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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Photography has always had my back. Like a good friend, I could always turn to photography to help direct my next path and adventure in life.
For me photography started in film and the darkroom, and while some photographers miss those days, I have embraced the digital age. I appreciate the instant results and gratification that digital imaging offers. Yes, I believe digital imaging has changed the photographic industry as I knew it, but at the same time it has opened many more opportunities.
My images are basic at the core. Not a lot of Photoshop, not a fan of overused HDR, and try to keep my mouse off the saturation slider. HDR and Photoshop have become overused in my humble opinion. I get that these are all tools we use to create an image we have in our heads, no different than a painter adding clouds, flowers and trees to create their images. Right?
Photography, regardless of the content is capturing a moment in time. That moment will never be repeated in quite the same way, but a photograph stops time for that instant, giving us the viewer the opportunity to reflect.
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Howdy! Seeing how there was already another guide here before me named Paul, you can call me Boomhower.
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.
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I am a retired engineer, father, friend and explorer. I enjoy exploring our natural wonders to find peace in nature and to photograph the beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife that we share the land with. I hope that the images that I capture tell a story for anyone who views them.
My passion for photography began when I was in the US Army and stationed in Germany. I purchased an Olympus OM-2 and photographed the beautiful castles and churches throughout Europe. Decades later, my son would use that same camera when studying photography in high school! Now, I have moved on to mirrorless cameras and currently use a Sony A1 as my camera of choice, though I have no preference on brands. For me, it is nature itself and the art of photography that are the critical elements.
I currently live in Indiana and photograph throughout the midwest and take photography trips throughout North America. Previously, I lived in California and travelled extensively through the west coast, the mountain states, and the western states to explore and to photograph. I have also travelled to Alaska three times. Once on a motorcycle all the way to Prudhoe bay, the next two times more comfortably in a SUV. Each time was amazing.
I continue to explore and observe the beauty in nature while advocating for the ethical use of our environment and the protection of our natural resources.
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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!