About Denali Photo Guides
Terry Boyd started operating tours out of his conversion van in 2010 and since then has grown the business to what it is now: Premier instructional photography excursions along the boundary of Denali National Park.
Our excursions are designed for photographers, by photographers and you’ll feel it immediately. We don’t waste time shuttling you around or filling time with fluff content. From the moment we pick you up, we hit the ground running and are immediately diving into how we can best personalize your experience and support your photography goals. We are passionate about chasing the light and sharing our knowledge. Being out with us is like the movie ‘Twister,’ but for photography (did we just age ourselves? 😉 )
With a maximum of 4 participants per tour, our excursions are designed to benefit all skill levels with any type of camera (smart-phones are welcome). We have plenty of room in the covered beds of our luxury trucks, so bring all the gear you want (we provide tripods and filters) and enjoy the luxury of being able to capture photos at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Meet the Team
Some of us migrate like the birds when it gets too cold, and some of us stay through winter, but all of us call Alaska home. And we’re thrilled to share a little bit of it and a little bit of ourselves with you. Meet the creative individuals behind our Denali photo tours.
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I grew up in Arkansas and spent my younger years mountain biking and fishing as if my life depended on it. But, in my early 20s, I decided that I might not make it to “the pros” in either of those fields, so I walked into a pawn shop and bought a used 35mm camera. I knew absolutely nothing about photography and had never even touched a camera with more than one button before – all we had growing up was an old Polaroid. The first time I photographed a sunset from a bluff over the Arkansas River, I knew this was the path for me. Since then, I have dedicated my life to the light, doing my best to be in the right place at the right time. I first traveled to Alaska in 2003 and have returned every summer since, working in a variety of positions until I started offering photography tours in 2010. I am truly living my dream, sharing my passions with others, all while in a setting I consider to be one of the most captivating places on Earth.
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Unlike most people who visit Alaska during the summer, I first arrived in late fall – planning to visit my cousin in Anchorage for a month and heading back south to the lower 48, but I ended up staying through winter and the following summer. I fell head over heels for Alaska and I have returned every summer since 2009 guiding hikes in Denali National Park. There was one year when I thought I was not going to return – not that I didn’t want to, but it just wasn’t going to work out. My friend Terry caught wind of my plans and changed them, for which I am forever grateful because we are now married and I get to spend half of my life in the most wonderful place on Earth. I help with all the behind-the-scenes stuff here, so you likely won’t meet me, but you might talk to me on the phone or through email. I look forward to sharing my knowledge of this special place with you and helping you make the most of your Denali visit.
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I am a free spirit who dreams of traveling to, and photographing, remote scenery most will never get to see. I want to share hidden beauty with the world. A Northwest Arkansas Native, I grew up on a ranch; hiking in the woods around our home. My mom loved to take pictures and I fell in love with nature and photography at a young age. Personally, and professionally, I have accomplished a lot. I have over seventeen years of management experience. My heart is in my family and community. I spent many years in law enforcement and fire service, serving on boards and task forces and taking advantage of every opportunity for education and certification. The mountains call my soul and I have always wanted to explore Alaska. I am am thankful for, this opportunity to live and work in the Denali community.
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Like many others, coming to Alaska was always a bucket list destination. I was finally able to achieve that dream in 2016 when the US Army assigned me to Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks. Being immersed in the Alaskan lifestyle was something I knew that I was prepared for; or so I thought! What I wasn’t prepared for was how truly captivating, life changing, and grounding the Last Frontier is.
After retiring from the US Army in 2023 from Fort Wainwright, I left Alaska to travel the world. From Iceland to South America, and everywhere in between, Alaska has remained the one spot that truly feels like home. I have always had a passion for photography, but it wasn’t until I lived here that I decided that I wanted it to be a full-time career. Alaska inspired every aspect of how I view the world, and it motivated me to become better at my craft.
It gives me so much joy to capture the beauty of the Last Frontier, soak in the experience, and share it with the world through this incredible art. Helping others find those moments is what it’s all about!
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They say don’t go to Alaska in your early twenties because nothing else will ever compare—I’m here to confirm that is absolutely the truth. Photography has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I got my first camera around the age of 8 years old and never looked back. Born and raised in Texas, I graduated from college in 2021 (Boomer Sooner!) and soon after headed north to Alaska to pursue my dream of working outdoors with my camera in hand.
