Luke Dow Photography

Name: Luke Dow Photography
Address: Lake George, NY, US
Telephone: +15189328433

Home
United States
Lake George, NY
Luke Dow Photography

I specialize in landscape photography in the Lake George, Adirondack regions, and anywhere else my t

I am a landscape photographer who also dabbles in commercial photography. My cross country travels have taken me to all the corners of the United States including:

-Lake George And the High Peaks Regions in the Adirondack Mountains

-Vermont and New England

-Oregon and Washington

-Montana

-Utah

-Colorado

-Hawaii

-Louisiana

-Northern Arizona

-California and the Lake Tahoe/Nevada Area

To v

iew my photos that I took in these locations check out my various galleries on my website. I dont have all of my photos in these galleries, so if you would like to see the rest of my collection or order a custom print or request a more specific job, then please feel free to contact me!

05/29/2026

To end this week, Im going to share this shot that I took in 2023 of the French Quarter, with the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square in the bottom left corner.

The French claimed Louisiana in the 1690s and Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville was appointed Director General in charge of developing a colony in the territory. He then founded New Orleans on the high ground of a natural river bend, a site historically utilized as an indigenous trading post by the Chitimacha and Choctaw people in 1718.
In 1721, the royal engineer Adrien de Pauger designed the city's laid out the city's original 66-block military-style grid. The central square, originally called Place d'Armes, is known today as Jackson Square. Pauger named the streets after French royal houses and Catholic saints, and paid homage to France's ruling family, the House of Bourbon, with the naming of Bourbon Street.

New Orleans was ceded to the Spanish in 1763 following the Seven Years' War. The Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 and another in 1794 destroyed 80% of the city's buildings, and so nearly all the French Quarter dates from the late 1790s.

France won back the Louisiana Territory back from France and after several delays, the official transfer of ownership took place at the square in New Orleans on 30 November 1803, but France didnt own this land for long. Three weeks later, on December 20, another ceremony was held at the same location in which France transferred New Orleans and the 530 million acres of the Louisiana Territory to the United States in Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of America.

This square was officially named Jackson Square following the 1815 Battle of New Orleans where the General Andrew Jackson defeated the British during the war of 1812.
Funny enough this battle was fought after the War of 1812 had already ended! The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Belgium on December 24, 1814. However, because of slow, trans-Atlantic communication, General Andrew Jackson and the British forces had no idea the treaty existed when they fought on January 8, 1815!

French Quarter
New Orleans, LA.

Nov. 11, 2023.

05/28/2026

Here is another shot of that sunset that we saw last Friday before the rains came in last weekend.
You can see the sandbar out in front of English Brook while looking north up the lake.

In the photo you can also see the shoreline at the very bottom left of the photo, this is roughly where the old shoreline used to be, at least according to an 1896 topographical map. That is roughly 230' that the shoreline has extended itself after 1896.

English Brook sandbar is one of the largest sandbars on Lake George, it extends 300' from the shoreline into the lake. The Indian Brook sandbar, in Northwest Bay, extends almost 700'!

It's tough to know for certain what caused the growth in the sandbar over the past 130 years, but most reasons point to human development, clearing land for houses and roads and disturbing the foliage and fauna that have held the dirt in place with their roots.
I know that my father would talk about how the sand bar there was super charged when the interstate was built.

Have a great day everyone!

English Brook Sand bar on Lake George
Lake George Village, NY.

May 22, 2026.

05/27/2026

Well I need to catch up with my old photos, so here is a shot I took in 2023 of the Natchez taking her first cruise in years after the fire broke out in the engine room.
But this is the Natchez, while looking at the skyline of downtown New Orleans.

The Natchez is one of the few remaining steamships on the Mississippi River and she has been an icon of the city ever since she was built in 1975. She is actually the 9th ship to be called Natchez to sail on the river.

The name Natchez comes from the name of the Natchez People, who were the Native Americans that lived on the banks of the lower Mississippi River, with their 'capital' being around St. Catherines Creek, and a little east of the present city of Natchez, MS. Archeologists believe that they have lived on these bluffs since 700 CE (AD). They are noted for their hierarchical communities, building complex earthworks and platform mound architecture, and intensively cultivating maize. The Natchez are also noted for having had an unusual social system of nobility classes and exogamous marriage practices. It was a strongly matrilineal kinship society, with descent reckoned along female lines.

