Join us for a Lofoten Photo Tour where we will capture the most impressive and dramatic landscapes in Northern Norway.
From impressive fjords surrounded by massive jagged peaks, wild beaches, and snow-covered Arctic landscapes to picturesque fishing towns and magical light displays, including the Northern Lights, Lofoten is a winter photographer’s paradise.
We are running this Lofoten photo tour in February 2024, during the best time of year to photograph the spectacular Lofoten landscapes under the Aurora Borealis.
During this 8-day Lofoten Photography workshop, we will visit the most photogenic locations around the the Lofoten islands of Moskenesøya, Flakstadøya and Vestvågøya. We will photograph fishing villages such as Hamnøy and Reine, beaches with turquoise waters such as Vareid, Haukland or Uttakleiv, and impressive fjords like those at Flakstadpollen or Skagsanden.
February is the best time of year to photograph Lofoten’s snow-covered Arctic landscapes and the incredible winter light. Some days offer unforgettable displays of light and colors from sunrise to sunset while other days are full of dramatic and moody conditions. You’ll see very dynamic scenery and enjoy the opportunity to learn and capture many types of images.
The icing on the cake are the Northern Lights; there aren’t many places as photogenic as the Lofoten Islands to capture the Aurora, especially during the days leading to or following a new moon. Expect nights full of excitement as we chase the Northern Lights over majestic landscapes.
We will personally help you capture the best possible images during our Lofoten photo tour and show you the best techniques to shoot any subject in different light conditions: sunrise, sunset, midday, twilight, night, etc. Your camera gear and skill level don’t matter; together we will get the most out of your equipment and the experience.
The itinerary of our Lofoten Islands Photo Tour is flexible and will be adjusted according to the weather conditions and Northern Lights forecast. Whenever possible, we will try to move to areas with clear skies to increase our chances of seeing the Aurora during the night sessions.
We always run our Lofoten Photo Tours in February as it’s an ideal month to photograph the ephemeral winter light from sunrise to sunset and to chase the Northern Lights during the long nights.
The photo tour begins at the airport in Leknes (LKN), where we will be waiting to take you to the first accommodation.
After meeting the rest of the group and giving a welcome speech, we will do a quick gear review session to make sure that your camera equipment is ready for the adventure!
Later, if conditions allow, we’ll do a sunset session and then do the first night photography session to capture the Northern Lights at Uttakleiv beach, one of the most photogenic locations to photograph the Aurora. Uttakleiv beach has plenty of composition opportunities that will give you a first taste of what to expect from the rest of the beautiful locations in this Lofoten photography tour.
On the second day of our Lofoten photo workshop, we will visit Vareid beach at sunrise, a location that offers one of the most scenic views of Lofoten’s rugged coastline. This place is a paradise for long exposure photography with waves, and you can also capture the dramatic fjords in the background.
We will continue driving across the scenic Flakstadpollen, doing different photo stops along the way until we arrive at the impressive Skagsanden beach. Here we will photograph one of the most iconic places in Lofoten on a wild beach full of reflections, vast mountains, and abstract patterns in the foreground. We will also make a brief visit to the Flakstad Kirke to capture this beautiful red church over the snow-capped fjords.
After a break in the afternoon, we will visit Vik and Haukland. Both of these locations are spectacular at sunset when the mountains are illuminated by the last hints of daylight.
If conditions are good for the Northern Lights, we will get back to Vik and Haukland after dinner to photograph them.
During the third day of our photo tour to the Lofoten Islands, we’ll visit the beaches of Storsandnes and Myrland to photograph the sunrise. During the photography session, we will also show you the best compositions to photograph this location at night.
Both of these beaches face north and have mostly clear horizons, which makes them a perfect spot to see and photograph the Northern Lights at night.
At sunset, we’ll visit Unstad, a very popular beach among surfers. The views from here are stunning during golden hour, with the snow covering the rocky coast.
We’ll check the weather forecast closely and, if conditions allow, we’ll be back at night at Storsandnes to capture the Northern Lights.
The next morning of our Lofoten Photo Tour, we will move to a new and idyllic accommodation in a traditional “Rorbuer” in Hamnøy, our base camp for the rest of the trip.
The Rorbuer are traditional Norwegian cabins, and our exclusive Rorbuers will grant us a privileged view of the most popular fjord in Lofoten; Reinefjorden.
From our doorstep, we’ll be able to photograph one of the most impressive views in Lofoten, and we’ll be a short walk from plenty of great locations like the popular Hamnøy bridge.
