Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/ Species photography guide # Humpback Whale Photography Holidays *Megaptera novaeangliae* Explore our Humpback Whale photography holidays in the [United States](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/united-states/), planned to give photographers proper time with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/#nl-species-related) ![Humpback Whale photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska-1024x768.jpg) ## At a glance Trips3 associated holidays Wherethe [United States](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/united-states/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) Species profile ## About this species The humpback whale is a large baleen whale known for its distinctive long pectoral fins & complex vocal songs. Adults typically reach 12 to 16 metres in length & can weigh up to 36,000 kilograms. They are renowned for their acrobatic breaching behaviour, making them a favourite subject for wildlife photographers & whale watchers. **Habitat** Humpback whales inhabit all major oceans, migrating between cold, nutrient-rich feeding grounds at higher latitudes & warm tropical or subtropical breeding & calving grounds. They are commonly found in coastal & open ocean waters & are frequently spotted near continental shelves, seamounts & upwelling zones rich in krill & small fish. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpback_whale) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Humpback Whale with us in the [United States](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/united-states/). These departures are part of our [North America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** The best time to photograph humpback whales varies by location - in the Northern Hemisphere, summer months offer excellent opportunities in feeding grounds such as Alaska & Iceland. In the Southern Hemisphere, migrating whales can be photographed off the coasts of Australia & South Africa between June & October. Early morning light provides soft, warm tones & calmer sea conditions. **Approach** Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the motion of breaching & tail-slapping behaviour. A telephoto lens in the 100-500mm range allows you to capture close detail while maintaining a safe & respectful distance from the animal. Shoot in burst mode to increase your chances of capturing the peak moment of a breach or fluke dive. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Harbour Seal](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/harbour-seal/)[Bald Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bald-eagle/)[Otter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/otter/)[Sea Otter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sea-otter/)[Steller Sea Lion](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/steller-sea-lion/)[Bottlenose Dolphin](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bottlenose-dolphin/)[Brown Bear](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brown-bear/)[Brown Pelican](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brown-pelican/)[California Sea Lion](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/california-sea-lion/)[Common Dolphin](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-dolphin/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Humpback Whale The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Humpback Whale in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska-1024x768.jpg) #### Related holiday Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales gives guests time in the United States where Humpback Whale can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/bubble-netting-whales-of-alaska/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Humpback Whale is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Humpback Whale in the United States. During our photography holidays, the Humpback Whale is often photographed alongside Harbour Seal, Bald Eagle, Otter, Sea Otter, Steller Sea Lion, & Bottlenose Dolphin. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Photography themes commonly associated with this species include marine life & alaska. Single occupancy Group Size: 5-6 guests Experienced guidance 3 departures - [![Join Us For The Sea Otters & Bald Eagles of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/thumbnails/large/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-scavenging-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday-jpg-1024x721.avif)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/eagles-of-alaska/) ### 14th - 22nd Mar 2028 - Sea Otters & Bald Eagles of Alaska **Location:** the United States In winter, Alaska's coastline stops being empty & starts being busy. Bald eagles gather in strength, filling the air with movement & sound, at distances that blur the line between observer & scene. **8 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£6749** Guided By **David Miles** [View Sea Otters & Bald Eagles of Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/eagles-of-alaska/) - [![Join Us For The Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/bubble-netting-whales-of-alaska/) ### 23rd - 30th Mar 2028 - Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales **Location:** the United States Nothing happens quickly with bubble-net feeding. Whales circle below, birds gather above, & the surface stays calm - until it doesn't. This photography holiday runs during the short seasonal window when the behaviour is most likely, keeping photographers on the water & ready when it breaks. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£8499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/bubble-netting-whales-of-alaska/) - [![Join Us For The Californian Pelicans & Whales Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/One-of-Californias-Brown-Pelicans-standing-on-coastal-rock-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/californian-pelicans-whales/) ### 6th - 13th Mar 2029 - Californian Pelicans & Whales **Location:** the United States Photograph Brown Pelicans in flight from coastal cliffs & capture eye-level harbour seal portraits alongside offshore whale encounters around San Diego with David during March 2029 **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£5499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Californian Pelicans & Whales](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/californian-pelicans-whales/) -