It is entirely possible that marketing departments are made up of former congresspeople. Or they are in training to be congresspeople.

While not true 100% of the time, the old adage of luck is when preparation meets opportunity holds true most of the time.

My wife and i have looked at photos on line of various houses for our last 3 moves. On each of them I have seen houses that the photographer did a great job taking pictures of the house highlights, while not having any pictures of issues. Example one house was missing siding on 3 sides of the house, but the only exterior picture, the angle was such that the one side of the house with siding was facing the camera, and the adjacent sides without siding were pretty much hidden from the angle, unless I looked carefully (which I did after visiting the property). The job is to get people to visit the house. I have also seen houses with poor pictures that were very nice. We have learned to use pictures in our evaluations, but also work with a realtor to help us select houses to see. Note that the realtor view of the listing includes information not on the websites, and can be helpful in deterring what to visit.

It seems like you have spent your life enjoying the moments, and now regret the lack of photographs. I have had the opposite problem. I have been interested in photography since I was a little kid. One thing it took me a while to learn is that sometimes you have to put the camera down and experience life, rather than taking pictures. At some point I was looking at pictures of one of my daughter's performance I realized I was so busy trying to take a good picture of the event, I didn't even notice what was going on in the performance. I then realized sometimes you just need to put the camera down, and take in life. Sometimes it is still hard for me to figure out what those times are, but I try. I now usually don't bring my camera to performances, and just buy the pro's pictures. Somewhere there must be a balance in taking pictures and enjoying the moment.

I have not taken an Alaska Cruise, but lived in Alaska for 8 years. I know a few people who worked in the Cruise industry. As I understand it there are basically 2 sets of cruise options, one being a round trip cruise that just does the inside passage. The other is basically a one way cruise, where you start in Seattle area, cruise up the inside passage and over to the Kenai Peninsula/Seward or to Whittier. From these locations you can take the train or bus to Anchorage as part of the cruise package. Both Holland America and Princess have land packages up to Talkeetna, Denali and normally on to Fairbanks. Travel is by train or bus. With the one way cruise you fly into or out of Anchorage or Fairbanks. Princess has their own train cars and lodges, and normally restricted to their cruise passengers. Holland America typically stays at commercial hotels, and leases train cars. Both also have bus options. Denali will likely have the most land based wild life variety. Inside passage will typically have a variety of wildlife as well, and will have possibility of whales and other marine mammals, but they sometimes are in the shallower areas away from where cruise ships can go. Weather can be rainy (normally light rain) at any time, and for days at a time. May frequently has a lot of clear days, but many people from outside Alaska consider the temperatures cold. Also, in early May, access to parts of Denali may still be restricted by snow. North of Anchorage can especially get light rain by mid August. Various wild flowers bloom throughout the summer, but fire weed is especially active by early August. Probably want to see what you most want to see/photograph and figure out what time of year is best for that animal/activity. I understand whales are most likely visible during May.

I haven't done any pictures like this, but I have worked back stage at a few community type plays, and I have a few observations of the photographers (when we had them) I would like to suggest. If you can, go to the dress rehearsal and take pictures. Review them before the performance. It gives you a good chance to see what is going on, figure out the camera settings for the lighting, where is the best place or places to get good photos. Also, you may get some back stage photos that would be interesting as well. With the freedom to move around without an audience, the pictures you take as the dress rehearsal may actually be the pictures you want to submit for the yearbook. No one will know except for you.

I haven't done any pictures like this, but I have worked back stage at a few community type plays, and I have a few observations of the photographers (when we had them) I would like to suggest. If you can, go to the dress rehearsal and take pictures. Review them before the performance. It gives you a good chance to see what is going on, figure out the camera settings for the lighting, where is the best place or places to get good photos. Also, you may get some back stage photos that would be interesting as well. With the freedom to move around without an audience, the pictures you take as the dress rehearsal may actually be the pictures you want to submit for the yearbook. No one will know except for you.