After checking in and leaving our luggage at the cabin, we will visit Hamnøy and Reine to look for different compositions, such as the Eliassen Rorbuer photographed from the Toppoya bridge, the yellow Sakrisoy Rorbuer or the Rorbuer at Reine. These towns offer some of the most jaw-dropping backdrops in the entire Lofoten islands.
If we are lucky to see the Northern Lights that night, we’ll capture them from the Hamnoy bridge.
On our fifth morning, we will photograph one of the most stunning sunrises in Lofoten, from the Eliassen Rorbuer. This iconic view is especially beautiful during the first morning light when the main peaks are illuminated.
After that, we will continue our morning shoot from the Reine Viewpoint, where we’ll show you how to capture wide-field panoramas and fishing villages using a telephoto lens.
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Fredvang to photograph some less popular locations. Despite being lesser known, these sites offer fantastic photographic subjects like jagged peaks, dramatic fjords, and traditional fishing cabins against dynamic backgrounds.
After our lunch break, we will do our first editing class, where we’ll show you all the techniques and best tips to edit your images.
If there are Northern Lights at night, we’ll photograph them either from Reine or Skagsanden.
The next morning, we will shoot the sunrise from Sund, a small town not too far from our accommodation. If there is a clear horizon, the light will paint the mountains and the snow in gold, giving us a breathtaking view.
Later, we’ll move to Nusfjord, where we can photograph different subjects like scenic roads, frozen lakes, and a picturesque town where we’ll see the sun rising above the fjord. It’s one of the most beautiful sights in this Lofoten photography tour.
Depending on the timing, we could do a second photography session at Skagsanden beach and Ramberg.
After our morning shoot, we will do a second editing class, where we’ll help you with one-on-one instruction as you edit your own images.
If there are clear skies, we’ll photograph the Northern Lights either in Reine or Fredvang, depending on the conditions.
On day 7 of our Lofoten Photo Tour, we will photograph the sunrise in Hamnøy or Reine.
After sunrise, we’ll drive to the end of the Lofoten Islands to the village with the shortest name in the world, Å. Here we will photograph a breathtaking lake and a series of cliffs from which we’ll see the end of the Lofoten archipelago.
As the weather in Lofoten is unpredictable, we can’t always photograph every place on our itinerary. So, we’ll use this day to return to any locations we haven’t been able to photograph yet.
We’ll also take more photography and editing classes in our free time, and we will photograph the last sunset and blue hour in Sakrisøy and Reine.
If the Northern Lights make an appearance, we’ll capture them from any of the locations where we haven’t been able to photograph them yet.
On the last day, we’ll do a final sunrise shoot at Hamnøy before driving back to the Leknes airport. We recommend booking your flights from Leknes airport at 1:00 PM or later to make sure that you can catch your flight in time.
Deposit: $1,500 USD
A deposit of $1,500 USD 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 trip. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.
*BONUS
This workshop is mainly focused on landscape and Northern Lights photography with possibilities for aerial 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:
Some of the photography basics you can learn during the workshop are:
Some advanced photography techniques you can learn during the workshop are:
Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with the included tutorials are:
David Aguilar will be the tour leader throughout this Lofoten photography tour, and he will make sure that you get the best photography results and experience out of this trip. He will help you with your photography, technique, and composition in all your landscape, Northern Lights, and aerial images.
After countless trips to the Lofoten Islands, David has become a real expert, knowing not only the popular locations, but also some hidden gems. He has led many Lofoten photo tours before, and he’s very knowledgeable about the most photogenic locations, the weather patterns, and the best techniques to capture breathtaking landscape images. He’s also a master drone pilot and can help you with your aerial photography.
David’s main passion is traveling and helping others with their craft. He’s traveled extensively, not only in Nordic countries like Iceland and Norway but also across vast areas in the European Alps and South America. He currently leads photo tours in many different regions of Europe and South America.
He’s also a skilled post-processing editor and has helped countless photographers over the last few years with his online landscape editing courses.
Prince Berkoh will be the co-leader of the tour and he’ll make sure that you capture the best possible images during the trip.
Prince is a landscape and night photographer based in the north of Spain. His passion for photography has taken him to some of the most spectacular landscape photography destinations in Europe and South America.
He loves educating and teaching others about photography, and he’s given presentations on night photography over the years. He also has extensive experience, having led numerous tours in Nordic countries such as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the Lofoten Islands, and more. In addition, he leads other photo tours in Europe and South America.
Prince will show you the best methods for capturing the landscapes of the Lofoten Islands, from the basics to advanced techniques like bracketing, focus stacking, panoramas, and other Northern Lights photography tips.
