Embark on an unforgettable winter photography adventure in Norway’s stunning Lofoten Islands! With dramatic snow-covered peaks, fjords reflecting the Arctic sky, and charming fishing villages illuminated by the soft glow of winter light, Lofoten is a paradise for landscape photographers.
Temperature: Average winter temperatures range between -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 39°F). While it rarely gets extremely cold, strong winds can make it feel much chillier.
Precipitation: Winter is one of the wettest seasons in Lofoten, with frequent rain, snow, and sleet. The weather can change rapidly, often cycling through rain, snow, and clear skies within hours.
Wind: The islands are known for their strong winds, especially during winter storms. Wind chill can significantly lower the perceived temperature.
At the time of our tour, we will be close to the equinox, meaning our days will be almost equally split between daylight and night. This allows us to comfortably explore towns during the day and chase auroras at night.
🖼️Making Impactful Landscapes
✔️Using Tripods Properly
📷 Concepts in Composition
🎨 White Balance & Color
🗻Depth, Compression of Perspective & Scale
🔘 Using ND filters
🌌 Settings for capturing the Aurora
🔭 Northern Lights forecasting
🪽 Settings for Birds (Sea Eagles)
💻 Post-processing & workflow (in the case of inclement weather)
Sakrisoy Rorbuer is a family-run facility, run by mother and son, Dagmar and Michael Gylseth. The fisherman’s cabins have been in the family for 5 generations,
and in 1992 Dagmar and Michael opened the doors to tourism in Lofoten. This location is adjacent to Reine - the most picturesque part of the islands.
You will have your own 1 bedroom cabin. It has a double bed, kitchenette, sitting area and bathroom. In the kitchenette there is a stove, fridge, kettle, coffee maker, kitchen equipment and oven. The bathroom has a shower, toilet and hairdryer. Some may have their bed located in a loft that requires use of a stair.
A sea view is not guaranteed. Rooms will not all be the same; they are unique and mary vary in size.
Breakfast is not included. We will be stopping for groceries so that you will have your own foods to make breakfast or for snacks to bring along. We will stop at to-go locations for lunch or casual stops to pick up a sandwich. We will dine out each night for dinner.
There are many ways to get to the Lofoten Islands. They are really far up there on the map, and if you are coming from the United States you will want to give yourself plenty of time to arrive without rushing.
If you are coming from the US, we recommend flying to Oslo, with a connecting flight to Bodo. From here, you have a couple of options.
Flying ✈️
Take a 30 minute flight on a small airplane via Wideroe Airlines from Bodo to either Leknes or Svolvær Airport. We recommend flying to Leknes because it is much closer to where are staying and this is where we will pick up the group. This is the fastest way to get to Lofoten. There are several departures per day from both Bodo and Oslo. Do not fly into Harstad/Narvik, as this is located hours away and we will not be picking anyone up from here.
The Ferry 🛥️
Hop on a 3.5 hour ferry to Moskenes. There will be only a couple of departures per day in the winter season. This ferry is free if you are traveling without a car, and you don't need to make a reservation ahead of time. The crossing of the Vestfjord from Bodø to Moskenes is a beautiful scenic route, even though it can sometimes be rough, that takes you right into the most stunning part of Lofoten. The ferry port is only a 10 minute drive from our cabins. If the weather forecast predicts particularly stormy weather, the ferry might get canceled.
Getting here will take some patience. If something happens on your way over, if your flight is delayed or your ferry is cancelled due to a storm, you will be responsible for getting yourself to our accommodations. The good news is we will be staying in one place, so we should be able to coordinate with you should something happen.
We will update this section with additional details soon.
We will advise you on the recommended route / our route.
We will pick you up at the airport in our vehicle rentals and make our way to our accommodations about an hour away. We will stop for groceries and snacks so that we can stock up for the week. We will update this with a pick-up time.
Explore and photograph the most iconic: Hamnøy. This location is very close to our accommodation, so we will be able to visit several times if we need to. It will be a perfect spot to view the northern lights as well.
Our group will have a welcome dinner at this Italian & Nordic fusion restaurant, which opened its doors in 2020. It's conveniently located very close to us.
