MIDNIGHT AT FLAT TOP MOUNTAIN IN ALASKA

It's Friday! And yes you read the title correctly. This image was taken around midnight.

Photographing Sheryl and Rob's wedding in June in Alaska had more perks than just the scenery. It did not really get dark. So, we got to shoot later and didn't have to rush shooting as the sun went down. 

After a full day of shooting in the most amazing locations on our way to Seward, we had one last stop on our way back toward Anchorage. Sheryl and Rob kept mentioning Flat Top Mountain. They said the view was absolutely amazing. And for a bonus, you could see the City of Anchorage in the distance. We had to stop!

We were so glad we did. Look at how beautiful this image is! No matter where Sheryl and Rob stood, the view was breathtaking. Sheryl and Rob were having so much fun. This day couldn't have ended better.

Enjoy your weekend!

-Danielle

Buffalo Destination Photography: Neal Urban Studio

Buffalo Destination Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Settlers Bay Lodge

Buffalo Destination Photo Location: Settlers Bay Lodge, Highway to Seward, Seward, Matanuska Glacier, Flat Top Mountain, Alaska

TRAIN CAR IN ALASKA

So, I know this image of Sheryl and Rob has been on Face Book recently, but we never got a chance to tell the back story.

Who would have thought a random abandon train car would be just hanging around in a camp ground in Alaska. Let alone, the camp ground we stopped at to see Rob's family before heading out for pictures. After taking a quick boat ride, Sheryl and Rob needed to change into their wedding clothes. Luckily, his parents had a giant camper they were all at nearby, so Sheryl and Rob could change there.

While changing, Neal took a quick walk around the area and found this train car. At first, I didn't think much of it. Surprised it was there, but was more fixed on the mountains in the background. But, I knew Neal couldn't leave without doing some photos here.

To get this shot, Neal had to stand on the trunk of the car to get a better vantage point. No biggie. We had to reposition the car for him to be the right way. We ended up blocking the entire road. Good thing there was only foot traffic!

Five minutes later...this amazing shot came to be! 

-Danielle

Destination Wedding Photographers: Neal Urban Studio

Destination Wedding Ceremony: Settler's Bay Lodge

Destination Wedding Reception: Settler's Bay Lodge

Destination Wedding Photo Location: Settler's Bay Lodge, Beluga Point, Seward Alaska, Flattop Mountain, Matanuska Glacier, and little stops along the way that really do not have names!

ALASKA WEDDING PORTRAITS

This is one of my favorite images from Sheryl and Rob's wedding in Alaska. I can't really give you an exact location for this, but I think it is somewhere near the Turnagain Arm. (Rob, I think I heard you mention that at some point). Like I said before, on our drive to and from Seward, we stopped all over to take photos. Neal and I actually scouted some spots (from the car) on the drive there. We tried our best to remember and pinpoint those same areas on the way back. It was pretty funny. For a few I had made notes that said there was a rest stop on the right and just passed the giant tree, pull over. Well, not all of my notes exactly made sense, but for this location they did!

There were gently rolling hills in this area to place Sheryl and Rob. And let's just say, having a higher vantage point to take the photos was not always easy to find. At least in this area, we knew we could get one to capture everything.

I love Sheryl and Rob's pose here. Super nice and close. And I love how Sheryl's dress is flowing in the wind. Her dress was nice and lightweight and didn't need much to get some movement.

I am still shocked at the temperatures in Alaska. It was about 60 degrees in this image. And to see snow on the mountains is just insane. (yes I know it is freezing in the higher altitudes) Seeing it in person is another story! And I am so glad that we get to share these with all of you!

-Danielle

Destination Wedding Photographers: Neal Urban Studio

Destination Wedding Ceremony: Settler's Bay Lodge

Destination Wedding Reception: Settler's Bay Lodge

Destination Wedding Photo Location: Settler's Bay Lodge, Beluga Point, Seward Alaska, Flattop Mountain, Matanuska Glacier, Turnagain Arm, and little stops along the way that really do not have names!

BELUGA POINT BRIDE AND GROOM

Hi all! Definitely feeling a "Case of the Mondays" today. We are finally back home and trying to get back to normal from all of our recent wedding traveling. It has been to exhausting that I completely forgot to post a photo this morning. But, better late then never.

If you saw Facebook recently, you saw that we just shot a wedding in Alaska. This image is of that lovely couple Sheryl and Rob. Neal edited this image in the airport on our way home!

This was such a tricky image. On our first day in Alaska, we explored the area to find some places for photos. This area was about an hour and half from Wasilla, where the wedding took place. However, we knew we were shooting other days besides day of. Now, how were we to convince Sheryl and Rob to climb this mountain? As soon as Neal mentioned the location, called Beluga Point, they both knew exactly where and what Neal wanted. Sheryl said we would all be taking a drive to Seward (about a 3 hour amazing drive) and we would be passing Beluga Point. Perfect! 

We took tons of photos on the drive and made this our last stop before heading back to Wasilla. Neal then says, "Danielle, I need you up there with Sheryl and Rob for lighting." Oh great. I hate heights and was terrified. But, with the guidance of Sheryl (who made it up in no time with her dress on), I was at the top!

Neal was so far away taking the shot, we had to communicate by phone. Good thing we had reception. After going back and forth a few times, the image was complete. And freaking amazing! It took longer to climb up than to get the shot!

Once again with the help of Sheryl, we made it down safe! Her words of wisdom, "Lean into the mountain!"

Side note: 3 of Sheryl's bridesmaids were with us and ended up climbing up as well! We had no idea they were there until they popped up behind us. Such troopers!

-Danielle

Destination Wedding Photographers: Neal Urban Studio

Destination Wedding Ceremony: Settler's Bay Lodge

Destination Wedding Reception: Settler's Bay Lodge

Destination Wedding Photo Location: Settler's Bay Lodge, Beluga Point, Seward Alaska, Flattop Mountain, Matanuska Glacier, and little stops along the way that really do not have names!