You will receive a complete list of recommendations and a camera gear checklist in our Lofoten Welcome Brochure upon sign-up. Below, you can find a brief summary of things we recommend:
We’ve also written an article about the best lenses for the Northern Lights which you might find useful.
The average temperature in Lofoten in February is between 35ºF to 27ºF (2ºC/-3ºC), but some days it could go as low as 5ºF (-15ºC). You should be prepared for cold weather and extreme wind. Some of the things that you will have to bring to this Lofoten photography tour are:
You will find more items and details in the official list of recommendations that we provide upon registration.
The currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). It would be more convenient to bring NOK from your home country, although if that is not possible, you could exchange it at the Leknes airport.
You can pay by credit card in almost 100% of the places in Norway, no matter how small the amount is, so you don’t need much cash for the trip.
Please check if you need a Visa to enter to Norway. We can help you with the process.
During this Lofoten Islands photo tour, we’ll stay in shared rooms, at two different lodges, both of which are top-rated accommodations with superb views and close to our photography locations. For the first few days, we’ll stay in the Lofoten Basecamp cabins, which feature beautiful views of the fjord, and a sauna to relax after a long day of photography.
For the remainder of the trip we’ll be staying in the Reinefjorden Sjøhus. This accommodation is in a unique location, just a 5-minute walk from the most popular photography location in Norway and beautiful views of the Reine fjord.
* You can request a single room for an additional $500. Single rooms are subject to availability.
During this Lofoten Islands photo tour, we won’t be doing any significant hikes. All photography locations are close to the parking lots and we won’t be walking more than 10 minutes to reach the desired spot. However, we do recommend being in good physical shape to enjoy this experience to the fullest since we’ll be spending most of our time outside, taking photos in cold temperatures.
The price of round-trip flights to Lofoten from Europe and the U.S. cost approximately $600-1200.
Lofoten has two airports: Leknes (LKN) and Svolvær (SVJ). If you are arriving from outside Norway, most flights will travel via Oslo, and then Oslo – Bodø, and then Bodø – Leknes/Svolvær.
Norwegian, SAS, and Widerøe airlines all operate flights to Bodø (via Oslo) from multiple airports around Europe. Widerøe is the only airline flying to Lofoten, with multiple flights daily to both airports.
There are also some limited direct flights from Oslo to Leknes. This is the most efficient way to reach Lofoten.
Meals are not included. Most days, we will eat snacks/picnic during lunch to speed up and maximize our photography time.
We recommend preparing to spend about $60-$80 USD on food per day.
All the parking/entrance fees are included in the tour.
Transportation will be included during the tour. We will travel in two spacious and comfortable passenger vans. We will also arrange to pick you up at the airport.
Our workshops are completely centered on photography: finding the best moments of light during the day and at night, and creating an intensive experience that is conducive to learning and taking the best images.
Our workshops are limited to small groups with a ratio of no more than five students per instructor. This is also an important factor for providing the attentive instruction you need during the tour.
During this workshop, we will photograph the most famous locations in Lofoten as well as some hidden gems that we've discovered while hiking and exploring in the past that are rarely visited or photographed.
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.
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.
Beyond the photography, our workshops 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.
Whether you are experienced or just starting out in photography, you are welcome, and I am convinced that you will progress quickly. Together, we will get you back home with a greater and deeper knowledge in many photography topics.
Also, we can Zoom or Skype beforehand to discuss your skill level, knowledge, and goals for this tour.
All the places we will visit in this Lofoten photography tour are very close to the road, and we won’t have to walk long distances.
However, we will be driving, walking, and shooting a lot during the tour, especially at night when there are chances to see the Aurora, and the temperature can drop below freezing. We will also be walking on ice and snow, so we recommend being in good physical shape and prepared to be able to enjoy this experience.
There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph the Lofoten islands with us.
Capture the Atlas is drone-friendly. Dan is an experienced drone pilot and can help you with your drone photography. However, we are not responsible for accidental damage or fines if you fly it in restricted areas.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers in Lofoten over the last few years:
This tour is governed by these Terms and Conditions.
When you want to see the Norwegian Fjords and landscapes in all their glory, there is no better place than the Lofoten Islands.
This remote archipelago located in Arctic Norway is a feast for the eyes and for any camera sensor. Imagine snow-capped fjords raising vertically like knives from the ocean, majestic beaches with spectacular views, and picturesque old-fishing towns.
Now, add the magical and ephemeral light of winter and the Northern Lights at night, and you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable photography trip!
DAN ZAFRA