Justin Gibson
Justin's fascination with bears began at age 8 when he saw his first wild bear. Decades later, his interest in wildlife remains as strong as ever. While attending the University of Alaska Anchorage, he spent his summers as a ranger in Katmai National Park, where he developed a deep knowledge of Alaska's wildlife and ecosystems.
For more than 20 years, Justin has worked as a Photo Expedition Leader in more than 20 countries. During his decade-plus guiding career, he has led Photo Expeditions across Alaska, northern Canada, Yellowstone, Finland, Norway, Russia, China, Ethiopia and Borneo.
Justin's passion for nature photography began during childhood trips to Yellowstone with his family. Early in his career, he worked alongside some of the field's leading wildlife photographers in Katmai National Park, helping ensure safe and ethical bear-viewing experiences while learning from accomplished professionals. Those experiences helped shape his own photographic style and approach to visual storytelling.
Combining field expertise, intimate subject knowledge and advanced photographic techniques, Justin uses photography to help travelers better understand wildlife, landscapes and cultures. He is particularly passionate about teaching photography in the field and believes cameras can be powerful tools for conservation, sustainability and cross-cultural understanding. Justin's work has been featured in World Wildlife Fund magazine, Asia Geographic, Alaska magazine, AFAR and multiple stock photo agencies.
Justin's interests include botany, birding, glaciology, microbiology and scuba diving. His personal travels have taken him to Jordan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Egypt, Thailand, Laos and Malaysia.
What's in My Camera Bag
Every trip begins long before I step onto a plane. I’m constantly thinking about the images I hope to create—whether that’s a bear emerging from coastal fog, a sweeping landscape at sunrise, or a fleeting wildlife interaction. Those mental photographs shape every gear decision I make.
Rather than carrying every lens I own, I prefer a streamlined setup built around the shots I expect to encounter. Most of the time, that means traveling with just two lenses: a telephoto zoom for wildlife and a wide-angle lens for landscapes, environmental storytelling, and life on the road.
Keeping my kit simple has practical advantages as well. A smaller camera bag is easier to carry in the field, quicker to work from when opportunities appear unexpectedly, and far more likely to fit in an airplane overhead bin. The less gear I have to manage, the more attention I can devote to the experience unfolding in front of me.
Cameras
Sony A7R6
Lenses
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6
Sony 100-400mm f/4.5
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8
Sony 1.4x Teleconverter
Other
2TB Memory cards
Charger + Extra Batteries
Samsung T5 EVO 8TB SSD (2)
Cleaning Kit
Swarovski NL 10x42 Binoculars
What Our Guests Say
Justin is an exceptional Expedition Leader and functions at the highest level of competence at all times. He is continually vigilant, assessing the situation and responding accordingly in a consistent manner. His photography expertise is superior. His concerns for our safety were always paramount. There was no issue or problem that he could not solve. He is a delightful individual and has the perfect personality and temperament for his position. We have had guides throughout the world and he ranks with only the best! Our expectations are always high so to please us is no small feat. Justin made the trip perfect!
I could not have asked for a better guide. His subject knowledge was excellent and his courtesy and helpfulness were better than anything I have ever experienced. He was very engaging with travelers and even offered tips on photography - he was above and beyond all around. He genuinely wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
There are no words to tell you how wonderful Justin was. He is kind, helpful, patient, smart, compassionate, energetic, always on time, protective of our safety, funny and serious about conservation. I think everybody on the trip fell in love with him. Don't let him get away from Nat Hab. He is a priceless jewel and an asset to your company. I felt like crying when we had to say goodbye to him. He made the trip extra special.
