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At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.
May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating stunning and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer
Situated in Alberta, Canada, Jasper National Park is a must-see destination and one of the most visited places in the country. Upon our arrival, we were immediately captivated by its beauty. This park ranks high on our favorite photography spots worldwide, and we’ve been to many locations. We even lead photography tours here by private jet and on land. With its stunning landscapes and abundance of hiking paths, campsites, and other recreational activities, this park offers something for everyone besides just photography.
The Canadian Rockies mountain system comprises the southeastern part of this system, laying between the Interior Plains of Alberta and Northeastern British Columbia on the east to the Rocky Mountain Trench of BC on the west. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana, the USA.
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the Columbia Icefield glaciers, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains. Wildlife in the park consists of elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, black bears, coyotes, beavers, Rocky Mountain pikas, hoary marmots, gray wolves, mountain lions, and wolverines.
Depending on how you cover the park, it takes about 1-2 days to photograph its main areas; if you want to get every angle and include every square inch, plan at least two days.
Jasper is a 4-hour drive up the Icefield Parkway from Banff. There isn’t as much incredible dynamic scenery compared to the southern Canadian Rockies. The drive up Icefield Parkway had some stops that made this trip worthwhile. We thought the Banff area was better overall. Maybe we have just been to too many incredible places in Banff, Yoho, and Revelstoke.
The Columbia Icefields Parkway is one of the world’s most scenic drives, stretching 144 miles between Lake Louise and Jasper. Along the ride up the Icefield Parkway to Jasper, you can stop and photograph many great things: Peyto Lake, The Columbia Icefields, The Glacier Walk, and Bow Lake (one of our favorite spots on the planet Earth). Start your journey early up the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper. To see information on Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, go to our Canada Hot Spot Page.
There are several lakes in the National Park, and the main tourist attraction is Maligne Lake, a half-hour drive from the center of town. If you go in the summer, the lake is covered with tourists, and parking can be a hassle. Go early in the day.
There is also Maligne Canyon to hike and photograph, which allows for some compelling images. The Maligne lookout is just a lookout. We call these pictures tourist shots from these types of locations. You can stop there and get some good images. Try to do something different than the same old shot of the island everyone in the world gets.
The great spots on this journey are the waterfalls. Athabasca and Sunwapta are the two best places not to miss. Lake Maligne, although beautiful, was covered by tourists in the summer. There are a few other lakes, Patricia and Pyramid, which are good. The other lakes did not give us really compelling photos.
Keep your eyes out for wildlife. Elk is abundant, especially early in the morning. We went during a heatwave when wildlife is known to stay in the wilderness. We did see some bears on our journey. The National Park is home to many different animals. The most popular animals to photograph are the Grizzly Bears, Mountain Goats, and Bighorn Sheep. However, many other animals call Jasper National Park home, including wolves, elk, deer, and moose.
Sunwapta Falls is accessible via a short drive off the Icefields Parkway that connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. The falls have a drop of about 18.5 meters. Sunwapta is a Stoney (Assiniboine) word that means turbulent water. It is most spectacular in the late spring when the spring melt is at its peak. This is the first stop when heading into the park.
There are two falls, a lower and an upper one. The one most people see the upper falls, as access is easy. The lower falls are a short distance away.
The water originates from the Athabasca Glacier, and volumes are higher in early summer, caused by a glacial meltdown.
We went to the lake during the daytime and got some really dynamic, colorful images. We returned at night time and did some night photography at the boat dock. We weren’t sure if we’d find the Milky Way. But being so high up away from the equator, we did not; unfortunately, The lake is surrounded by mountains, forests, and meadows, providing various settings to capture on camera. Many animals, including elk, deer, and bighorn sheep, can be spotted around the lake.
Jasper National Park is a photographer’s paradise. The natural light is incredible, and endless opportunities exist to capture stunning images. Here are a few of our favorite Jasper National Park photography locations:
This dramatic canyon is one of the most popular Jasper National Park photography locations. The canyon walls are covered in waterfalls, and the light filtering through the trees creates a magical atmosphere.
This serene lake is excellent for capturing reflections and tranquil scenes. The best time to photograph Medicine Lake is early morning or evening when the light is softer.
TRAVEL WITH PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE EXTRA
We run a photo tour to the Canadian Rockies
Another beautiful lake in Jasper National Park, Pyramid Lake, is known for its dramatic mountain views. The reflections in the water make for some stunning photos, especially at sunrise or sunset.
These powerful waterfalls are one of the most popular attractions in Jasper National Park. The best time to photograph Sunwapta Falls is in the late afternoon when the sun casts a warm glow on the falls.
This massive glacier is one of the iconic Jasper National Park photography locations. The best time to photograph Athabasca Glacier is before sunrise or sunset.
This turquoise glacier-fed lake is one of the most photographed spots in the park. The striking color of this beautiful lake contrasts beautifully with the snow-capped mountains in the background. It makes for some stunning photographs.
