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

Best Places for Landscape Photography

What are the best places for landscape photography?

You’re ready to go. You know which camera you would like to try, you have your lenses packed and you’ve researched what should be in your camera bag. But now what?! You know that you want to create a landscape photograph but your backyard seems dull and boring and you want to go somewhere exciting but you’re not sure where.

Often times, we’re limited by the amount of travel time we have or by the funds we have to get some place. In this blog post, I’ll focus on a few places within the continental USA.

Where to take landscape photographs

To be honest, you can take landscape photographs from almost anywhere. Given enough creativity, you can make even the most mundane and dull places seem Instagram worthy. However, if you get the itch to travel within the USA, below are the top 5 locations I would recommend.

Best states to shoot photographs

1. Alaska: An exquisite location filled with varying terrain, wildlife, and beautiful natural elements such as glaciers and wildflowers. Depending on how much time you have, consider jumping on an Alaskan cruise for a week or so. Most cruises traverse through Southeast Alaska allowing you to disembark at various cities. It’s a great way to see a lot of places in Alaska, get a few great landscape shots from the water and not worry about the travel logistics. There are also smaller boat cruises to consider if you prefer a more intimate setting.

2. Washington: If you are looking for a great outdoorsy landscape photograph with a lot of lush greenery, Washington state should be high on your list. No matter where you turn, you will be able to find coastline, mountains and/or a state park just waiting to be photographed. Make sure to do your research ahead of time as seasonal weather patterns can alter your travel plans.

3. Maine: If you’re anything like me and prefer to be by the ocean when you’re photographing landscapes, Maine is a great state to head to! Filled with wildlife and various coastal scenes, you’ll also find quite a few lighthouses. Make sure to take your tripod so you can capture the rolling waves and if you have a minute, stop by one of the boutique lobster shops that you’ll inevitably find along your way and try a ‘lobstah roll’.

4. Florida: If the heat doesn’t bother you, head to Florida during the summer months to catch one of the incredible sunsets (and/or sunrises) in your landscape photographs. If you’re not sure where to start out, consider heading to the Everglades or Key West. Both locations are further south and provide beautiful flora.

5. Hawaii: Hawaii is on my bucket list in terms of where to photograph next. The rugged, lush mountains, incredible ocean views and beautiful sunsets are among the richest in the world. If you happen to get there before me, please let me know where you recommend to photograph landscapes!

Great Places to Take Landscape Photos

As you know, there are millions of places to take incredible landscape photographs and to practice photography. Have you been somewhere special that you’d like to share with everyone? If so, please comment below and let others know of fantastic places to try photographing.

Interior Design and Wall Decor Tips from Sigrid & Co. - Part 2

What considerations should I have in mind when selecting new room décor pieces?

Fair Trade Interior Decor

Sigrid: Quite often, I see home decor stores focus on cost and large production. Big box stores and midsize retailers offer their customers a large volume of artwork and home décor at reasonable rates. I decided to take a different approach. At Sigrid & Co., we source home décor products with the underlying principle that home décor is a gateway for global connectivity and fair trade.

This means that we source our products from talented artisans from around the world and believe that by providing our partners a channel to reach buyers, we help enable a globally connected economy.

You may be wondering why we decided to focus on Fair Trade (we get this question a lot!). By implementing conscious fair-trade practices, we are holding ourselves accountable to helping the world fight against poverty, gender inequality, child labor and migration. As a company, we believe that we can do well AND do good – all at the same time. 

Selecting Interior Decor Through the Lens of Fair Trade

 We provide our customers the opportunity to purchase home décor that makes a difference in people’s lives. We encourage our customers to research their products and select pieces that are unique and also do some good in our world. Often times, because we source our products from global artisans, we have more unique products than big box retailers. 

 It also means that we help enable artisans in third world countries to make money to help pay for their own necessities such as food, housing, and education. Artwork and home décor is a language that everyone can speak. It transcends language barriers, cultural divide and borders. By supporting our artisans, you’re supporting a world of positive change with true impact, changing lives one product at a time. 

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NYC Interior Design - Sigrid & Co

Look out for our third and final blog post from Sigrid & Co. coming soon!

More than just an Interior Design Photography Blog Post - Humble Design

Have you heard of Humble Design?

As I sit in a coffee shop with the sunlight pouring in, it reminds me of a nonprofit that I have had the opportunity to donate my artwork to. Just like the sunlight is filling this room, this nonprofit works to fill their recipients lives with donated household goods, dignity and hope.

Humble Design is a non profit organization serving “individuals, families, and veterans emerging from homelessness by transforming their empty house into a warm, welcoming and uplifting home with donated furniture and household goods.”

Across the country, Humble Design warehouses are stocked with donated goods that allow design teams to personalize homes by providing a dignified, life changing experience for clients. We believe in restoring dignity to every family that has suffered homelessness.

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Meet Laura

I had the opportunity to catch up with Laura Corp - the Operations Coordinator at Humble Design. Before she started working at the nonprofit, Laura had participated in a ‘Day of Service’ which is when an organization sponsors a family, helps put the household goods into the homes, and gets to participate in the reveal. After her experience, she was hooked. She knew she had to be more involved with Humble Design and so she applied for a job. Laura generously took the time to talk me through how Humble Design works. 