Every night of the tour, we will be checking the forecast for northern lights activity. If the forecast and weather is favorable, we can photograph them whereever we are, at one of the arctic beaches or nearby our cabins. This is never guaranteed.
Spend this morning exploring the in's and out's of Lofoten's most photographed fishing village. Dotted with red rorbuer cabins and nestled beside the domineering Mount Olstiden, Reine is simply breathtaking.
A Rorbu or fishermen’s cabin is a traditional Norwegian house used as a temporary home for fishermen when fishing along the coast of Lofoten during the cod (“skrei” in Norwegian) season (January – April). A rorbu in the old days contained bunk beds where the whole crew of one boat could sleep, a small kitchen area, and usually a table and some chairs.
After a short break in your cabin, we will walk across the street to Anita's. Try out Lofoten’s most famous fishburger! Or, how about some sashimi? All prepared with local ingredients.
Take a short drive to Ramberg Beach, one of Lofoten’s longest and most beautiful beaches. After photographing the beach, and the iconic 'red shed' we will continue to Nusfjord, one of the cutest fishing ports, located in a narrow fjord between tall mountains.
We will aim to photograph sunset here, where you can often find beautiful textures and patterns in the sand with a mountain as your background. This will be a good location to come back to if there is aurora activity, as the water can leave behind a mirror in the sand.
Gammelbua is located in Reine, and prepares food in both traditional and international styles, offering dishes based on local ingredients. Fresh fish and meat dishes are adjusted according to the season.
Every night of the tour, we will be checking the forecast for northern lights activity. If the forecast and weather is favorable, we can photograph them whereever we are, at one of the arctic beaches or nearby our cabins. This is never guaranteed.
This beach is a very pretty one, with a river that constantly changes its shape as it flows and carves through the sand.
This may be the most photogenic of all of the beaches. Here you'll find round black stones, sometimes covered in snow or ice. It is also home to the "Dragon's Eye" a feature in the rocks that photographer's are drawn to. We will explore first in daylight, and possibly come back to shoot aurora if conditions are favorable.
With only 123 inhabitants (as of 2016), Å is the southernmost village in Lofoten. It is Northern Norway’s best-preserved traditional fishing village with roots dating back to the early 1800s.
Visit the Tørrfiskmuseum to learn about production of Norwegian stockfish, one of Norway's oldest export commodities.
Stockfish is a world class delicacy and an important part of Norway’s cultural heritage. The climate in Northern Norway is perfect for creating stockfish – with temperatures of around 0°C and just the right balance of wind, sun and rain. You will see racks loaded with fish out to dry throughout all of the islands.
Photograph sunset either by the harbor, Sakrisøy or Hamnøy.
Directly nearby our cabins, Underhuset claims "true Mexican by the sea."
Every night of the tour, we will be checking the forecast for northern lights activity. If the forecast and weather is favorable, we can photograph them whereever we are, at one of the arctic beaches or nearby our cabins. This is never guaranteed.
We will be staying close by the cabins this morning.
After a breakfast and coffee break, we will gather in Allie & Hope's cabin and explain how we use specific apps to forecast and predict the northern lights, so that when you want to go looking for them you can do it on your own. Learn important terms like 'KP' and 'Bz' and how to more accurately know when it's worth venturing out in the cold.
Re-visit our favorite arctic beaches, and photograph the sunset at Uttakliev Beach. Sunset is at 6:11 PM.
Tonight we will eat in nearby Leknes, so that if the northern lights look favorable we can return to Uttakliev.
Every night of the tour, we will be checking the forecast for northern lights activity. If the forecast and weather is favorable, we can photograph them whereever we are, at one of the arctic beaches or nearby our cabins. This is never guaranteed.
Svolvær is the largest town in Lofoten. It is about a 2 hour drive away from the cabins. We will be out for the entire day, so please bring everything you need with you.
A Sea eagle safari takes you through the fjords of Lofoten, where you will have the opportunity to observe sea eagles soaring above you and diving down to catch fish. The area offers one of the largest populations in all of Europe, so the probability of seeing sea eagles is very high!
Spend the rest of the afternoon in bustling Henningsvær, a cultural hub that has become popular for artists of all kinds, and rock climbers. This charming town is a prime place to explore with your camera, to shop for gifts, and explore galleries and cafes. You will have a few hours of free time here. We recommend grabbing lunch at Trevarefabrikken.
