Great Grey Owl Photo Tour – Alberta, Canada
Great Grey Owl Photography Tour, Alberta, Canada
4-Day Signature Experience
Join professional wildlife photographer Ken Anderson for four full days photographing one of Canada's most iconic birds, the Great Grey Owl, in the wild landscapes of Alberta.
This small-group photography experience is designed to maximize your time in the field while giving you the opportunity to photograph Great Grey Owls in a variety of conditions, light and behaviours.
With a maximum of only three photographers per tour, you'll have plenty of room to work, personalized photography instruction when you want it, and an experience built around ethical wildlife photography.
2027 Tour Dates
January 25-28, 2027
February 8-11, 2027
March 8-11, 2027
March 15-18, 2027
Tour Price
$4,990 CAD + 5% GST per person (approximately $3700 USD) per person
Maximum 3 photographers
Your tour includes:
4 full days of Great Grey Owl photography
5 nights accommodation, single occupancy with your own private room
Daily transportation from the hotel to our photography locations
Professional wildlife photography guidance and instruction
Extensive local knowledge and daily scouting
Small-group experience limited to only three photographers
Four Days Gives Us More Opportunities
Wildlife photography is never predictable, and that's part of what makes it special.
Four days gives us the time and flexibility to work with changing weather, light and owl activity rather than trying to force everything into a short window.
Winter in Alberta can provide incredible photographic conditions, including falling snow, frost, soft overcast light, dramatic winter landscapes and beautiful late-day light. Every day can be completely different.
Our focus isn't simply finding an owl and taking a photograph. We spend time observing behaviour and positioning ourselves for opportunities such as hunting, flight, environmental portraits and behavioural images while always putting the welfare of the owl first.
A Small-Group Experience
Great Grey Owl photography is best experienced with a small group.
Tours are limited to a maximum of three photographers. This allows us to remain mobile, minimize our impact on the wildlife and give everyone excellent photographic opportunities.
It also means I can work individually with each photographer on camera settings, autofocus setup, exposure, composition, anticipating behaviour and techniques for photographing birds in flight.
Whether you're an experienced wildlife photographer or looking to improve your skills, instruction is tailored to your experience level.
More Than Great Grey Owls
Great Grey Owls are our primary focus, but Alberta is home to an incredible variety of wildlife.
Depending on the season, conditions and what is active during your tour, we may also have opportunities to photograph other owl species and winter wildlife.
Nothing is staged, baited or guaranteed. We photograph wildlife behaving naturally in its environment.
Ethical Wildlife Photography
The welfare of the wildlife always comes first.
No baiting. No flushing. No harassment.
We maintain appropriate distances, respect private property and adjust our approach based on the behaviour of each individual owl.
Many of the locations used during these tours have taken years of scouting and fieldwork to develop. Protecting both the wildlife and these locations is extremely important.
Accommodation Included
Your tour includes five nights accommodation in a private room, allowing you to arrive the day before photography begins and depart the morning following our final day.
Having everyone staying at the same hotel makes mornings simple. We meet and leave together each day without worrying about coordinating multiple pickup locations.
Once you're here, your focus can be on photography.
Winter Photography Conditions
January through March can produce true Canadian winter conditions.
Temperatures can vary considerably and periods of snow, wind and temperatures well below freezing are possible.
A detailed clothing, equipment and camera gear recommendation will be provided before your tour so you're properly prepared for the conditions.
Why Four Days?
For serious wildlife photographers travelling specifically to photograph Great Grey Owls, four days provides the best combination of opportunity and flexibility.
More time means more chances for changing weather, different owls, different locations and the behavioural moments that can't be scheduled.
Looking for a shorter experience?
Our 3-Day Great Grey Owl Photography Tour includes three photography days and four nights accommodation while maintaining the same maximum group size of only three photographers.
Payment & Booking Details
Price: $4990 CAD per person + 5% GST (approximately $3700 USD) per person
Deposits & Booking
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your spot on this tour.
Deposits are non-refundable (see Cancellation Policy below)
Invoices are issued electronically
Canadian Clients
Canadian clients may pay in CAD using:
Interac e-Transfer (no processing fee)
Credit card (a 2.4% processing fee applies)
U.S. Clients
U.S. clients may pay in USD using:
ACH bank transfer (USD) – preferred, lowest-fee option
Credit card (a 2.4% processing fee applies)
USD pricing is converted from Canadian pricing using a fixed exchange rate of 1.38 - This may be adjusted as rates change
ACH payment instructions are provided directly on the invoice.
Final Payment
The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour / workshop date
Automatic email reminders are sent in advance of the final payment deadline.
Non-Photographer Companions
The same tour / workshop rates apply for non-photographer companions.
Cancellation Policy
This tour involves accommodations, transportation, and other arrangements that require non-refundable advance commitments.
The 50% deposit is non-refundable
If you cancel before final payment is due, we will attempt to fill your spot
If successful, all payments will be refunded minus a $500 administration fee
If you cancel after final payment, no refund will be issued unless your spot can be filled
If successful, all payments will be refunded minus a $500 administration fee
We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and travel insurance to protect your investment.
Waiver & Non-Disclosure Notice
All participants are required to sign a Liability Waiver prior to joining any Ken Anderson Photography workshop or tour. This agreement outlines the inherent risks associated with wildlife photography in remote environments, affirms that you are responsible for your own personal safety at all times, and includes a commitment to protecting sensitive wildlife locations.
Register Below for Great Grey Owl Photography 4 Day Tours
Testimonials
“Ken is highly knowledgeable about the behaviour of owls, as well as areas to explore to find them; especially the Great Grey. He provided insights on camera settings, locations and directions from which to shoot, and was exceptionally patient. Owls don't appear magically. He is thoughtful, kind, and provides clear instructions and detailed information so I could set my expectations accordingly. One of the best things I liked about Ken is that he made the housing and local transportation arrangements so I didn't have to worry those details. Keeping the group size small offered a lot of personal attention. It was very easy for me to learn, grow, and develop my experience with wildlife photography. I'd go with Ken again and appreciate his gentle, kind, attention to looking after my interests and personal needs”.
— Rocky/Burlington, ON
Ken Anderson’s grey owl photography tour was an outstanding experience from start to finish. What stood out most was his deep respect for the wildlife and his commitment to ethical practices. Ken was a fantastic host: organized, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what he does. He created a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere while still making sure everyone got the most out of the tour. Along the way, he shared a wealth of knowledge about owl behavior, which added real depth to the experience, and he was equally helpful on the photography side—offering practical tips that improved our shots. Overall, it was a great time and a well-run tour. I’d highly recommend it to anyone interested in wildlife photography.
— Mike B - VA, USA
“I am a first time participant in one of Ken Anderson Photography workshops. Ken came highly recommended as an excellent, and ethical guide who will not bait the wildlife, in my case Great Grey Owls. I am a veteran of photography workshops and this was by far the best for many reasons. Setting up the tour with Ken was very easy and painless with all payments through the internet making international payments a breeze. Ken is very knowledgeable with the subject wildlife, and puts you in a position to get great shots, portrait and birds in flight. Ken limits to a group of three participants, but on this tour I ended up the only client. The tour originated in Calgary, with Ken meeting me at my lodging promptly as scheduled each morning to be ready to photograph at first light, with photo opportunities until the golden hour each evening. You can expect a full day shooting. Ken is extremely affable and easy to talk to and ask questions. He was vey helpful; and eagerly pointed out techniques and tips for Great Grey Owl birds in flight shots. He always ensured I was in position for the shot before he even pulled out his camera. Foremost, he is an honest and ethical nature photographer and excellent guide.
— Bill Boss