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Making a Difference with Humble Design

Humble Design has a few big warehouses where they keep donated household goods. Partnering with other nonprofits, Humble Design works with families who are transitioning into their new home. Once they receive a referral from a partnering case worker, a  team of designers will go meet with the family in their home before going back to the warehouse to begin selecting the home goods to be leveraged at lightening speed (about 1.5 days!).  The designers also spend time creating custom artwork for the families after getting to know their interests and what they dream of having their home look and feel like. On the third day, volunteers help put the home goods into the identified home. With 4 locations nationally, Detroit (headquarters), Chicago, San Diego and Seattle, Humble Design completes about 7 homes each week. 

One of the motivations for starting this nonprofit was the idea that often times, when people get back onto their feet and in a home, they don’t have the means for furnishing it. Sometimes people are sleeping on blankets or sleeping bags - there’s no furniture, chairs or tables. A common issue that people run into when furnishing their home is transporting the goods to their home. At Humble Design, they are able to transfer the home goods to the home. 

Check out their videos here:

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Before and After Photos of Interior Design

We all love ‘before and after’ photos as it helps us understand the transformation of the space. Here are a few images of the work that Humble Design has done in Detroit, Chicago, San Diego and Seattle. What do you think? I personally love the dining room transformation! 

Before

After

Before - Bedroom

After - Bedroom

Before - Play Area

After - Play Area

Before - Kitchen

After - Kitchen

Before - Bedroom

After - Bedroom

Which of the before / after photos impress you the most? I love the living room transformation space! We especially love how the designers used a neutral palette and leveraged the existing fireplace.

Lending a helping hand

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to donate artwork to Humble Design. Not only is the nonprofit mission something I can get behind and believe in but the people there are so kind truly helpful. If you’re an artist looking to get involved or help out with this cause, please check out their volunteer opportunities here: https://www.humbledesign.org/getinvolved

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Best DSLR for Outdoor Photography

What is the best DSLR for Outdoor Photography?

What DSLR Camera should I buy for Outdoor Photography?

One of the most popular questions I receive as a DM (or a direct message) via instagram is ‘which DSLR should I get if I’m going to be shooting outdoors’. I wanted to take a moment and provide a few considerations for you if you’re having this same thought.

Usually when I’m taking landscape photographs, I need to first travel to where I’m shooting. Then, I have to make sure my equipment can hold up against the elements and weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, rain and extreme heat. After that, I want to make sure my editing software and computer system are correctly set up. As you can see, there are quite a few items to take into consideration when it comes to purchasing a DSLR for Outdoor Photography. Today, I’ll share with you a few of the top considerations.

Here I am with my DSLR Outdoor Camera shooting the sunset over the San Juan Islands

Outdoor Photography DSLR Considerations

Camera Body for Outdoor Photography

Nikon D810 FX-format Digital SLR Camera Body Buy on Amazon

As mentioned above, often times you have to travel to capture outdoor, landscape, nature and wildlife photography. One of my biggest criteria for purchasing a DSLR for outdoor photography is how it will hold up against ‘bumps and bruises’. Whether the bumps and bruises come from traveling (squishing a back pack under an airplane seat) or from a brush with the ground as I hike up a mountain. Yes - in a perfect world we would bubble wrap our cameras, lenses and tripod but practically speaking, if you want fantastic outdoor photographs, you will need to get out of the house.

Nikon D810 FX DSLR Camera Body

I have lived in Florida and have taken outdoor photography portraits and landscapes there. Often times, I find myself in the PNW (Pacific Northwest) and Alaska where its usually chilly and it rains often. I needed a camera that could handle both of of those elements along. I was looking for a full-frame with a wide aperture and a fast shutter speed. I didn’t go into photography seeking out extreme conditions or really wanting to push the boundaries with my camera; however, I knew there was a chance that as I grew as a photographer, I would really want to test my cameras limitations. For Outdoor Photography, I would highly recommend the Nikon D810 FX DSLR Camera Body.

Why Do I Recommend the Nikon D810 Camera Body for Outdoor Photography

From shooting outdoor portraits on the beach to orcas and bald eagles in Alaska, my Nikon D810 Camera Body has been with me every step of the way. It has a wide range of ISO sizes, allows me to shoot in raw, 36.3 MP and a 51-point AF system. If you’re looking for the detailed specs, please see below. This is a versatile camera body allowing me to photograph outdoor night photography, a fast-moving breeching Orca and family portraits.

Outdoor Photography DSLR Specs:

• 36.3 MP FX-format CMOS sensor without an Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF)

• 30% faster EXPEED 4 image processing engine

• 51-point AF system and 3D Color Matrix metering III with a 91,000-pixel RGB sensor

• ISO 64-12,800 expandable to 51,200

• Featuring a new RAW Small Size option, which produces 16MP images with much smaller file sizes

• Professional video and audio capabilities

Questions About Your DSLR for Outdoor Photography

If you have any questions about a camera and it’s performance for outdoor photographs or have specific questions about the Nikon D810, please reach out to me on my Contact page! I would love to provide guidance and any useful tips or considerations.

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