Interview: Thomas, Professional Photographer — Canada & Alaska Roadtrip

A three-month roadtrip through Canada and Alaska is not just “a big loop on a map”. It’s a moving studio: long gravel miles, weather that rewrites your plan overnight, and wildlife that forces you to slow down and look properly. In this interview, professional photographer Thomas Hucteau shares what pushed him north, how he built a flexible itinerary, what went wrong far from help, and what still feels unreal once you’re back home. If your next motorized escape is a Canada roadtrip, his method—minimal structure, maximum adaptability—hits exactly where real travel happens.

Meet Thomas (traveler & professional photographer)

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

I’m Thomas Hucteau. I’m almost 26 and I live in Toulouse, France. I trained as an engineer (design/calculation), but for the last two years I’ve been working as a photographer: exhibitions, competitions, event coverage, and occasional magazine work. At the time of this trip I was also doing Christmas markets to present my prints, and I created a “Pulso, the combi” calendar and greeting cards.

Why Canada and Alaska—and why now?

When did you leave, and what was the reason behind the trip?

I got back at the end of August after three months in Canada and Alaska. For two years I’d been building a project mixing travel and photography—North Cape by bicycle, Australia, then Canada and Alaska. I chose to go before locking into a classic work rhythm. I wanted to do these roadtrips in my life.

The goal was double: create a strong image library to enter competitions and approach publishers, but also—simply—live the journeys I’d been dreaming about.

Why this destination?

I’ve always been drawn to wide-open spaces—USA, Canada, Australia. And I love cold destinations. After the North Cape, Alaska felt like the obvious next step. I saw my first sea ice at Deadhorse. Fascinating place—black bears, grizzlies, bison, caribou. And honestly, I still want to go farther north: Greenland, Svalbard, maybe one day the North Pole.

Planning: “define the minimum, then adapt”

Was your route pre-planned or did you improvise?

When I plan, I set the strict minimum. I leave for three months because that often matches tourist visa durations. I book flights and the rental car. The longest part is listing everything I want to see, then building a framework: stages, drive times, how long I want in each place.

Once on the ground, I follow that framework roughly. Sometimes I’m ahead, sometimes behind. I adapt constantly: detours, shorter stops, longer stops, and a lot depends on weather. Sleeping in the car gives huge freedom—my main constraint is keeping an eye on the loop so I can still close it.

Planet Ride pro tip (pace & safety): on big northern roadtrips, avoid stacking “late arrival + early departure” two days in a row. If you’re pushing long hours (especially on gravel or in fog), protect one “short-driving day” every few days to reduce fatigue-related risk and keep margin for weather.

Vehicle choice and real-world budget

What vehicle did you use, and why?

Until now, for all my trips, I’ve rented locally. It’s simpler than shipping your own vehicle and generally safer regarding breakdowns. Budget-wise, for three months you’re around €3,000 for the rental.

I had a Dodge Charger and Challenger in the US, a Toyota Corolla in Australia, and for Canada & Alaska two 4x4s: a Jeep Cherokee and a big Ford Explorer that I absolutely loved. The car should match the spirit of the place—and as a car enthusiast, it’s a real pleasure.

Best moments, worst moments: what the road doesn’t show you

What’s your best memory? And the worst?

Once you’re back, the trip’s euphoria tends to erase the bad memories. But with distance, I remember the hard parts: difficult driving hours on gravel with fog, punctures with “civilization” more than 200 km away, or driving for hours on a flat spare tire.

In Alaska I hiked in Denali National Park, in the Canadian Rockies, and I also went to see the Chris McCandless bus. That was intense: a tough 40 km walk, with cold and dangerous river crossings. Finding Bus 142 after days out in tundra, alone with myself—that’s the kind of moment that stays with you forever. Same with wildlife encounters throughout the trip.

Favorite places (across all your trips)

Is there one place you prefer above all?

After three car roadtrips and two months cycling in Scandinavia, it’s hard to pick. I’m addicted to big spaces, but Nordic landscapes pull even harder. So I’d say arriving at the North Cape in Norway after about 1,800 km by bicycle—it was pure magic.

And then: driving the Dalton Highway in Alaska and the Dempster Highway in Yukon. Those roads and landscapes are seriously impressive.

Thomas’ advice for future Planet Riders

What would you say to people planning their first big roadtrip?

For me, a roadtrip is the best way to travel—so much freedom. Planning three months can feel intimidating, but it’s absolutely doable. After each trip you learn, and the next ones get smoother and more comfortable. The main thing is to commit and go. Once you’ve decided to leave, the hardest part is done. So: live your dreams.

Mini-FAQ (Canada roadtrip)

Do you need a 4x4 for a Canada roadtrip up to Alaska?

Not everywhere, but if your plan includes long gravel highways (like Dalton/Dempster) or remote detours, a higher-clearance vehicle and robust tires make the trip more forgiving.

How do you stay flexible on a three-month itinerary?

Build a framework (key stops + rough driving times), then leave space for weather days, detours, and recovery. Sleeping in the vehicle can increase flexibility—if local rules allow.

What’s the biggest “hidden” challenge on northern roads?

Fatigue and distance. Gravel, fog, and long gaps between services can turn a normal day into a demanding one. Keep margin, avoid night driving when possible, and don’t chain long days back-to-back.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This interview remains a solid insight into how a photographer designs a long-format roadtrip: minimal structure, constant adaptation, and respect for distance. Before leaving, verify current access rules for specific highways and parks, local guidance around wildlife, and what is permitted regarding sleeping in a vehicle depending on province/state and the areas you plan to cross.

You want to see more of Thomas’ work? Visit his website or his blog, and follow his Facebook page.

In parallel with his travels, he also offers custom photo prints, calendars, and greeting cards—feel free to reach out to him.

If this interview sparked your own Canada/Alaska drive, Planet Ride can help you build a trip with the right rhythm, the right vehicle, and the right margin for the North.