“A winter journey in northern Norway, exploring dramatic fjords and Aurora-filled skies”
The Lofoten archipelago is a dream for photographers seeking remote, snow-covered coastlines and rugged fjords. In winter, the sun hugs the horizon, casting soft pastel and magenta tones from sunrise to sunset. Snow, ice, and the Northern Lights combine to create a truly magical winter wilderness, perfect for capturing unforgettable landscapes.
Winter Adventure – Highlights
❄️ Snowy fjords and winter wilderness landscapes
🌌 Chase the Aurora Borealis in prime locations
🚁 Drone photography – breathtaking aerial views
👥 Small groups for personalized guidance
🏠 Traditional red rorbuer, private sea-view rooms
📸 Photography coaching and post-processing lessons with recordings
Wanna join?
What to Expect – Winter Photography in Lofoten
Explore the Arctic beauty of Lofoten in winter. Capture pastel sunrises and sunsets, snowy mountains, fjords, and the Northern Lights. Stay in cozy red rorbuer by the sea, steps from the most photogenic spots.
Small group guidance ensures hands-on support in capturing day and night scenes, plus post-processing lessons with recorded sessions. Return home with stunning images and unforgettable memories of the Arctic winter.
Lofoten Photography Journey – Itinerary
✈️ Meeting: Leknes Airport, Jan 29, by 4 PM
🛫 Departure: Leknes Airport, Feb 4, morning
🌤 Weather may change, so we adapt daily to ensure the best photography experience.
📍 Day 1 – Arrival & First Northern Lights – Settle into cozy red rorbuer and head to Vik Beach for your first Aurora session.
📍 Day 2 – Hamnøy, Reine & Wild Beaches – Sunrise in Hamnøy and Reine, sunset at Skagsanden and Uttakleiv, plus night photography.
📍 Day 3 – Sakrisøy, Å & Hidden Gems – Explore villages, secret waterfalls, and Haukland & Unstad beaches under Arctic skies.
📍 Days 4–5 – Fjords, Frozen Lagoons & Panoramas – Short hikes to waterfalls and viewpoints, plus night sessions over frozen landscapes.
📍 Day 6 – Revisiting Top Spots – Capture the best light and compositions at your favorite Lofoten locations.
📍 Day 7 – Departure – Morning transfer to Leknes Airport, concluding the winter photography adventure.
Day 1
🌌 Arrival & First Aurora Adventure
Arrive at Leknes Airport by 4 PM and take a short 10-minute drive to our cozy red cabins. Tour introduction, then head out for your first night photography session, chasing the Northern Lights over dramatic Arctic landscapes. Cabins are perfectly located for quick access to top photo spots.
Day 2
🌄 Sunrise Villages & Arctic Beaches
Start the day with sunrise photography in Hamnøy and Reine. After breakfast at a local café, head to Skagsanden Beach to capture soft morning light on the mountains. In the afternoon, move north to Uttakleiv Beach (“Dragon’s Eye”) for sunset. End the day under the night sky in the Flakstad area, one of the best spots to capture the Aurora Borealis.
Day 3
🏘️ Fairy-tale Villages & Winter Wilderness
Shoot sunrise over picturesque fishing villages, then travel south to Å at the end of the E10 panoramic road. Discover hidden waterfalls and the pristine beaches of Haukland and Unstad. End the day with an evening session at a secluded lagoon, featuring rivers, ice formations, and peaks for stunning night shots.
Day 4 & 5
🏞️ Fjords, Frozen Lagoons & Panoramic Vistas
Explore waterfalls, wild beaches, fjords, and colorful villages. Sunrise photography between southern villages and Kilan. Short hikes to hilltops, including the Sakrisøy 360° viewpoint. Sunset sessions further north. Night photography under clear starry skies, capturing frozen lagoons and Aurora shots. Editing sessions included to refine your images from the field.
Day 6
📸 Revisiting the Best Spots
Return to the most scenic locations for final shots. Frame the best light, compositions, and night scenes, ensuring your portfolio includes breathtaking landscapes and Northern Lights photography.
Day 7
✈️ Departure from Leknes
Early morning transfer to Leknes Airport, concluding your unforgettable winter photography adventure in Norway.
Additional Information
- Accommodation in traditional seaside rorbuer close to Unstad, Uttakleiv, Haukland, and Vik beaches, all easily accessible within a short walk from the van.
- Regular photo editing sessions focused on field workflow and post-processing, from RAW files to final web-ready images. All lessons are recorded for later review.
- Meals will be flexible: prepared in the cabins, enjoyed nearby, or at selected local restaurants, depending on the daily photography plan.
- We strongly recommend personal travel insurance.
- Ice crampons or microspikes are highly recommended for snowy and icy terrain.
Photo Tour leaders
Giulio Cobianchi is a night photography specialist with a passion for the Aurora and Milky Way. Living in the Lofoten Islands since 2019, he knows the Arctic landscapes like the back of his hand and will guide you to the best spots for unforgettable photography.
