2024 Launch Party! Plan ahead & save big...
August 14th - 18th
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2024 Calendar
"Calling all EARLY BIRDS!
It's time to plan your
2024 Photo Trips"
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Plan Ahead & Save!
Get 20% Off ANY BCJ TRIP!

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Attention all BCJ Photo Travelers!

We've just released our 2024 Schedule of Photography Trips. For those of you who like to plan ahead - we've got a super early bird special FOR YOU!

Don't miss our 2024 Launch Party, through Thursday, August 18th, 2022.

Save BIG when you book a Backcountry Journeys Photography Workshop in 2024.

  • Book any 2024 photography trip & get 20% off


Use Code: GO2024

Discounted sale pricing will automatically be applied when you make your reservation online or call us at 928-478-1521.

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  • Available for any Backcountry Journeys trips with space available in 2024 only
  • Travel must be booked by Thursday, August 18th, 2022
  • Valid for new trip reservations only
  • Not valid with any other offer & not combinable with trip transfers
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Book Your Trip Now! (see Trip Calendar)
Marine Wildlife of Alaska group w/Ben Blankenship
We've got a great deal here for those of you looking to plan your photo travels ahead of time.

Come join BCJ on one of our signature photo trips in 2024.


Maybe you've traveled with us before. Possibly several times. Where have you not gone yet?

There are a TON of options. From Iceland to Africa to Yellowstone to Alaska to Hawaii & beyond.

Book your trip before August 18th & save 20% on each trip.

(pro-tip: that's HUGE savings if you are booking one of our premiere Africa or Brazilian Safaris - or any International Trip like Iceland or Costa Rica!)

Backcountry Journeys has spent years crafting the perfect photo trip. We’ve learned what works on a trip & what doesn’t work. It's in our DNA, it's what we do!

We’ve also had A LOT of guests over the years – both in the field and in the classroom.

In fact, through Backcountry Journeys we’ve taught THOUSANDS of like-minded photographers & brought them along on some incredible journeys all over the world.


Our trips are action-packed with a ton of shooting and instruction. Not only that but our fine-tuned logistics, lodging & trip planning are the gold standard when it comes to photography workshops.

…and our Trip Leaders will make the experience for you. Because after all it’s not just about going with a great photographer. 

Many Photographers who run workshops are GREAT photographers – but are they great guides? Are they great Trip Leaders? Do they know how to facilitate an AWESOME adventure for their guests? It’s one thing to be a skilled photographer. It’s another thing entirely to be BOTH a great photographer AND an excellent leader.

Our guides get that and in addition - we have a group of genuinely great people to facilitate your photo travel experience! Traveling with BCJ is getting the best of both worlds.

But don't just take it from us. Read our reviews online. Checkout TripAdvisor. Read the testimonials of our past guests have gone on five, six, seven or more trips with us! BCJ has the highest return guest rate - and for a reason!


No matter the trip you choose it’s a life changing photography adventure and the Backcountry Journeys “Experience” is something we want to share with you.


We’re announcing our 2024 Schedule this week. Take some time. Plot out your calendar & come join us in the field!

With a focus on YOU as our guest – we’ve crafted the perfect Photo Trip Experience over the years. Our guests know this & they realize that…

”You know what? I can travel to a variety of different locations around the world with Backcountry Journeys – and I know what I’m getting. I know this trip will be EPIC. I know the guides will be outstanding. I know the lodging will be excellent. The food will be great & the memories will last a lifetime….plus I’m going to come home with some incredible new images for my photography portfolio.”

Not only will you leave your trip with a wealth of new images – but new friends & great memories.