If you have a drone, this is also the location of one of the most famous football/soccer fields in the world. If you choose to fly, please abide by local laws and be respectful.
We will photograph sunset in Henningsvær. If you have a drone, this is the perfect place to use it.
Every night of the tour, we will be checking the forecast for northern lights activity. If the forecast and weather is favorable, we can photograph them whereever we are, at one of the arctic beaches or nearby our cabins. This is never guaranteed.
We will keep this day open to allow for repeat stops, or rescheduling due to weather.
Every night of the tour, we will be checking the forecast for northern lights activity. If the forecast and weather is favorable, we can photograph them whereever we are, at one of the arctic beaches or nearby our cabins. This is never guaranteed.
Depending on what we do the night before, we may get up one last time for sunrise for a shoot at one of our favorite beaches, or we may opt to shoot close to our cabins.
After checking out, we will head back to the airport at Leknes. If you are taking the ferry back to Bodø, please know the departure time is at 7 AM. You will be responsible for hiring transport to take you there for 6:30 AM.
Have a safe return and we will see you on the next one! When booking flights, please make sure your departure is leaving from Leknes no earlier than 12 PM.
We will be in touch some time after the tour to organize an optional Zoom session to review our images together and offer critique.
This tour involves moderate physical activity and requires participants to have a reasonable level of fitness. While we won’t be doing any climbs or hikes, expect the following conditions:
Cold Weather: March in the Lofoten Islands means winter conditions—temperatures typically range from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F), and wind chill can make it feel colder. Participants should be prepared to spend extended periods outdoors in cold and possibly snowy conditions.
Uneven Terrain: We will be walking on a variety of surfaces including snow, ice, rocky shorelines, and possibly some short, steep paths. Ice cleats or spikes may be needed for traction on icy ground.
Long Days/Nights: To maximize our chances for dramatic light and auroras, days can start early and end late. A flexible attitude and endurance for being active over extended hours are essential.
✅ All overnight accommodations
✅ Ground transport is complementary
✅ RIB Boat Tour to visit the Sea Eagles
✅ Admission to Tørrfiskmuseum
✅ Photography guidance & instruction
✅ Pre-Tour & Optional Post-Tour Zoom Session for Feedback & Critique
❌ Flights
❌ Alcohol, Meals
❌ Groceries/Snacks
❌ Any tips or gratuities
❌ Visa(s)
❌ Travel Insurance
You will automatically receive information about travel insurance with our partner, Redpoint, a couple of days after your successful trip registration. You can take a peek here.
Both Allie & Hope have been to Lofoten before.
Allie Richards is a professional landscape photographer and year-round resident of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She's best known for her strikingly vibrant photographic style and for showcasing her work on aluminum. She plans many of her photographs in advance; she pays attention to weather events, the phases of the moon, and uses various apps to aid her artistry.
Allie’s work has earned her several awards, including the PRC Boston Student Image Award in her college years, and an ambassadorship with f-stop Gear. She participates in local exhibitions at the Chatham Creative Arts Center and the Chatham Chamber of Commerce Art in the Park Event. Her work has been published by Cape Cod Life Magazine, The National Parks service, and other publications.
Hope Pashos has embraced the digital medium after shooting on film since she was a child. Her specialties are nature, landscapes, and astrophotography. She loves to photograph the world around her, but focuses on New England and its shores and abundant waterfalls and travels frequently to Iceland as well as many US National Parks.
Hope’s passion is to share her knowledge with others. A former Pro and Genius with Apple, Hope has been able to teach iPhoneography and develop techniques with the iPhone for both taking and editing photographs. She developed one of the first iPhone photography workshops, teaching her signature macro technique on an iPhone 4. As the iPhone camera developed, so too did her techniques. With the built-in capabilities of the newest iPhones and additional attachment lenses, Hope can now photograph any type of subject, under any conditions. And using a combination of the latest mobile editing apps, she is able to digitally process her images - both from her phone and from her full-sized Sony camera - while on the go.
Hope has had her collection ‘Boston After Dark’ displayed in a collective exhibition. She has also been exhibited in locations around the US, including an exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Photography, and printed in various publications.
