Brian Heaphy
Former U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Officer, Federal Officer, and Wilderness Guide, Brian Heaphy, now makes his home in Alaska’s remote upper Yukon River valley. While practicing a subsistence lifestyle, he photographs Creation and writes about “Living on purpose at the speed of life.” TM
Brian grew up in northwest Connecticut and went on to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD with a degree in engineering. After receiving his commission as a Naval Officer, he completed Basic Underwater Demolition / S.E.A.L. training and then made three consecutive deployments to the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Koyuk, Brian Heaphy's pack dog.
As platoon commander, he led each of three S.E.A.L. platoons through the conduct of numerous Naval Special Warfare operations. While overseas, Brian’s childhood dreams of someday living a homestead lifestyle in the bush country of Alaska incubated far beyond his comfort level. Happy to still be alive, and relatively uninjured upon completion of his obligated service, Brian resigned his commission and moved north to Alaska to begin work as a river guide.
Brian has since lived and worked in remote locations across the State of Alaska from the Bering Sea to the border of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Included among these places which Brian often refers to as “the best of what’s left on the planet Earth,” are the Kenai River in the Kenai Wildlife Refuge, the Chulitna River in Lake Clark National Preserve, the Kanektok River in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, and the upper Yukon River and its tributaries in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.
Brian Heaphy's home in the upper Yukon River valley
Only recently has Brian advanced his creative pastime of wilderness river scape photography to the professional business level. For many years, he chose to share his images with others as gifts in the forms of hand-fashioned prints and greeting cards.
Along the way, however, comments and compliments from myriad friends, relatives, and associates caused him to consider the possibility of a formal career in photography. The interest and prompting of several world-class artists and photographers finally convinced Brian to take the next step and begin taking pictures “for real.”
Split chum salmon drying for dog food.
Brian’s work is currently on display in prominent gift shops, fine art galleries, and museums across Alaska.
Brian Heaphy’s photography is also available for viewing and internet sales at: Eagle’s Eye Limited Prints and Images.
Brian was a classmate of mine in a local law enforcement academy back in the mid 90’s. He may not even remember me however, he was an interesting person in my limited exposure of him. I’m glad to see he is pursuing a life in which he appears to be completely fulfilled. Enjoy yourself Brian and may you always have the wind at your back.
Brian and I were classmates in the 11th at Annapolis. Of the classmates I have occasionally followed over the years, his life’s direction is the one I find most fascinating (and least expected). Live on, Walden!