The name Natchez appears first in the narratives of La Salle's descent of the Mississippi in 1682. Relations between the French and Natchez were at first hostile, but peace was soon made and in 1699.
This peace was tumultuous at best, several wars broke out during this "peace". But in 1731, after several wars with the French, the Natchez were defeated and most of the captured survivors were sold into slavery. Others took refuge with other tribes like the Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Cherokee. Today, most Natchez descendants are found in Oklahoma, where Natchez members are enrolled in the federally recognized Cherokee Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River
New Orleans, Louisiana.

November 9, 2023

05/26/2026

Friday night was the last gasp of decent weather we had before the rains came in and filled the whole weekend with rain and clouds.
But on Friday we were given one last little beautiful glimpse before the clouds really rolled in, this red sunset!
Here is a shot of the Saint as she returns from her dinner cruise on Friday night.

This was certainly one of the times where the "red sky at night" saying does not hold truth! lol
This is probably because the storm came up from the south, so the clouds at the northern end of the storm was hanging over us while not hanging over the land west of us, so the cut was able to cut under it and we get these last gasps of red sunset light before the storm hits!

The keel of the Saint Sacrement was laid in June of 1979. Each subsequent summer, a small crew of men worked in framing and plating the hull. A bow-thruster tunnel and unit was installed in the bow section, as were propulsion shafting, rudders and propellers in the stern section. Her hull was launched in September of 1987 and towed by the Mohican to the Steel Pier in Lake George Village for installation of her engines, completion of her superstructure and general outfitting.

On June 15 1989, following speeches and the blessing of the vessel by Bishop Raymond Kalisz, Rebecca America Dow swung a bottle of champagne against the ship’s capstan head and christened her the Lac du Saint Sacrement. The 190 foot long Lac du Saint Sacrement is the largest cruise ship on the inland waters of New York State. She offers two-hour sightseeing, lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises. Entertainment and narration are both included aboard the Saint Sacrement's meal cruises.

Lake George
New York
5/22/2026

05/25/2026

Today for Memorial Day I will share this shot of the American flag flying high and proud above the paddle wheel on the Minne Ha Ha, this was one of my dad's favorite shots I took because it combines the two things he loved, steamships and America.

Memorial Day is meant for Americans to mourn and honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. At 3:00 p.m. we are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence to reflect and honor those who gave their lives for the country and our freedoms.

Memorial Day was originally called "Decoration Day" to commemorate Civil War soldiers. The first observance was held on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina, when freed enslaved people gathered to honor fallen Union troops by singing patriotic songs, strewing flowers, and giving them a proper burial.
After this happened on May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, who was the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (an organization of Union veterans), heard about the freed slaves doing this and thought it was a great idea, so he proclaimed May 30 as Decoration Day. This date was chosen because springtime flowers would be in bloom across the country and folks could decorate graves with them and on May 30, 1868, the first large scale observance at Arlington National Cemetery was held to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.
After World War I, the holiday expanded from honoring only Civil War casualties to remembering all American military personnel who died in any war.
The name "Memorial Day" became more common after World War II, but was not officially adopted as the federal name by Congress until 1967, but it wouldnt be until 1968 when Congress would pass a law moving the observance of Memorial Day from the traditional May 30 to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal workers. This change officially went into effect in 1971.

So in observance of this holiday, I give my thanks to all of those brave souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and my freedoms.

I know the American Experiment seems to be in jeopardy these days and people are divided on decisions made by our country ever since the Vietnam War (and especially the last decade or so), but we can all come together and honor those who have the courage to take the oath and join our armed forces and then those who then fall in the line of duty. Let us put away our differences and give these people the remembrance and honor they deserve.

05/22/2026

Ive been requested by a special fan to take more photos of Diamond Island and I realize that I hardly have any photos of this wonderful little island.
Ive spent many hours on this island throughout my years, but never with a camera! I always went to more "picturesque" locations further up the lake.
But thanks to her request, I made it a mission this spring to finally get better photos of this little island!
So here is a shot of Diamond Island I snapped last weekend while morning fog swirled around the lake!

Diamond Island's name is derived from the quartz crystals found on the island, which ironically are not found on any other island (as far as I know).
Back in 1820 there was a family who lived on the island who made their living by selling these crystals!
Prior to this, this island was strategic for the British Army during the French & Indian War (1754-1763) and the Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

During the the French and Indian War General Ambercromby used this island as an encampment for 400 of his British forces, but it saw it's most action during Revolutionary War.
General Burgoyne fortified the island for use as a supply base after his taking of Fort Ticonderoga in 1777 before moving most of his forces south to Saratoga. Colonel John Brown led a surprise attack on Fort Ti with 500 men, unfortunately he was not able to take the fort, but he was able to capture a bunch of boats and cannons, he then shifted to his next goal... To capture Diamond Island.

