Unforgettable day! I had an unforgettable experience on a private tour with Tom looking for wildlife up the Chilkoot river. We waited, watched for bears and had some good luck finding a single bear and then a momma bear and her 2 spring cubs! Tom knew where to go and was really... read more knowledgeable about Alaska and wildlife while not bombarding me with facts and figures (as has sometimes been my experience with guides). He showed me some cool tricks on my iPhone but his gigantic camera lens came in handy for up-close viewing. Oh, I liked that he was very respectful of the bears and their environment in the way we went about looking for and viewing them. I also felt very safe. He clearly has a ton of experience and a love for guiding in Alaska. read less

The Highlight of our trip to Alaska

If you want to see the most scenic and spectacular spots in Alaska, go with a local guide. Our trip with Tom Ganner, professional photographer and now good friend, tailored the trip to our likes and interests. Many of the tours we researched took... read more large groups to similar areas, but having a private group alongside Tom with a trained eye pointing out the best vantage points made all the difference.

Shooting landscapes has been a passion of mine and Tom taught me some new tricks and approaches even with our experience. The best part was watching Tom adapt to those with little experience as well. Novice to beginner or just along for the views, Tom is a great guide to travel with! -Ryan and Erica Smith read less

Tom's Photo Tour is a "Must Do' during your Alaska vacation! Being the first “hired” photography tour we’ve taken during a vacation, we really didn’t know what to expect. Our photography excursion with Tom was the absolute highlight of our 10 day Alaska vacation! The beautiful pictures that we captured during our visit to Haines continue to receive the utmost praise... read more from our family and friends. Absolutely stunning scenery that we would not have seen otherwise.

Tom is a fantastic guide, teacher and now friend! I consider myself a fairly experienced photographer. However, Tom was instrumental in helping me capture marvelous images, assisting with suggestions on composition that had me looking at scenes in ways that I may not have thought about. He was a wealth of knowledge on camera setting suggestions, as well. In addition to photography, we learned quite a bit of history of the area and culture. He was most patient as we asked what seemed like hundreds of questions. There was not a question that didn’t go unanswered. He sent a personal email after our trip to follow up on the rest of our vacation and to clarify some details mentioned during our excursion. He even sent a detailed outline of some editing techniques that he used on one of the scenes that we shot together…now that is superior personalized service after the sale!

Regardless of your photography skill level or type of equipment, Tom will help you get the most out of your trip and you will be rewarded with wonderful images and memories that will not be forgotten.

We are already planning a return trip to Haines and an extended photography workshop with Tom. read less

Photo tour with Tom Ganner of Haines, Alaska I recently visited Haines, Alaska this past June 2018 with an avid photographer friend of mine and we both enjoyed Tom Ganner’s "Focus on Haines" tour. While I am not a photographer, (I do take great pictures on my I-phone), I thoroughly enjoyed the tour’s offering. It was great to... read more be on Tom's personal and private tour and not be part of a large group. In addition to exploring a variety of scenic locations that would appeal to any photographer or nature lover, Tom shared his insights into the natural and cultural history of the many locations we visited. The trip was entertaining, enjoyable and educational, and I would whole heartedly recommend the excursion to anyone with or without a camera. read less

Fantastic Scenes of Haines and Wildlife Tom and I spent half a day photographing the scenic areas near Haines and the results were great. That evening we were out till 10 pm, with some faint light, capturing images of wildlife. I appreciate Tom's knowledge of were to find the best shots and his guidence and reminders... read more of best camera setting. I was able to come away with several high quality images I will be proud to display. read less

Tom’s Focus on Haines Tour - Breathtaking and Inspiring Dear Fellow Adventure Travelers, While visiting Alaska, don’t miss Haines. An incredible yet undiscovered town on the Chilkkoot Inlet between Skagway and Glacier Bay by way of on most cruise ships. And don’t just sign up for another bus ride through this beautiful area, you need to explore to appreciate.... read more We looked at our options and picked Tom Ganner’s “Focus on Haines” private tour. Tom’s a professional photographer and if you want a combination magnificent scenery/fun local historical facts/mini Alaska safari, he’s your guy. We told Tom our photographic skills consisted of the latest IPhones and he was not deterred. The tour was in a comfortable car, in and out of the city with short stops and a mild amount of walking. Between breathtaking scenery (Rainbow Glacier and Chilkoot Lake are not to be missed) and amazing wildlife (with Tom’s long range spotting scope we stopped to watch a mother Bald Eagle sitting on her nest) we were entertained with fun facts about the local Chilkat Indian culture, Alaskan nature, the gold rush and Haines’ History. You will be delighted you took a moment to stop and breath in Tom Ganner’s fresh air classroom. 5 Stars! read less

We took an Alaskan Cruise on Holland America in May 2017. The photography excursion we went on while in port at Haines was led by Tom Ganner. The excursion was excellent. It was readily apparent that Tom is a very knowledgeable photographer. His selection of... read more stops provided excellent photo opportunities. At each stop he offered photo tips and he was willing to assist individuals with questions. He definitely knows his stuff! I would definitely look Tom up again when we return to Alaska. read less

I wanted a quick lesson with a new camera for taking pictures of flowers, animals and mountains. Tom was a great instructor and in a short time covered pertinent features of my camera to cover such shots. I would recommend Tom for anyone willing to learn more about photography. Thanks.

My husband and I recently went on a photo tour with Tom in the charming town of Haines, Alaska. We've been on several photo tours and this was by far the best excursion ever! Tom took us to his favorite "spots" which were breathtakingly beautiful & peaceful. ... read more He pulled over whenever he saw an eagle soaring or sitting in a tree so we could photograph them. He gave us great tips on photo composition. The scenic landscapes and wildlife that we were able to see & capture under Tom's guidance will be framed and put on our walls to be enjoyed for years to come. Tom was very personable, professional and knowledgeable. It was such a pleasure to spend the afternoon with him. I highly recommend taking one of Tom's photo tours!! read less

Haines Private Tour by Tom-Outstanding way to spend a day in Haines If you find yourself with a day (or more) in Haines Alaska, you can stop researching all of the options. Tom's private tour is a wonderful way to get a very comprehensive view of the prettiest little town (and surrounding area) in the Inside Passage. It's actually more like a... read more visit with a well-informed local friend. Tom was very knowledgeable, personable, and adaptable to my interests as a non-photographer. I'm glad that he has expanded his tour options to include a day tour for those who would rather leave the mechanics of professional photography to the experts like him. But I still got the huge advantage of his perspective when he set up his scope and cameras at several key spots that I would never find on my own. To see the bears and baby eagles up close was very special. And it's fun to follow these same animals at home on his FB page.

I am a small ship cruise professional who is always looking for those special gems in ports of call around the world, and this tour qualifies as one of the best. More and more, I book clients on private tours for the most immersive and personalized experience of a place- whether it's Budapest or Anchorage. I was a passenger on the SS Legacy (Uncruise Adventures) and all of the excursions at the various stops are included in the cost but I wanted to cover more ground than any of the offered options. The vistas and views in Haines are unlike anywhere else; it's the Alaska that people have in mind with the wide open spaces, glaciers, valleys, rivers, wildlife and non-touristy little town with an interesting native and military history. I've been to Alaska over 100 times but because it's not a regular cruise stop, I've missed out on Haines, but I will be back!

I'm probably a spoiled traveler, but I have little tolerance anymore for group tours- the waiting, the buses, the lines, straining to hear the guide. Having a private guide may cost a little more but it is SO worth it. I bet the group tour didn't stop at the local health food store for my decaf espresso. This tour was a highlight of 13 days of highlights. read less