Bodie Island Lighthouse captured in black-and-white by Mike Dooley Photography, emphasizing structure, light, and timeless design.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

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Outer Banks, North Carolina wall art by Mike Dooley: photographs of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills and the Outer Banks lighthouses. Prints from $75 on paper or metal. Orders are paused while I move to Florida.

For our anniversary, Roni and I spent a week on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. We found a little condo through the Armed Forces Vacation Club, loaded the SUV with my camera gear and her crafting supplies, and headed south. Somewhere on the drive I came down with the flu. A 103 fever slowed me down, but it didn’t stop me. Sunrise, sunset, lighthouses, and one big surprise.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head

I’d never heard of it. A friend I’ve known since high school messaged me and said I had to see it, so we drove over that afternoon. Midday sun, a fever matching the heat coming off the sand, hang gliders overhead. Brown sand, blue sky, and almost nothing else but the occasional plant.

I made it back to the car and drank a bottle of water. Then another. Maybe a third. Then I went back that same evening, and the sunset was unbelievable. I chased the light all over those dunes until I stopped and wondered: where am I, and where is my car?

Black and white photograph of wind-rippled sand dunes at sunset, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, North Carolina, by Mike Dooley
Wind-blown sand and stormy clouds over Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, North Carolina, black and white photograph by Mike Dooley
Wind-sculpted ripples in the sand at Jockey's Ridge State Park under a blue sky, Outer Banks, North Carolina, photograph by Mike Dooley
A tuft of dune grass on the sand at Jockey's Ridge State Park under a blue sky, Outer Banks, North Carolina, photograph by Mike Dooley
Wind-swept sand and a blue sky over the dunes at Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Wind-rippled sand and clouds at sunset, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, North Carolina, black and white fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Wind-rippled sand in golden light at sunset, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley

More Jockey’s Ridge photographs are coming soon. In the meantime, browse the Seascape Collection.

Avalon Pier, Kill Devil Hills

Sunrise at Avalon Pier, and the quiet beach just south of it. Early light on the pilings, the surf coming in, and a line of footprints that belonged to nobody but me.

Long exposure of the pilings under Avalon Pier at sunrise, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Sunrise glowing behind Avalon Pier and the surf, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Footprints in the wet sand on the beach south of Avalon Pier, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley

Lighthouses

The black-and-white lighthouse is Bodie Island, just south of Nags Head. I also climbed to the top of one and shot straight down the spiral stairs, five flights of them.

Bodie Island Lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, black and white fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Spiral iron staircase winding up the brick walls inside Currituck Beach Lighthouse on North Carolina's Outer Banks, black and white fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Looking down the spiral iron staircase inside Currituck Beach Lighthouse to the checkered floor below, Outer Banks, North Carolina, black and white photograph by Mike Dooley
Bodie Island Lighthouse at sunset across the marsh from the boardwalk, Outer Banks, North Carolina, black and white photograph by Mike Dooley
Spiral stairs winding up inside Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Looking down the spiral stairs inside Bodie Island Lighthouse to the checkered floor, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Interior of Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina, black and white fine art photograph by Mike Dooley
Stairs inside the entrance of Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina, fine art photograph by Mike Dooley

More from the Outer Banks, including sunrises, sunsets and piers, is on the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring to Jockey’s Ridge?

Water, sunscreen, and a charged cell phone. It’s a lot of open sand, and it’s easy to lose track of where you left the car.

What time of day is best at Jockey’s Ridge?

I went at midday and again at sunset. Midday was hot, bright and empty. Sunset was the one I’d go back for.

Where can I buy fine art prints of the Outer Banks?

Outer Banks prints are in the store, from $75 on paper or metal in sizes 9×12 to 40×60. Print orders are paused while I move to Florida. Tell me which print you want and I’ll write you back when the shop reopens.

Explore the Seascape Collection
Ask About an Outer Banks Print

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Prints are paused while I move to Florida. Want to know the day they reopen? Send me a note and I’ll add you to the list.

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