Lofoten & Vesterålen Photography Workshop

February 16 – 23, 2027 (8 Days / 7 Nights)

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Lofoten and Vesterålen in winter

February 16 - 23, 2027

Experience eight days of winter photography across Lofoten and Vesterålen, with hands-on guidance, two instructors, a small group, and a flexible route built around Arctic light, weather, coastal landscapes, and Northern Lights opportunities.

Total trip price: $3,900

Reserve your place with a $600 deposit

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

If these dates don’t work for you, explore our other Lofoten workshops.

Lofoten Northern Lights Workshop (Jan 6-12,2027) or Lofoten Winter Workshop (Jan 20-26,2027)

Why combine Lofoten and Vesterålen?

Vesterålen is one of Northern Norway’s hidden gems, just north of Lofoten, with quieter roads, dramatic beaches, rugged fjords, and a raw coastal atmosphere that makes it a perfect match with Lofoten’s more iconic scenery.

This workshop combines two of the most photogenic winter regions in Northern Norway. We begin in Vesterålen, where the landscape feels quieter and less visited, before continuing into Lofoten for classic mountain-and-sea scenery, fishing villages, and dramatic winter coastlines. Together, the two regions give us a broader and more varied Arctic photography experience than a single-base workshop.

With two instructors and a maximum of 12 participants, we keep the group small enough to give you close support throughout the week. Our aim is not just to bring you to beautiful locations, but to help you improve how you see, compose, and work with light, weather, and changing conditions in the field.

February is a fantastic time to photograph Northern Norway. The winter landscape is at its most atmospheric, the light stays low and beautiful for much of the day, and the season gives us excellent opportunities for moody weather, blue hour, and Northern Lights when conditions align.

Quick facts

  • Dates: February 16–23, 2027

  • Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

  • Location: Vesterålen and Lofoten, Northern Norway

  • Arrival & departure: Evenes Airport (EVE)

  • Instructors: Bjørn Joachimsen & Terje Svendsen

  • Group size: Maximum 12 participants

  • Instructor ratio: Maximum 6 participants per instructor

  • Price: $3,900 per person

  • Deposit: $600 at registration

  • Transport: Workshop transport included throughout the week

  • Accommodation:

    • 2 nights at Thon Hotel Andrikken

    • 2 nights at Ekspedisjonen Nyksund

    • 1 night at Thon Hotel Lofoten Svolvær

    • 2 nights at Scandic Hotel Leknes

  • Meals: Breakfast included daily. Lunch and dinner not included

  • Level: Beginner to advanced

  • Focus: Winter landscapes, Arctic coastlines, fishing villages, blue hour, and Northern Lights when conditions allow

Why join this workshop

This workshop is designed for photographers who want both outstanding locations and real guidance in the field.

With two instructors and a small group, we keep the experience personal and workshop-focused throughout the week. Our goal is not only to take you to beautiful places, but to help you become better at working when you get there, from reading the landscape and finding stronger compositions to handling winter light, fast-changing weather, and the practical challenges of photographing in Arctic conditions.

What makes this workshop especially special is the combination of Vesterålen and Lofoten. Lofoten is well known for its dramatic peaks, fishing villages, and classic winter scenes. Vesterålen offers a different character: quieter, more open, and often overlooked, with striking beaches, fjords, and a raw coastal feel of its own. Together, they create a richer and more varied experience, and a stronger photographic journey across Northern Norway.

Many of the locations are also excellent for drone photography. When conditions and regulations allow, both instructors can guide you not only with ground-based photography, but also with drone work in the field, including composition, visual choices, and how to use height and perspective to create stronger images.

By moving through carefully chosen bases during the week, we can photograph a wide range of locations while keeping the workshop practical and focused. Instead of staying in one area the whole time, you will experience two distinct Arctic regions and come home with a more diverse set of images.

