From family portraits to the wilds of Alaska, I photograph the moments that remind us how deeply we belong to this world.

Danielle Buoncristiani 3/6/26 Danielle Buoncristiani 3/6/26

Week 18: Paddles Up — Bear

Kayaking across Pedersen Lagoon brought us to Addison Lake, where sea otters floated nearby and salmon churned the water. Then our guide quietly said, “Bear.” What followed was one of the most exhilarating wildlife encounters of the trip.

New to Seen in My Lens: Alaska?

This twenty-week series follows two journeys north — from the brown bears of Lake Clark to the light over Denali.
If you’re just joining, start where the story begins.

Begin with Week 1 →

From family portraits to the wilds of Alaska, I photograph the moments that remind us how deeply we belong to this world.

Week 18: Paddles Up — Bear

New to Seen in My Lens: Alaska?

“This ongoing series is laying the foundation for a future book, Seen in My Lens: Alaska.”

Seen In My Lens is where the journey begins — the stories, field notes, and photographs in progress. Finished wildlife and scenic work can be found on my main photography site.