Come join us for a few photo trips in 2024 and take home a collection of images and memories that will last a lifetime (and make your friends jealous, too).
Experience the Backcountry Journeys Way!
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SMALL GROUPS

We only take out small groups to maximize personal attention and instruction while in the field. The small group experience is vital to a successful, fun and cohesive photography excursion where every member feels like an integral part of the trip. We hike, shoot, travel, eat, learn and marvel at the wonders of nature – as a team!
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HANDS-ON, ONE-ON-ONE PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION

On all of our Photography Trips you’ll have ample one-on-one time with your instructor/guide. Get personalized photography instruction at your level in some of the most spectacular wilderness destinations on the planet.
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AWARD-WINNING TRIP LEADERS

You’ll be shooting alongside and benefiting from the experience of a professional photographer!
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GREAT LODGING

We stay in cozy, comfortable lodges on all of our lodge-based excursions. Get a great night’s sleep before heading out into the field in locales like Yellowstone, Yosemite or Rocky Mountain National Park.
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EXCELLENT MEALS

In our opinion food is one of the most, if not the most important part of any trip! We eat great out on the trail as well as at handpicked restaurants on all of our photography excursions. On some trips we even cook for our guests out in the field during evening photo sessions!
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THE BEST GUIDES IN THE BUSINESS!

Many Photography workshop instructors can teach you what F-Stop to use or what shutter speed would work – but can they tell you all about the natural and human history of the landscape and the regions you are photographing? We can and will! We are avid hikers and nature lovers at heart. You will learn all about the Geology, Wildlife, Flowers, Birds etc. of any region you choose to photograph with Backcountry Journeys.

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LOCALIZED KNOWLEDGE

Go places only an award-winning photographer will know about. Combine that with local knowledge and you can’t go wrong! Our guides have spent years guiding, hiking and photographing in Wilderness areas and National Parks throughout the United States & the World! 
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HAND-PICKED LOCATIONS & ITINERARY

All of our photography trips are planned specifically to take advantage of the right seasons to put you in the right place aft the right time.
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GROUND TRANSPORT INCLUDED

No hassle with organizing your own transportation. We’ve got you covered!
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FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED

We operate legally and with partnerships in all National Parks and Wilderness areas we visit and are 100% insured.
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PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR & WORKSHOP

Not only will you travel to some of the most exotic wildlife and landscape locales but we’ll put you in front of the action as well as give you some great pointers on all aspects of your photography. These trips are both fun and educational.
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

For photographers who are interested in furthering their education in the craft we’ll cover all sorts of topics throughout the trip including the exposure triangle, use of filters, long exposure photography, how to read the weather, the value of patience, night photography topics, wide angle & telephoto use and ultimately adding to your toolbox in your quest to capture great landscape & wildlife images!

*Our Instructors are well versed in the latest models from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic & Olympus!

Our Guests Love Backcountry Journeys

At Backcountry Journeys we’ve been perfecting photography trips for years and have some of the BEST photo pros & Trip Leaders in the business. With one of the highest return guest ratios in the adventure travel space we’ve become the gold standard for what a photography tour / workshop should look like. Our commitment to our guests & personalized attention is what sets us apart from the rest – and it shows.

Backcountry Journeys “Tribe” community is one of the most active in the industry – and our guests come back year after year to experience new photo destinations – sometimes several times per year!

But don’t just take it from us! Our TripAdvisor page says it all – below are a few recent testimonials from some of our past travelers:

Come see what all the hype is about!
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Testimonials
Backcountry Journeys Photography Trips are World Class
We set the bar high - but don't just take our word for it! The following reviews are straight from our TripAdvisor Page!

“What an amazing trip we had! Thanks to Ben and PJ, our very competent and patient guides, we saw a huge variety of wonderful vistas from delicate snow scenes in the first two days contrasted with the steam arising in places, to massive mountains in cloud and sunlight, magical pine forests and geysers. At all times we had access to Ben and PJ to ask for advice of needed and they offered suggestions for good angles for shooting landscape and wildlife shots. Among the wildlife we saw were many bison and elk herds, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles, grizzly bears (Mum with two cubs), chipmunks, Red-tailed hawk, coyote and even distant wolves! We were very fortunate with the weather which allowed us to see the landscapes in a variety of moods in snow, cloud and sunlight, all helping to give us a broad taste of these magnificent wilderness parks.

I can highly recommend these tours to anyone as they are great value for money, often exciting, educational and a lot of fun!”

