If you’d like to capture the sheer beauty of the Arctic and spend a week shooting rugged mountains, colorful houses and hopefully the northern lights – this is the right adventure for you!
Incredible views, mountains that plunge into the sea, frozen lakes and villages that seem to come straight out of a fairy tale: these are just a handful of the subjects we will be able to shoot up there. Traveling through those scenic roads, with the continuous golden light typical of winter during the days and with the green lady dancing above our heads in the night is something that we fail to properly describe with words.
Why not join Leo in this beautiful adventure and see all that beauty with your own eyes?
We will spend the first three nights around Leknes – a small town in the souther part of the Lofoten Islands – and shoot all the locations close to it, then we will move even more south (at the very tip of the archipelago) and spend the last three nights in Hamnoy – one of the picturesque villages of the Lofoten.
Winter in the Arctic means very little daylight: sunrise will be around 9:30AM and sunset around 3:30PM: the light will always be good, since the sun will never rise too much above the horizon. It will be like an endless sunset!
Right after the sun goes down – we’ll try to hunt the green lady every night: we will do our best to work with the weather forecast and find the best spots where we get the most chances of seeing the aurora borealis dancing in the sky!
The workshop is officially on! Leo will be at the airport waiting for you: the Leknes airport is really small, the only way to arrive there is to get a flight from Bodo (which you can reach from Oslo, Norway’s capital city).
There are generally several flights that arrive throughout the day, we generally recommend to take one of the early ones so that we can make the best use of day 1 too! The other solution would be to arrive at least a day earlier, since Leo will already be there and will be more than happy to provide transportation from the airport to your hotel for that night if you need it.
Hotel Check-in: approx. 2:30PM
After the transfer, we’ll reach the hotel to check in and take a short breath before hitting the road again.
Sunset Session: 2:30PM/6:00PM
Our first official photography session together! Since it’s our first, we’ll have a longer session so that your workshop leader can assess your skills and give you the necessary notions to capture the golden light in the best possible way given the weather conditions of that day.
We will probably visit Haukland Beach as an introductory location – a fantastic beach that offers endless compositions from wider perspectives all the way to more intimate captures.
Dinner: 6:00/8:00PM
It’s been a long day: finally we will have the chance to sit down and have a warm meal with some beer to end it in the best way!
Northern Lights Hunting Session: 8:00PM/??:??PM
Writing down the times for a northern lights hunting session feels like one of the most nonsense things we could ever write in a itinerary, so we refused to write an end time. Truth obviously is that we will work around the weather forecasts, so there might be days when we stay out after sunset without returning back, there might be days when we stay out till early in the morning and there might be days when we can’t go out at all. That’s part of the game!
One of the best things about the Lofoten Islands in winter are the golden hours times: the sun won’t be in the sky till 9:30AM, which means no early wake up calls! On this morning we will explore another gorgeous location close to Leknes: Uttakleiv Beach.
This place offers a multitude of compositions, from the famous “Eye of Uttaklein” (a rock formation that resemble an eye) to round shaped rocks which work great with long exposures and many, many more! First 7 images for reference.
Breakfast/Lunch Break: 11:00AM/2:00PM
Since days are quite short at this time of the year in the Lofoten Islands – we won’t get a lot of rest time during the day: we will briefly stop for a couple hours around lunch time to catch a break and get something to eat.
Sunset Session: 2:30PM/6:00PM
Right after lunch and a short break, it’s time to put the shoes back on and go out again: this afternoon we will visit Vareid beach, an amazing location along the coast that offers a magnificent view over the southern part of the archipelago. Last 4 images for reference.
Dinner: 6:00/8:00PM
It’s been a long day: finally we will have the chance to sit down and have a warm meal with some beer to end it in the best way!
Northern Lights Hunting Session: 8:00PM/??:??PM
Writing down the times for a northern lights hunting session feels like one of the most nonsense things we could ever write in a itinerary, so we refused to write an end time. Truth obviously is that we will work around the weather forecasts, so there might be days when we stay out after sunset without returning back, there might be days when we stay out till early in the morning and there might be days when we can’t go out at all. That’s part of the game!