The Falls are a natural work of art. They are sculptured by glacial ice and water. These impressive waterfalls are a popular stop for tourists who visit Jasper National Park. You can find them on Icefields Parkway, between Jasper and Lake Louise. They make for some fantastic photos when surrounded by snow-capped peaks at dawn or dusk.
Located south of Jasper, this gorgeous blue lake is perfect for photographers who want something unique and different for their
A beautiful lake with a boat dock and mountains makes for a great spot to stop to capture the drama of the lake. See below.
Jasper National Park is located in Alberta, Canada, and is one of the most popular places to visit. The park features beautiful scenery and has plenty of hiking trails, camping areas, and many other things you might want to do while you’re there.
When to Go: Avoid the summer months and the bus people if possible. September and October are excellent times to go. Fall foliage can be unbelievably gorgeous in October. It gets cold in November, and ice and snow may arrive. After that, it’s a whole lot of cold. The thaw will begin in March, and the tourists will arrive after the first week of June. We would pick October fall foliage as the best time to go.
If you’re looking to take stunning photography, there are a few locations you won’t want to miss. With its sweeping valleys, towering mountains, and pristine lakes, the park offers ample opportunity to capture incredible natural beauty.
You MUST have an ND filter for waterfall photography. See How to Shoot Waterfall Photography
Long Exposure Milky Waters
To do your long-exposure running and milky water shots, you will have to use a tripod. There are a lot of moving waters. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and what neutral density filter you have. You may not get a milky water shot in the daytime if the sun is out and you don’t have an ND filter.
Take some test shots to decide on your shutter speed after you put on your neutral density filter. (It’s like sunglasses for your camera, stopping light from coming in.) Use your shutter release or your 2-second timer to prevent camera movement. Voila. You now have your milky water exposure.
Neutral Density Filters
To photograph running water, you want at least a 2-second exposure. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun. Go to our store to buy your ND filter. We have a 3.0 for super-long exposures in the sunshine—you can go as long as 30 seconds. We have an ND 1.2 and an ND8 for shorter exposures.
Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and gear for the weather conditions. Temperatures can vary greatly depending on the time of year. You’ll also want to ensure you have plenty of sunscreens and organic insect repellent. By following these simple tips, you’ll be sure to have a safe and enjoyable trip – and come home with some fantastic photos to boot.
You’ll need a DSLR camera to take the best-quality photos. Still, even a point-and-shoot or smartphone camera can capture some great shots, but a camera is a must. Pack your tripod, circular polarizing filters, camera backpack, zoom lens and wide-angle lenses. You’ll also want to pack many batteries and memory cards, as you’ll likely take many pictures.
Finally, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure.
Hotel Information:
Mount Robson Inn
– A hotel catering to year-round vacations
The Mount Robson Inn team takes pride in being a clean, comfortable, and affordable hotel accommodation. Their services go beyond just clean and comfortable hotel accommodations. Guests of the Mount Robson Inn enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast buffet, hot tub use, a guest laundry facility, and secure ski storage. They are also pleased to offer family-friendly amenities and room types for your family vacation. As a motorcycle-friendly hotel in Jasper, the Mt Robson Inn offers riders unique bike-friendly amenities. Go to their website.
Our Favorite Canadian Rockies Resort when in Banff National Park – Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – 1029 Banff Avenue, Banff – (800) 563-8764 in Canada/USA | +1(403)762-5531 Local – The Banff Rocky Mountain Resort is the perfect rocky mountain getaway for any traveler. They feature suites and condo-style accommodations in Banff National Park. Stay with them and enjoy the comforts of home and more. This picturesque location has a dining room, a deli, tennis courts, health facilities, a swimming pool, squash courts, and conference facilities. Take your vacation at Banff and live the mountain lifestyle.
Passes – You must have a pass to visit the parks. You can purchase when you get there or before you go.
Jasper is a year-round camping destination and can accommodate anything from a one-person bivy tent to a 39-foot motorhome and everything in between.
At all campgrounds, firewood is included with the purchase of a fire permit, bear-proof lockers are offered for safe food storage, and log cookhouses are available in case the weather isn’t cooperating.
To maintain the family-friendly atmosphere that attracts millions here every year, quiet hours, including a liquor and fire curfew, are enforced by park wardens between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Reserve your campsite!
1-877-RESERVE (737-3783)
You can reserve Whistlers, Wapiti, Wabasso, and Pocahontas campgrounds online at www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). All other roadside campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
For backcountry campsites, please check the campsite availability report and call the Trail Office at 780-852-6177 to make a booking.
Do you want us to send our photography and ghost-hunting friends to your Restaurant after their ghost-hunting or photography trip? Put your restaurant information here. We will put a picture of your establishment, the website link, the phone number and the information on your Restaurant to make it easy for our photographers and ghost hunters to find you.
Don’t forget that you can use a rain sleeve on your camera if it is raining. If it is bright and sunny, you want to use a low ISO, such as 50 or 100.
If you photograph cloudy days, you can do running water or waterfall photography to help avoid the glaring sun. You can also use an ND filter to get long exposure for dramatic effects, even in the sunshine. If you ghost hunt indoors in abandoned places, be careful!
Photography, Lessons, Workshops and Classes.
