Description
Why photographers love this tour
Abraham Lake in winter is pure magic—the teal ice and frozen methane bubbles create a glassy stage for once-in-a-lifetime portraits. We’ll road-trip from Calgary, offer a pickup stop in Red Deer then head on to two scenic winter stops to warm up your cameras (Crescent Falls & Nordegg/Cline Lake). The afternoon and golden hour belong to Abraham Lake where we’ll explore a couple different vantage points, learn focus stacking to create exceptional landscapes and leverage the Golden Hour to shoot stunning landscapes and utilize Soft Box light on location to capture romance as Kathryn & Eric, who will have recently been married will pose for some iconic portrait photos in soft, cinematic light. You’ll leave with images that you absolutely want for your portfolio. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, romance, and jaw-dropping Alberta landscapes.
You’ll learn:
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Polarizer & ND use on ice (glare control, long exposure at dusk)
- Find and composing Bubble Stacks
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Focus stacking for ultra-sharp foregrounds
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Bracketing & exposure strategies on high-contrast scenes
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Cold-weather battery management & condensation control
- Adding Soft-Box / Flash lighting for stunning people portraits at this iconic location
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Fast, field-ready workflow & safety on lake ice
Saturday February 7, 2026 Agenda:
7:00 AM – Depart Calgary (coffee, roll-call, gear check)
8:45 AM – Red Deer Pickup from Gasoline Alley location
10:15 AM – Stop 1: Crescent Falls Viewpoints – frozen falls, canyon textures, big-scene winter frames
11:55 AM – Lunch & warm-up in Nordegg / Cline River
12:45–2:30 PM – Abraham Lake scouting (Preacher’s Point / Slabs / Hoodoo Creek—best ice wins)
3:00–5:45 PM – Couple Session (Kathryn & Eric) on Bubble Ice (golden hour → sunset, Mount Michener backdrop)
6 PM – =Head Back to Calgary with a Red Deer drop-off
What’s Included:
- Transportation there and back from your pickup point of either Calgary or Red Deer
- Lunch in Nordegg, coffee & snacks for the trip
- Coaching from your Learn Photography Canada Escape host: David Benjatschek
FAQs
Skill level? All levels welcome; tips are tailored from first focus stack to advanced long exposures.
Tripod mandatory? Strongly recommended for low-angle bubbles, sunset, and blue hour.
Footwear & traction? Insulated boots + microspikes. Limited loaners available.
Transport/carpool? Carpool pickups in Calgary & Red Deer. Self-drive if you wish
If conditions aren’t ideal? We adapt locations/subjects and keep the learning outcomes strong. Safety first.
Contact us with any questions at 1.888.734.2641. Spots are limited so reserve yours today!