What to expect

  • A small-group workshop with a maximum of 12 participants

  • Two instructors providing hands-on guidance throughout the trip

  • A mix of hidden-gem locations in Vesterålen and classic winter scenery in Lofoten

  • Personal support with composition, settings, timing, and working a scene well

  • Flexible planning based on weather, light, and road conditions

  • Time on location to photograph properly, not just stop briefly and move on

  • A broad range of subjects, including beaches, fjords, fishing villages, mountain backdrops, and Arctic coastal scenes

  • Evening outings for Northern Lights photography when conditions are right

  • Optional review and editing sessions on selected evenings

  • A friendly and supportive setting for photographers at different experience levels

A typical day rhythm

Every day is built around the best light and the actual conditions. In February, the daylight window is still limited, which helps keep the days focused and purposeful. The exact timing changes with weather and forecasts, but the rhythm usually looks something like this:

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Morning field session at a beach, fjord, village, or coastal viewpoint

  • Midday travel with photography stops at relevant locations, or continued time on location depending on conditions

  • Afternoon and blue-hour session

  • Dinner together as a group

  • Evening outing for night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

  • Optional short image review or Lightroom tips on selected evenings

Day-to-day program

(Draft itinerary. Exact locations and order may change based on weather, road conditions, and forecasts. As always in Northern Norway in winter, flexibility is part of the workshop and helps us make the most of the light and conditions.)

Day 1 (February 16):

Arrival at Evenes + Andøya start

A strong first taste of Arctic winter landscapes.

We begin the workshop by heading north into Vesterålen, where the landscapes quickly open up and give a sense of the quieter, wilder character that makes this region so special.

  • Pick-up at Evenes Airport (EVE) and drive north toward Andenes

  • Photography stops at selected locations along the route as conditions allow

  • Afternoon session at Bleik Beach, one of the most beautiful coastal locations in the north

  • Check-in at Thon Hotel Andrikken and practical welcome briefing for the week

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

Day 2 (February 17):

Andøya coastlines, beaches, and winter variety

Open landscapes and strong coastal lines

Our first full day is focused on the distinctive character of Andøya, with a mix of open beaches, rugged coast, and quieter roadside scenes that offer both strong ground-level compositions and excellent drone opportunities.

  • Photography sessions around Skarstein, Fiskenes, Kleiva, Bleik, and Høyvika, depending on light and weather

  • Coaching focus: composition, simplifying the frame, reading changing winter light, and drone perspectives when conditions allow

  • Guidance on working efficiently in cold and windy conditions

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right, with hands-on guidance in the field

Day 3 (February 17):

Wild Vesterålen coast + Nyksund

Remote coastlines and one of Vesterålen’s most distinctive villages.

This day combines dramatic coastal landscape photography with the special atmosphere of Nyksund, a small fishing village with a rougher and quieter character than the better-known locations in Lofoten.

  • Sessions at Skogvoll, Børra, and Sandvika, depending on conditions

  • Travel toward Nyksund with photography stops along the road

  • Afternoon and evening session in and around Nyksund

  • Coaching focus: working a location for variety, from wider landscapes to village details and tighter compositions

  • Overnight at Ekspedisjonen Nyksund

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

Day 4 (February 19):

Quiet roads, rugged coast, and hidden corners

A day for discovering lesser-known locations and building stronger visual variety.

We continue exploring Vesterålen with a focus on quieter areas where weather, snow, and light can completely change the mood from one hour to the next.

  • Photography sessions in areas such as Reka, Bjørndalsfjorden, Utskor, Nykvåg, and Sandvika Beach

  • Coaching focus: finding clean compositions in more complex landscapes and adapting to shifting conditions

  • Time to explore both wider scenes and smaller, more intimate winter subjects

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

Day 5 (February 20):

Transition from Vesterålen to Lofoten

From hidden-gem coastlines to the first dramatic mountain-and-sea scenes of Lofoten.