Joaquín Marco, is a landscape photographer who started in Northern Spain, capturing forests, coastlines, and rugged Atlantic scenery. He later expanded his work to northern regions, focusing on wilderness and remote landscapes, guiding photographers to some of the world’s most dramatic locations.
Participation
We limit participants to provide personalized guidance, with a minimum required to confirm the tour.
Min: 4 participants
Max: 6 participants
Physical Intensity: Easy
Payment & What’s Included
💰 Total Cost: €2,990
📌 Deposit: €700 (to reserve your spot; remaining balance due 60 days before departure)
📅 Tour Dates: January 29th – February 4th, 2027
🛏 Single Room: Included (each participant gets a private room)
📝 Notes:
- 🚿 Bathrooms shared: 2 per 3–4 people
- 🏠 Upgrade: Private seaside red cabin (Rorbu) available for an extra €1,500
Cost includes:
- 🏠 Private single room in traditional red rorbu
- 🚐 All van transfers with professional driver
- ⛽ Fuel included
- 📸 Expert photography coaching with local guide
- 💻 Editing lessons with recorded sessions
- 📱 Private WhatsApp support group
Not Included:
- ✈️ International flights
- 🍴 Meals and drinks (sometimes packed)
- 🏥 Medical health insurance / travel insurance
- 🔒 Theft or damage insurance
- Anything not listed under “Cost Includes”
FAQs
What will you learn on this photo tour?
On this unforgettable photography tour in the stunning Lofoten Islands, you will not only immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes but also sharpen your photography skills, creating impactful images you’ll cherish forever.
Our goal is to ensure that you leave with not just memories, but photographs that truly reflect the magic of this Arctic paradise. We’ll teach you essential photographic techniques and share our passion for photography, helping you feel the same excitement we do when capturing nature with a camera.
Here’s what you will learn during our Lofoten Photography Tour:
- Mastering your equipment: Learn how to manage your camera gear in both simple and challenging conditions, ensuring you’re ready for any situation.
- Planning your shots: Use apps and websites to plan your shoots effectively, making sure you capture the best possible composition.
- Understanding the histogram: Learn how to read and interpret the histogram during shooting and post-processing for perfect exposure.
- Composition techniques: Master the art of creating compelling, impactful images with compositional rules and creative techniques.
- Using filters: Understand how to select and use filters for various lighting conditions, from dramatic skies to long exposures.
- Managing light: Capture stunning photos at sunrise, sunset, and during long exposure shots by learning how to manage different lighting conditions.
- Perfecting white balance: Know how to set the right white balance for any scene, from daylight to the Northern Lights.
- Focusing techniques: Learn about focus, hyperfocal distance, and depth of field for sharper, more detailed images.
- Aperture control: Understand the importance of aperture and how it affects your photos, especially in challenging lighting.
- Optimizing exposure settings: Choose the right camera settings—ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation—based on the scene.
- Post-processing skills: Learn how to use masks and layers, dodge and burn, and choose the right color profiles (sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB) in editing.
- Night sky photography: Recognize and photograph the night sky without relying on apps, capturing stars and the Northern Lights with ease.
- Advanced shooting techniques: Learn professional techniques like focus stacking, mean stacking, perspective blending, multi-exposure, and time blending to create “wow” images.
- Panoramic photography: Master both day and night panoramic photography, from camera setup to post-processing for seamless merges.
- Northern Lights photography tips: Learn specialized techniques to capture the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights in the Arctic skies.
- Workflow optimization: Gain tips and tricks specific to our tour’s workflow, ensuring you’re prepared to get the best out of every shot.
By the end of this immersive experience, you’ll have gained not just technical knowledge but also the creative skills to capture unforgettable images, especially the stunning Northern Lights and the dramatic landscapes of Lofoten.
Meeting Point & Travel Information
📍 Where and when does the tour start?
The tour begins at Leknes Lufthavn airport (LKN) on January 29th, with a meeting time no later than 4:00 PM.
📍 When does the tour end?
On February 4th, we will drop the group back at Leknes Lufthavn airport (LKN) in the morning.
📍 How do I get to Leknes airport?
You can fly directly to Leknes Airport from Bodø (BOO). If you prefer to arrive a day early and spend a night in Bodø or Leknes, we’d be happy to recommend accommodations based on your preferences.
📍 Can you pick me up from a hotel?
Yes! If you are staying in a hotel near the airport, we can arrange to pick you up directly before the start of the tour.✈️ Need help planning your arrival? Feel free to contact us for travel tips and hotel recommendations!
What weather conditions can I expect during the Winter Lofoten photography tour?
The Lofoten Islands are located within the Arctic Circle, so during the winter months, you can expect a frozen landscape and temperatures below freezing. However, since the islands are surrounded by the sea, the temperatures are not extremely cold. On average, you can expect around -5°C (23°F), but temperatures can occasionally drop to -15°C (5°F) or rise above freezing.