One of the best things about the Lofoten Islands in winter are the golden hours times: the sun won’t be in the sky till 9:30AM, which means no early wake up calls!
Today we will explore Vikten, another amazing location perfect for rugged seascapes and long exposures: this area usually have some interesting waves, which are great to use as leading lines or to create swirls in your images. First 6 images for reference.
Breakfast/Lunch Break: 11:00AM/2:00PM
Since days are quite short at this time of the year in the Lofoten Islands – we won’t get a lot of rest time during the day: we will briefly stop for a couple hours around lunch time to catch a break and get something to eat.
Sunset Session: 2:30PM/6:00PM
Time to visit and explore one of the major photography locations of the whole archipelago: Skagsanden Beach! This place is located half-way through the road that leads down to Hamnoy, our next accommodation for the remaining part of the trip – driving there, you will get a taste of what the most amazing part of the Lofoten Islands looks like!
Between amazing sand textures, rocks, puddles and waves – this beach became so famous for a valid reason! Check the last 7 images for reference.
Dinner: 6:00/8:00PM
It’s been a long day: finally we will have the chance to sit down and have a warm meal with some beer to end it in the best way!
Northern Lights Hunting Session: 8:00PM/??:??PM
Writing down the times for a northern lights hunting session feels like one of the most nonsense things we could ever write in a itinerary, so we refused to write an end time. Truth obviously is that we will work around the weather forecasts, so there might be days when we stay out after sunset without returning back, there might be days when we stay out till early in the morning and there might be days when we can’t go out at all. That’s part of the game!
Last sunrise around Leknes, before moving south towards Hamnoy, our second and final destination of the workshop. At sunrise we will visit Unstad beach – a place not only popular for photography but also surfing! Yep, you heard correct: surfing – in freezing waters – while maybe it’s snowing!
We will focus on photography – no worries! The location offers a great view over the surrounding mountains and several great ways to frame the coastline with them!
Transfer to Hamnoy (Reine): 11:00AM/2:00PM
The transfer itself wouldn’t take more than one hour actually – but the views are so incredible that we always need at least double that time with all the stops we usually take!
Sunset Session: 2:30PM/6:00PM
We finally reach what is, hands down, the most popular area of the Lofoten Islands – the one all of you have seen pictures of and where all the most popular locations are! Within a 5 miles radius, we can easily find endless points of view to capture these small colorful towns. Tonight we will focus on Nusfjord and its gorgeous Storvatnet lake – one of Leo’s favorite locations of the whole area!
Dinner: 6:00/8:00PM
It’s been a long day: finally we will have the chance to sit down and have a warm meal with some beer to end it in the best way!
Northern Lights Hunting Session: 8:00PM/??:??PM
Writing down the times for a northern lights hunting session feels like one of the most nonsense things we could ever write in a itinerary, so we refused to write an end time. Truth obviously is that we will work around the weather forecasts, so there might be days when we stay out after sunset without returning back, there might be days when we stay out till early in the morning and there might be days when we can’t go out at all. That’s part of the game!
Brace yourselves for some photography crowds as we are about to visit THE most popular scene of the Lofoten: Hamnoy, with the typical rorbuer (the red houses) and the huge mountain in the back. As famous and crowded as it might be – it’s only fair that you get your own take on this location too. First 12 pictures are for reference!
Breakfast/Lunch Break: 11:00AM/2:00PM
As days in the Lofoten Islands during winter are not long – we won’t be able to rest too much during the day: we will take a short two-hours(ish) break before hitting the road again!
Sunset Session: 2:30PM/6:00PM
Tonight we will drive a bit up north again to shoot the area around the Fredvang bridges: this place not only has plenty of perspectives (puddles, icy textures, etc) from the ground, but it’s also an awesome scene from the air if you have a drone! Last couple pictures for reference.
Dinner: 6:00/8:00PM
It’s been a long day: finally we will have the chance to sit down and have a warm meal with some beer to end it in the best way!