Today we leave Vesterålen and make our way south into Lofoten. The drive itself becomes part of the workshop, with selected photography stops along the route, including good drone opportunities where conditions allow, as the scenery begins to shift.

  • Drive toward Svolvær with photography at relevant locations along the road

  • Potential sessions around Hadsel Island and Austnesfjorden

  • Coaching focus: staying flexible, reading new landscapes quickly, and building strong compositions while travelling

  • Overnight in Svolvær

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

Day 6 (February 21):

East Lofoten to Vestvågøy

Fishing villages, open beaches, and classic Lofoten contrasts.

The scenery now changes into the more dramatic mountain-and-sea combinations that Lofoten is known for, while still giving room for quieter compositions, changing light, and excellent drone opportunities, especially in Henningsvær.

  • Drive toward Leknes with photography stops, including Henningsvær and selected roadside locations

  • Afternoon session at Vik Beach and Uttakleiv, depending on conditions

  • Coaching focus: depth, foreground choices, drone perspectives, and working from iconic views to more personal interpretations

  • Overnight at Scandic Hotel Leknes

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

Day 7 (February 22):

West Lofoten classics

Iconic locations, photographed with intention and not as a rushed checklist.

This is our main classic Lofoten day, focusing on some of the best-known winter locations in the archipelago. The aim is not just to visit them, but to help you make stronger and more considered images while you are there, including from the air at several locations that work especially well for drone photography.

  • Full-day loop through locations such as Ramberg, Flakstad Bridges, Hamnøy, and Reine

  • Coaching focus: refining compositions, strengthening foregrounds, simplifying busy scenes, using drone perspectives well, and building a more cohesive final set of images

  • Optional image discussion during the day or in the evening

  • Evening: night photography and Northern Lights if conditions are right

Day 8 (February 23):

Final morning session + return to Evenes

A final opportunity to photograph before the workshop wraps up.

We finish with one last session before driving back to the airport, giving the week a calm and purposeful close.

  • Final morning session, likely at Vik Beach or another suitable location depending on conditions

  • Return drive to Evenes Airport

  • Workshop wrap-up and departures

  • Workshop ends at approximately 5:00 PM

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Ambitions & Goals

This workshop is about your growth and your images. Many photo tours emphasize being at the right location at the right time — but then the instructors often focus on getting their own shots. Our philosophy is different: we’re there to guide you personally, in the field, all day.

That can mean:

  • Helping you build stronger compositions on location (foreground, depth, balance, clean edges)

  • Coaching you through challenging winter conditions — wind, snow, sea spray, and fast-changing light

  • Showing you how to “work the scene” and find variety, not just take one frame and move on

  • Troubleshooting camera settings quickly so you stay focused on the creative decisions

  • Giving hands-on, individual guidance for Northern Lights photography when conditions are right (focus, exposure, composition)

  • Supporting your editing workflow with practical Lightroom Classic tips so you can finish your images with confidence

Our ambition is simple: give you the best possible winter photography week in Lofoten and Vesterålen — with great locations, calm guidance, and a clear plan that adapts to the Arctic.

Goals for the week:

  • Build stronger compositions (foreground, depth, balance, clean edges)

  • Become confident shooting in snow, wind, and fast-changing light

  • Learn a reliable winter workflow in Lightroom Classic (color balance, contrast, detail, mood)

  • Be ready for Northern Lights when the sky opens up (focus, exposure, composition, troubleshooting)

  • Leave with a tight mini-portfolio from Lofoten, not just a memory card full of “almost”

Workshop summary and booking details
February 16 – 23, 2027

February 16 to 23, 2027

This workshop gives you eight days of focused photography across two of Northern Norway’s most rewarding winter regions, with two instructors, a small group, and a carefully planned route designed around the best available light, weather, and road conditions.

