at 9 AM for additional wildlife viewing and photography opportunities on the way to Bute Inlet. After taking in the breathtaking views, enjoy a gourmet lunch at Orford River before heading out for bear viewing with the Homalco First Nation guides from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Frame the perfect shot of grizzlies hunting salmon, with Jenna and Pete offering real-time tips on dialing in your camera settings for sharp, well-exposed images in dynamic conditions.
Afterward, travel back to Campbell River, with snacks served on departure and more wildlife viewing along the way, depending on daylight.
Day 4 includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks. In the evening, dinner is on your own, with an optional group dinner meet-up.
Day 5
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by an optional photography seminar from 8:30 AM to 11 AM.
During the session, you'll participate in an image review and storytelling workshop, including a group critique and a "show and tell" where you'll have the opportunity to edit your shots, receive feedback, and share your best images. At 11 AM, guests will depart, concluding the workshop.
Day 5 includes breakfast.
Call (250) 287-2667 or email info@campbellriverwhalewatching.com to reserve your spot today.
Call or email to book and save the online booking fee.
Adult price starting from C$5,299* plus fees and taxes (approximately US$3,700). A C$100 per person bear conservation fee will be added to support ongoing wildlife conservation efforts.
This package is limited to a maximum of 10 guests.
Dates: October 4 - 8, 2025
*Price of C$5,299 is based on double occupancy. For single occupancy rates, please contact us. A deposit of C$1,500 per person is required at the time of booking, with the full balance due by May 1, 2025.
Cancellation Policy:
- 50% refundable 91-120 days before the start of the workshop.
- No refunds within 90 days of the workshop start date.