The weather is highly unpredictable and changes very quickly. Keep in mind that due to the wind and the humidity near the beaches, the feels-like temperature can be much colder.
Having the right clothing is essential for staying outdoors and photographing the stunning Lofoten landscapes. Proper gear will ensure you stay comfortable and can fully enjoy this incredible photo tour!
What photography skill level is required for the Lofoten photo tour?
This Lofoten photo tour is open to all photography skill levels, from beginners to professionals. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, you’re welcome to join us. The only requirements are a passion for landscape photography and a readiness to spend the day outdoors in cold temperatures, capturing the breathtaking winter Arctic landscapes.
What level of physical fitness is required for the photography tour?
No specific fitness level is required for this photography tour. All the photography locations are conveniently close to our van, requiring just a few minutes of walking to reach the most stunning photo compositions, as well as some of the lesser-known spots. This ensures easy access to the breathtaking scenery of the Lofoten Islands while maximizing your time for photography.
What clothing and gear do I need for this adventure?
Proper outdoor clothing is essential for this adventure, as we’ll spend extended time outdoors in nature.
Clothing Recommendations:
- High-quality merino wool base layer to stay warm and dry
- Warm mid layer such as a fleece or similar insulating garment
- Down jacket or parka and insulated winter pants for proper warmth
- Windproof and waterproof outer shell to protect against Arctic wind and changing weather
- Water-resistant gloves and a warm hat for additional comfort in cold conditions
Footwear Recommendations:
- Well-insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry during outdoor sessions.
Being properly dressed and equipped will allow you to focus on capturing the stunning landscapes of these islands without discomfort! If you have questions or need more specific recommendations, feel free to ask!
Recommended Camera Gear for this Adventure
To make the most of your landscape and night photography on this journey, we recommend bringing the following gear:
Essential Equipment:
✔ Digital Camera (DSLR or Mirrorless)
✔ Sturdy Tripod for long exposures and night photography
✔Remote Shutter Release for exposures longer than 30 seconds
Recommended Lenses:
✔ Fast Wide-Angle Lens (f/2.8 or faster) – Ideal for capturing the Northern Lights and vast landscapes (e.g., 14-24mm, 15-30mm)
✔ Versatile Zoom Lens (24-70mm or 24-120mm or 70-200mm) – Perfect for composing a variety of landscape shots
Optional but Useful Gear:
✔ Photo Filters – GND, ND, and Polarizer filters for creative effects
Additional Tips:
✔ Extra Batteries
✔ Lens Cleaning Cloths – To keep your gear free from dust and moisture
With this gear, you’ll be ready to photograph everything from breathtaking landscapes to the magical Northern Lights. If you have any questions about your equipment, feel free to reach out—we’ll be happy to help you choose the best gear for this epic journey.
Will there be post-processing sessions during the photography tour?
Yes, during the photography tour, we’ll have multiple post-processing and image review sessions. You’ll learn start-to-finish workflows for both daytime and nighttime photography. These sessions will help you refine your editing skills and bring out the best in the images you capture during the trip. Whether it’s perfecting the details of a landscape shot or enhancing the magic of nighttime scenes, our detailed sessions will elevate your post-processing techniques.
How Should I Organize My Backpack and Gear for this Journey?
During this Lofoten workshop you won’t need to overpack your backpack—just bring your essential photography gear. Extra layers of clothing can be left in the van. Each day, we’ll stop at markets, coffee shops, and restaurants, so you can pick up anything you need along the way.
What meals can I expect during this trip?
During this Arctic photography adventure, you will experience both dining in our cozy Rorbuer cabins and at traditional Lofoten restaurants. This will be tailored based on the photography schedule, which will be adjusted to the weather to ensure the best Lofoten experience. Throughout the day, we will stop at local cafes, traditional restaurants, bakeries, and markets, allowing you to sample the local cuisine. In the evenings, we’ll take full advantage of the well-equipped kitchens in our ocean-view red cabins, providing the perfect balance of comfort and convenience.
How should I manage my suitcases?
Each participant must bring a rigid hold suitcase (not a bag) and a photographic backpack.
This is to optimize the spaces in our vans, to make everyone feel more comfortable.
Documents and Currency for this Norwegian Trip
Travel Documents & Practical Information
- Passport or ID Card
A valid passport or national ID card is required for travel to Norway (Schengen Area). - Currency
The official currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). - Credit Cards
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, and most services. - ATMs
You can easily withdraw Norwegian Krone from ATMs using your debit card. ATMs are available in towns across the Lofoten Islands.
Visa Requirements
Do I need a visa?
Travellers from outside the European Union or Schengen Area should verify whether a visa is required to enter Norway.
Check the entry requirements for your nationality on your official embassy or consulate website before traveling.
