Alaska is a haven for photographers. With its unmatched landscapes and amazing wildlife, photographers from around the world flock across the Last Frontier to capture coveted shots of grizzlies fishing in the creeks and massive glaciers carving through mountain passes.
Having spent years traveling through the state and talking with photographers about their favorite places to shoot, I am excited to guide you through ten of the state's most breathtaking photography spots!
1. Denali National Park and Preserve
What to capture: If you’re here on a clear day, you will get unparalleled pictures of America’s tallest peak, Denali. This peak is actually best photographed from a distance and during the evening “golden hour”, when it lights up with sun’s rays and casts the landscape in ethereal hues of purple and gold.
The park is also home to grizzly bears, moose, wolves, and caribou – making it a great destination for landscape and wildlife photography.
Best time to visit: Late May to early September.
Tip: Longer focal length lenses are ideal for capturing wildlife from a safe distance. The park's shuttle bus provides numerous opportunities to spot and shoot wildlife in their natural habitat. Consider hiking for a few days in the park to maximize your chances of seeing some of the more rare animals in the park. You can use the shuttle system to travel between trail heads.
2. Kenai Fjords National Park
What to capture: Impressive glaciers calving into the ocean, orcas, humpback whales bubble-net feeding, and a diverse range of seabirds.
Best time to visit: June to August.
Tip: Opt for a boat tour to experience the glaciers and marine life up close and personal. Smaller six-person tour boats are best for photographers as they allow you to get closer to the water and capture more stunning photos of the marine wildlife. These boats can also navigate closer to shore for photos of puffins, sea lions, seals, and nesting migratory birds.
3. Northern Lights in Fairbanks
What to capture: Fairbanks is one of the best places in Alaska to capture the aurora borealis dancing across the Alaskan night sky.
Best time to visit: Late September to late March.
Tip: Stability is key. Use a tripod and choose a wide-angle lens with a fast aperture, preferably f/2.8 or faster. Plan to spend a few nights here to maximize your chance of getting a clear sky and a large solar storm. You will need to either rent a car to drive out of town (only advisable if there’s limited snow or you are a confident winter driver) or book a Northern Lights Tour.
Best views: Murphy Dome (this spot can get very crowded with tourist and is not advisable in the snow), Chena Lakes, Road to Chena Hot Springs (for aurora through the trees photos), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Parks Highway (be sure to pull off on the north side of the highway to avoid headlights interfering with your photo)
4. Valdez
What to capture: Majestic coastal mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and black bears
Best time to visit: May to September.
Tip: Throughout August and September, Valdez is host to one of the largest salmon runs in the state, drawing a host of animals, including black bears, along the rivers and shores. Head to the local fish hatchery to see them fishing and then head over to Keystone Canyon for some of the most dramatic waterfalls in the area.
5. Katmai National Park and Preserve
What to capture: Coastal Brown Bears (also known as Grizzlies), wolves, foxes, volcanic landscapes, and moose
Best time to visit: May-June (bear mating season), July (young cubs are common in the park), August-September (fishing bears)
Tip: Many photographers will book a day tour to the park and visit Hallo Bay or Geographic Bay. You can also stay at the lodge at Brooks Falls and photograph bears fishing from the iconic Brooks Falls viewing platform (this requires advance reservations and get book up quickly). If you want to maximize your photo opportunities, consider camping in the park for a few days to capture sunrise and sunset bear photos.
A guided camping tour is offered through Scott Stone Photography from Kodiak or you can book your own charter to camp yourself (only advised if you are well-versed in bear country protocol and are comfortable camping in the backcountry).
6. Tracy Arm Fjord
What to capture: Jagged icebergs, mesmerizing waterfalls, orcas, eagles, and the twin Sawyer Glaciers.
Best time to visit: June to August.
Tip: Aim to shoot in the early morning when the ice radiates a mystical glow and book a charter boat dedicated to photography. This will allow you longer in each spot to get the perfect shot and the captain will be familiar with navigating the boat for optimal shooting conditions.
7. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
What to capture: Vast glaciers, remnants of historic mining sites, bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and mountain landscapes
Best time to visit: June to September.
Tip: Given the sheer size of the park, allocate several days to truly soak in its splendors. You can also book a photography sightseeing tour to capture stunning photos of the jagged mountain peaks.
8. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
What to capture: The great caribou migrations, tundra, and arctic foxes.
Best time to visit: June to September.
Tip: This remote location warrants hiring a guide or joining a tour group to maximize your experience and safety.
9. Seward Highway
What to capture: Dall sheep, mountain vistas, glaciers, and moose
Best time to visit: May to September.
Tip: The Seward Highway just outside of Anchorage is one of the best places in the world to photograph Dall Sheep, as they are commonly seen low on the cliffs or even right beside the road. Be sure to pull off on one of the many pull-outs and put on your flashers when photographing. You can also photograph glaciers at Portage Glacier down the road or moose along the highway or at Moose Flats. \
10. Nome
What to capture: Muskox in the snow and baby muskox during the spring, Northern Lights
Best time to visit: April-May, September-October
Tip: In the spring and fall, muskox are commonly seen outside of Nome along the road system. While Nome is not easy to get to, this is one of the easiest places in the state to photograph these amazing animals. By visiting during these periods, you can also double-up on a Northern Lights opportunity,
General Photography Tips for Alaska
Weather Preparedness
Alaska's elements are fickle. Protect your gear with rain covers and a waterproof bag, and pack layers to keep yourself comfortable.
Respect for Wildlife
Always maintain a safe distance from animals. Their behavior can be unpredictable. Equip yourself with bear spray and familiarize yourself with local wildlife dos and don'ts.
Don’t Stop in the Road
You will undoubtedly see animals along the roads and highways while you are visiting. Be sure to always pull entirely off the road and put on your flashers. Do not approach moose or bears along the road, as you can spook them and send them directly into traffic.
Extended Golden Hour
Due to Alaska's unique latitude, summer months can offer prolonged "golden hours", granting you that perfect soft lighting for longer spans.
Backup Gear
Given Alaska's remote nature, it's wise to have backup batteries, memory cards, and potentially even a backup camera. There are a few photography shops in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, but the rest of the state will only have the bare essentials. Amazon also takes up to two weeks for delivery for most of the state, so don’t plan on replacing gear quickly if something breaks.
