Mark Kelley: Photographing Glacier Bay.

• Author: PARDES, JOAN
• Position: Brief Article

Alaska. A place where superlatives seem small and inadequate compared to the grandeur of the scenery. We've all experienced that moment--whether it was on top of a mountain, mushing with our dogs or simply driving home from work-when our vocabularies failed miserably as we stared, slack jawed, at yet another wonder of the Last Frontier. Yet, for each of us, there are different sights and sounds that keep us anchored to the largest state in the union.

For some, it's the loneliness and productivity of the North Slope. For others, it's the majesty of Denali or the abundance of Alaska's waters. But for photographer Mark Kelley, it's the beauty of Southeast Alaska For decades, Kelley's work has appeared on the covers of countless national publications including The New York Times, Outside Magazine, USA Today and in his self-published line of calendars and note cards. Most recently, the photographer teamed with writer Sherry Simpson and became partners with Juneau's Native corporation, Goldbelt Inc., to create his sixth and most ambitious book, "Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska."

"Very few people have been drawn to Glacier Bay--psychologically, emotionally and environmentally--the way Mark has. He's been drawn to the place for years," said Joe Beedle, past president and former CEO of Goldbelt Inc., who approved the corporation's unprecedented six-figure investment into the publication of Kelley's book. "It is the first publication that Mark and Goldbelt joined forces for, but it's not really ground-breaking when you consider that the book is an excellent tool for communication and sales. First, to attract people to Glacier Bay and then to celebrate the visit to the park."

And since Goldbelt runs the park concession for Glacier Bay, the corporation has an invested interest in promoting the area. "The national park is the landlord and we're the tenant, so to speak. We have the pleasure and the responsibility to take care of and protect the national park as tenants," Beedle said.

As tenants, Goldbelt operates the Glacier Bay Lodge including the gift shop and restaurant, fuel sales at Bartlett Cove, the two ships that travel Glacier Bay daily--the Spirit of Adventure and the Crystal Fjords--and four small cruise ships. "The message of Mark's book is to preserve, protect and keep Glacier Bay. Personally, I'm very proud of this book," said Beedle.

Although Kelley and Beedle worked together before when the photographer was hired to shoot promotional...