Marion A

Sydney, Australia

“Glacier National Park is glorious! I highly recommend taking this Backcountry Journeys trip. It was our second trip (previously did Zion and Bryce with Russ and Crystal) and my husband and I were very happy with the results.

Matt Meisenheimer is a fabulous guide who really takes his craft seriously. He always made sure we were in the right place at the right time and was willing to put in extra time to allow us to see more areas within the park.

Matt taught me new functions and features on my camera that made me enjoy the trip even more. To be honest, you don’t get much sleep on this trip – up early and out until late, but the landscapes are so beautiful, you just don’t mind.

I can’t wait for our next two trips with Backcountry in 2020 – Yosemite and Grand Teton. I’m sure those trips will be equally awe inspiring and rewarding.”

Linda E

Chicago, Illinois

"Just completed the Great Smoky Mountains in Autumn standard trip with Backcountry Journeys. This is my 3rd trip with BCJ and as was expected it was another awesome trip. Our guides, Russell Graves and Ben Blankenship were great. Having focused mainly on landscape tours previously, this tour had a good mix of landscape and wildlife. Our guides were patient, proficient and extremely helpful in providing tips on appropriate lenses and the proper camera setting for every occasion. Since they had abundant knowledge of the Smokies we were in the right place at the right time. To top off the fact that being in the Park was special, the food and lodging provided throughout the trip were top notch!"

Tony E

Springfield, Missouri

"I'm an amateur photographer and wanted a tour that focused on getting "the picture" as well as teaching you about your camera and getting those pictures. This group did exactly that. I went on Backcountry Journey's Ultimate Northern Lights 6-day trip in Oct 11-17, 2020. Had a fantastic experience! Our guide, Russ, was knowledgeable, helpful, patient and definitely wanted us to have a good photo experience. Ours was a small group (thanks to COVID), but he gave individual attention to each of us and was always ready to answer questions or help. Fortunately for our group, the weather, KP numbers, and solar wind cooperated and we got some incredible pics! Russ had several different sites picked out for us to view the Lights, and was flexible to make changes when the weather dictated to do so. They chose a very nice hotel and restaurants for us. They also had COVID rules that the group adhered to, making the trip comfortable under the circumstances. I would highly recommend the company and will travel with them in the future."

Cindy S

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"My first photo trip ever, booked almost last minute - and absolutely great experience!
Small group of people with similar expectations, led by two guides-professional photographers, knowing the area and understanding nature - all together looks like the recipe for success!
Yellowstone and Grand Teton in autumn offer unlimited opportunities for photographers, both professional and amateur. Having guides ready to give precious hints and advice taught me a lot, and nice personalities of Ben and Russell - our guides - made the trip also fun."

Dorota P

New Haven, Connecticut


"We had an exceptional trip with Backcountry Journeys to Katmai and the Northern Lights. We were able to get up close with the bears and have lots of opportunities to take great photos. The photographic advice was top notch. Same was true for Northern Lights!!

Our guide knew where to go, how to get us there and then get great pictures. Lots of night photography skills were shared."

Peter T

Piedmont, South Carolina



“This 5 day, six night photo workshop on the Big Island of Hawaii was more then I had even imagined. Monumental exploding surf, plunging waterfalls and isolated beaches for sunrise and sunset. Our photographer guide always at the ready with suggested gear or a strong arm down a steep hillside.
All inclusive workshop had us at very nice accommodations and great food choices from fine dinning to quirky breakfast spots.
My second trip with Backcountry Journeys. Also a wonderful way for a photographer to see the right spots.”

Stephana B

Fishers, Indiana


"This was a bucket list trip for me and it totally exceeded all my expectations and then some! From my initial conversations with Russ, the ease of booking, reminders/updates along the way and the trip in genearl was amazing! The guides, all experienced/advanced photographers, went out of their way to make sure we got the best shots possible and were always willing to do what it took to help! Even the rain didn't slow us down! My co-photograhers were also awesome and I made lifetime memories and friends!"

Terry B

Dallas, Texas


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