Places to Take Photos Near Anchorage, Alaska
These images and the article about Places To Take Photos Near Anchorage Alaska was contributed by Megan Marlene Photography.
The Perfect Backdrop: Places to Take Photos Near Anchorage
Whether you are a lifelong Alaskan, a transplant from the lower 48, or are finally going on your
adventure in the Far North, we can all agree that Alaska is one of the more beautiful and scenic
places you can ever experience. Encompassing over 665,000 square miles, Alaska is the
largest U.S. state, dwarfing even Texas and California. Its unique geography allows one to
experience ocean waves on a rocky beachfront in the morning and a mountaintop picnic
overlooking a glacier by lunch. For many, Alaska is at the top their bucket list, and standing on
the edge of a cliff, looking out on a lake that stretches for miles and miles, it’s easy to
understand why.
Surrounded by all this beauty and majesty, it can be daunting to narrow down every
picturesque location to just a handful of potential places to take photos near Anchorage. That’s why
the best things to do is answer one simple question: Mountains, woods, or ocean? Once you
have an idea of which vista most appeals to you or your clients, then you can narrow down those
options based on the best spot for the group size or ages, as well what is best suited for that
time of day.
Mountains
It’s been said that for most of Alaska, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a mountain.
Wherever you are in Anchorage, just look to the East and you’ll see the Chugach Mountain
Range providing the most dramatic skyline. At its heart is Flattop Mountain. This popular
hiking destination also provides one of the most accessible mountaintop photoshoot locations
in the area.
A short drive from most Anchorage neighborhoods, and just 1hr 15min from the Matsu-Valley,
Flattop Mountain has ample parking during weekdays and evenings. If you hope to snag a spot
on a weekend during the summer, your safest bet will be to plan around the sunrise and sunset
hours, when there are less hikers and tourists.
As mentioned, Flattop Mountain has recently improved their accessibility and has wide, paved
paths perfect for the elderly or those who need wheelchair accessibility. These paved paths lead right by many scenic backdrops, culminating in an overlook giving an expansive view of Anchorage to the left
and the Chugach Range to the right. And if you’re feeling adventurous, then hike one of the
numerous trails for exceptional views that will both impress and delight.
Woods
The title of “woods” is somewhat encompassing as the majority of our woods have a bit of
field, a bit of river or waterfront, and then of course, our beloved trees, usually in the form of
evergreens. Anchorage has a substantial parks department, with dozens of spots that put you
right in the heart of nature while also being around the corner from a Starbucks. If you’re a photographer, you will likely connect with a different attribute of the locations, my best advice would be
to visit each park with camera-in-hand and see what speaks to your artistic vision.
A few recommendations to get you started:
- Carr-Gottstein
- Oceanview Bluff
- Taku Lake
- Abbott Loop
- Baxter Bog
- Cheney Lake
- Northwood
- Westchester Lagoon
Ocean
Surrounded on three sides by water, Anchorage offers many different experiences when it
comes to oceanfront sessions. In my opinion, the top two are the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (which also
passes along Carr-Gottstein Park) and Kincaid Park.
Accessed in Downtown Anchorage, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an 11-mile long greenbelt
that spans from Downtown to Kincaid Park in the south. Adventure-minded photographers and clients
may even rent bikes to provide unforgettable photographic experience for the newly engaged
couple, while the family and family photographer may want to catch one of the other access points in the
city to minimize the distance for little legs. Providing unparalleled views of Denali, the highest
point in North America, as well as the famed Fire Island, and beloved Sleeping Lady (Mount
Susitna), the coastal trail is a unique photoshoot option that is sure to inspire. However, do stay off
the mud flats, aka Alaskan quicksand.
If you’d like to get a little closer to the water, then Kincaid Park in the south-west corner of
Anchorage is the perfect spot. This massive 1,500-acre park offers hours of enjoyment and
exploration, but when it comes to photoshoots, make a beeline for the beach. A 30-minute
brisk walk from the parking lot, follow the GPS directions for Kincaid Beach Access, down the
boardwalk, and you’ll come out onto a beachfront that is partially rocky, partially sandy, and
completely beautiful. The best times will be during sunrise and sunset, when it’s a little
overcast, and light/no winds. If you want to be in the water, then plan for when the
tide is coming up. If you’d like more beachfront, then plan for the lowest tide after the
sand has had a chance to dry out. Either way, you will be delighted to get oceanfront
pictures without the plane ticket to Hawaii.
There’s So Many Places to Take Photos Near Anchorage!
With so many places to take photos near Anchorage that are absolutely stunning, you really can’t go wrong when it comes to planning an outdoor photoshoot. Each spot offers a little something different.
Oh, and don’t forget to watch out for moose!
About Megan Marlene Photography
Megan is a mother and photographer with over 14 years of experience. Originally from Florida, she moved to Alaska, her husband’s home state. She offers both studio and on-location photography sessions.
