Tips for Photographing Alaska Wildlife

Capturing photos of Alaska wildlife offers incredible rewards but also presents unique challenges. Its vast, remote wilderness and unpredictable weather demand careful preparation. Success requires thoughtful planning, thorough scouting, persistence, and patience. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your Alaskan wildlife photography adventure.

Tip 1) Dress for the Weather

Alaska’s weather is highly variable, so dress appropriately for the location, altitude, season and activity. In summer, pack for both warm to hot sunny days and cool mountain conditions, and, expect sudden weather changes. Important items include:

Spring-Summer-Autumn

• rain jacket,
• durable hiking pants and shorts,
• down sweater, synthetic hoodie, or fleece
• windproof gloves,
• lightweight wind-proof outer layer,
• base layers like merino wool or polypropylene.

Winter requires more substantial clothing and footwear including:

• well insulated down or synthetic parka,
• gloves and mittens,
• face mask, neck gator,
• hat, headband,
• well insulated boots & extra felt boot liners,
• hand warmers and electric gloves/socks.

See my article on cold weather photography. If you plan to photograph the aurora borealis, prepare for extreme cold and read my article on tips for photographing the northern lights.

Tip 2) Choose the Right Camera Gear

Photographing Alaska’s wildlife effectively begins with selecting the right gear for your subject—a task that can be one of the most challenging aspects of pre-trip planning. The distance to animals often varies, so I typically pack lenses ranging from 14mm to 500mm, along with one or two tripods. While one might consider a 14mm lens too wide for wildlife photography, I often find myself mixing up some landscape photography. When focusing on specific subjects, like grizzly or brown bears, I streamline my gear to reduce weight. However, extended stays—sometimes a week or more—often call for a versatile selection of focal lengths. For carrying equipment, I prefer the Kiboko camera bag by Gura Gear. Its minimalist design, lightweight build, and durability make it ideal and it will hold my 500mm lens. Pairing carbon fiber tripods with today’s lighter lenses also helps keep weight manageable.

Tip 3) Be Physically Prepared

Wildlife photography often involves hiking and trekking with a heavy pack. Build stamina before your trip by simulating these activities to avoid fatigue and maximize your opportunities in the field. Alaska has fewer trails than other states and you will often find yourself traveling across uneven terrain in search for wildlife. I often spend an entire day trekking, waiting, and watching light so bringing plenty of water and food for the day is essential.

Tip 4) Research your Subject

Understand your subject’s habits, habitats, and behaviors. Animals are creatures of habit and frequent similar areas, however, it takes time to discern and anticipate their movements. The more you know about them, the better prepared you will be to capture photos in a natural setting. A small pair of binoculars is helpful to scout for wildlife. Some National Parks (like Denali National Park) publish guidelines on the required minimum distances to maintain from various animals. Brown bears, or grizzly bears, inhabit much of Alaska, and if you are camping or cooking, be informed on the protocol for food etiquette in bear country.

Tip 5) Master the Light

Scout locations in advance to learn how sunlight falls at different times of day. Have some idea of where the sun will rise and set, since this will inform your “golden hour” photo locations. You will often be in mountainous country, and the surrounding hills dictate available light, especially when at low angles. Mountain weather is often cloudy and the luxury of predicting light can be challenging. Alaska’s low-angle sunlight creates dramatic effects, especially during the golden hour, but conditions can change quickly. Knowing and anticipating the light’s direction enhances both wildlife and landscape shots.

Tip 6) Use a Tripod Wisely

Tripods improve stability and tracking for long-lens shots. Invest in quality options like those from Really Right Stuff, Kirk Enterprises, Gitzo, and Bogen. While essential for certain situations, don’t over-rely on them; handheld techniques often work well for capturing sharp images with practice. I shoot my 500mm image stabilized lens handheld all the time, and the images are impeccably sharp. It is possible with a little technique.

7) Experiment with Perspective

Capture unique, natural-looking compositions by adjusting your shooting angle. Get low for an eye-level view, climb for a top-down perspective, or incorporate the surrounding environment to add context to your images.

Tip 8) Avoid Tunnel Vision

Using telephoto lenses can lead to repetitive, centered compositions, especially when tracking moving wildlife. Take time to evaluate the scene and experiment with framing. Anticipate movement and include the surrounding environment to tell a more dynamic story. If possible, occasionally examine the full-frame area of your image. Compose thoughtfully, don’t just target shoot.

Tip 9) Work Efficiently

Be ready to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Know your camera settings and keep essential gear like digital media or batteries accessible. Practice with your camera so you are fast and efficient with its use. Having a second camera body accessible or a different lens on a waist belt can help you capture unexpected close encounters if a different focal length is needed.

Tip 10) Embrace Variety

While close-up wildlife portraits are impactful, consider wider focal length lenses to showcase animals within their environment. Think about being a visual story teller to highlight the relationship between the animal and Alaska’s vast landscapes.

Tip 11) Be Patient and Persistent

Strive to balance your enjoyment of nature with the persistence and patience required to capture the perfect shot. Wildlife photography frequently involves long periods of waiting—whether for the subject, the right lighting, or favorable weather. Embrace the downtime by resting, observing your surroundings, reviewing your camera manual, or simply exploring the area. Patience is key, so make the most of every moment in the field.

Tip 12) Be Weather-Wise

Dramatic weather often yields opportunity for extraordinary photos. Inclement weather, like snowstorms, fog, rain, etc., can add mood to your images—just ensure you’re dressed appropriately for the conditions.

Tip 13) Adjust your Schedule

The light never ends when shooting during Alaska’s summers and golden hour is a very late and very early. Be prepared to shift your sleep schedule to take advantage of the best light conditions. In the high Arctic, I’ve had to switch my sleep schedule from 10 pm to 5 am. Know the time of sunrise and sunset for your location, it varies considerably.

In summary, photographing Alaska wildlife is exciting, at times boring, challenging, fascinating, and fun. You might not always come away with award-winning photos, but you will deepen your connection with the land and the wildlife. Plan thoroughly, stay persistent, and enjoy the adventure of photographing Alaska’s wildlife.