Northern Lights Hunting Session: 8:00PM/??:??PM
Writing down the times for a northern lights hunting session feels like one of the most nonsense things we could ever write in a itinerary, so we refused to write an end time. Truth obviously is that we will work around the weather forecasts, so there might be days when we stay out after sunset without returning back, there might be days when we stay out till early in the morning and there might be days when we can’t go out at all. That’s part of the game!
Today at sunrise we will shot another iconic view of the area: the small town of Reine – not far from Hamnoy! Usually in the morning the fjord waters are a bit calmer and with a bit of luck with might get a crystal clear reflection of the landscape. First 7 images for reference.
Breakfast/Lunch Break: 11:00AM/2:00PM
As days in the Lofoten Islands during winter are not long – we won’t be able to rest too much during the day: we will take a short two-hours(ish) break before hitting the road again!
Sunset Session: 2:30PM/6:00PM
Unfortunately – this will be our last sunset session! We will do our best to get the most out of it: the “target” location could be the Flakstad Fjord, but depending on the weather forecasts we might also return to some places where we didn’t get the conditions we wanted on our first try. Last 5 images for reference.
Dinner: 6:00/8:00PM
It’s been a long day: finally we will have the chance to sit down and have a warm meal with some beer to end it in the best way!
Northern Lights Hunting Session: 8:00PM/??:??PM
Writing down the times for a northern lights hunting session feels like one of the most nonsense things we could ever write in a itinerary, so we refused to write an end time. Truth obviously is that we will work around the weather forecasts, so there might be days when we stay out after sunset without returning back, there might be days when we stay out till early in the morning and there might be days when we can’t go out at all. That’s part of the game!
As for any other workshop we prepare – we always mention one last sunrise before leaving the hotel – that can be an option also here, but we will evaluate if it’s worth it depending on the weather and your flight times later in the day.
Transfer to Leknes Airport (LKN): 9:30AM/2:00PM
One last trip to return back to where everything started: Leo will take you back to the Leknes airport (LKN) again and help you getting all of your stuff till the check-in desk – after which, it will be time to say goodbye!
– Scroll down, find the “book now” button, fill in your details and follow the process to the check-out. You will be able to leave a refundable deposit (500€ x person most of the times) via credit/debit card, bank transfer or even Paypal.
– Scroll down to the very end of the page to find the contact form or visit the “Contact Us” page to, well.. Contact us! We will be more than happy to help you with any request you have and set up the ideal workshop you have in your mind – and ultimately give you all the details to complete the deposit and secure your spot on the tour.
In either case, we only ask for a 500€ deposit to confirm your spot – we will then reach out around 2 months before your workshop starts with a link to complete the remaining part of the payment. If you booked last minute and need to pay the entire quote right away – we will be in touch as soon as we receive your reservation with the aforementioned link!
Why? So that you to get your own room for yourself without having to share it with anyone else. The single supplement is something we add at cost price (if not less), and as annoying as it might be, that’s something that unfortunately we can’t avoid.
That’s also how we manage to guarantee every workshop departure, even if you are the only participant for that date.
Of course you can opt for the single supplement even if you are traveling with friends and you like to have your own personal space.
– Digital Camera (preferably a DSLR or mirrorless camera, APS-C, micro 4/3 and FF will be more than fine);
– An ultrawide lens (e.g. Nikon 14-24mm, Canon 16-35mm, Tamron 15-30mm, Tokina 16-28mm etc); we recommend a lens with a wide maximum aperture (like f/2.8) in case we might do some night photography.
– A standard zoom lens (e.g. Nikon/Canon/Sigma 24-70mm or 24-105mm);
– A telephoto zoom lens (e.g. various Nikon/Canon/Tamron/Sigma 70-200mm);
– A super telephoto zoom lens (e.g. Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm); this lens is not necessary but we recommend it anyway since it allows to capture the far away details of the landscapes;
– A sturdy tripod that permits to do some long exposure photos, specially at twilight;
– A set of ND filters; these are the only filters we feel to recommend, since they become useful when you need to stretch the exposure time a little bit during some difficult light conditions;
– A camera remote to avoid blurry shots.