2025 Finnish Lapland Photo Tour
Mystical Trees and Northern Lights
Join us on our Finnish Lapland photo tour to photograph all the wonders of Northern Finland during the depth of the winter!
This is the prime time to photograph the renowned Lapland trees, completely covered in snow and sculpted into unique forms and figures. It’s also Northern Lights season, and we’ll chase the Aurora under the frozen picturesque landscapes of the Finnish Lapland.
We are running our Finnish Lapland photo tour in January, the season when the sun never rises. These days, clear days on the Arctic Circle offer just a few hours of golden light throughout the day, allowing for uninterrupted photography sessions where every moment is suspended in a perpetual sunrise or sunset.
Also, January boasts the highest recorded activity of the Northern Lights throughout the year in Northern Finland, so it is the perfect time to visit this snow desert!
Overview
Date
Jan. 24th - Jan. 31st 2025
8 days and 7 nights.
Difficulty
Easy/Moderate: Involves snowshoeing hikes.
Group Size
Small: 12 participants + 2 photography guides.
Price
4,890 USD
(Double ocuppancy)
Included
- Drop-off at Kuusamo airport (KAO).
- Transportation in a mini bus to travel comfortably.
- Fuel and parking fees
- Accommodation in hotels in shared rooms with private bathrooms
- Photography instruction from two professional photographers
- Snowmobile tour to Kuntivaara with local guides.
- Photography visit to a reindeer farm.
- Snowshoe rental for the entire trip.
- Access to the Capture the Atlas Academy (more info below)
Not Included
- Flights to/from Kuusamo Airport (KAO).
- Private room - Extra $850 (*subject to availability)
- Meals, except breakfast at the hotel.
- Health/travel insurance
- Telephone, personal expenses, tips, etc. Any other service not mentioned in the "INCLUDED" section.
5/5
Read More
Capture the Atlas provided an exceptional photography adventure. Participants were given excellent trip preparation guidance and thorough education prior to departure. Out team leaders exceeded all expectations in providing for our transportation, housing, meals, education and safety.
Read More
The area, the locations, the conditions, the perfect organization, the two guides, Unai and Prince, always attentive, ready to advise us when taking photos, the good atmosphere in the group, have made this trip an unforgettable experience.
Read More
From the beginning, I was immediately impressed with the level of work that had gone into putting this trip together. The workshop leaders, were absolutely fantastic. Their deep knowledge of photography and Iceland itself made this trip unforgettable.
Read More
The tour leaders were excellent. They went out of their way to accommodate everyone's requests, and to do as many things on the itinerary as time allowed. They were great with both technical coaching and participant management and knew all the great spots to get the best shots.
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During this Finnish Lapland photography tour, we will focus on the southern region of Lapland, exploring its most stunning locations.
Over 8 days, we will capture the iconic mountains of Riisitunturi National Park and venture into the remote area of Mount Kuntivaara, where we’ll enjoy a sleigh ride all the way to the top of the mountain. Here, we’ll witness the fascinating phenomenon of snow-covered trees, a spectacle created by the unique combination of low temperatures and arctic conditions. Each year, these snow-laden trees unveil new shapes and forms, providing endless opportunities for capturing stunning and original images.
January is an ideal time to witness the Northern Lights, being one of the best months in terms of solar activity. We have carefully selected the tour dates to coincide with the new moon, ensuring dark skies that can make for unforgettable Aurora sessions.
We’ll also visit Oulanka National Park, home to some of Finland’s most spectacular rapids and ancient watermills on the edge of the rushing water. In addition to the breathtaking landscapes, you’ll also have the opportunity to photograph Finland’s reindeer up close.
All of this will unfold under the beautiful golden light of the Arctic winter, which, when the days are clear, gives us around 8 hours of constant sunrise to sunset light conditions.
Throughout the trip, our team of experienced guides will be on hand to assist you every step of the way, offering expert advice and guidance to help you capture the perfect shot. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or a novice enthusiast, our goal is to ensure that you leave Finland with a portfolio of breathtaking images and memories that will last a lifetime.
FINNISH LAPLAND PHOTO TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Photo Tour from January 24 – 31, 2025.
- Group size: 12 participants + 2 instructors.
