Why I Love Living in Auke Bay, Alaska | Juneau, Alaska

Before moving to Juneau, Alaska, I had visited Petersburg during the summer for years - spending the days fishing, crabbing and exploring. We made the decision to move to Auke Bay, Alaska (close to Juneau) and I’m thrilled with our decision. There’s an endless amount of adventures and activities to embark on and as a photographer, there’s always something more to photograph (the possibilities can be overwhelming!).

Top Reasons to Live in Auke Bay

While there are several reasons to live in Auke Bay, here are just a few of my favorite reasons why I love it here!

1. The Weather: While this is not scientific proof, in my experience living here over the last few years, the weather seems to be all-around better here. It rains less, the wind is a bit less, and on the days when it’s cloudy or foggy, it seems to dissipate before the sunset.

2. The Sunsets: Just incredible sunsets - all hues of the rainbow. I’ve included some photos for you to get a sense of the colors.

3. There’s One of Everything: Within walking distance, there’s the harbor, a cafe (they also serve lunch and dinner), a small grocery store, gas/fuel, a salon and a barber, there’s a brewery, a bar and a yoga studio. Oh! and there’s a laundromat if needed. You don’t need to go too far (or even drive if you’re up for a walk) since there’s one of everything within a mile.

4. There’s a University: There’s a university nearby which has a couple of benefits for those of us who live in the area. For me personally, I have benefitted from the nicely kept walking paths (almost always taken care of in the winter) and nearby trails. There is a library on campus (although I’m not sure if a library card can be acquired).

5. The Trails: Within a mile radius, there’s so many trails that can be accessed with out-and-back style hiking. Some trails can be biked and some trails lead to Forest Service Cabins that can be rented.

6. The Berry Picking: During berry season, it is common to see people pulled over on the side of the road picking berries. I have passed berry pickers along the trails, most of them picking blueberries, blackberries or salmon berries.

7. The Harbor: If you like kayaking, access to the Auke Bay Harbor is as simple as dropping in your kayak and heading out for the day. During the summer and peak hours, it may get a bit busy but the access is easy and there’s plenty of daytime parking.

8. The Birds: If you love watching birds or you’re a photographer, Auke Bay is paradise! We get so many types of birds (eagles, various ducks, etc.) and as the weather changes, you notice more migrating through the area.

While there are thousands of reasons to live in Auke Bay, Alaska, those are my top reasons why I choose to live here. The photography options are endless, there’s infrastructure and the necessary stores within walking distance, and the ocean constantly beckons for another adventure.

Check out a few more of the sunsets overlooking Auke Bay below!

3 Places for Drone Photography in Juneau Alaska

Over the years, I have found a few places to Drone around Juneau, Alaska (while maintaining the proper clearance with any of the airports and special air zones) . If you’re flying a Mavic (& perhaps other brands), your app will tell you where you can fly. But if you have limited time in Juneau, here are 3 locations that I have flown and find enjoyable because of their pristine beauty, unique characteristics and interesting subjects (such as waterfalls).

1. Eagle Beach Near Juneau, Alaska

Heading North (from Auke Bay), it will take you about :15 - :20 minutes to get to this location but it’s worth the drive (along the way there will be overlooks to stop at to see ocean vistas). There’s a nearby overlook where you can park or you can pull into the area with picnic tables. Head here at low tide so that you can fly low and see the tide pools as well as head towards the mountains that sit across the body of water.

2. Mendenhall Glacier Area Near Juneau, Alaska

During the Spring when there are limited visitors and residents around (e.g., in the early morning hours), take your drone over to the Mendenhall Glacier area. Explore Nugget Falls or head over by Skater’s Cabin for an easy access point. If the lake is frozen over, it can be fun to head out to the middle of the lake to check out the footprint path from folks heading to the glacier caves. One word of caution - depending on the temperature, your drone may not let you take off / fly (mine does not do well in temps below freezing).

3. Point Louisa

You will hear locals say “out the road” which means: drive as far north as you possibly can. Essentially there’s 1 road that ends at Berner’s Bay (about 36 mines from Auke Bay or Statter Harbor). If you drive along this road, you will pass a location called ‘Point Louisa’. There is parking, picnic areas and the views of the mountains across the ocean are stunning. Couple of tips:

1. Tides: check the tides before you go - low tide is the best time to fly as there is a lot of texture on the ground that is otherwise hidden by water.

2. Wind: check the wind speed - I know some drones can withstand strong winds (mine can’t!) but it can be a tough flight if the winds are ripping across the water.

4. Bonus Location - St. James Bay Near Juneau, Alaska

To get here, you will need to hop a boat ride or a floatplane. It’s not far, maybe about a 45-60 minute boat ride but I promise it is worth it! The views are pristine and the water is calm. Often times, you will see a larger boat anchored in one of the smaller coves or a floatplane landing in the nearby landing strip. The mountains alongside the water are breathtaking and the reflections are gorgeous. You will most likely see seals, sea lions and even starfish when you look into the clear water.

There you have it - 3 places for drone photography in Juneau, Alaska. Make sure to triple check the regulations before you take off. If you have flown a drone near or around Juneau, we’d love to hear from you!