Over the past few years, I’ve spent three seasons guiding photography tours in Juneau, Alaska, and most recently completed a season guiding in Jackson, Wyoming. Guiding has completely changed my life! I’ve fallen deeply in love with the natural world and everything that inhabits it. Even more than that, I’ve discovered a passion for people.
I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities to explore wild places together! There’s something truly special about discovering wildlife and landscapes alongside others. I take pride in helping my guests, that I usually end up calling friends, grow in their photography skills while developing a deeper connection to the natural world.
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Hi! I’m Joe, also known as The Dirty Birder. As a guide at Denali Photo Guides, I hope to share the wonders of Alaska with you, just as I do through my wildlife documentary work.
Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains, I always felt a deep connection to the land. My earliest days were spent outdoors, kicking up minnows and crawfish in the creeks of Maple Hollow. It wasn’t until I was 27, however, that I began looking more closely at the forests around me. I soon became obsessed with finding and documenting as many local and migrating bird species as possible.
In 2025, that personal pursuit in bird photography led me to channel my lifelong videography skills into conservation documentary filmmaking.
Today, as an award-winning wildlife conservation documentary filmmaker and wildlife photographer, my goal is to guide people in a way that opens their eyes not only to Alaska’s beauty, but also to the deeper workings of the natural world. I hope to help you build your own connection with wild places and the creatures that call them home.
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Adventure has always been part of my life. Growing up, that meant family trips to the Outer Banks, time outdoors, and staying active through sports like baseball, football, and later jiu jitsu. That drive for movement and challenge eventually led me to serve in the United States Marine Corps.
After my time in the Marines, I picked up a camera and everything started to click. What began as curiosity turned into a passion for storytelling through images. Over the years, I’ve photographed professional sports and events including PBR, MMA, and Nitro Circus, along with commercial and product work.
While I enjoy fast-paced environments, wildlife photography is where I feel most at home. Being in nature, studying behavior, and waiting for meaningful moments is what drives my work today.
Just as important as creating images is helping others do the same. I love teaching, guiding, and helping photographers walk away with stronger images and unforgettable experiences.
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I grew up on the white, sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast of Florida, and my life’s adventure has taken me to every state, finally making my way to the wilds of Alaska in 2021. I consider Alaska to be the most amazingly beautiful state in America. Hyperbole isn’t needed when describing the majestic beauty Alaska offers in landscapes and wildlife, but every day here is the best day ever.
Photography has always been in my life. I enjoy wildlife, street, portrait, sports, astro, and from time to time I even dabble in long exposure photography. I’m blessed to see life in a cinematic fashion, so I’m constantly framing shots in my mind of everyday life around me. And whether I’m carrying a camera or my iPhone, I’m always taking pictures. When I lived in New York City and Los Angeles, my passion was street photography. There’s so much to photograph with the visual cacophony of city life permeating every moment. Street photography led me into portrait photography. It’s like capturing lightning in a bottle if a picture you take of someone emotes feelings.
But when I walked away from city life, and walked into the wild, all it took was one Wyoming grizzly bear experience, and I was hooked on wildlife photography. From that moment on it’s been my passion to document in photos, the amazing wildlife I am lucky enough to experience. Thankfully Alaska is a wildlife wonderland. And in addition to the wildlife, the land itself is a star attraction. I am so incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to capture the grandeur of Alaska in photographic memories that I’ll cherish forever. I’m super excited to be included in your Alaska experience, and help you in capturing your memories.
I am on hiatus this summer, but hope to be back soon!
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I was 8 when the dream of Alaska hit my bucket list. A family member moved to Kodiak and tales of beauty lit the flame of wanting to visit. I love travel and have spent much of my life wandering. Alaska seemed to stay just out of reach until a fateful meeting with Terry and Bethany eventually led to living and working in this incredibly beautiful state. I believe that travel provides the greatest opportunities for human connection. I am deeply interested in humanity and genuinely enjoy people and their stories. I am passionate about helping you discover the beauty of the Denali area and ensuring the time you spend with us is a highlight in your own unforgettable journey. I am committed to listening to your needs and will do my best to ensure that we exceed your expectations. Even though I operate primarily behind the scenes, I look forward to “meeting” you through email, text, or calls. I can’t wait to help make your dream of photographing the Alaska landscape a reality.