Workshop Details
This workshop is created by photographers for photographers to have truly unique experiences and photographic opportunities. It is suitable for all levels – from beginner to experienced. With a group of a maximum of 10 participants, you are guaranteed to receive all the one-on-one instructions that you need, on top of the group efforts. A small group allows for comfortable spacing and makes a smaller impact on the fragile Arctic environment.
We will prioritize Northern Lights photography as we will be in one of the best locations in the world to experience the lights. With Aurora Borealis in mind, our daytime and landscape sessions will focus on beautiful sunsets and Arctic scenes. The wildlife component will include reindeer and puffins. Your instructors will help you with settings, gear and composition for all the subjects and genres.
The workshop focuses on field experiences, with short “classroom” sessions included. We will have the opportunity to sit together and do some editing and answer questions from participants.
- In-the-field instruction
- Classroom sessions
- Transportation during the workshop, including transfers to and from Ivalo airport
- Accommodations Mar 26 - Apr 2 at Aurora Holidays
- Cold weather coverall and boots
- All meals - breakfast and dinners at the Aurora Holidays restaurant, packed lunches
- Flights to and from Ivalo
- Any alcoholic beverages
- Any additional snacks/personal items
- Clothing base layers
- DLSR or mirrorless camera
- Tripod
- Remote/Intervalometer/Shutter Release
- Extra batteries
- Extra memory cards
- Laptop
- Variety of lenses
- Wide angle, fast lenses are ideal for Aurora and low light conditions
- Long lenses ideal for wildlife
- Anything in between for landscapes, abstracts, intimate scenes
- Snacks (we will stop at markets)
- Base layers, mid layers, etc. We will email a list.
- Camera back pack
- Headlamp
- Hand/toe warmers
- Gloves, mittens, hats
- Warm socks
The workshop plan is tentative and will be adaptive to conditions and weather. Participants should expect the itinerary to change. Your instructors will be constantly assessing the weather and doing their best to ensure the best possible opportunities.
Day 1
We pick you up at Ivalo airport and drive to your cottages in Utsjoki – you will receive instructors on which flight to arrive on to Ivalo (if you arrive earlier we can pick you up at your hotel). We will stop at a large supermarket / convenience store on the way for your last minute supplies and groceries if you need any (Utsjoki is quite isolated so we do this near the airport). For the rest, your workshop is all-inclusive!
Day 2
The day starts with a wonderful breakfast together at the Aurora Holidays amazing restaurant. Later in the morning we will have a presentation on northern lights and winter photography. After lunch we will snowshoe to a wilderness hut (2km) at the top of a Fjell for a later afternoon and sunset shoot. Dinner will be at the restaurant followed by a Northern Lights shoot.
Day 3
Early breakfast before driving to Hornoya Island in Norway for puffins and sea bird photography. We will be in Norway all day and lunch will be provided. After dinner we will again try for aurora.
Day 4
Group breakfast followed by a departure to Inari where we will visit the Sami and Nature Museum. Lunch will be at the museum and then we are off into the forest with a Sami Reindeer Herder to learn about their culture and photograph the reindeer. Our dinner and photography plans will be flexible this evening to allow for the best possible chance of aurora based on weather.
Day 5
Breakfast will be followed by an editing session – we should have lots of images to work with and editing techniques to try. After lunch at Aurora Holidays we are off for a snowmobiling adventure in the Kaldoaivi Wilderness Area. Participants will be able to drive snowmobiles and also ride along in sleds. After a sunset shoot we will have dinner in warm wilderness cabin and then try for northern lights before leaving the wilderness.
Day 6
Breakfast, then an Utsjoki Village tour. After lunch time we will snowshoe to a wilderness hut on a frozen lake for more landscape and sunset opportunities. Dinner and astrophotography if conditions allow.
Day 7
Breakfast and another opportunity to work on editing skills with your instructors, as well as image reviews. If conditions are safe, we will snowshoe to a beautiful frozen waterfall after lunch. We will make alternative plans if it is not safe to visit the waterfall. Dinner will be follow by our last Northern Lights chase.
Day 8
Unfortunately, It is time to say goodbye. We have a final breakfast and drive back to the airport in Ivalo where you will catch your flight back to Helsinki.
PRICE
3900 euros per person
Payment options: full payment, or non-refundable deposit followed by 3 payments spread
until the trip:
EUR 900 deposit upon booking (non-refundable)
EUR 1000 by September 1, 2023
EUR 1000 by December 1, 2023
EUR 1000 by February 1, 2024
Failure to pay by these due dates will lead to forfeit the deposit, and the spot may then be
sold to another participant. You may transfer your spot to another participant should you be
unable to come due to unforeseen circumstances.
The price is based on double occupancy (2 people per cottage, each their own bedroom)
Up to 10 guests, with 2 guides, offering one of the best guide to guest ratio in the industry
Participants will have to sign a waiver with Aurora Holidays. All terms and conditions upon booking through Aurora Holidays apply.
PRICE
3900 euros per person
Payment options: full payment, or non-refundable deposit followed by 3 payments spread
until the trip:
EUR 900 deposit upon booking (non-refundable)
EUR 1000 by September 1, 2023
EUR 1000 by December 1, 2023
EUR 1000 by February 1, 2024
Failure to pay by these due dates will lead to forfeit the deposit, and the spot may then be
sold to another participant. You may transfer your spot to another participant should you be
unable to come due to unforeseen circumstances.
The price is based on double occupancy (2 people per cottage, each their own bedroom)
Up to 10 guests, with 2 guides, offering one of the best guide to guest ratio in the industry
If you are thinking of attending a workshop-choose this one! The trip to Finland was the most amazing and creative experience I have ever had. I was looking forward to the activities that were being offered as well as photographing the Aurora Borealis. The Aurora experience was 100 times better than what I was expecting. The activities that we attended were very close in comparison to the incredible display of the Aurora’s (imagine a cone of light above you) We spent a day with a Reindeer Herder that was a highlight of the trip for me. We travelled into Norway to the Arctic Ocean, and it was breathtaking. It was like being in a picture it was so beautiful. Then there was the Sledding with the sled dogs and a day in the wilderness in snowmobile. Every moment was full of beauty and I took 2000 pictures. I have seen the Aurora‘s in Canada and expected it to be a similar experience. Not at all. It was different and unique every night and uniquely different from here in Canada. Arranging a workshop during a pandemic is difficult, but it was done so well and so safely that I was not concerned at any time. Also, the accommodations and food were perfect! I would give them a five star rating myself. If you have an opportunity to attend this workshop, do so.
Kristine McLean (Canada)
My trip to Utsjoki and stay with Aurora holidays was absolutely what I needed in the middle of the COVID pandemic.
I’ve known Monika for 15 years. When she adapted her photography as a professional endeavour, observing her style helped to inspire my own photography. Combining her passion for photography with the northern expanse of Finland and the Aurora Borealis made for an amazing learning experience and helped make the trip absolutely worth it.
She brings a different style than her colleague and their skills married up well. My week there even lead to my proposal to my now Fiancee.
If you have the opportunity to venture into Finland (any location honestly, but particularly to the Finnish Lapland), I highly recommend it.
Monika’s excitement for photography, and knowledge of the skills and science behind doing it well, are always apparent in her scouting of locations and teaching of the subject material. I easily captured the best photos I’ve ever taken under her instruction.
Sean Lundy (Canada)
