Why Creamer’s Field Is My Favorite Spot for Family Photos in Fairbanks

A family session at Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks, Alaska — framed by wide open grasses and the iconic sandhill cranes in the background.

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “Where should we take our photos?” And while Alaska is full of breathtaking places, there’s one location I return to again and again for families and especially for my mini sessions: Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks.

A Place That’s Always Changing

What I love most about Creamer’s is how it’s never quite the same twice. In the summer, fields of fireweed bloom in vibrant pinks. Fall brings golden birch leaves that glow in the late sun. Winter transforms the trails into quiet, snowy paths. Each season gives families a completely different backdrop, which means no two sessions ever look alike, even if we’re walking the same trail.

Variety in One Walk

As much as I love wild mountain hikes, I know not every family wants (or needs!) an adventure session with travel and logistics. Creamer’s is flat, easy to find, and incredibly family-friendly. It’s a place where kids can run, explore, and be themselves without worrying about steep trails or long drives. Parents love the convenience, and kids love the freedom.

Another reason I love Creamer’s is how much variety it offers in such a short loop. Open fields, tall grasses, winding trails, clusters of trees, and wide skies all live within a few steps of each other. That means in just one session, you can get photos that feel dynamic and layered without having to change locations.

How My Mini Sessions Work at Creamer’s

When you book a mini session with me, we always meet outside the visitor’s center and start on one of the nearby trails. From there, we take a short loop walk, stopping at different spots along the way for photos. This flow keeps things relaxed, gives families something to do (rather than just standing and posing), and makes sure we capture a wide variety of images in a short amount of time.

Why Creamer’s Will Always Be a Favorite

I’ve photographed dozens of families at Creamer’s Field, and it continues to surprise me every time. It’s simple, beautiful, and quintessentially Fairbanks. For me, it’s more than just a location - it’s a place where stories unfold, where kids giggle in fields of fireweed, and where families can be fully themselves in front of my lens.

So if you’re considering a family session, know that Creamer’s isn’t just a backdrop - it’s part of the story we’ll tell together.