Unfortunately they were less successful in this endeavor, the attack failed, the British were tipped off to Brown's advance and had time to prepare their cannons.
After a two hour bombardment the British drove and chased the American forces up the lake to Warner Bay where the American's burned all but 2 of the boats and then escaped up and over the mountain.

Burgoyne probably found little solace in the British victory on Lake George. Less than a month later, he was forced to surrender to Gates on October 17, 1777.

So there you have it! A little story about the Battle of Diamond Island during our country's fight for independence!

I hope everyone has themselves a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!

Diamond Island on Lake George
New York

May 16, 2026.

05/21/2026

So we didnt get much of a sunrise this morning, but there was a heck of a sunset over the village and lake last night!

Here is a shot looking down Beach Road, and the Lake George Steamboat Company, towards the evening lights of the village with Prospect Mountain in the background.

I know there hasnt been a lot of history or story telling this week, unfortunately Ive been incredibly busy and havent had the time to do much research into making these posts. It takes me an hour+ to edit the photo and then another 30 minutes to an hour to research and write these posts, so needless to say when it's busy like this for me I will try to keep posting photos, so I hope that you can forgive me for nothing truly informative this week!
lol

Lake George
New York
May 20, 2026.

05/20/2026

Well I guess this week I will be nothing but calm early morning sunrise shots over the lake lol.

Well here is a shot from this morning, looking north over the top of the 5 mph buoys.
Looks like the clouds were too low and JUST about far enough east to prevent the sun from fully lighting up the bottom of the clouds, but there was just enough of an opening for some slight light to streak across the bottom of the clouds.

Looking forward to another day of warm temps to warm up the lake!

This is the one thing I cant stand about the spring, it can get hot, but the lake is still freezing!!
It's such a tease and I hate it lol
It water temperature is 55° which, thanks to the recent heat, is up 7° from what it was on Monday.

Bring on the warm water! I want to swim and fish!!
lol

Lake George
New York

May 20, 2026 at 5:33am

05/19/2026

This morning the lake was really calm and it was a gorgeous morning.
While I was hoping for a nice rosy red sunrise, but the clouds had different ideas.
That didnt stop me from getting out there!

Here is a shot of Tea Island and Harman Point while looking towards the sun just peaking over the ridge south of Pilot K**b (2,163').

Tea Island is the southern most island on Lake George.
Tea Island is said to have gotten it's name from an 1828 story about a tea house that was on the island that guests of hotels would row out to in order to have afternoon tea on it.

In 1859 the state sold this island to Egbert Gale for $10. Egbert's brother, Daniel, was a manager (and later owner) of the Fort William Henry Hotel and he would send guests out to the island and Egbert would welcome them to the island and provide them with a picnic and a few hours of relaxing on the little island.
in 1872 Egbert sold the island to a couple from France and since then the island has changed hands numerous times, selling for as little as $1!
In 1934 the island was purchased by local legend, Charles Tuttle, and the island has remained in the Tuttle Family ever since, well as far as I know!

The island sits right on the edge of this large underwater cliff and the water quickly plummets from 13' deep all the way down to 90' deep.
Inside this little bay, which is labeled on one map as Boulder Bay, there is some great fishing!
It was shown to me back in the day by Jamie Ellsworth, who ran his family's bait shop and fishing guy service just south of the village.
I wanted to see how things were with him so I Googled him and I found that he passed away in 2024, that makes me extremely sad. My father knew him well and we spent a lot of time with him in his bait shop and on his boat fishing numerous spots on the lake so this makes me sad this morning. I wish I knew he had passed so that I could have properly paid my respects to a man who really helped make many great childhood memories and showed me all these great locations.

Im looking forward to getting back out there this summer and going to some of the spots he showed me.
Hope everyone stays cool today!

Tea Island on Lake George
5/19/2026

05/18/2026

The reflection this morning was absolutely incredible!!
The lake was so still it was like a mirror!

Now there were too many clouds to the east for the perfect red sunrise, which would have been insane with how still the lake was!
I've never seen the lake quite this still and for this long and it was incredible and I couldnt help myself!
lol

Im loving these spring green scenes!
Have a great day everyone!

Lake George
New York
May 18, 2026.

Address

Lake George, NY

Telephone

+15189328433

Website

http://www.lukedowphotography.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Luke Dow Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Luke Dow Photography:

Name:

Email:

Message:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Photography Service in Lake George?