In December 2025 a good friend and I ventured into the waters around Papua New Guinea and also took a foray inland to photograph colorful tribes.
In places like Stetin Bay, the water is remarkably clear, revealing steep reef walls, sponges, and schools of barracuda cruising past. The biodiversity is staggering. Coral gardens here are largely untouched, bursting with healthy hard corals and clouds of small fish.
Enjoy the photos, and have a great weekend!
After a lifetime spent chasing light across the globe, I’ve come to appreciate something surprising: some of the most meaningful photographic experiences are waiting right here at home. The U.S. still finds ways to catch me off guard, and I’m always looking for fresh ways to see familiar places. Over the coming year, I’ll be returning to a small collection of landscapes I know deeply. Each one offering its own creative challenges, rewards, and of course excellent company.
We’ll begin in Katmai, Alaska, where only two spots remain for what is, quite simply, the ultimate bear experience. Massive coastal brown bears, intimate encounters, and constant photographic opportunity make this trip raw, exhilarating, and unforgettable. If one thing nudges you toward Katmai, let it be this: there is nothing else quite like it. Closer to home, the Olympic Peninsula delivers lush rainforests, wild coastline, and gentle spring light that invitesslow, thoughtful composition. Mount Rainier is all about scale and atmosphere and is an ideal classroom for refining your approach to foregrounds and dramatic landscapes. In the Columbia River Gorge, we’ll turn toward abstraction, focusing on motion, color, and form. That creative thread continues in Astoria, Oregon, a playful mix of fog, boats, bridges, textures, and graphic surprises. This trip always sells out quickly, and with just two spots left, now’s the time to claim yours.
For those looking to travel outside the U.S., there are two standout international journeys coming up as well. In Morocco, we’ll explore dramatic desert landscapes, and vibrant markets. It’s an endlessly rich mix of culture, color, and texture that feels both exotic and welcoming. Later in the season, New Zealand offers a completely different experience: autumn color across the South Island, with glacier-carved peaks, misty fiords, and some of the most photogenic landscapes on the planet. As with all these trips, the focus goes beyond destination. it’s about learning how to see, sharing the experience with curious and passionate photographers, and creating in an environment where the pressure is low and the inspiration is high. Wherever you choose to join us, I hope to see you out there in the field!
What a whirlwind the third quarter of 2025 has been! September found me in the Durango region of Colorado, where the aspens were at their golden best and every mountainside seemed to shimmer with fall color. There’s something magical about photographing autumn light in the Rockies. The challenge is keeping up with it. Prior to that, I was immersed in the salty breeze of the California coast, where we spent time exploring the wildlife-rich waters of Elkhorn Slough. Sea otters floated by with effortless charm, pelicans skimmed low over the waves, and harbor seals lazed in the sun. Each encounter was a reminder of the diversity that thrives along this stretch of coastline.
Back in August, along with my annual pilgrimage to Katmai to photograph the bears there, I visited Peru, a place that never fails to inspire. In Lima, I turned my lens toward the city’s textures, colors, and the patterns of daily life in the form of abstracts. Then it was into the wild heart of the country, photographing tamarins leaping through the canopy, macaws painting the sky in bursts of color, and the deep, resonant calls of howler monkeys echoing through the rainforest.
Each stop offered something different. A study in light, life, and the beautiful unpredictability of nature. Enjoy the photos, and have a fantastic holiday season! Keep an eye on the blog and subscribe to my newsletter for some upcoming unique holiday offerings for folks who find joy in giving the perfect gift!
Happy spooky season to everyone who celebrates! The grey skies have returned to Seattle just in time for me to be off on another adventure. By the time this post hits the blog, I’ll likely be in Thailand and then Bangladesh grabbing some last minute photos for my upcoming book on international faith and spirituality. Act of Faith will explore people of all different religions and walks of life engaging in personal and communal acts as part of their belief system, from the Shamans of Mongolia to Jewish traditions in Israel.
Now that you might be indoors just a bit more due to to waning daylight and damp weather, I wanted to remind everyone that there are a few free episodes of Travels to the Edge and Pathways to Creativity online:
Art Wolfe’s Pathways to Creativity: Embracing the Abstract Youtube | Vimeo
Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge: Bhutan
Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge: New Zealand
My staff is also ready to print up unique holiday gifts if you want to get a jump on your shopping. In the spirit of the season, use code BOOPRINTS through October 31st and save 31% on prints!
Lastly, I would be remiss to not highlight a few upcoming trips for anyone who might be interested. Also expiring on the 31st is the early bird discount on a trip to Borneo next September—with an emphasis on wildlife. Also in terms of wildlife, the next big trip with space yet available are for a premium tour in Tanzania in January for the calving season, with an emphasis on the region’s active predators.
Lastly, I’ll be leading a tour in Morocco in March. Given past interest in this trip, I don’t imagine it will take long to fill up! If you’re looking to experience the convergence of culture where Europe, Arabia and Africa overlap, it will be an experience to remember!
Enjoy your weekend—I’ll be looking forward to sharing photos when I return!
New Zealand’s extreme beauty is central to its identity. Here, indigenous Maori people see themselves as guardians of the land. In episode seven, Art captures portraits of contemporary Maori artists who wear their stories on their faces in the form of sacred tattoos, and convey their sense of stewardship through their art. Then he heads off to the wild South Island to explore the natural history of this pristine and beautifully preserved island nation.
Enjoy this free episode for a limited time! All episodes of Travels to the Edge are available to stream on my on demand page.
I’ll be heading back to New Zealand this April to explore their local fall season. Limited spaces remain, reserve your spot today!
We’re thrilled to share two extraordinary photography journeys with Art Wolfe—and we’d love your help deciding which one to bring to life.
