One of our favorite travel experiences in Alaska that we LOVE planning with our guests are multi-day and day tours to see Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Do you know the many myths, legends and the science behind this magical phenomenon?
The Northern Lights delight and engage virtually everyone who is lucky enough to see them (even if you’re a little yawny while you’re viewing them!). Photographers love to capture these “once in a lifetime” experiences because these lightshows are never, ever the same. A photograph of the auroras is the only way to ever see that captured vibrant display of multicolored lights ever again. They are in effect, preserving the history of nature.
Meet four talented Alaska-based photographers who have selected their favorite Northern Lights image to share with you…
Tom Walker
Alaska Range Mountains lit up with the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights in the winter sky (Tom Walker).
A 60-year resident of Alaska, Tom Walker has worked as a wilderness guide, wildlife technician, log home builder, nature photographer and freelance writer. His publication credits include Alaska Magazine, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Newsweek, Audubon, Natural History, National Wildlife, and others. He is the author of 15 books, the most recent: THE WANDERER; An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey. Walker spends many winter nights in pursuit of clear skies and bright auroras. ”Magical to be out on a cold, crisp night, the aurora dancing overhead,” he said, “and hear an owl, or maybe a coyote signing in the surrounding forest. Once I even heard wolves. Spine-tingling!”
Sean Neilson
Humpback whale breaching in Alaska’s northern lights (Sean Neilson).
Sean Neilson is an acclaimed photographer based in Juneau, Alaska, known for his breathtaking Aurora photography. With a keen eye for the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights, Sean’s work captures the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis against the stunning landscapes of Alaska. His passion for photography is evident in his meticulous approach to finding interesting foregrounds, which adds depth and context to his images, transforming each photo into a captivating story of light and land. Sean’s dedication to his craft has made him a respected figure in the photography community, with his work not only showcasing the natural splendor of the Alaskan wilderness but also highlighting his unique artistic vision.
Carl Johnson
The aurora borealis explodes with a powerful Kp7 storm over Mt. Dillon and Mt. Sukakpak in the Brooks Range. The layers of color reminded me of a layer cake. (Carl Johnson)
Carl Johnson is a nature photographer who lives in Anchorage, Alaska, with his wife, Michelle. His greatest photographic passion lies in coming to fully understand a particular location, photographing all its wonders, from small plants to vast landscapes to wildlife.
Carl has served as the artist-in-residence for Gates of the Arctic, Badlands, Rocky Mountain, and Shenandoah National Parks. He was the “Environmental Issues” winner for the Windland Smith Rice International Awards in 2010. In 2017, he was awarded the Daniel Housbert Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Still Photography, Film, or Video by the Alaska Conservation Foundation. In 2024, the North American Nature Photography Association named him one of its Top 24 Photographers through the annual Showcase competition. Carl’s first book, Where Water is Gold: Life and Livelihood in Alaska’s Bristol Bay (Braided River, 2016), has been awarded several publishing medals.
Carl has worked as a guest lecturer for Tony Robbins, Princess Cruise Lines, and several remote lodges in Alaska. He was the first American photographer to document the Norwegian long-distance dog mushing race, the Finnmarksløpet. He is an Associate Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers and serves on the Board of Directors for Visit Anchorage. He is also President and CEO of Alaska Photo Treks and Greatland Graphics which produces an amazing Northern Lights Calendar.
For more of Carl’s work, please visit his website.
Laura Lyn Gregory
Aurora views in Alaska (Laura Lyn Gregory)
Laura Lyn Gregory is a wildlife photographer and visual storyteller based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Her work primarily focuses on Alaska and the polar regions. For a decade she has been finding solace while camping amongst bears and watching the aurora borealis dance above her. Laura strives to spark emotion and conversation with her images through the eyes of the wildlife she encounters and amongst the frozen moments in the sky or landscapes throughout her travels. She appreciates all she and her camera have had the opportunity to capture and is determined to share more of Alaska with the world.
To view more of Laura’s work, please visit her website.