The Afognak Wilderness Lodge is home to one of the most beautiful vacation spots on the planet. Located within the Kodiak Islands, Afognak Island boasts both fresh and saltwater fishing trips, tons of wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. It’s a great place for those who are seeking adventure or for those who just want to relax in a beautiful setting.

Afognak Island has been a major photography destination for both amateurs and professionals since 1974. Our first-class Alaskan lodge is thrilled to offer photography kayaking tours, which will give you the opportunity to explore the beautiful wilderness, and wildlife that the Kodiak Islands have to offer. If you’d rather go out by yourself, consider taking a trip to Denali Park or the north end of Afognak Island for incredible photography opportunities.

Regardless of where you decide to capture images, there are some tips and tricks that can help you to take breathtaking photos in a safe and respectful manner. The most important thing is to never cause harm to animals or the land for the sake of the shot. Keep reading below for more of our photography tips and tricks.

1. Always keep your camera’s flash turned off so as not to startle animal subjects. Turn off your camera sounds or lower them as much as possible.

2. Test and play around with your camera equipment before taking it out to shoot images. Experiment with different manual settings, white balance, etc. to ensure you know what tools you can use once you’re out in the wild.

3. Spend time before your trip to practice shooting birds or ducks so that you’re familiar with moving subjects.

4. Don’t be afraid to take videos instead of still shots as you may discover better footage through a motion picture.

5. Always observe animals from a safe distance, as we don’t want to disrupt or change their behavior. They should have plenty of room to get away if they feel uncomfortable. Never throw anything at them to get their attention, and don’t make loud sounds, or sudden movements.

6. Try using continuous shoot mode on your camera to get rapid-fire action shots.

7. Always carry plenty of backup supplies with you like extra batteries, lens cleaner, memory cards, pen, paper and your camera manual.

8. Animals can sense your emotions, so tread lightly. Never stare directly at an animal as they could interpret this to be a threat.

9. Tripods are great to have on hand when you’re photographing from land. While you’re on a moving boat, kayak or ferry, you’ll have to hold your camera. In these situations where you’re moving quickly, try increasing your camera’s shutter speed for crisper shots.

10. Although getting a great shot of a bird in motion or a whale surfacing is priceless, always remember to put your camera down and just enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors.

Book Your Reservation At Afognak Wilderness Lodge

If you have questions about our Kodiak photography kayaking tours, or would like to make a reservation at one of our cabins, contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you. Feel free to reach out to us if you ever have questions about photography tips and best practices. We look forward to seeing your beautiful pictures soon!