This was the eighth year that owner Carl Johnson has led a five-night photo workshop up in the heart of Alaska’s Arctic mountain range, the Brooks Range. Here are some highlights of what the group experienced and photographed during the autumn 2023 trip, which ran from September 20-25. Day 1 – Arrival in Fairbanks The first night of this trip always starts in Fairbanks. We met for dinner at Lavelle’s Bistro and got an early night’s sleep due to cloudy conditions. The forecast called for clear skies in the afternoon on the drive up to Wiseman, so we looked forward to a full day of photo opport ..read more

There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about the aurora borealis. We have found that this can sometimes set up expectations that can get in the way of enjoying the aurora chasing experience. (This list is not in any particular order – it was hard to prioritize.) Myth No. 1 – “The aurora only comes out in the cold.” Aurora borealis and frosty trees near Girdwood. This is one of those times when you need to know the difference between correlation and causation. Cold temperatures do not cause the aurora borealis. It’s really cold in space or at distances of 200 miles in a ..read more

You have seen the photos – otherworldly shapes, dancing and undulating in the sky with hues of green, pink, purple and red. But what causes those colors? How common is it to see them? We get these questions a lot, so we thought we would help you understand them!  What causes those colors in the northern lights? The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is one of the most mesmerizing and captivating natural phenomena that grace our planet’s skies. This breathtaking display of vibrant colors dancing across the heavens has captured the imagination of people for centuries. Th ..read more

Filming and Photographing coastal brown bear with Mic-Anthony Hay Sony sent their A-team [Alpha Collective] up to Alaska last fall for some fun shooting in various locations, including filming and photographing coastal brown bear in Lake Clark National Park. Alaska Photo Treks had the honor of hosting them during much of their stay. Photographer, videographer, storyteller, and all around cool guy, Mic-Anthony Hay put together this stellar recap of his trip out to Lake Clark to photograph and film coastal brown bear in their natural habitat. In this short clip, Anthony provides wonderful visu ..read more

How to Photograph Alaska Wildlife No doubt about it, seeing and photographing wildlife is a main attraction for many visitors traveling to Alaska, but the state is large and finding them takes planning, patience and luck. The type of wildlife you’re looking for plays a big part in the planning process. Not all animals are active year-round… or even here. Alaska is host to many migratory species such including birds and whales. And of course, bears make themselves scarce during winter months. Check out Insider Tips – Top 30 Things to Photograph in Alaska and When to Shoot Them to get a g ..read more

Adventures on Knik Glacier Standing barefoot atop ice formed from snow that fell more than 100 years ago, he stripped to board shorts while the guide tied a safety cable across his chest. The cable was a precaution against involuntarily muscle seizure; immobilizing a person to the point they can’t swim – or even get out of the water. Hawaii native and photographer, Stan, was about to take a plunge into a deceptively inviting blue pool of ice melt atop Alaska’s Knik Glacier. During the peak of the last glacier period (circa 21,500 years ago), Knik Glacier was a river of ice flowing from the n ..read more

Top 30 Alaska Photography Subjects by Season Ever wondered when’s the best time to photograph brown bear snatching salmon from a cascading falls… alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers… northern lights whipping across the night sky… or tail slapping whales in a coastal fjord? Alaska provides scenes like these and so much more, but they’re seasonal – so knowing where to be and when is key to success. Consulting the Top 30 Alaska Photography Subjects by Season is a good place to start. Among the unique attributes of the subarctic, early spring is still essentially winter. Between ..read more