- Main topics: Landscape, Forests and Northern Lights photography
- Main areas: Southern Finnish Lapland (Kuusamo, Ruka, Riisitunturin, Kuntivaara and Oulanka National Parks)
- Northern Lights sessions (statistically one of the best times of the year to see the Aurora in Lapland)
- Snowmobile tour to Kuntivaara area with a local guide
- Photographic visit to a local reindeer farm.
- Snowshoe rental for the trip
- Accommodation included in top hotel close to the best locations.
- Transportation included in a mini bus to travel comfortably with all luggage/camera bags.
- All excursions included
Download the official Finnish Lapland Photo Tour brochure
2025 Finnish Lapland Photo Tour Itinerary
Our Finnish lapland photo tour offers flexibility to adapt to the weather. We will carefully select the best spots to photograph Lapland´s landscapes under the best possible conditions in each location.
Given that the days are very short during this time of the year, the photography sessions will last the entire day, from around 9 AM when there is light until around 3 PM when it gets dark.
At night, if there are clear skies, we will head to the area with the best weather conditions in the region to capture the Northern Lights.
This will be the schedule we’ll follow for the majority of the days.
DAY 1: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 24th
Our Finnish Lapland photo tour begins at Kuusamo Airport (KAO), where we will pick you up. From there, we will drive for approximately 30 minutes to our accommodation, where we will be staying for the duration of the trip. Here, we will do the tour orientation and a personal gear review session to make sure that your camera equipment is ready for the adventure!
After that, we will head to pick up the snowshoes that we will use at various locations throughout the trip and make a quick stop so you can buy some snacks for the next few days.
If the conditions are good for Northern Lights, we’ll head to a nearby area to enjoy the show.
DAY 2: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 25th
We kick off our trip to the Finnish Lapland with an immersive experience in the breathtaking Riisitunturi National Park. This park, renowned as one of Finland’s most accessible and fascinating natural gems, will greet us with its majestic snowy landscapes.
Our primary goal for the day will be to capture the unique beauty of snow-covered trees, one of the most iconic images of the region. In Riisitunturi, we’ll venture into an enchanted forest where each tree seems to tell its own story through its unique shape. The abundance of these trees will offer us countless opportunities to experiment with light and perspectives, creating images that capture the very essence of winter nature.
After an intense day of photography, we’ll return to our accommodation for a break before going for dinner.
If conditions for the Northern Lights are favorable, we’ll have another chance to capture the Aurora. We will try this session at Riisitunturi, where the scenery when the Northern Lights dance above the frozen trees is simply magical.
DAY 3: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 26th
On the third day of the Finnish Lapland photo tour, we will embark on a journey to another natural area in Korouoma National Park.
Here, we will do a snowshoeing excursion, leading us through a variety of stunning landscapes. Highlights of our route include frozen waterfalls with plenty of textures and shapes perfect for intimate photography, traditional wooden cabins against the snowy backdrop, and the Korouoma’s forests, with majestic trees and their branches draped in snow.
If time allows, we’ll make a stop at a lakeside area surrounded by pristine forests on our way back to the accommodation.
The same as every night, if the conditions are good for Northern Lights, we will go to one of the locations to try to capture them.
DAY 4: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 27th
We’ll begin our day by returning to the Riisitunturi National Park area in the early hours. Riisitunturi allows for endless exploration and discovery, and each visit unveils new compositions and perspectives. Depending on the weather conditions, the photography opportunities vary significantly.
After spending several hours in Riisitunturi, we’ll head to a local reindeer farm. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to photograph reindeers in their habitat, surrounded by snow-covered forests and lands. Unlike typical farms, these reindeer roam semi-freely, allowing us to photograph them in various places, backgrounds, and situations.
As always, we’ll monitor the weather forecasts and aurora activity closely throughout the day. If conditions are favorable, we’ll seize the opportunity to go out again to shot them.
DAY 5: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 28th
On the fifth day of our Finnish Lapland tour, we’ll get ready for one of the highlights of the trip. We’ll visit and photograph the Kuntivaara Mountain Peak, an area of difficult access that very few people know about with some truly unique trees atop its summit.
