Lofoten Norway
Fjords of the Untamed North
Feb 17th-23rd2019
Norway Photo Expedition
Lofoten Norway…where do we begin…
From the moment your plane breaks through the clouds on its final approach into the small regional airport of Leknes, you realize the dramatic beauty and incredible diversity of the archipelago of Lofoten. It’s as if the Norse gods carefully planned each detail of what makes this small slice of our planet so breathtaking and unique. The perfect storm of coincidences starts with its northern location. Lofoten lies between the 68° and 69° parallels north, placing it in the arctic circle, known for freezing temperatures and midnight sun. However, you may not even need your sub-zero parka as Lofoten is warmed by the gulf stream, keeping it a comfortable 27°-37° Fahrenheit (-3°- +4° Celcius) during our tour. The days start growing longer in February as well and the sun arches low across the sky, providing the perfect light for landscape photography all day long!
And the landscapes…words cannot describe them, but we’ll do our best. Chiseled peaks rise from the clear waters of the Norwegian sea as if they were summoned by Odin himself, creating a maze of inlets and fjords at every turn. These seemingly endless mountains of dark stone outlined by fresh white snow serve as the quintessential backdrop of each Lofoten landscape.
Standing on the rocky shores of stone polished from a millennia of crashing waves, you can imagine the sails of Viking Longships passing by, returning from a voyage of exploration or conquest. As we venture to the southern regions of Lofoten, we are transported back in time to the red fisherman cabins used for hundreds of years by the Nordic cod fisherman. We not only will capture many of these small fisherman villages during our stay, but will also be staying in them as well! Of course they will have all the modern conveniences you’d expect to keep you warm and comfortable after a long day of shooting.
We’ve explored the fjords, beaches, towns and coastlines of Lofoten and found an endless stream of photographic opportunities. Join us and together we will traverse the Nordic countryside in search of wonder, chasing auroras, and basking in the greatness of this land.
What Sets Us Apart
Discovery Gold Standard
01 Experience
We want you to leave Lofoten with more than memory cards filled with magnificent photographs. That’s why our tours put so much focus on delivering historical experiences, authentic accommodations and delicious cuisine. So when you show your photos to friends and family, they trigger a memory or have a story attached to them. While journeying through Lofoten we will get a sense of how the rugged landscape and bountiful ocean cultivated such a unique way of life for the Norse.
02 Locations
Combined, our team has spent 100’s of hours traversing Lofoten, in search of photography highlights. This tour includes a perfect blend of the postcard images you would expect as well as a number of exploratory areas where you can discovery your own compositions. We will visit and capture the quintessential red Nordic fishing villages of Hamnoy and Reine, venture to the picturesque shorelines of Varied and Uttakleiv and shoot the sun setting over the majestic peaks at Sund. We also have found that some of our most memorable shoots are the roadside stops where our guests are free to explore the area and create their own stunning compositions of the surrounding peaks, fjords and shorelines. And we can tell you, Lofoten is full of them. Our team spent days getting lost in the endless natural beauty of Lofoten’s countryside.
03 Photographers
Discovery Photo Tours works with some of the most talented and experienced professional photographers in the business. Our goal is to provide you the opportunity to travel alongside and work elbow to elbow with internationally acclaimed photographers who will help you capture the incredible beauty our destinations offer. Whether you’re new to photography or a professional looking to expand your portfolio, our tour leaders will share invaluable techniques, knowledge and experience gained over the course of their careers. Photography aside, we expect you’ll have the time of your life on our tours. Traveling the road with us means there will be lots of laughs, interesting stories and delicious meals where you’ll be treated like family and will leave with new life long friends.
Adventure Awaits
Norway Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Lofoten!
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Arrival Day
Upon arrival in Leknes we will pick you up at the airport and transport you to Hamnoy, the basecamp for our photo tour. There you will join our group and can settle into the authentic Nordic fisherman cabins, called rorbuers. These rorbuers have been modernized to provide all the comforts you would expect and will be a warm and comfortable place to relax after a long day of exploring and capturing the area. This evening our group will meet for a celebratory welcome dinner to kickoff the journey ahead and to get to know one another.
