Face to Face with a Brown Bear — An Unforgettable Moment in the Wild

There are moments in wildlife photography that remind you exactly why you do this — why you wake before dawn, brave the elements, and wait for hours in silence.

I was out in the field with my workshop group, cameras ready, the cool morning mist hanging low over the landscape. Suddenly, out of the stillness, this magnificent brown bear came charging — not at us, but directly toward us, powerful and focused, every muscle in motion.

For a brief second, time seemed to slow. The bear’s eyes locked ahead, paws thundering across the water, droplets flying in every direction. The adrenaline surged through all of us — an exhilarating and humbling reminder that we were witnessing raw nature in its purest form.

In reality, the bear wasn’t charging at us at all — it was chasing a salmon cutting through the shallows just in front of us. What looked like a dramatic head-on rush was actually a perfectly timed hunting move, a burst of precision and power honed by instinct. Watching that unfold at such close range was both breathtaking and unforgettable.

Our position was safe, our guide experienced, and the bear continued on its way after its brief pursuit — a reminder that we were merely visitors in its world.

Moments like these stay with you forever. They teach respect — not just for the animals, but for the wild spaces they inhabit and the delicate balance that allows encounters like this to happen safely and ethically.

This image captures just a fraction of what it felt like to be there — the power, energy, and sheer presence of one of nature’s most incredible creatures. It reminds me that in wildlife photography, the best moments aren’t just about the shot — they’re about connection, respect, and the shared experience of being truly alive in the wild.

Join Me in the Field

If experiences like this ignite your sense of adventure, consider joining one of my upcoming brown bear photography workshops. Together, we’ll spend time in the heart of bear country — capturing unforgettable moments, learning about behaviour, technique, and ethical field practices, and building a portfolio of powerful images.

There are only two spots left for both my June and September 2026 Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Adventure workshops — so if you’ve ever dreamed of photographing brown bears up close (safely and respectfully), now’s the time to make it happen.

📸 Learn more and reserve your spot here: https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

More Kudos

“Thank you for another amazing workshop (Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska)! Although this was my fifth trip with you, it was the ultimate workshop for me, as I had dreamt about it for years. This adventure was truly above and beyond my wildest dreams! Every aspect of this trip was perfect, and made it a life-changing experience for me. Thank you for the incredible organization and guidance (before and during the trip). Like always, I felt confident that you would make sure we were safe, happy and learning tons! There is no doubt that the level of planning and dedication toward ensuring the best trips for your clients is bar none. I came back with my head full of great memories and a hard drive overflowing with beautiful pictures of those gorgeous Brown Bears.”

- Louise Bertrand Québec │ Canada

ProFusion Expo 2025 — What an Incredible Experience! 🇨🇦📸

ProFusion Expo in Toronto was an absolute blast! All of my presentations were standing-room-only — thank you to everyone who came out, asked questions, and shared so much great energy. It’s always inspiring to connect with such a passionate community of photographers, filmmakers, and creators.

This year marked my 11th consecutive year presenting and 9th year representing Sony, and it was amazing to see how the event continues to grow and evolve. The conversations, creativity, and sense of community are what make ProFusion so special.

A huge thanks to the entire @ProFusionExpo @Vistek @SonyCanada teams for another fantastic show, and to my friends Rafa Reyes, Matthew Oakes, and Matt Gabrie for capturing and sharing some great moments of me in action — you guys rock! 🙌

Until next time, Toronto — keep creating, keep inspiring, and see you again in 2026!