Kuntivaara is renowned for its distinctively trees that are perfect for accumulating massive amounts of snow. These petite trees, due to their size, are less affected by the wind, allowing them to gather substantial snowfall.
To reach the summit, we won’t have to hike, instead, we’ll travel in sleds pulled by snowmobiles! Before dawn breaks, we’ll head to the foothills of Mount Kuntivaara, where our guides will be waiting for us with two sleds. We’ll hop aboard, and the snowmobiles will take us to the summit.
Once atop, we’ll be treated to spectacular 360-degree views of the area, along with the beautiful snow-covered trees. At the summit, we’ll have access to a cabin where we can keep ourselves warm by a fire. Since we’ll be able to photograph just steps away from the cabin, you can pop in and out to warm up as many times as you like before heading out again to capture the stunning landscapes.
As with every other day, if conditions are favorable, we’ll chase after the Aurora Borealis for yet another spectacular night of photography.
DAY 6: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 29th
Day six of our tour takes us to one of the most photogenic and renowned areas within Oulanka National Park. We’ll start our day with a sunrise excursion to the Myllykoski rapids, a picturesque river section filled with rapids and countless photographic opportunities. Here, we’ll have the chance to capture the classic scene of rushing waters alongside the iconic Myllykoski watermill.
In this area, there are also pools with unique ice formations where extreme sub-zero temperatures, combined with circular currents formed by the rapids, result in the creation of small circular icebergs on the water’s surface.
We’ll embark on a short trekking excursion in this area, passing over a suspension bridge that we’ll also photograph, until we reach a local hut.
At night, we’ll keep our eyes on the weather and Aurora forecast for another night of chasing the “green lady”.
DAY 7: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 30th
As our adventure in Finnish Lapland draws to a close, we reserve this final full day for a return to Riisitunturi National Park. However, today we will embark on a new path, visiting a different section of the park not yet explored.
On this occasion, we’ll venture to the end of one of the trails, where we’ll find two picturesque cabins that also serve as shelter. We’ll spend the entire day photographing the landscapes and unique formations of this national park.
To conclude our journey on a high note, we’ll keep a close eye on the weather forecasts so we can bid farewell to Finland with a last night of Northern Lights.
DAYS 8: Finnish Lapland Photo Tour – January 31th
On day 8, the bus will take you back to Kuusamo airport where you can catch your flight back home.
PRICE: $4,890 USD
Deposit: $2,000 USD
A $2,000 USD deposit is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the start of the photo tour. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
INCLUDED
- Pick up & drop-off at Kuusamo airport (KAO).
- Transportation included in a mini bus to travel comfortably with all luggage/camera bags.
- Fuel and parking fees.
- Accommodation in hotel in shared rooms with private bathrooms. (*single rooms available for an extra)
- Photo guide services from Unai Larraya & Dan Zafra, professional landscape and night photographers.
- Snowmobile tour to Kuntivaara with local guides.
- Photographic visit to a local reindeer farm.
- Snowshoe rental for all the trip
- Photography presentations and editing classes
*BONUS
- Access to Dan Zafra’s full Capture the Milky Way Course & Benro Polaris Course (valued at $349).
- Access to the recorded material during the expedition.
- Access to David Aguilar’s Moody Landscapes course.
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Kuusamo Airport (KAO).
- Private room – Additional $850 (*Subject to availability)
- Meals except breakfasts
- Health/travel insurance (We can help you purchase the best travel insurance according to your needs).
- Cell phone, personal expenses, tips, and any other service not mentioned in the “INCLUDED” section.
Upcoming Lapland Photo Tours
5/5
Read More
Capture the Atlas provided an exceptional photography adventure. Participants were given excellent trip preparation guidance and thorough education prior to departure. Out team leaders exceeded all expectations in providing for our transportation, housing, meals, education and safety.
Read More
The area, the locations, the conditions, the perfect organization, the two guides, Unai and Prince, always attentive, ready to advise us when taking photos, the good atmosphere in the group, have made this trip an unforgettable experience.
Read More
From the beginning, I was immediately impressed with the level of work that had gone into putting this trip together. The workshop leaders, were absolutely fantastic. Their deep knowledge of photography and Iceland itself made this trip unforgettable.
