Capture Wild Alaska offers immersive photography adventures led by Todd Whetstine, an award-winning photographer, published author, and seasoned Alaska guide based near Fairbanks. With experience leading more than 10,000 guests in...
Capture Wild Alaska offers immersive photography adventures led by Todd Whetstine, an award-winning photographer, published author, and seasoned Alaska guide based near Fairbanks. With experience leading more than 10,000 guests in...
I returned to Fairbanks for a second time and didn’t hesitate to book another private tour with Todd—this time on December 3, 2025—and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Once again, Todd brought me to fascinating, thoughtfully chosen locations, and we were lucky enough to be rewarded with the Northern Lights. Spending time with someone who genuinely loves what he does is such a pleasure, and Todd’s passion is obvious. He truly wants his guests to learn, grow, and come away as better photographers, and he shares his knowledge generously and with clarity. A special thank-you as well to Tina for the provisions and the impeccably clean, comfortable car—such thoughtful touches make the experience even more enjoyable. Despite temperatures being nearly 30° colder than my previous visit, I had no issues being out all night. Todd comes prepared for everything, which allows you to relax and simply enjoy the experience. Having a private tour also means no crowds and no distractions—you never have to worry about other people stepping into your shots. I also truly appreciated Todd’s willingness to flex the night to shoot, depending upon the conditions. If it didn’t look good l on the night I booked, we were going later in the week. I am sure that option is not always available but it is priceless. You absolutely get your money’s worth from this tour. It was truly an night to remember. For context, my first private tour with Todd was on November 5, 2024, and it left a lasting impression. At the time, I considered myself an advanced beginner and was experiencing truly dark skies for the first time. Todd quickly assessed where I was in my photography journey and tailored the evening accordingly. His ability to find open sky and maximize opportunities was remarkable, and his guidance on what technical details actually matter—amid the endless apps and camera settings—was invaluable. Beyond the photography, it was a joy to connect personally between rounds of aurora displays, sharing stories as the lights danced overhead. I began that evening not knowing how to photograph the aurora and ended it feeling confident and capable—very much an aurora photographer. The knowledge I gained was priceless and set me up for several successful nights of shooting afterward. I cannot recommend Todd highly enough to anyone interested in aurora photography—or photography of any kind. His communication throughout the entire process was excellent, and both experiences far exceeded my expectations. I look forward to continuing the conversation with him about “seeing the light” and following up as my photography journey continues. You simply can’t go wrong booking a private tour with Todd.
A Judd
December 22, 2025
I returned to Fairbanks for a second time and didn’t hesitate to book another private tour with Todd—this time on December 3, 2025—and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Once again, Todd brought me to fascinating, thoughtfully chosen locations, and we were lucky enough to be rewarded with the Northern Lights. Spending time with someone who genuinely loves what he does is such a pleasure, and Todd’s passion is obvious. He truly wants his guests to learn, grow, and come away as better photographers, and he shares his knowledge generously and with clarity. A special thank-you as well to Tina for the provisions and the impeccably clean, comfortable car—such thoughtful touches make the experience even more enjoyable. Despite temperatures being nearly 30° colder than my previous visit, I had no issues being out all night. Todd comes prepared for everything, which allows you to relax and simply enjoy the experience. Having a private tour also means no crowds and no distractions—you never have to worry about other people stepping into your shots. I also truly appreciated Todd’s willingness to flex the night to shoot, depending upon the conditions. If it didn’t look good l on the night I booked, we were going later in the week. I am sure that option is not always available but it is priceless. You absolutely get your money’s worth from this tour. It was truly an night to remember. For context, my first private tour with Todd was on November 5, 2024, and it left a lasting impression. At the time, I considered myself an advanced beginner and was experiencing truly dark skies for the first time. Todd quickly assessed where I was in my photography journey and tailored the evening accordingly. His ability to find open sky and maximize opportunities was remarkable, and his guidance on what technical details actually matter—amid the endless apps and camera settings—was invaluable. Beyond the photography, it was a joy to connect personally between rounds of aurora displays, sharing stories as the lights danced overhead. I began that evening not knowing how to photograph the aurora and ended it feeling confident and capable—very much an aurora photographer. The knowledge I gained was priceless and set me up for several successful nights of shooting afterward. I cannot recommend Todd highly enough to anyone interested in aurora photography—or photography of any kind. His communication throughout the entire process was excellent, and both experiences far exceeded my expectations. I look forward to continuing the conversation with him about “seeing the light” and following up as my photography journey continues. You simply can’t go wrong booking a private tour with Todd.
A Judd
December 22, 2025