Steve Rubin Photography

08/19/2026

When a Photograph Finds Its Way Home. Some photographs have a story that goes far beyond the moment they were made.

This elephant photograph was recently part of The Wonder of Looking Close exhibition at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, with the Capital City Camera Club. But its story didn’t end when the exhibition came down.

The woman pictured here was one of the NICU nurses who cared for my son, Michael, when he was a NICU patient many years ago. Over the years, we’ve stayed connected, and I learned that she has a particular love for elephants. When I had the opportunity to give her this photograph, I knew it was the right one.

Now it’s hanging in her home, where she can enjoy it every day. She sent me these photos along with a message that touched me deeply:

“My brother hung the elephant picture for me! Here it is with me in the picture as you suggested. I will always treasure it! Thank you again.”

For me, this is one of the most meaningful things photography can do. An image that began with an encounter in the natural world became part of an exhibition — and then found its way into the home of someone who was part of Michael’s story, too.That’s the kind of connection I hope my photography creates.

Sometimes the best destination for a photograph isn’t a gallery. It’s home.

07/31/2026

Behind the scenes at Dreher Island

Several people have asked why I haven’t been posting many finished photographs this week, so I thought I’d explain what’s been happening.

This artist residency isn’t just about creating beautiful images. It’s about slowing down, learning the rhythms of the park, understanding the light, observing wildlife behavior, and discovering what makes this place special.

Some days that means photographing a sunrise. Other days it means sitting quietly for hours, watching an osprey perch in the distance and waiting for something to happen.

Photography isn’t always about the final image. Sometimes it’s about the experience itself.

I can’t wait to share more of what I’ve been finding here at Dreher Island.

07/29/2026

Sometimes wildlife photography is a lot more waiting than photographing.

This morning started before sunrise and eventually settled into a quiet cove at Dreher Island State Park. Coffee in hand, camera on the tripod, I waited…

The park rewarded that patience with turtles, a curious lizard, Canada geese, and an unforgettable encounter with an osprey enjoying its breakfast.

No spoilers just yet—I still have thousands of images to go through—but mornings like this remind me that some of the best moments happen when you stop chasing wildlife and let it come to you.

Being the Artist in Residence here has been exhausting… and an absolute blast.

More to come.

— Steve Rubin Photography

07/28/2026

Day 2 at Dreher Island State Park.

One of the greatest gifts of an artist residency is time.

Time to slow down. Time to observe. Time to return to the same places and discover that every outing reveals something new.

Yesterday, I was getting to know the park. Today, I began to see some of the stories that make Dreher Island so special—from peaceful moments on the lake to the wildlife that calls this place home.

I’m excited to see what the rest of the week has in store.

07/27/2026

I’m honored to be spending this week as an Artist-in-Residence at Dreher Island State Park.

The finished photographs will come later. For now, I wanted to share a glimpse behind the scenes—the quiet evenings, early planning, and the place that will be home as I explore this remarkable park over the coming days.

My goal isn’t simply to photograph nature. It’s to create images that help people experience a deeper connection with the natural world.

I’m looking forward to sharing what this week reveals.

Dreher Island State Park

06/18/2026

06/16/2026

Some wildlife encounters are easy.

This wasn’t one of them.

To reach these bears in Alaska’s Katmai wilderness, we flew onto a remote beach, suited up in waders, and hiked nearly four miles through mud, tundra, and multiple stream crossings—some of them downright intimidating while carrying camera gear.

But every step was worth it.

We watched bears graze, run across the tundra, dig for clams… and eventually witnessed something I had never seen before.

Let’s just call it…

🐻 Bears making bears. 🐻

Nature is wild, unpredictable, beautiful—and occasionally hilarious.

Have you ever had a wildlife encounter you’ll never forget?

06/12/2026

What I thought would be a simple transfer day from Seward to Homer turned into one of the most memorable days of the entire Alaska trip.

We stopped along the way for what became an incredible bald eagle photography session at Ninilchik, with adults and juveniles flying, fighting over food, and soaring against snow-covered mountains that created some of the most spectacular backdrops I’ve ever photographed.

Getting the shots wasn’t exactly glamorous. I ended up soaked, muddy, and at one point so stuck in the wet sand that I needed help pulling my foot free. As wildlife photographer Steve Perry says, if you didn’t get dirty shooting wildlife, you probably weren’t working hard enough.

Later that evening, we headed back out to Anchor Point for Eagle Hunt #2. Only in Alaska are you still photographing in bright daylight at 8:30 PM.

And then… we found something unexpected on the beach.

Be sure to watch to the end for the official diagnosis from our Alaska medical team. 😄

🦅 Ninilchik & Anchor Point, Alaska
📷 Canon EOS R5 Mark II