When people ask me about living in Alaska, the first thing I always mention is the natural beauty here. The mountains, the rivers, the northern lights….disrespectful temperatures aside, everything about this state is absolutely breathtaking. The air is crisper, I’ve seen more bears and moose than I can count and even have went fishing for fresh Salmon (and it was SOOOOOO good!!) There is really no place like it on Earth. Every day here is an adventure and I’m so happy to be able to capture both the natural beauty and the beautiful people in this state!

Whether you are new to this state or you’ve called it home for generations, I hope this blog is helpful for anyone who is looking for a place to take their engagement, anniversary, glamour and beauty or just because portraits! With Alaska being SO pretty nearly everywhere you go, sometimes it can be hard to figure out what place is best for you. You want to definitely capture the best elements Alaska has to offer without it being too busy  in the background and of course the lighting has to be JUST RIGHT…RIGHT?!? I should preface this list by saying that these places are MY favorite places right now. That doesn’t mean more locations can’t be added…I can GUARANTEE there will be more added. But so far, these places have stolen my heart. So, with that said: here we go!!

 

3. Black Rapids

2. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson — This place is just gorgeous all the way around. Seriously. I love it! As a military spouse, there’s something incredibly special about capturing the love two people and their family shares in a place that means so much to them and plays such a significant role in their life. JBER is home to so many military families and there are so many beautiful places where you can catch the perfect balance of scenery and soft light! Be careful of the wildlife though! They do tend to roam freely on base and if you do plan to have your images captured on base, ensure your photographer has clearance from the Public Affairs office. The last thing you want is to get escorted off this beautiful government property for not following proper regulations!

1. Mountain Tops — Seriously. ANY mountaintop. When you’re on top of a mountain, the views around you are absolutely breathtaking. Everywhere you turn you’re surrounded by mountains, cascading trees and the purest form of God’s artistry. Plain and simple, this area has views that can’t be beat. Be careful of wildlife though!! Like on JBER, sometimes you’ll see them just walking the roads and believe me…you do NOT want those problems! What I love most about this area is the light. The light is just GLORIOUS. It’s soft, it’s magical…this area will forever be one of my go-to places!!!

 

The longer I live here, the more I fall in love with Alaska! There are so many places to see, so much beauty to experience! I can’t wait to get out and explore more and add to this list of mine!! 🙂