Hey, I'm an elopement photographer based in Alaska! I love genuine moments between people and love that I get to document them for a living <3

Meet Donna

Eklutna Lake Photography

As a professional photographer based in Alaska, Eklutna Lake has been the backdrop to many photoshoots of mine, from families on the trails, seniors along the creek and woods, and weddings along the lake. My favorite sessions are ones involving couples though, and this sweet couples canoe photoshoot with Krista and Ben just filled my cup last year, they brought their canoe!! They are such a fun couple and were ready and willing to follow my lead. Even if that meant walking in the chilly Alaskan waters and along the rocky shore.

Canoe Memories

There is just something so nostalgic to me about canoes. I have always been a photographer with a love for adventure and of all things involving a little exploration and fun. As a result, canoes, boats and lakes, etc. always bring back memories of living out in Nancy Lake. My friends and I would embark on expeditions into the waters in whatever we had available. I just love the sound of water lapping against the sides of a boat, the gentle breeze pushing my hair back and the smell of fresh lake (ooooor sometimes dead fish if we’re being honest haha, gross). Because of this, I’ve always wanted to photograph a couple in a canoe, it had been something I’d been wanting to do for a while and when it finally happened, I was ecstatic!

What are your favorite childhood memories? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Your Photosession: It’s all about the experience

Encouraging experiences during photoshoots, especially couples sessions, is something I try to do frequently. I don’t want sessions to be contrived, boring or overly posed. I want couples to enjoy the moment make memories that will come flooding back when looking at their photos. When they see a canoe or come out to Eklunta Lake, I hhope they remember all the fun they had. <3

Want to see more of the fun behind the scenes and final products as they’re posted? My Instagram has fun behinds the scenes going on in the stories and highlights!

Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop

Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdropCouple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop

A Fun Canoe Photoshoot Adventure!

They canoodled (ahahaha, get it?! okay I’m done…), splashed in the water, and weren’t afraid to get a little dirty, which was so fun! Being a photographer in Alaska is like a kid at the playground, or a candy store. The mountains, the lakes, the greenery and just the fresh smell of the breeze is inspiring and makes for a gorgeous backdrop. It’s hard to go wrong when you live in one of the most beautiful places that God created. Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop Couple hugging on lake shore with mountain backdrop, Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop Couple hugging on lake shore with mountain backdrop, Couple spinning and laughing on lakeshore Couple hugging on lake shore with mountain backdrop, he is kissing her foreheadCouple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdropCouple hugging on lake shore with mountain backdrop, Couple hugging and laughing ona lake shore with mountain backdrop,

Couple hugging and laughing ona lake shore with mountain backdrop,

Sometimes a simple detail shot tells so much of the story, I love capturing them when I can.

Visiting Eklutna Lake

If you’re interested in checking Eklutna Lake out for yourself, I highly encourage it! It’s a beautiful area clad with trails to hike, a lake to boat across and plenty of camping locations and areas to picnic. If you don’t have your own canoe there is an area where you can rent kayaks and bikes and go on a fun adventure!

The lake may look like it is quite far out, but what’s awesome is that it’s only a short 20 minute drive from the highway (on good days) and the lake is just down a little easy hill by the parking lot.

In addition to this cute canoe photoshoot, I also got creative with Krista and made some of my Anne of Green Gable dreams come true. I’ll post a sneak here at the end, but I think it deserves a blog all of its own! Stay tuned!

Interested in your own canoe photoshoot?

Woohoo, let’s do it!! Don’t have a canoe? Well, you’re in luck! I have a canoe that I rent to my clients for sessions if they’d like to incorporate it! If you’d like to check my availability for your own photoshoot, you can get in touch on my contact page. I’d love to chat ideas with you!

Couple in a canoe at Eklutna Lake with a mountain backdrop

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Romantic Couples Canoe Session at Eklutna Lake

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