The Story Behind the Moody Orca

This orca was chasing after a salmon against a rocky background ✨

Black and White Orca | Photography Print

from $19.00

📝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 ❤️

Alaska Photography Tours | DIY Juneau, Alaska

Statter Harbor (aka Auke Bay Harbor) late in the day

DIY Photography Tours

There are several photography excursions you can explore while staying in Alaska. Often times, the tours are focused on something specific such as the Northern Lights or perhaps a specific animal such as a Bear. If you have limited time and would like to give yourself the best chance to photograph something specific in Alaska, I highly recommend taking a tour or hiring a private guide.

However, if you have a few days to roam around Juneau, Alaska, I would encourage you to challenge yourself to photograph as much as you can in your time here. What’s helpful with this ‘cast your net’ approach (or taking a broad approach to photographing as much as possible), is a list of items for you to focus on. This will help get your mind thinking about items to look for when you’re out and about - and it will help you get as many great shots as possible.

Statter Harbor - One of Juneau’s beautiful harbors

Just like other cities in Southeast Alaska, Juneau has several harbors. Especially during the summer months, these harbors are hustling and bustling with commercial fishermen (& women), fishing and whale watching charters, and private boats. Every once in awhile a mega yacht will also be docked dwarfing even the biggest of commercial fishing boats (check out the short video below). While some boats have dedicated dock space (first few spaces of the harbor), most spaces at this harbor are considered ‘Transient Moorage’ meaning there’s always new boats coming and going and new things to photograph!

Walk the docks of Statter Harbor

If you have a few minutes while you’re here, I encourage you to walk through the docks photographing the details and landscape of this harbor. Most of it is made out of weathered wood and most boat captains are very friendly. Get a feel for the vibe of ‘Alaskan fishing life’ and listen to the docks as they groan against the change of the tides. If you happen to be into photography, here’s a list of items that you may want to capture while you peruse the area.

10 things to photograph at Statter Harbor

1. Harbor Seals (or Sea Lions): Check out the wildlife that hangs out around the harbor (some people have even spotted humpback whales from the docks!).

2. Commercials Buoys: If the commercial boats are in, usually they boast bright, colorful buoys that they use at the end of their fishing lines / crab pots.

3. Flags: Several boats (commercial and private) will have flags on them. Some of them the USA flag and other flags that add character to the ships.

4. Eagles: Keep your eyes open for eagles. Usually they are flying overhead, near the waters edge or perched in the gigantic pine trees that line the harbor.

5. Ropes: Almost every boat uses some type of ropes to connect to the floating docks. These ropes come in multiple patterns, textures and widths. 

6. Dogs: I have met several boat captains who will take their dog out to sea. 

7. Grundens: Usually bright orange or even a forest green, several anglers often have heavy duty rain gear that includes bib overalls and a heavy rain coat. 

8. XTra Tuff (Brown Boots): Considered a staple to Alaskans, I would be very surprised if you did not see at least 1 pair of Xtra Tuff boots. These famous brown boots adorn even the smallest of anglers. 

9. Mountains: If you’re facing away from the harbor and the weather is clear, check out the mountain range in the distance.

10. Halibut, Salmon or Crab: If you’re at the docks during the summer evenings, there’s a great chance that you’ll see an anglers catch from earlier in the day. 

Did you have a chance to photograph around Statter Harbor or near Juneau? If so, we would love to see your images! Feel free to reach out on our contact page - we look forward to hearing from you!

Best Photography Locations in Alaska

Best Photography Location in Petersburg Alaska

One of my favorite places to photograph is located in Petersburg Alaska. It’s a tricky spot to get to because the best angles are from the Wrangell Narrows (waterway) during low-tide. For this spot, timing is everything.

Here’s an image that I’ve taken from this spot:

Petersburg, Alaska

Great Photography Location in Alaska

One of the reasons why this location is one of the best in Petersburg, Alaska is because the landscape is always changing. In addition to juggling the weather and the tides, the mouth of the Wrangell Narrows opens up to the Frederick Sound. The Sound contains deeper waters and pods of Orcas and even Humpbacks swim through this area everyday. You never know when you’ll see a whale fluke or even a sea lion.

Directions to Petersburg Alaska Photography Location

Starting at Papa Bear’s (it’s right on the main street of the town), head North towards Eagles Roost Park by foot. It will take you about 5 minutes to walk and please note that there is a slight uphill.

• Once you’re at Eagles Roost Park, face the direction of the water and turn to the right. You will see the beginning of a path.

• Follow the path for about :15 seconds and you’ll see stairs. Take the stairs (approximately 3-4 flights).

• This is where your timing will be key. During low-tide, there will be rocks exposed. Scramble over the rocks and look down the Wrangell Narrows towards Devil’s Thumb. On a clear day, you’ll see the wonderful mountain peak.

• Please note that the tide swings can be more than 14 feet (depending on the time of year, it can swing to 20+ feet).

• Tip: Wear waterproof boots so you can wade into the water a bit

Directions to photography location in Petersburg, Alaska