The Global Meaningful Travel Map

Alaska Photo Treks

Experience breathtaking landscapes and wildlife photography in Alaska, with expert guidance and tailored instruction for all skill levels.

*Please note: this location does not have a physical address

OUR EXPERIENCES
Our mission is to provide photographic instruction to our guests so that they can have a greater appreciation of nature through the observation and understanding that photography provides. We believe that photography can connect people to nature in a deep and meaningful way. A better understanding of photography creates a better understanding of the world around us. We operate day treks, multi-day treks, specialty/customs treks and have a variety of photography classes available. Each of our trips focuses on photo opportunities such as the northern lights, sunset and nightscapes, and nature/wildlife. Our Alaska photography tours and services cater to all levels of photographers – from those making memories with their eyes to serious hobbyist and professionals. APT guides are professional and knowledgeable local experts with colorful narratives related to the region. Our specialty is getting new photographers out of auto mode by using a fun and unique 12-point teaching progression that’s tailored to the individual and practiced in the most spectacular places.

ABOUT US
Alaska Photo Treks was founded in 2013 by a trio of professional photographers who had a mission to share this amazing state with others through the lens of their cameras. Today, we are a group of Alaska photography guides and associates, including owner Carl Johnson. We have an extensive team of longtime Alaskans with diverse photography backgrounds. With extensive and unique backcountry and photographic experiences throughout Alaska, we can share valuable information about the natural history, cultures, and way of life in Alaska. Additionally, each of us is also a professional photographer in our own right, with many diverse clients and assignments when not instructing or guiding. Through our diverse experiences and longtime association with Alaska, we have much to share with our visitors to the 49th state.

OUR IMPACT
We believe very strongly that as a tour operator who takes people out to experience the beauty of Alaska, we should not create any adverse impacts to the environment where we operate. That is why we are consistently a Tour Green certified company (a certification offered through the Alaska Tourism Industry Association). We routinely donate tours to support the fundraising auctions of various local non-profits, from environmental organizations like The Alaska Center and the Alaska Sealife Center, to organizations that benefit disabled veterans, and to various other non-profits.

We promote local cultures and traditions by incorporating cultural sites when we can into tours and including narratives about Alaska Native culture in our tours (particularly our northern lights tour). Alaska Photo Treks contributes to the Renewable Energy Alaska Program’s (REAP) Tour Green program. The Tour Green initiative provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to Alaska to support renewable energy development. Each guest has the opportunity to add a $2 contribution during their booking process. Alaska Photo Treks then forwards those contributed funds to REAP, which uses them to education, training, and advocacy designed to improve Alaska’s renewable energy profile. We also recognize that while photographers through history have had a role in promoting conservation, two things have changed the role and impact of photographers on natural spaces in today’s environment: digital photography and social media. These two factors have impacted the photographer-nature relationship in a variety of ways, from increasing pressure and competition to compelling others to replicate photos. This has now taken us to a place where photographers are helping to “love to death” some places. So, aside from being a “green business,” we promote ethical photography in our business with our guests.

We follow the published ethical principles of the North American Nature Photography Association: Environmental Protection, Ethical Field Principles, and Truth in Captioning. We also follow the principles of Nature First, an organization that recognizes that visitors in general and photographers particularly are causing “tangible, extensive, and progressively worsening negative impacts on nature.

The Nature First principles are similar to some of the NANPA ethical guidelines: 1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: carl@carljohnsonphoto.com

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
We work with groups up to 20 people.

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Yes

Do you have group rates?
Yes