Read More
The tour leaders were excellent. They went out of their way to accommodate everyone's requests, and to do as many things on the itinerary as time allowed. They were great with both technical coaching and participant management and knew all the great spots to get the best shots.
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What will I learn during this Lapland photo Tour?
This workshop is mainly focused on landscape and Northern Lights photography
What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructors are professional photographers with extensive experience who will help you take your photography to the next level.
During the tour you’ll have the opportunity to learn:
Basic Photography Techniques
- Getting comfortable shooting different types of landscapes, nightscapes and wildlife in manual mode.
- Learning the basics of northern night photography and clouds forecast
- Adjusting to the best camera settings in each situation.
- Planning your sunset and landscape images.
- Shooting long exposures using ND filters.
- Improving your forest and waterfalls photography using a Polarizer.
- Enhance your skills in forest, river and mountain photography.
- Enhancing your composition with the best techniques.
- Designing your own shooting workflow to be more efficient in the field.
- Basic drone photography.
Advanced photography Techniques
- Creating powerful compositions that tell a story and engage the viewer
- Building a connection between your photography and your vision
- Becoming a master of light: learn how to enhance it and keep it under control
- Advanced landscape techniques like bracketing, focus stacking, or focal length blending.
- Advanced Northern Lights settings and composition.
Post-processing Techniques
Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with the included tutorials are:
- Basics of Lightroom and Photoshop
- Preparing your images in Lightroom/Adobe Camera Raw.
- Stitching of panoramas using different software like Lightroom or Image Composite Editor
- Reducing the noise in your images with Denoise AI.
- Sharpening your wildlife photos with Sharpen AI.
- All types of Blendings (exposure, focal length, focus, etc.).
- Light shaping and Dodge & Burn in your landscape & wildlife images.
- Advanced landscape and Aurora editing, with sky and foreground merging, local adjustment, light enhancing and other techniques.
- Advanced wildlife photography editing, with local adjustment, light enhancing and micro crontast techniques.
Your Instructors on this Finnish Lapland Photo Tour
Unai Larraya will be the tour leader on this Finnish Lapland photo tour. He is an expert landscape photographer with a deep knowledge of Lapland, where he has scouted for the best photography spots, and some hidden gems. He will ensure that you end up with the best possible images.
Unai is an experienced landscape and wildlife photographer based in Northern Spain. He has refined his photography skills while traveling around the world over the past few years and has taught many other photographers along the way.
Since Unai started his photography journey, he has won multiple awards in recognition of his outstanding photography and editing skills.
With Unai, you’ll learn about composition, shaping light, color theory, focus stacking, and more. He will also show you how to implement all these techniques into your workflow to take your photography to the next level!
Dan Zafra will be the tour co-leader throughout this Lapland photo tour, and he will make sure that you get the best photography results and experience from this tour. He will help you with composition, technique, and post-processing in your wildlife, landscape & Northern Lights images and use the best methods according to your skills.
He is based in Nevada and has explored the higher latitudes of our planet over the years on countless trips to Northern Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and Kamchatka, which has given him plenty of experience in arctic regions.
Dan is a renowned photographer who enjoys educating other photographers with photo tours, workshops, and tutorials. His online photography courses have helped more than 700 photographers over the last few years and he’s an expert Northern Lights photographer with images published by NASA and the Royal Observatory of Greenwich.
You’ve probably seen Capture the Atlas in…
WHAT TO BRING ON A FINNISH LAPLAND PHOTO TOUR?
You will receive a complete list of everything that we recommend for this workshop upon completing your registration for the trip. Below, you can find a summary of things you might need:
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
- DSLR/mirrorless camera
- Sturdy tripod (preferably carbon fiber as aluminum tripods freeze faster)
- A wide-angle lens, such as a 14-24 mm lens.
- A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70 mm lens.
- A telephoto lens, like a 100-400 mm lens.
- L bracket or A-toll type collar ring for shooting in portrait mode.
- 6-stop ND filter for long exposure shots
- A camera bag to transport all your equipment.
- A CPL (circular polarizer filter) to shoot waterfalls and rivers.
- A headlamp for the night shoots
- Drone (Optional)
We also recommend a fast prime lens for Northern Light photography. Some of the best lenses in this range are:
- 14 mm f/1.8
- 20 mm f/1.8
- 24 mm f/1.4
This prime can also be a substitute for your wide-angle zoom for daytime images.
