Perfect pictures: 9 of the world’s best photography vacations

Story highlights

With Pulitzer-winning instructors and $100,000 lenses, these photo tours get you shooting like the pros

Some tours have exclusive access to some of the world's best spots for photographing bears

Tips from pros include wearing loose-fitting clothes you don't mind getting dirty

But some tours are headquartered in luxury resorts

CNN  — 

Remember that giant grizzly in Alaska that came inches from your face?

Or those magnificent northern lights on that winter night in Finland?

No?

OK, maybe neither of those amazing photo ops have passed in front of your lens just yet.

But when they do, you’ll want to be ready.

The best photography tours not only put you in the right place at the right time to capture magic moments, they impart the skills to turn them into photos worth sharing.

The tours below feature award-winning photographer-instructors, exclusive experiences and even the use of $100,000 worth of camera gear.