One option takes you to Baja California Sur during the gray whale calving season, where you’ll enjoy rare, up-close encounters with these gentle giants alongside stunning desert-meets-ocean scenery. The other transports you to Guatemala during Semana Santa, with vibrant Easter processions, intricate alfombra carpets, Mayan ruins, and volcanic landscapes rich in culture and tradition.
Both are small-group experiences designed with Art’s expert guidance, high-end accommodations, and unforgettable opportunities to elevate your craft. Which adventure inspires you most—Baja’s wild whales or Guatemala’s Easter splendor?
Whales in Beautiful Baja? Let’s Go! | Easter In Guatemala sounds incredible!
Leave a comment below if you have any additional feedback. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping us decide between two extraordinary photography journeys. Art is forever grateful to have such a passionate community of travelers and photographers who inspire the direction of many of his workshops.
Note that showing your interest in one of these trips does not commit you to anything – we simply have the opportunity to offer a choice in Art’s busy schedule, and your input is incredibly valuable to us!
Stay tuned, and thank you again for being part of this exciting decision!
This fall, I’m heading to Sedona, Arizona, and I’d love for you to join me! The canyons glow crimson in the mystical fall light, and the warm autumn colors bring the whole landscape to life. It’s one of my favorite places to photograph, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
We’ll spend our time exploring some incredible locations—those dramatic red rock formations, the beauty of Oak Creek Canyon, and the wide-open desert views that make Sedona so unforgettable. Each spot offers something unique, and together we’ll chase that golden autumn light.
As we photograph, I’ll walk you through my process that includes first deciding what to shoot, but just as important, I’ll help you tap into your own creative vision. My goal is for you to leave not only with great images but also with a deeper sense of confidence and artistry in your photography.
As a bonus for this workshop, we’ll have each participant choose the shot they are the most happy with and send you a 16″x20″ print of your shot using the same quality equipment and paper that my fine art prints are created on.
Hope to see you in Sedona!
This summer took me from the pristine waters of Glacier Bay to the rugged wilds of Katmai on an Alaskan adventure!
In Glacier Bay, we cruised aboard the gorgeous Alaskan Story yacht. Between amazing meals and good company, we had endless opportunities to capture the spirit of the location—sea otters floating on their backs, sea lions barking on the rocks, puffins darting across the waves, and mountain goats defying gravity on the cliffs. Everywhere we looked, there was something wild and wonderful to photograph.
Katmai gave us a whole different experience. The bears were at the tail end of of their epic salmon feeding, so while their activity was slightly less frenetic than at the run’s peak, it did provide us with fantastic opportunities to capture the full-bellied families winding down for the summer.
If you’re tempted, next year’s annual Katmai Bear Adventure is already up and taking clients. Don’t wait too long to sign up—I’d love to have you along!
In 2026, I’ll be leading a small number of photography workshops to some of the most inspiring places on Earth, and I’d love for you to join me. These journeys are designed for photographers who are passionate about wildlife, nature, and expanding both their technical skills and creative vision. I’ve spent decades in the field, and it’s a privilege to share what I’ve learned with others who are eager to grow. We keep the groups manageable to ensure everyone gets personalized attention, and we’ve taken care to choose comfortable accommodations and smooth logistics so you can stay focused on photography. If you’re looking for an experience that blends learning, adventure, and unforgettable imagery, I hope you’ll consider traveling with us. Spots are limited, and I’d be honored to have you along!
Step into the heart of the Serengeti. Capture dramatic scenes of wildebeest families in motion, apex predators on the hunt, and the untamed rhythms of African wildlife in its natural habitat.
Photograph playful snow macaques in steaming hot springs west of Tokyo, then head north to Hokkaido to capture ethereal Japanese cranes, elusive foxes, and the awe-inspiring stellar sea eagles.
Witness the raw intensity of Alaskan brown bears fishing for salmon in wild rivers—a front-row seat to one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles on Earth.
Namibia – Late August / Early September 2026
Explore surreal desert landscapes in Swakopmund, rugged wildlife regions in Damaraland and Etosha, and the cultural richness of Windhoek while photographing Namibia’s striking contrasts.
Venture deep into lush rainforests to photograph orangutans, proboscis monkeys, exotic birds, and rare jungle flora in one of the planet’s most biologically diverse ecosystems.
Why Travel with Us?
✔ Learn directly from a world-renowned photographer and fine art educator
✔ Develop both technical expertise and artistic vision
✔ Enjoy curated accommodations and seamless logistics
✔ Manageable group sizes ensure hands-on instruction and mentorship
Spaces are limited to preserve a high-quality experience. Secure your spot now and elevate your photography in some of the most spectacular destinations on Earth!
This past April, May, and June offered a vibrant window for photography. In April Bhutan was brimming with cultural activity. Traditional festivals featuring masked and the famous black-hat dancers were taking place in colorfully curtained monastery courtyards. While it was too misty to see the high Himalayas at this time of year, the fog wafted through evergreen forests in the early mornings.
Later in May we photographed terraced rice paddies in northern Vietnam; it was a landscape rich in color and design. It was also an area great for abstract photography; a humid atmosphere combined with layer upon layer of paint and decaying posters creates wondrous photographic opportunities if you allow your imagination to run wild.
Between workshops I was able to fly off to Hawaii to witness Episode 25 of the Kilauea eruption—check out the video if you missed it! In June I conducted two workshops: a very wet experience in southern Oregon and then headed off to the wide open spaces of Wyoming. It was too sunny in Grand Teton National Park, but we were able to make it work, photographing stunning scenics at the margins of the day.
Whether you seek vibrant culture, sacred landscapes, or pristine wilderness, these months form a golden arc of opportunity for photographers across these four vivid, varied locations!
Tanzania – January 2026
Japan – February 2026
Borneo – September 2026