CLOTHING AND TREKKING GEAR
The weather in the Kuusamo area during January is severely cold, with very low temperatures ranging from 14°F to -13°F (-10°C to -25°C). However, during winter, there can be spells of extreme cold in the area, occasionally dropping to as low as -31ºF or -40ºF (-35º or -40º).
As the sun barely rises a few degrees above the horizon, the temperature remains very stable throughout the 24 hours of the day, and there are no major fluctuations between night and day, making it easier for the body to acclimatize. This is why it is extremely important to dress warmly for both daytime and nighttime sessions.
For this reason, you should come prepared and wear the right clothing and trekking gear. Below is our list of recommendations for this Finnish Lapland tour:
- A system of top layers to wear (base thermal layer, fleece, windproof layer, shell).
- Waterproof coat for snowy days.
- Down jacket with 800 fill or more
- A system of bottom layers to wear (hiking pants, fleece pants for cold nights, overpants for snow)
- Thermal waterproof pants (those used for skiing or snowboarding are perfect)
- Thermal or merino wool leggings to wear under waterproof pants
- A good pair of snow boots to keep your feet warm and protect your ankles while hiking over slippery surfaces such as snow or ice.
- Microspikes for the boots are mandatory.
- Warm wool
- A wool hat, neck gaiter, and gloves
- Foot warmers and hand warmers are also strongly recommended.
Some optional items that are highly recommended are:
- Snow goggles, in these areas the wind can be strong, and in such low temperatures snow goggles can provide protection.
- Light water bottle.
- Lipbalm and sunscreen.
You will receive a list with everything that you need and we recommend with links and examples once you complete the tour registration.
COLD
As the weather in Lapland can be extremely cold, we have arranged the option to get back to the bus accompanied by a guide in one of the rounds to the bus that will be planned.
However, we highly recommend making the most of the scarce six hours of constant golden light that the day offers, as returning to the bus will mean losing part of the short hours of daylight.
MONEY
The currency in Finland is the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere in Finland. You can exchange some cash if you like before the trip.
DOCUMENTATION
Finland follows the visa regulations of the Schengen Area. Depending on your nationality and duration of stay, a visa may be necessary. We are here to assist you with the visa application process and provide guidance. It’s essential to verify the specific visa requirements for your country of residence prior to your trip.
Most countries (Such as the United States and Canada) don’t need a visa to visit Finland for less than 90 days. Remember to consult the official embassy or consulate of Finland for the most up-to-date and accurate visa information based on your nationality and circumstances.
ACCOMMODATIONS
During this Finnish Lapland photo tour, we’ll stay in a top-rated hotel in the village of Ruka, in shared rooms for two people, with a private bathroom. This is one of the best hotels to be as close as possible to our photography locations and to host the photography presentations and classes that we’ll run during the tour. We will be staying at this hotel for the entire trip. For an additional fee, you can also request a private room. Private rooms are limited and subject to availability.
HIKING
This is not a hiking Photo tour, however, there are some moderate hikes that we’ll take and that you should consider.
Also, conditions like snow or fog can make the hikes harder. None of the routes include extreme steep sections and all of them are suitable for all levels. However, snow and ice can make walking a lot harder than in normal conditions, and walking with the snowshoes requires more effort than walking in normal boots.
We recommend being in good physical shape and prepared to enjoy this experience.
The estimated duration is without any stops, but during the hike, we will make frequent stops to capture photographs of different spots.
Hike | Elevation Gain | Distance | Estimated Duration | Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Riisitunturi Path 1 | 200 feet | 1.25 miles (2km) | 1 hour | Path with very hard-packed snow. Wide path with practically no incline, suitable for all levels. We will make many stops along the way so we won’t walk more than 300 feet without stopping |
Riisitunturi Path 2 | 360 feet | 2 miles (3,3km) | 1 hour and 30 min. | Same as above |
Riisitunturi Circular path | 400 feet | 4 miles (6,5km) the complete route | 4 hour – complete route | Same as above. Full route here. |
Koruoma national park | 330 feet | 1 mile (1,6km) | 45 min. | Wide path with very hard-packed snow, with 2 uphill slopes, suitable for all levels. |
Kiutaköngäs rapids | 100 feet | 0.65 miles (1km) | 45 min. | Single track with practically no incline, suitable for all levels. It is close to the river and it’ll be icy, so microspikes are mandatory. |
We recommend being in good physical shape to enjoy this experience |
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WHAT EXPENSES SHOULD YOU CONSIDER FOR THIS LAPLAND PHOTO TOUR?
