Some highlights
- Dramatic landscapes and seascapes
- Good chances to photograph Northern light
- Spectacular sunrises and sunsets along the coast line
- Impressive fjords, dramatic steep mountains rising straight out of the sea
- Good chances of photographing Nordic wildlife such as reindeer, different arctic birds
Join us on this intense nature photography workshop to one of the most stunning islands of Norway, Senja. Dramatic landscapes, spectacular northern light, stunning sunrises / sunsets and Nordic wildlife will pass in front of your lens from day to day. The tour leader Floris Smeets (Sony ambassador) has been guiding in this area for nearly a decade. He will make sure you will be standing at the right location at the right time and he will help you to get the maximum out of every photo opportunity.
SENJA
Senja, the second largest island of Norway, is for many nature photographers a still undiscovered treasure. The island is situated about 100km north from the well known Lofoten Islands. The total surface of Senja might be quite a bit smaller than the Lofoten islands, but it has to offer just as many stunning photo opportunities.
Due to the northernly position, the island is perfect for photographing northern light. Even with a low KP index this spectacular light show can be seen in the sky above the island. This in combination with the impressive fjords, dramatic steep mountains rising straight out of the see and the in birch covered hills, makes this island a Valhalla for landscape and northern light photography. On top of that the local wildlife shows itself frequently. Semi-domesticated reindeer, moose, otters, white tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, grouse and mountain hares thrive here. Senja is nothing short of a paradise for the all-round nature photographer!
PHOTOGRAPHY
During this tour, the main focus lays on photographing northern light and landscapes. Depending on the northern light activity, we will visit on daytime one or two “large” photo locations and will stop several times at “smaller” locations. The guide knows the area very well, knows which locations to visit at what time of the day and with which weather conditions. Therefor the program will be rather flexible during the trip and it can change when weather conditions change. In this way you will always be standing at the right location at the right time. If we encounter wildlife during the drives, we will of course stop to photograph. If the groups wants, we can dedicate some extra time in finding and photographing wildlife.
The accommodation is situated at the north west side of the island. From here we can reach most photo locations within a rather short drive. Also for the northern light photo locations we don’t have to drive far. Some days we will visit locations situated further away, but we will make plenty of photo stops during the longer drives.
DAY PROGRAM
During the day we spend as much time as possible photographing landscapes and wildlife. The main focus will be on the sunrises and sunsets, but there will be plenty to photograph in between. If there is a chance for a nice sunrise, we will be out photographing before breakfast. When the sky is clear during the nights, we will try to photograph the northern light. The guide knows the good locations and will make sure that the group will be on the right location at the right time. We will use apps for predicting the northern light activity as good as possible. Of course we also need to sleep at some point. If we have been out photographing northern light all night, we have to catch up some sleep during the day. If wanted, there will be opportunities for photo discussion and photo editing.
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER SCHEDULE
Breakfast will be available from 08:00 to 10.00 in the local restaurant.
Lunch packages have to be made by ourselves during breakfast. We will take the lunch with us into the field and eat wherever we will be at lunch time.
Dinners will be available from 18:00 to 20:00 in the local restaurant. The dinners consist of two courses and will change from day to day.
The quality of the food served in the restaurant is very good. Most products are fresh and local.
Itinerary
Day 1 (8/3) (Dinner)
You will fly on Bardufoss airport. In order to get there, you have to change flights on Oslo Gardermoen airport. At Bardufoss airport you will be picked up by the guide Floris Smeets, who will drive the group in a mini bus to the accommodation on Senja. This ride takes about 2 hours. After dropping the luggage off at the apartments we will have dinner in the restaurant where Floris will give an introduction for the coming week.
Day 2-7 (9-14/3) (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Depending on the weather and if there has been northern light during the night, we will head out for photographing sunrise before breakfast. Breakfast is between 08:00 and 10:00. We will make our own lunch packages after breakfast. Afterwards we head out again to photograph landscapes and wildlife. Lunch is eaten out in the field. Depending on the weather, we will stay out and photograph until after sunset. Once the light is gone, we head back to the accommodation. Dinner is between 18:00 and 20:00. If there is a chance for northern light, we head out again after dinner.
Day 8 (15/3) (Breakfast)
We pack our bags and leave to the airport after breakfast. You will fly back from Bardufoss airport.
Photographic leader
Floris Smeets, born 1986 in the Netherlands. Living in Norway since 2010. Since 2014, Floris has been working full-time with nature photography, guiding and as a workshop leader.
He has a great passion for guiding and loves to share his knowledge with the participants at workshops.
Floris has a strong focus on the Norwegian nature and especially animals and landscapes. He always works with great respect for animals and nature and thinks it is very important that pictures are taken without disturbing the animals or changing the environment. With his pictures, he not only captures the beauty of nature, but in a way where the pictures tell a story.
Floris is the Sony Europe Imaging Ambassador. His images have been published in a wide range of magazines and exhibitions.
Floris is a licensed guide in Dovrefjell National Park and has many years of experience camping under really challenging winter conditions. Floris speaks English, Norwegian, Dutch and German.
