5 Essential Tips for Capturing Alaska's Wildlife

Barrett Hedges's photography focuses on the interplay of shadows and light, vibrant colors, and deep tones.

It showcases Alaska's breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, emphasizing the perfect moments to click the shutter.

For Hedges, the owner of BearHead Photography in Skagway, mastering the subtle details and nuances of photographing Alaska is what makes his work distinctly Alaskan.

If you’re considering a trip to Alaska—and who isn’t?—make sure to pack a quality camera for an unforgettable photo experience. While your iPhone can capture great shots, Hedges suggests using a traditional camera with a zoom lens. He has more tips for those eager to document Alaska's stunning beauty.

Hailing from Tennessee, Hedges is a National Geographic photographer with numerous awards for his remarkable scene captures. His website reveals that Alaska is his favorite place to photograph, with bears topping his list of favorite subjects. While all bear species captivate him, he also delights in photographing moose, elk, lynx, bobcats, and wolves. He has journeyed across four continents and traveled over 300,000 miles throughout North America seeking his next stunning shot.

Before embarking on your adventure to The Last Frontier for that once-in-a-lifetime wildlife photograph, Hedges shares essential tips to consider before envisioning where to showcase your moose picture.

1: Leverage Natural Light

First and foremost, consider the lighting conditions.

"Shadows and light are key," he noted. "One of my primary tools in photography is understanding light and how to use it to your advantage rather than letting it work against you. While you can’t change bad lighting, you can sometimes adapt by positioning yourself to best capture the available light."

"I view each scenario as a blank canvas," he shared.

2: Cultivate Patience

To fill that blank canvas, Hedges offers one crucial piece of advice.

"Patience," he emphasized. "I know people may not want to hear this, but staying in an average location for more than a day is essential. Nature doesn’t cater to your schedule. If you plan to be here for a week and hop from one place to another each day, it simply won’t work."

"Aim to spend a few days in one spot to capture varying light, weather conditions, and animal activity. Expecting everything to unfold in a single day isn’t realistic," he advised.

The objective is for each photograph to convey a complete story. However, achieving this demands perseverance, diligence, and a fair amount of stamina.

Additionally, determine what you wish to photograph. Is it wildlife? The stunning Alaskan landscape? Glaciers? Mountains? The charming towns? Whatever you decide, make sure you have the right camera to capture your vision.

3: Maintain Your Distance

While advancements in smartphone cameras have been remarkable, they often fall short in many situations.

For one reason, it’s crucial not to get too close to wildlife, particularly those that can bite or kick.

"For wildlife photography, a zoom lens is essential," he stated. "If you’re after animals, an iPhone simply won’t cut it. Currently, iPhones and wildlife don’t mix well enough."

Hedges also advises researching the area where you intend to photograph.

"Consider the wildlife opportunities available in a town or any given location," he noted. "You don’t want to arrive without knowledge, assuming wildlife will be present when it might not be. Alaska offers a wealth of opportunities, but it’s vast, and not everything is found in the same spot."

He also suggests venturing off the main paths to discover some of the best wildlife photography opportunities. Once again, he emphasized that achieving this requires patience and time. For instance, photographing a bear from the roadside is less impactful than positioning yourself at a safe distance to capture them in their natural environment.

"While portrait shots of a bear or moose are appealing, it’s more compelling to convey a sense of the scene, perhaps by capturing them displaying natural behavior rather than just standing still," Hedges explained.

Hedges advises against venturing into the wilderness alone. He recommends keeping your group to no more than three people, as larger parties can disturb wildlife, making it harder to capture that stunning brown bear photo for your fireplace.

"Larger groups make the animals anxious, and you’ll miss out on their natural behaviors," he noted regarding groups of photographers.

It's crucial to remember one important rule: once you spot your subject, avoid sudden movements. Moose can be unpredictable, and it goes without saying that subtlety is key when photographing a bear.

In essence, alongside patience, you need to remain quiet, calm, and still.

4: Avoid Sudden Movements

"Animals can sense our emotions," Hedges explained. "The calmer you are, the more likely you’ll have opportunities to observe the animal closely."

If your focus is on capturing landscapes, Hedges suggests heading out during the early morning or at sunset. Midday light lacks the same rich tones, making photos less vibrant.

5: Stay Aware of Your Environment

So, is photographing wildlife dangerous? What are your thoughts?

"There’s an inherent risk when around bears and moose," he shared. "Ninety-five percent of the time, I have an escape plan in mind. My closest encounter was with a moose. They’re quite aggressive and massive. I was photographing one when things suddenly took a turn. I ended up running, and he was right behind me until I ducked behind a bush. I could see his antlers peeking over as he searched for me, but luckily, he didn’t spot me. After twenty or thirty seconds, he forgot I was there and moved on,"

"But they can certainly trample you to death," he added.

In addition to the risks posed by large, aggressive animals, there’s another factor to consider: "The bugs will get you," he cautioned.

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