Alaska

We started in Sitka, a small community surrounded by mountains, tall spruce trees, and water that shifts colors depending on the weather. After boarding, I took my camera straight to the deck. The shoreline was full of character, and even before we set sail, I could already tell the landscape was going to be something special.

Day 2: Salisbury Sound and Krestof Sound

Our first full day brought us through Salisbury Sound and Krestof Sound, weaving through calm waters and forested islands. We explored by Zodiac and got close to rocky shorelines, sea otters, and kelp forests.
Everything felt quiet and steady - a great environment for photographing textures in the water and small moments with wildlife.

Day 3: Glacier Bay National Park

This day was the highlight for anyone who loves glaciers. In Glacier Bay, massive ice faces stretched across the horizon. We stood on deck listening to distant cracking, watching icebergs drift, and taking in the bright, almost electric blue tones of the ice.
It was a photographer’s dream: huge scale, shifting weather, and clean, minimal compositions everywhere.

Day 4: Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm

We explored both the Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm, both narrow fjords lined with tall rock walls and waterfalls. Our group took out kayaks and paddled near floating ice, which gave everything a really calm and grounded feel.
On shore, I found a lot of interesting details - driftwood, tide lines, and patterned rock - that were fun to photograph up close.

Day 5: Petersburg and Frederick Sound

We spent the morning in Petersburg, a fishing town with bright boats, quiet docks, and the kind of small-town charm that makes you feel instantly at ease. The plan was to explore a bit… which turned into a 13 mile uphill hike that absolutely delivered.
The trail climbed steadily through forest and muskeg, switching between boardwalks, soft moss, and open views of the islands below. It was long, but worth every step - the higher we went, the more the landscape opened up. I took photos along the way, mostly of textures in the vegetation, the changing light through the trees, and the views that got wider as we gained elevation.

After the hike, we sailed through Frederick Sound, which is known for whale activity. We saw whales in the distance, watched for flukes, and listened for blows echoing across the water. It was a calm, satisfying end to a very full day.

Day 6: Tracy Arm Fords Terror Wilderness

Our last full day took us into the Tracy Arm Fords Terror Wilderness, a protected area with narrow passages, waterfalls, and huge granite walls. The light shifted constantly, and fog moved in and out of the mountains.
This was one of my favorite photography days because the atmosphere was soft and moody, and the water was incredibly still.

Departure: Juneau

We ended the trip in Juneau, where the mountains meet the city and rain clouds constantly move through. I took a few last shots before heading out, mostly focused on the quiet morning light across the water.

Final Thoughts

Being from Incline Village and now living in San Francisco, I love places where mountains and water meet. Alaska felt familiar in some ways but also totally its own. The calm days, shifting weather, and mix of wildlife and wilderness made it an ideal place to photograph.