Photography Tours, Classes and Workshops We lead fun, photo-centric tours and workshops to help you maximize your Alaska travel and photography experience.
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Our services cater to photographer needs such as touring during optimum hours for light and going where the wildlife is. From two hour tours in Anchorage city center to multi-day wilderness excursions, all tours come with full, technical and creative support from Alaskan, professional photographer guides. So whether in the city or far afield, we’ll help you get your Alaska dream shot.
We are approaching the summer solstice. In Anchorage, the sun does not set until 11:42 p.m. on the solstice. The weather has also been fantastic lately! Now is a great time to join us and celebrate these long days through our Sunset Photo Safari!
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/sunset-photo-safari/
We were proud to be a supporter of a Girls Who Click photo workshop this last weekend at the Eagle River Nature Center. Girls Who Click is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that was founded by Suzi Eszterhas to empower girls to enter the male-dominated field of photography. The organization partners with professional photographers around the country to offer free nature photography workshops for teen girls. For this weekend's workshop, we provided transportation from the Alaska Photo Treks office out to the Eagle River Nature Center. In addition, owner Carl and guides Glenn and Cory were on hand to serve as group leaders and mentors. In addition to viewing presentations, the 12 girls participating in the workshop were given the chance to shoot in the field and give their own presentation using images to tell a story.
It is a beautiful day to be In downtown Anchorage! We are set up to highlight our tours at the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center. If you’re in downtown between now and 1 PM, stop by and say hi!
We were delighted to host our first Whittier transfer shore excursion today for Holland America. Called “Turnagain Treasures, “ the tour highlights hidden gems along Portage Valley and the Turnagain Arm.
We are always one of the first tour operators at the dock when the first cruise ship comes into Anchorage for the season. It seems like owner Carl always ends up getting interviewed for a news piece about the visit.
Nearly 2,000 passengers from Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam arrived Thursday morning, walking down a gangway at the Don Young Port of Alaska to find a chilly morning in Anchorage.
We had our first Holland America shore excursion in Anchorage today. With forty guests, we had four vans and five guides (Chad, Colin, Ben, Amber, and Monica) along with owner Carl (taking the photo). It was a chilly spring day, with some recent fresh snowfall, but we had a great time sharing the beauty of Anchorage with our visitors. 
Well, our 2023-24 Aurora Season is now officially over! While it is still possible to see the northern lights in the vicinity of Anchorage for another week or so, we end our season on the last night when we have four hours of astronomical twilight (April 24). Here is a slide show with a visual recap of our season. Enjoy!
Alaska is an incredible destination for viewing the aurora borealis, and this season did not disappoint! From August 17, 2023 to April 24, 2024, we shared th...
For today's National Parks Week post, we take you about two hours south of Anchorage to Kenai Fjords National Park.
To access the park, you would drive to the coastal town of Seward. You can hike directly into the park or take a boat to explore coastal areas of the park; namely, the fjords for which it is named and their many glaciers. Along the way, there are abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
The park was established in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
For today's National Parks Week post, we take you west from Anchorage across Cook Inlet to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. Nestled in the Chigmit Mountains of the Aleutian Range, and surrounding one of Alaska's more stunning lakes. Qizhjeh Vena, meaning "a place where people gathered lake" in Dena'ina Athabascan, is the original name of Lake Clark.
The park was established in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act into law. One of the special roles that the park plays for Alaskans is that it is a place where rural residents can engage in customary and traditional subsistence activities like hunting and fishing. But for visitors, it is a spectacular country for hiking, backpacking, floating, and fishing. We also love it for photography, with its stunning mountain landscapes and its amazing wildlife photo opportunities - especially coastal brown bears.
For today's National Parks Week post, we take you 4.5 hours north of our home base of Anchorage to Denali National Park & Preserve. The park was first established as a 4 million acre Mount McKinley National Park in 1917. The bill signed by President Woodrow Wilson took eleven years to pass from the initial efforts. The park was renamed and expanded to 6 million acres in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act into law. It is one of the top photography destinations in Alaska, and our most-visited national park with over 500,000 visitors annually.
It's National Parks Week! We will be highlighting a different Alaska national park each day today through Friday. We will kick things off with a national park right next door to where we conduct a spring and autumn photo excursion each year up in the Brooks Range. Welcome to Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve!
The idea for a vast northern national park was inspired by the expeditions of Bob Marshall to the area starting in 1929. He also named two prominent peaks straddling the North Fork of the Koyukuk River (Frigid Crags and Mount Boreal) the "Gates of the Arctic." In 1968, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall urged President Lyndon Johnson to establish areas of the Brooks Range as a national monument under the Antiquities Act. But it was not until President Jimmy Carter signed a bill in 1978 that Gates of the Arctic was established as a national monument. Two years later, President Carter signed another law (the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act) that established Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. It comprises 8.5 million acres of land in the Brooks Range, 7.2 million of which is designated wilderness. It has no roads or public facilities. It was intended to be, as one writer described it, a "black belt wilderness."
