Experience Alaska: Humpback Whales in Sitka

Sitka Whale Photography Expedition Captures Humpback Feeding Season and Coastal Alaska Light

A four-day guided photography expedition in Sitka brings photographers into the heart of Southeast Alaska’s rich marine ecosystem during the peak herring season. Led by acclaimed Alaska photographer Carl Johnson, the journey focuses on documenting one of nature’s most dynamic wildlife spectacles in the coastal waters surrounding the historic port town.

Daily excursions take place aboard small boats navigating the productive waters off Sitka, where humpback whales gather in large numbers to feed. Photographers are given close-range opportunities to capture dramatic behaviors such as cooperative bubble-net feeding, set against a backdrop of rugged islands, misty channels, and working fishing vessels that define the region’s maritime character.

The presence of the local herring fleet adds a second layer of storytelling, offering compelling subjects that highlight Alaska’s commercial fishing culture. This combination of wildlife action and human activity creates challenging but rewarding photographic conditions, encouraging participants to refine composition, timing, and storytelling techniques throughout the expedition.

Evening sessions extend the experience beyond the water, with shoreline shoots designed to capture Sitka’s shifting coastal light and atmospheric conditions. On clear nights, participants may also photograph harbor scenes or the northern lights. The journey concludes with a cultural visit to Sitka National Historical Park, where ancient Tlingit totem poles rise from a lush rainforest, connecting the wildlife-focused expedition with the deep Indigenous heritage of the region.