Included in the workshop

• 8 days / 7 nights of on-location photography training in Vesterålen and Lofoten

• Two instructors working closely with the group throughout the workshop

• Maximum 12 participants

• Transport during the workshop

• Accommodation in carefully selected hotels

• Breakfast each day

• A structured program built around the best available light and conditions

• Evening outings for night photography and Northern Lights when conditions allow

• Access to a private WhatsApp group before departure for updates, travel planning, and practical information

Not included

• Flights to and from Evenes

• Lunches and dinners

• Travel insurance

• Personal expenses

Price

Total trip price: $3,900 per person

Deposit: $600 to reserve your place

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW
A smiling man with glasses, medium-length brown hair, and a light beard, wearing a striped shirt and a light-colored jacket, in front of a plain background.

Meet the Instructors

  • Bjørn is a versatile photographer with over 20 years of professional experience across genres including people, nature, and architecture. He is one of Norway’s most active photography instructors, teaching nationwide and internationally. His collaborations include Sandra Bartocha, Anna Ulmestrand, Otto von Münchow, and David Beckstead (USA).

    Portfolio: joachimsenphotography.com

A young man wearing sunglasses and a black New York Yankees cap is sitting in a convertible car parked near the coast, with a view of the ocean and a wooden fence in the background.

  • Terje is a full-time Norwegian photographer specializing in landscapes and cityscapes. He leads workshops in Norway, Paris, Italy, and the Dolomites, and knows Lofoten well from previous workshops there. His work is showcased through exhibitions and available as fine art prints.

    Portfolio: terjephotography.com

What former participants are saying

  • THE INSTRUCTORS WERE FULLY PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE WORKSHOP AND GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME.

    — Former Lofoten participant

  • THE WORKSHOP CHANGED HOW I APPROACH NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER LIGHT.

    — Former Lofoten participant

  • CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK, DELIVERED POSITIVELY. THEY SUGGESTED BETTER ANGLES AND SIMPLE IMPROVEMENTS.

    — Former Lofoten participant

 FAQs

    • Eight days / seven nights of on-location photography training with both instructors

    • Breakfast at the hotels each day

    • Workshop transport throughout the week in vans with spiked tires (licensed drivers)

    • A structured plan with daily field sessions and a flexible approach based on weather and conditions

    • Hands-on guidance in the field (composition, technique, exposure, filters, working the scene)

    • Optional image reviews and Lightroom Classic sessions during the week

    • Northern Lights / night photography outings when conditions are right (weather + aurora activity dependent)

    • Practical support before the trip (gear advice, planning tips, and what to expect in winter Lofoten)

    • Flights to/from Evenes Airport (EVE)

    • Lunch and dinner (we’ll coordinate group dinners, but meals are paid individually)

    • Personal travel insurance (required)

    • Alcohol, snacks, and personal purchases

  • During the workshop we stay in carefully selected hotels in both Vesterålen and Lofoten, chosen to fit the route and give us efficient access to the locations we plan to photograph. Since this workshop moves through several areas, changing hotels during the week allows us to make better use of the time and stay closer to the best available conditions.

    Accommodation is included in a single room. If you bring a plus one and share a room, we offer a discount.

    If you’re traveling with a partner and want to share a room, that’s usually possible — let us know early so we can plan correctly. We confirm room preferences and practical details after booking.

  • We start and finish at Evenes Airport (EVE).

    After you register, you’ll receive a practical info sheet with recommended flight arrival/departure windows, meeting point details at the airport, and what to pack for winter conditions.

  • Most days are built around the best light and safe conditions, with flexibility to adapt to weather. A typical day may include:

    • Morning field session (coast, fjords, villages, or beaches depending on conditions)

    • Midday break (warm-up, travel, scouting, optional review, or rest)

    • Afternoon / blue-hour session

    • Dinner together as a group (we’ll organize it)

    • Night photography / Northern Lights outing if conditions are right

    • Optional short review/edit session on selected evenings

  • We travel together in workshop vans with spiked tires driven by licensed drivers. This makes it easy to reach locations without stress and reduces parking/logistics issues. We adjust routes based on road conditions, wind, and safety, and you’ll get clear daily plans — while we stay flexible if the weather shifts.