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Day 2
A Fishermans Tale
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Exploring Hamnoy
Today we kickoff our photography tour with a sunrise shoot! With so many breathtaking vistas right outside our door, the weather and cloud cover will help us decide where to go. This small area of Lofoten offers a variety of nature landscapes as well as the quintessential fisherman cabins below towering peaks. We will also explore the area of Olenilsoya, a hilltop which provides days of subject matter. After dinner we will hope the Aurora gods offer good shooting conditions!
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Day 3
Reine
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Around the Southern Coast
After a sunrise shoot around the Hamnoy region (conditions will dictate where) We continue our exploration in the southern regions of Lofoten. Shooting locations today include Gravdalsbukta bay, the quaint town of Reine and random roadside stops of exploration. We will also do our best to schedule a stop at one of our favorite coffee shops, Bringen. Trust us, their pastries and treats are to die for!
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Day 4
To the Fjords!
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We Journey North
After a local sunrise shoot, our group heads North, up the eastern coast. We have a long list of highlights to visit today, but will let the weather decide which ones are best! Our list includes the remote village of Sund, miles of Fjords and one of our favorite exploratory areas just south of Fredvang. Schedule permitting we will also make a stop at the Sund Fisherman Museum where our group can learn about the importance fishing has on this remote area of the world.
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Day 5
Where the Wind Blows
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Adventure, Unscripted
Today we continue our journey North, revisiting areas we may have missed and exploring new ones. As with all days in Lofoten, the ever changing weather dictates where the best photographs can be taken. We will continue to Fredvag beach, Ramberg and Flakstad, with a planned sunset shoot at Vareid overlooking the fjord. If we haven't already captured the elusive Auroras, we will once again hope for the right conditions!
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Day 6
To Distant Shores
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Each Beach Tells a Story
Today we head further North to explore Uttakleiv and Haukland beaches on the western side of Lofoten. Only a mile apart and separated by Vasskarvatnet mountain, their differences make them seem worlds apart. If the conditions are right we can hope to see arctic surfers carving the frigid waves and providing us with some unique photo opportunities, making our already breathtaking photos even more fabulous! Upon returning to Hamnoy our group will enjoy a farewell feast, sharing the stories of our journeys together, memories that will not be forgotten.
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Day 7
Our Journey Is Over
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But Will Never Be Forgotten
After breakfast we will return to Leknes Airport where will begin your journey home. Upon returning to Oslo International Airport you can catch a flight to your corner of the world, taking your new found knowledge in photography with you, as well as the memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime. We hope to see you again in a far away place where we can share another adventure together, discovering the beauty of our world.
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Day 1
Welcome to Lofoten!
Day 2
A Fishermans Tale
Day 3
Reine
Day 4
To the Fjords!
Day 5
Where the Wind Blows
Day 6
To Distant Shores
Day 7
Our Journey Is Over
Lofoten Adventure
Your Pro-Photographers
Ken Kaminesky
Ken Kaminesky is a veteran commercial travel photographer, Fujifilm Global Ambassador, Zeiss lens Ambassador, writer, consultant, and entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in the photography industry. Ken's iconic photography has featured in major publications including the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and twice on the front cover of National Geographic magazine.
Patrick Di Fruscia
Di Fruscia is a World Visionary Fine Art Nature & Landscape Photographer. His work has won many awards, has been published and displayed thru a multitude of Medias (books, calendars, magazines, travel guides etc.) and by many prestigious companies such as, National Geographic, Time Magazine and Wall Street Journal, just to name a few. Constantly searching for those rare magical moments when the Perfect Light embraces nature in all its glory, you can rest assured – that this is only the beginning of a long and dedicated quest to capture the breathtaking beauty of nature."