FLIGHTS
To reach Ruka, you should book your flight to Kuusamo Airport (KAO). The price of round-trip flights to Kuusamo from the US is approximately $900 to $1,200. From Europe, it ranges approximately from $450 to $700.
Several airlines operate flights to Kuusamo, including Finnair, British Airways or Air France. Regardless of whether you fly from Europe or the United States, it is difficult to find direct flights to Kuusamo. The most direct route is usually to fly to Helsinki or Rovaniemi, and from there, take one of the daily flights to Kuusamo.
We strongly recommend booking your flight to arrive one day before the start of the tour in case there are flight cancelations because of bad weather.
We recommend this article to find the best way to get to Kuusamo Airport from your current location.
MEALS
Meals, except breakfast, are not included in the tour package. Considering that the days are short, during daylight hours, we will be engaged in shooting, with breaks for quick snacks/casual food.
Most days, we will return around 4:00 PM-5:00 PM, so we can have some rest time before we head out to dinner at a local restaurant.
What makes this Lapland Photo Tour unique?
Immersive
You'll be absorbed by the magic of Finland and have an intense experience that is conducive to learning and taking the best images.
Intimate
Our photo trek is limited to small groups with a ratio of no more than six students per instructor. This is also an important factor for providing the attentive instruction you need during the tour.
Exclusive
We will photograph some hidden gems that we have discovered while exploring in the past and include a visit to a reindeer farm, and a snowmobile tour. We'll be close to the best locations during the best moments of light.
Dedicated
We will discuss your goals before the tour so we can create a dedicated instruction plan for you. It doesn’t matter your age or skills; we will design your plan and provide you with materials before, during, and after the workshop so the learning process is not limited to just the tour.
Proven
We have spent years designing national and international photo tours with successful results, helping photographers with everything from the simple task of getting off Auto to the ambitious goal of capturing complex images. Dan’s online courses have also helped more than 400 photographers over the last few years.
Unforgettable
Beyond the photography, our photography tours help build strong bonds that last forever. After our trip, you’ll feel like you have been with a group of friends rather than on a standard tour. We are thankful to have plenty of repeat clients who keep traveling and learning with us.
Frequent questions about our Lapland Photo tour
WHAT LEVEL OF PHOTOGRAPHY KNOWLEDGE SHOULD I HAVE TO ATTEND THIS PHOTO TOUR TO LAPLAND?
Whether you are experienced or just starting out in photography, you are welcome, and we will make sure that you learn as much as possible according to your current level.
We will provide materials before, during, and after the workshop so you can prepare and continue learning after the tour.
WHAT PHYSICAL SHAPE DO I NEED TO BE IN?
This is not a hiking Photo tour, however, there are some moderate hikes that we’ll take and that you should consider. Also, conditions like snow or fog can make the hikes harder.
None of the routes include extreme steep sections and all of them are suitable for all levels. However, snow and ice can make walking a lot harder than in normal conditions, and walking with the snowshoes requires more effort than walking in normal boots, so don’t overestimate your capabilities. We recommend being in good physical shape to enjoy this experience.
AM I TOO YOUNG/OLD FOR THIS LAPLAND PHOTO TOUR?
There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph Finland with us.
CAN MY NON-PHOTOGRAPHER COMPANION JOIN US ON THE TOUR?
Non-photographer companions are welcome to join the tour, and they need to book a spot under the same price and conditions as any other participant. (We don’t allow non-participant companions tagging along with the group). We have had plenty of non-photographer companions over the years and all of them enjoyed an amazing experience. As long as they enjoy nature, beautiful landscapes, and are a bit patient with the schedules of a photo tour, joining the trip can be a great experience regardless of the shooting.
CAN I USE MY DRONE?
