Earlier this month I traveled to Patagonia with some dear friends. We had several leisurely days touring and photographing Torres del Paine. Unfortunately, the puma had left the area we were in, but no matter. The mountain scenery more than made up for not seeing the cats. There were herds of guanacos camouflaged in the grassland steppe, as well as foxes, and the Andean condors were out in full force. Their size is remarkable, they absolutely dwarf the flocks of crested caracaras.
Moving on to Argentina, autumn color was on full swing in Los Glaciares National Park. One morning at the crack of dawn we hiked in two miles to see Perito Moreno glacier. Once a stable glacier, it has entered a phase of rapid retreat and thinning. Back in 2013 I photographed the glacier (with much less success due to the sun low on the horizon) from nearly the same spot. The trip was capped off by visiting the traditional neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and tango lessons—not really, but it is everywhere!
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina 2013Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina 2026
We’ve been fortunate to publish some truly extraordinary, award-winning books with Mandala / Earth Aware, including Earth Is My Witness, Trees, Human Canvas, Wild Lives, and more.
Coming this October isActs of Faith, a stunning and uplifting portrait of global rituals, festivals, and other faith-based traditions from around the world.
I’m especially excited about this book,ACTS of FAITH: The Beauty of Belief. I pour my heart and soul into projects like this, and seeing them make their way through the long, careful publishing process is always incredibly rewarding.
Preorder your copy today and you’ll also receive a beautiful bonus print, suitable for framing.
We’ve experienced three very different photo journeys already this year.
It started off with a terrific safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti, where we were lucky to be in a less-visited area of the park. It was lush and green and full of wildlife. In February, we returned to Japan to see the playful snow monkeys, then headed north to Hokkaido, one of my favorite places on the planet. And last, in March, we led a workshop in Morocco, a stunning country of rugged mountains, undulating Saharan dunes, and colorful cities.
I recorded a podcast with fellow photographer Mitch Stringer about Morocco. Have a listen here!
Since I spend so much time traveling to lead photo tours and workshops, I’m asked this question often: When is the best time to book flights?
It is a fair question, and the honest answer is that there is no single rule that works every time. Airfare has become increasingly unpredictable, and today there can be real advantages and disadvantages to both booking early and waiting a bit longer. Add in global instability, shifting fuel costs, and economic uncertainty, and the picture becomes even less straightforward.
That said, here is the general guidance my staff and I have found most useful:
Advantages of Booking Early
Booking earlier can offer a few clear benefits. First, there is the peace of mind that comes from having your flights secured and one more detail checked off your list. In some cases, booking early may also mean a better fare, particularly if prices continue to rise due to broader political or economic pressures. It also usually gives you the best selection of flight times, seat choices, and more efficient routing.
Disadvantages of Booking Early
At the same time, booking too far in advance is not always the best strategy. Data often shows that the lowest fares appear within a “golden window,” rather than many months ahead, so purchasing six or more months early can sometimes mean paying more than necessary.
There is also the possibility that prices will drop after you purchase, leaving you to track fare changes and negotiate with the airline for a credit or reimbursement. Early booking can also reduce flexibility if your plans shift, or if the airline changes its schedule. Flight times can move, aircraft can be swapped out, seating can change, and partner-airline connections may be affected, sometimes resulting in longer or less convenient itineraries.
The General “Sweet Spot”
As a rule of thumb, the timing that tends to work best is:
Domestic flights: about 1–3 months in advance
International flights: about 2–5 months in advance
The biggest exception is peak travel periods. If you are traveling during holidays, majo
r vacation seasons, or other especially busy times, it is usually wise to book well ahead.
Our Practical Take
Even with all the data, booking flights can still feel a bit like a gamble. Over the past year and a half, my team and I have spent so much time adjusting flights, or dealing with airline schedule changes, that any savings from booking very early have often been offset by the inconvenience.
Because of that, we have become more cautious about locking in flights too far ahead. These days, we often find ourselves booking in that 1–3 month window, depending on the destination and time of year.
In the end, there is no perfect formula, but a thoughtful balance of timing, flexibility, and tolerance for risk usually leads to the best outcome.
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.
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?
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!
