Alaska
In the summer of 2005, I had a job offer from Mystique Magazine to take me to shoot in Anchorage, Alaska. Of course I would never pass up such an amazing opportunity. Our shooting time was spanned out over three days. The first day I shot in an old gold mining town. It was nestled in the forest with a stream running though it. The 2nd and 3rd days I was helicoptered onto two different glaciers to shoot. I must say that the second day of shooting was my coldest shoot ever. It was very hard not to look like I was in pain. The wind was blowing over the glacier across the water and hitting me while I was laying on the rock wearing nothing but medal. The third day was at a higher altitude but thank goodness no breeze that day. I actually was getting a sun tan while I shooting. I must say that I fell in love with Alaska. Never had I seen such beauty in nature untouched and so pristine. The vastness of the mountains and wildlife was overwhelming. I thought I could definitely live there in the summer months when it is nice and cool but not too cold. During this time too the sun only sets real late and rises early. In my opinion though it never really gets dark but stays at a constant dusk-like haze at night. This definitely messes with your sleep. I slept less but I was never tired. It was weird to get used to this lack of time recognition. I was lucky to get a chance to visit a nature preserve while I was there. I love zoos and preserves and I often choose these places to go on my travels. The last day while in Alaska I joined the crew for a day-cruise to see the glaciers. The boat gets real close to the glaciers and you are able to see large chunks of ice break from the main glacier called calving. I also spotted quite a few bald eagles nest as we were heading back to port. Alaska is a place that I would like to visit again someday. If you want to see nature that will leave you in awe then this is the place.
Day 1 shooting: Blacksmith’s apprentice
Out location scouting
Day 2 shooting: the coldest shoot ever
What a view
Getting ready to be dropped off for day 3
Day 3 shooting: Standing in front of the glaciers
Baby Moose at the Preserve…so cute to pet
Glaciers
Me on the day cruise
What a view
Glaciers up close
It is unfortunate that this might all be gone one day…
You can find more photos from this trip at www.ariagiovanni.com
August 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I am very envious, I have always wanted to go to Alaska. Did you see the salmon runs with the grizzly bears?
The glaciers are unbelievable. Also, I am not a collector of your photos. but these were two of the better layouts I have seen of yours. (the blacksmith and the fur coat one). You are very cute in these, your true beauty was brought out very well. But the scenery really made these shoots shine.
August 28th, 2008 at 4:02 am
It looks amazing Aria ..you are so lucky to get the chance to visit so many amazing places ..I have also been lucky ..but its been mainly to places like Malta and some of the Greek Islands the Balaric Islands , Amsterdam, and so the list goes on and like you I have fell in love with a way of life ..and have always wanted to return ..
August 28th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Beautiful glaciers and icebergs. I had always thought that those Mystique shoots were on sets…
September 4th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Wow! Crazy incredible back drop, can’t wait to see the photos, viking goddess! Queen of the Ice! <3
September 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
did you know they pay you to live out in alaska, i forgot how much but they give you money, did you see the northern lights or were you too far north, im bad with georaphy now, i used to be good with it had globes maps and even more maps from national geographic, my grandfather had a subscription for like 40 years so i would look through them and steal the maps(he would give them to me i still have a folder filled with them) everytime i was over his house, i used to donate the issues i didnt like to the library, because he had a closet full of them and periodically he would get ride of a bundle, and i would go through them and keep the good ones and get rid of the ones i didnt like
September 11th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Wow, cold! But then, I guess you’ll have more of that on the penguin visit, eh? I’ll be looking forward to that post!