We had a classic day in the Arctic yesterday - showing all of the reasons why we have a spring Brooks Range trip. We encountered members of the Central Arctic Caribou Herd north of Atigun Pass, then had clearing skies for sunset around Galbraith Lake. After dark, we had a fantastic aurora display!
It was too cloudy on our first night in Wiseman to hope to see the aurora borealis, but we had some clearing skies in between (and during) snowfall to see some fantastic displays last night in the Brooks Range! Owner Carl is leading our spring Brooks Range trip, sharing the beauty of the Alaskan Arctic with our guests.
We had a beautiful first full day in the Brooks Range for our Spring Aurora Workshop. We are enjoying dinner now at the Boreal Lodge in Wiseman, and will soon head out to photograph evening light and wait for the northern lights to appear.
We had a heck of a show out on our Anchorage Aurora Quest on the night of March 8, 2024, north of Anchorage. Cloud modeling and forecast called for mostly cloudy skies, but we went anyway. As FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper ("Twin Peaks") once famously said about weather forecasting, "If you could get paid for being wrong 60% of the time, it'd beat working." Well, the forecasts were wrong and our guests had a great show. Thanks to Lead Guide Ben for his great photos from the evening!
Last-minute booking opportunity for our Brooks Range Spring Aurora trip! We have just three spaces left and are offering a $500 discount on the trip. We spend one night in Fairbanks and four nights in Wiseman, in the heart of the Brooks Range and directly under the Aurora Oval. Trip dates are March 30-April 4.
Due to the future unavailability of the lodging we use in Wiseman, this will likely be our last spring trip to the Brooks Range.
Book Now! Simply enter the promo code BRAW500 to get your discount.
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/brooks-range-spring-aurora/
We are excited to announce that we are promoting our guide Ben to Lead Guide! He has been guiding regularly for us now for three years, and routinely receives high marks from our guests for providing a wonderful tour experience. Please join us in congratulating Ben, and sharing your experiences out in the field with him.
There is a reason why we keep a close eye on moose that are near us during any tour. Yesterday, owner Carl got to guide one of our Anchorage Winter Wonderland tour. It was a beautiful day to be out. At one point, the group encountered a cow moose and yearling calf. Oddly enough, the calf was weary of the cow, and the cow was making repeated bluff charges at the calf. This is behavior is something we typically see in early May when the cow is trying to get rid of the yearling calf in advance of giving birth to the next generation. Carl was keeping an eye on the action, and backed the group away from the moose a little bit. There was an explosion of activity, and the cow took off full speed after the calf. Unfortunately, another photographer was not paying as much attention to the moose and ended up on the wrong side of the action. He ended up diving into deep snow on the side of the trail. Everyone was safe in the end, but it is a not-so-subtle reminder that wildlife are still wild and unpredictable.
Owner Carl was recently out in the field for six days and five nights on our new Alaska Winter Wonderland photo workshop. Here is a brief snapshot of the trip - look for a blog post with a more detailed Field Report coming soon!
We hit a new record low temperature for our season during last night's Anchorage Aurora Quest - a chilly -37F (-38C). But we did not let that deter us, and our guests embraced the cold for a chance to see the aurora.
It was also a good illustration why Kp is not the key factor in seeing the northern lights. The forecast was a Kp1.33, which is pretty low. But, the forecast indicated that the geomagnetic field could be "unsettled," which indicated a chance for activity. And we found it!
Thanks to guides Ben and Chad for the great photos and giving our guests a chance to see such a beautiful night sky!
Did you know we offer the only regular drone photography tour in Alaska? Now you do!
During our Drone Dreamscapes tour yesterday, we enjoyed the amazing vantage point that drone photography offers as we explored some magical conditions on the Turnagain Arm. With temperatures as low as -8F (-22C), batteries in the drones and drone controllers alike were quite challenged.
Join us in this aerial exploration of Alaska someday! We know where the safe and legal flying areas are near Anchorage and what locations are spectacular for drone photography. https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/alaska-drone-photo-tour/
Some of our guests try to pin us down to a specific start time and a specific end time for the tour. Quite often, someone has a 6:00 a.m. flight and they want to make sure they will be back to Anchorage by 4:00 a.m. (Hint, don't book our northern lights tour on your last night in town, let alone when you have a 6:00 a.m. flight.)
We always tell them that our start and end time depend on the weather forecast and the conditions in the field during the tour. We stress that both can be unpredictable.
To illustrate, here's the story of a recent Anchorage Aurora Quest tour. Due to the cloud modeling, we did not start the tour until 12:30 a.m. But the areas that were supposed to be clear started to cloud too early. Our guests were highly motivated to see the northern lights. So the guide drove to an entirely new direction, and we were able to find clear skies and the northern lights. But our guide did not make it back to the office and our garage until after 8:00 a.m.
Cold and calm air paired with morning ice fog has made for some beautiful conditions during recent outings on our Anchorage Winter Wonderland Tour. This journey though the magical beauty of our winters continues through the end of March. Join us sometime!
