Journal · Location guide
The best places for family photos in Anchorage.
Beaches, birch forests and big mountain views, all within a short drive of town. Here are our favorite spots for every season.
One of the best parts of living in Anchorage is how quickly you can trade city streets for wild places. Within twenty minutes of downtown you'll find beaches, birch forests, marshes and mountain views, which means the hardest part of planning your session is choosing just one.
Our favorite spots
Kincaid Park
Rolling birch forest, open meadows and wide views over Cook Inlet, plus Denali on a clear day. Kincaid gives kids room to run and changes beautifully with every season: wildflowers in summer, gold in fall and snowy trails in winter.
Point Woronzof
Sweeping views across the water toward Mount Susitna, the "Sleeping Lady," with dramatic evening light. Planes pass overhead from the nearby airport, which kids think is the best thing ever. We stay on the bluff and the sand, because the mudflats here are never safe to walk on.
Westchester Lagoon & the Coastal Trail
Paved paths, water reflections and the city skyline, just steps from the car. Perfect for toddlers, grandparents and anyone who'd like to keep things easy.
Earthquake Park
Quiet wooded trails that open onto bluff-top views of the inlet and mountains. A great way to get both cozy forest frames and big-sky shots in a single session.
Potter Marsh
A boardwalk winding over the wetlands with the Chugach rising behind it. The golden grasses of autumn make this one of our favorite fall backdrops.
Alaska Botanical Garden
Lush perennial beds, birch and spruce, and a peaceful creekside trail. Photography policies and fees can change, so we'll confirm the current rules before we book.
Turnagain Arm & Beluga Point
Mountains plunging straight into the water. It's breathtaking and it's busy, so we'll choose a safe pullout and plan for wind.
Girdwood
Mossy temperate rainforest, glacier-fed creeks and a cozy mountain-town feel. Worth the drive, especially for couples and adventurous families.
Hatcher Pass
Alpine tundra, jagged peaks and historic mine buildings. It's a longer drive with a short season, but truly unforgettable when the tundra turns red and gold.
Tips for picking your spot
- Choose the season first. The same place looks completely different in May and September. Tell us which season you love and we'll suggest locations that shine then.
- Golden hour moves a lot here. In June it's late evening; in December it's close to midday. We'll plan your session time around the light.
- Think about your crew. Toddlers do best with short walks and wide-open space. Teens often love a little city grit.
- Moose happen. We'll give wildlife plenty of room and simply move on if we have company.
- Pack for the weather. Bug spray in summer, hand warmers in winter, and a cozy blanket any time of year.
Have a place that means something to your family, like your backyard, a favorite trail or grandma's cabin? We'd love to photograph you there.