When people ask me what to pack for an Alaska cruise, I always smile — because as someone who lives in Juneau, I know just how wildly the weather and experiences can change from hour to hour. Whether you're photographing glaciers, exploring charming coastal towns, or spotting whales from your balcony, the right gear can make all the difference. If you want to travel Alaska prepared — and capture it beautifully — here’s your ultimate packing list straight from a local who lives it every day.
This orca was chasing after a salmon against a rocky background ✨
📝I was so excited to see an orca breach.. a rare occurrence for me. However, when I reviewed the photo in post, I was a bit disheartened by the background.
I began to ask the questions we all mull over when something doesn’t turn out exactly the way we want: Couldn’t the orca have breached somewhere in the middle of the ocean so that its beauty would have been highlighted by a clear background? Why didn’t I have the boat at a different angle right at the exact moment it would breach? You know… all of those ridiculous questions that are rhetorical in nature 😏
I refocused on what I did love about this photo and it came down to this: the moment that the orca breached was an unexpected gift that I had been incredibly lucky to have witnessed.
So I highlighted what I loved about the moment showcasing the orcas speed with the moving water and darkening the area around the orca so that you could feel present in the moment and not distracted by the background noise.
How about you? Have you ever had a photograph not turn out exactly the way you wanted?
Love to you & hope you have an amazing week ❤️
Orca Photograph taken in Southeast Alaska
Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to travel through Southeast Alaska and set eyes on beautiful vistas! The air always has a refreshing crisp to it and the scenery is grand and powerful. It’s one place in the world that feels raw and untouched. If you’ve ever cruised through Alaska or have had the opportunity to travel there, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, hopefully my photographs below will help show you what I mean.
One thing that I love about Alaska is that it is ever-changing. The environment changes rapidly under the extended summer sun and the wildlife is constantly moving. It’s exciting to see a whale fluke, an eagle in a tree or a bear scrambling up a stream for a salmon. However, as a photographer, it can also be extremely challenging.
Often times, you get one shot (no pun intended). As fast as you see a whale fluke breech the water line, it disappears below the surface. A seal that was once laying on a chunk of ice is now just a tiny head bobbing above the water. A beautiful mountain range disappears under a thick cloud of fog. For all of these reasons and more, Alaska can be a tough place to photograph but if you are up for the challenge, you will have an adventure of a lifetime.
Interested in recommendations of where to photograph during your Alaskan vacation? Send me a message here and I’ll send you a few tips and locations! Happy photographing!
Whale Fluke, Alaska
Mature Bald Eagle sitting in a tree
Orca breeching in Alaska
Crab Pot Buoy
Alaska Forest & Fog
Snow capped Mountains in Alaska
Glacier
In addition to the normal camera gear I tow along with me on each trip, I decided to take two weatherproofing items to Alaska. It rained almost everyday when I was there so I’m extremely happy that I had these two items. One item was for my camera and the second item was for my backpack (I didn’t want the rest of my gear getting wet while I was hiking around). Below are the two lifesaving pieces I had with me:
Mary Jacquel is passionate about Alaska and helping others navigate, explore and experience the beauty of the last frontier.
