About Eddy Savage – Photographer, Author, and Global Expedition Guide
Eddy Savage is a seasoned wildlife guide and photographer based on Vancouver Island, with over 15 years of experience leading nature-focused expeditions across Canada and internationally. For more than a decade, he has introduced visitors from around the globe to the complex, captivating world of bears—grizzlies, black bears, and polar bears—through thousands of hours of patient, non-intrusive observation.
From wading through shallow rivers and kayaking along rugged coastlines to boating into misty estuaries and navigating the sub-arctic tundra in specialized vehicles, Eddy has gathered unforgettable stories and profound insights from his time immersed in the wild.
As a photographer, his camera has been a constant companion, capturing the essence of his wilderness encounters. His extensive archive of bear imagery forms the backbone of his educational talks and presentations, helping illuminate the lesser-known aspects of bear behavior. Eddy also leads international photography expeditions, sharing his passion for wildlife and landscape photography with fellow adventurers.
Entering the guiding world
I began working as a wildlife viewing guide in 2008 while I was in college. I picked up a little point and shoot camera that went everywhere I did and became a fixture in my guiding equipment. It came with me on each and every day-trip, kayak adventure, canoe adventure, and multi-day expedition along the British Columbia coastline.
By 2013, I was working as a Naturalist Guide at the world renowned grizzly bear lodge – Knight Inlet Lodge. I spent thousands of hours watching grizzly bears in rivers and estuaries and began to recognize some photography potential. I was inspired to begin investing more time into the craft. Working at Knight Inlet Lodge was the perfect mixture of wilderness immersion, abundant wildlife, and guests and colleagues with an impressive knack for photography. I loved asking guests and colleagues about their camera settings, composition ideas, and sharing images from the days excursions. It was a fountain of knowledge, growth, experimentation, and learning. I borrowed my sisters DSLR and fittingly dropped it and broke the lens. I ended up buying a new camera and a two new lenses (one for my sister). It seemed that each year I went back for a season of bear viewing, my skills had improved, but also I was investing in my camera kit. I also began printing my photographs in larger format and had my photography featured in several galleries on Vancouver Island.
An extraordinary opportunity
In 2015, in partnership with Norman Carr Safaris in the South Luangwa Region of Zambia, I took part in a guide-exchange. I spent three weeks shadowing some of the best guides in the region. Camera in hand, I was able to observe some of the best guides in the country spotting wildlife, observing wildlife, and talking about wildlife. This experience was also paired with six weeks in Kenya, exploring the beautiful country with a lifelong friend and conservationist. It was eye-opening, inspiring, and further fueled my passion for travel and exploration.
Evolving my craft
In 2016, I was looking to expand my guiding and photography to other regions. I had always had my eye on Churchill, Manitoba to work as a polar bear viewing guide. I connected with Natural Habitat Adventures and they brought me on board to run their Polar Bear Expeditions. After five expeditions, we continued working together and have now lead their photography expeditions globally. Beyond that, I have had opportunities to sail the entire British Columbia coastline, kayak guide in Antarctica, and spend time as a Naturalist and Mate aboard expedition sailboats. This type of travel, exploration, and photography guiding is my passion and I’m excited to share this with you.
My current areas of focus
Today, I focus primarily on photography related tours and expeditions in Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and China. In 2025, I released my debut book: Wild Bears of Canada – a 138 page book filled with field stories, carefully selected images of polar bears, black bears, and grizzly bears. I’m passionate about photography and story-telling and look forward to creating more works for nature lovers around the world.
Current Expeditions:
- Polar Bear Photography Expedition
- Polar Bear Tundra Lodge Expedition
- Northern Lights Photography Expedition
- Haida Gwaii Sailing Expedition
- East Greenland Photography Expedition
- Iceland 16-day Photography Expedition
- Wild Side of China Photography Expedition
- Bears & Whales of Knight Inlet
Past Expeditions:
- Belugas & Arctic Photo Expedition
- Wild Switzerland Expedition
- Great Bear Rainforest Sailing Expedition
- Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
- South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
Published Photography & Shows
- Wild Bears of Canada – 138 Page Hardcover Book
- Natural Habitat Adventures web and print
- Grizzly Bear Foundation
- WWF web and print
- Seaside Times Magazine – “Wildlife Wayfarer”
- Knight Inlet Lodge web, print, and product
- CBC News – Shoreline Cleanup
- Brentwood Bay Resort
- Victoria International Airport
- Robb Report
Past Projects & Interviews
- Film Crew support for Emmy Award winning Super / Natural – Bear Scent
- Coastal Cleanup Technician on three 21 day expeditions
- Field Support for Bear ID project
- Founding board member of Marine Guides Association of Canada
- Pour Your Art Out Podcast – Living the Dream – Eddy Savage
- The Wild Photographer Podcast – Wildlife Photography Essentials & Effective Planning with Eddy Savage
- 10 Years Guiding with Grizzlies – An Interview with Eddy Savage