Drones are permitted in some locations. However, the harsh conditions make operating the remote control with gloves quite uncomfortable and imprecise. Additionally, you should store the batteries inside your jacket for a while before flying it, because the cold weather may trigger the drone’s safety system and keep you from flying it.
Our guides will provide guidance on the specific places that drones can be flown and the height and distance restrictions at each location, ensuring a safe and responsible drone flying experience. However, we are not responsible for any accidental damage or fines during drone flights.
Our Happy Students!
I’ve had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers over the last years:
"Our Capture the Atlas Iceland adventure was a dream of a lifetime! We were lucky to see the Northern Lights two nights in a row! Our guides, Prince and Unai, were so helpful in showing us how to compose beautiful shots and use the right camera settings. We met really wonderful people, stayed at comfortable locations, and had good food too. This is definitely not our last trip was Capture the Atlas."
Denise Parker
"Our guides, Prince and Unai were wonderful, so helpful and knowledgeable. No question was too basic or too complex. In fact, at Brúarfoss a woman from another group commented how attentive they were to us -- her guides just drove them to locations and left them on their own.
This Iceland trip has been tremendous. Great locations, great guides, great company, great aurora borealis(!), and thankfully great weather when it mattered. This certainly won't be our last trip with Capture The Atlas."
Eric Parker
I attended the September 2023 Iceland workshop. First Iceland is a magical place that everyone should experience.
We had Unai and Prince as our guides for 8 awesome days. They had us at the locations at the perfect time for the best shots .They have taken the time to pre scout the locations and timing saving you the worries of where to be. Besides being great photographers they were fun and engaging truly enjoying sharing their experience and patiently helping with camera settings and filter selection. I look forward to attending another workshop with these guys and would highly recommend them.
John Cole
Everything about this trip exceeded my expectations. The guides, Unai and Prince, were awesome. It was clear from the very first moments that they were only interested in the guests capturing the very best images possible. In particular I liked the way they prepared us for the coming shoot. We’d get a note every evening about the plan for the next morning, including what gear we would need to get the most out of the shoot. The same writeup was provided before our afternoon and evening shoots, which I found very helpful.
Andy Jay
Capture the Atlas provided an exceptional photography adventure. Participants were given excellent trip preparation guidance and thorough education prior to departure. Out team leaders exceeded all expectations in providing for our transportation, housing, meals, education and safety. From beginner to experienced photographers, we all received personal attention to be sure we captured the best possible images. We all came away with new and improved photography skills.
Mark Myers
Dan was a great host on my recent Photo tour of Southern Iceland. He is an excellent photographer and was energetic in his effort to get our group to so many great sites to photograph. I had great comrades along, which made the journey even more enjoyable. Would I make this trip with Capture the Atlas again? In a heartbeat!
Larry Covalciuc
Traveled with Dan on the South Iceland tour, September 2021. We had six "photographers" on the tour of varying experience and Dan was exceptional at working with us on our level. He was also accommodating by changing the timing of the itinerary due to the weather and the eruption of the volcano. The tour included, as advertised, some hiking to remote places to capture some unique photos. The weathered dictated times to get out to see the Aurora and sunrises which were all impressive.
Robert Emery
Dan & Ascen drove almost 2,000 km’s to bring us to all the locations for photo shoot’s. There was fabulous enthusiasm amongst the group. We witnessed amazing landscapes and seascapes. Dan made it all possible, the “Dancing Northern Lights” would not be missed on this tour. There was a good choice of accommodation & restaurants.
Iris Anderson
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This tour is governed by these Terms and Conditions.
Join us on an unforgettable journey through Finnish Lapland’s snowy wonderland! This exclusive photo tour will offer you the chance to photograph surreal landscapes, from snow-sculpted trees to the magical Northern Lights.
In January, the sun barely rises, casting a golden light perfect for photography. We’ll explore stunning locations like Riisitunturi and Oulanka National Parks, with the opportunity to capture the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky.
Enjoy cozy accommodations, professional photography guidance, and unique excursions like snowmobile rides to Mount Kuntivaara and visits to a reindeer farm. Embrace Finnish Lapland’s enchanting beauty and return home with a portfolio of breathtaking images and unforgettable memories!
DAN ZAFRA