  • This isn’t a hiking-heavy workshop, but winter in Lofoten and Vesterålen involves short walks on uneven terrain. Expect a mix of beach access paths, small slopes, and short walks from parking areas. Surfaces can be icy, so good boots with ice grips are important. We avoid unnecessary risk and always choose safer options when conditions are challenging.

  • Winter weather in Lofoten and Vesterålen can change fast — and we plan for it. If conditions shift, we adapt by changing locations to match wind direction, cloud level, and visibility, using sheltered fjords, harbors, bridges, and village scenes that work well in storms, focusing on moody conditions and winter minimalism, and timing shoots for the best windows during the day.

    You’ll still get strong shooting opportunities — and often the “bad weather” days become the most dramatic images.

  • This workshop works well for enthusiastic beginners through advanced photographers. It helps if you’re comfortable with basic camera controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO). If you’re newer, we’ll make sure you get solid foundations (sharpness, exposure, tripod technique). If you’re experienced, we’ll push composition, refinement, and building a cohesive set of images.

    If you’re unsure about gear or level, send us a note — we’ll help you pack smart and set expectations.

  • Yes — we’re happy for you to bring a plus one. Since spaces are limited, they’ll need to register and pay the full workshop price. If you choose to share a room, we’ll apply a discount for shared accommodation.

  • When you register, a $600 deposit will be charged to secure your spot.

    The remaining balance will be invoiced about two months before the workshop begins.

  • The $600 deposit is normally non-refundable because we reserve accommodation and transport early. If you cancel and we’re able to fill your spot with a replacement participant, we will refund your deposit minus a 10% administration fee. Please let us know as early as possible if you need to cancel.

  • Recommended kit for winter landscapes + aurora:

    • Camera (DSLR or mirrorless)

    • Wide-angle lens (great for landscapes and Northern Lights)

    • A fast wide lens is helpful for aurora (e.g., f/1.8–f/2.8), but not required

    • Standard zoom (useful for flexibility)

    • Telephoto lens (for compressing peaks and isolating details)

    • Sturdy tripod (non-negotiable for winter + night)

    • Remote release (nice to have)

    • Extra batteries (cold drains them quickly) + charger

    • Plenty of memory cards

    • Lens cloths (spray and snow happen)

    • Headlamp

    • Optional: ND filters (for long exposures), hand warmers, rain cover for your backpack

  • Pack for real winter conditions, wind, and long periods standing still (especially at night):

    • Layering system (base layer + insulation + shell)

    • Warm down/synthetic jacket for breaks and night sessions

    • Windproof/waterproof outer shell

    • Insulated winter boots with solid grip

    • Warm hat, neck gaiter/buff, and scarf

    • Gloves or mittens (ideally a warm pair + a thinner “camera pair”)

    • Thermal socks (bring extras)

    • Microspikes/ice grips

    Optional but useful: hand warmers, insulated pants

  • Aurora is never guaranteed. We’ll plan for it every night when conditions allow, but it depends on cloud cover, solar activity, and local visibility. If it’s on, we’ll go — and we’ll make sure you’re ready so you don’t waste the opportunity.

  • Yes. When conditions allow, we go out with a clear plan and help you individually with focus, exposure, composition, and troubleshooting on location. The goal is that everyone who wants aurora images comes home with strong results — not just a quick look at the sky.

  • If you have more questions regarding the workshop, don’t hesitate to contact us at: terje@terjephotography.com

Lofoten & Vesterålen Photography Workshop

Lofoten & Vesterålen Photography Workshop

Lofoten & Vesterålen Photography Workshop

February 16 – 23, 2027 (8 Days / 7 Nights)

Tickets: $ 3,900 per person (Deposit: $600)

RESERVE MY SPOT NOW

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