• **When**: May 3, 2026 | 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM
• **Where**: Kincaid Park, Anchorage (Meeting point: Main parking area)
• **Price**: $85 per person (includes equipment tips, field guide)
• **Skill Level**: All levels welcome | DSLR/mirrorless camera required

Capture Alaska's awakening wildlife during peak spring activity with this hands-on photography workshop led by professional nature photographer and Anchorage Daily News contributor Sarah Jensen. Set against the 1,400-acre backdrop of Kincaid Park, participants will learn advanced techniques for photographing moose, waterfowl, songbirds, and the diverse ecosystem that thrives in Anchorage's largest municipal park during its most photogenic season.

The workshop begins before dawn to maximize golden hour lighting conditions when wildlife is most active. Sarah provides personalized instruction on camera settings, composition techniques, and ethical wildlife photography practices that ensure both stunning images and animal welfare. Participants learn to read animal behavior, anticipate movement, and position themselves for optimal shots without disturbing natural behaviors.

Kincaid Park offers exceptional spring photography opportunities within its diverse habitats. The coastal bluffs provide elevated perspectives for landscape shots incorporating wildlife, while the park's extensive trail system winds through spruce and birch forests where moose browse on new growth and songbirds establish territories. The park's location on Cook Inlet creates dramatic backdrops for wildlife portraits, especially during the enhanced lighting of Alaska's extended spring twilight hours.

Technical instruction covers advanced wildlife photography concepts including telephoto lens techniques, achieving sharp focus on moving subjects, managing challenging lighting conditions, and understanding depth of field for isolating subjects against busy backgrounds. Sarah demonstrates professional-grade camera settings for various scenarios, from capturing birds in flight to static moose portraits that showcase the massive scale of Alaska's signature wildlife.

Participants receive hands-on guidance with their personal equipment, learning to maximize their camera's capabilities regardless of brand or model. The workshop accommodates photographers using various equipment levels, from entry-level DSLRs to professional-grade systems, ensuring everyone leaves with applicable skills and improved technique.

The spring timing provides access to subjects often unavailable during other seasons. Migrating waterfowl create flight patterns across Cook Inlet, while resident wildlife like red squirrels and snowshoe hares show increased activity as they emerge from winter survival mode. Moose cows with newborn calves offer compelling subjects for those who maintain respectful distances and follow safety protocols.

In addition to wildlife subjects, the workshop covers landscape photography techniques that incorporate seasonal elements. Participants learn to capture breakup ice formations along the shoreline, document early wildflower blooms, and use the dramatic Chugach Mountain backdrop to create compelling compositions that convey the essence of Alaska spring.

The small group format (limited to 8 participants) ensures personalized attention and multiple opportunities to review images and receive feedback. Sarah provides immediate critique and suggestions for improvement, helping participants understand why certain compositions work while others fall short of their potential.

All participants receive a digital field guide featuring common Anchorage wildlife with identification tips, behavioral notes, and photography suggestions. The workshop concludes with a brief image review session where participants can share their best shots and receive professional feedback on composition, technical execution, and editing suggestions.

Bring weather-appropriate layers, sturdy walking shoes, and a charged camera battery with memory card space for 200+ images. Tripods are recommended but not required. The workshop runs rain or shine, as weather conditions often create the most dramatic photographic opportunities.