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/anchorage-winter-wonderland-tour/
Happy New Year! We were excited to bring in the new year last night with some guests on our Anchorage Aurora Quest. Guide Ben found some clear skies and captured some wonderful images of the scenery and our guests having a great time. A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) helped to spark some active aurora displays.
Is seeing the aurora on your bucket list for 2024? Join us on either our group tour or private tour options - links below.
Anchorage Aurora Quest
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/anchorage-northern-lights-tour/
Private Aurora Tour
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/private-aurora-tour/
We've had some clear, beautiful, cold nights for our Anchorage Aurora Quest tour. With the bright moon and quiet aurora activity, we have not seen much. But our guests have endured cold conditions (as low as -24 F last night) to enjoy the nighttime beauty and have some fun with the cold.
Best wishes to all for a safe, happy, and relaxing Holiday season!
It was a mixed aurora weekend. We started out with the Cannibal CME aurora on Thursday night, then on Friday the Bz was a sustained +9 or worse (making aurora viewing impossible). On Saturday, the aurora came out just a little bit for a brief moment, but on Sunday night we found a nice aurora display that would not be deterred by a 58% illumination moon or some scattered clouds. We appreciate our guests who are so eager to go out and chase the lights with us, and enjoy the experience!
We do not have much experience with cannibalism up here in Alaska. But we will get a little taste of it hopefully on tonight's Anchorage Aurora Quest. No, winter has not gotten that desperate yet. Rather, we are expecting the arrival of a "Cannibal CME," when a smaller coronal mass ejection (CME) is taken over and consumed by a larger CME. Read more in the link below.
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/20067
Check out what's new on the blog! We published a trip report for our Brooks Range Autumn Workshop that was held back in September.
https://alaskaphototreks.com/trip-report-brooks-range-autumn-workshop-2023/
If you would like to join us in the Brooks Range for a five-night, six-day workshop in 2024, check out your options below.
Brooks Range Spring Aurora Workshop (April 3-8, 2024)
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/brooks-range-spring-aurora/
Brooks Range Autumn Workshop (Sept. 25-30, 2024)
https://alaskaphototreks.com/treks/brooks-range-autumn/
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Hi everyone! Thank you for joining us on a quick walk-through of our new commercial space in Anchorage!
We had a great private photo tour out on Matanuska Glacier with the marvelous assistance of @micaguides. Our client was able to experience the glacier in many respects, and enjoy a beautiful day in Alaska!
Step into the raw and unfiltered beauty of Alaska's untamed wilderness! Join our local guides as we explore through dense forests, traverse rugged terrains, and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of untouched landscapes. https://alaskaphototreks.com/
Uncover the hidden gems and natural wonders that make Alaska truly breathtaking. 🌄 Join us on a trek, and lose yourself in the beauty of Alaska. https://alaskaphototreks.com/
From cascading waterfalls to rugged mountain ranges, we're venturing off the beaten path to uncover the secrets hidden within this vast and wild landscape. Join us as we navigate the untamed and embrace the adventure! https://alaskaphototreks.com/
Uncover the hidden gems and natural wonders that make Alaska truly breathtaking. 🌄 Join us on a trek, and lose yourself in the beauty of Alaska. https://alaskaphototreks.com/
Strop scrolling, and let's explore the untamed beauty of Alaska for a moment. Looking to embark on your next adventure? Join our local experts on an experience like no other. https://alaskaphototreks.com/
Just a little highlight reel from last night’s Sunset Photo Safari tour! #Travel #Tourism #PhotoTours #Anchorage #Alaska #BigWildLife #Spring #Snow #PhotoFun #iMovie #Photography
Moose in Kincaid Park on custom photo tour
During a recent Sunset Photo Safari, we were watching a cow moose browsing in the tall grasses at Potter Marsh. Suddenly, she moved out into the open water of Rabbit Creek, grunting quietly. Out of nowhere, her spring calf rushed from the other side of the creek to meet its mother in the water, and it started nursing.
We had a very cooperative red-throated loon to kick off the start of our Focus on Feathers tour today.
If you have ever taken our Sunset Photo Safari, you may have seen the Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage as part of that tour. One of the things I like to point out during the tour is the signage warning you that aircraft have the right-of-way on the roads. The reason is to allow small planes to taxi from their parking areas to a nearby landing strip. Well, this is what that looks like.
Another marvelous time lapse from one of our guides Glenn during the Anchorage Aurora Quest on the night of February 22.
Our guide Glenn captured this time lapse of last night’s northern lights display out on the Knik River during our Anchorage Aurora Quest tour.
Photo evening out
Just a suggestion on how to work on your photo projects in the harsh light of day.
Working on projects ...
Afternoon wildlife walk
And we are going to continue our Anchorage Northern Lights Forecast updates through May 7, so if you want to chase them locally on your own as part of Social Distancing, you will have the tools you need! https://alaskaphototreks.com/anchorage-northern-lights-forecast/
A little video note from the trail today, Turnagain Arm Trail, that is. #bigwildlife #anchorage #alaska #chugachstatepark #hiking #winter #nosnow #climatechange
