Photography Workshop in Vesterålen 2026. Experience winter, the sea, and the Northern Lights with your camera. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Photography Workshop in Northern Norway: Join us in exploring the stunning, beautiful, and unique Vesterålen with our cameras! Throughout a week-long workshop, we'll explore the landscape and light of this magnificent coastal region in Northern Norway with our cameras. You'll visit the best locations to photograph winter's changing lighting and the Northern Lights illuminating the night sky. A true winter adventure with fellow photography enthusiasts in the north! [Vesterålen, 9–15th February 2026]

Registration deadline: 9th December 2025.
Only 6 spots available!
Click to view an extensive gallery of images from workshop locations.
Read more about the workshop below the image.

During intensive days and nights, you will be inspired to see the landscape in a new way and learn useful photography techniques to create magical images. We will spend as much time outdoors as possible to capture the changes in weather and light throughout the day. Vesterålen is most exciting for photographers during the time when the winter sun has returned after the winter darkness. In the evenings, the Northern Lights often dance over the mountains and sea. The white tailed eagle is also not an uncommon sight and can easily appear in front of your camera. You will be taken to some of the most beautiful places in Vesterålen – both iconic photography spots and some hidden gems. There is great variation in opportunities, and we are sure to encounter both stunning natural experiences and challenging photographic subjects during the workshop!

You will find more information about the workshop below the image.

Photography workshop in Vesterålen 2026. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.

Storytelling, composition, and photographic technique are key themes for this workshop. By being aware of – and mastering – the relationship between these elements, you can create photographs that stand out from the crowd. Whether you are experienced or taking your first steps in nature photography, the workshop will provide valuable learning opportunities.

Read more about the workshop below the image.

Northern Light Photography

If the Northern Lights appear in the night sky, we will go out to photograph them. At the beginning of the workshop, you will receive thorough theoretical and practical instruction on what it takes to succeed with Northern Light photography – and you will get guidance on how to set up your own camera. This will give you excellent conditions to succeed in the field.

Post processing

In addition to the photography instruction, you will also receive teaching and guidance on how to get the best out of your images using Lightroom Classic and possibly other photo programs. Bjørn is one of the country’s most experienced instructors in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Throughout the workshop, he will teach and guide you in using these editing programs and share the effective techniques that are particularly useful for nature photography.

This will be an intensive workshop where you will need to dedicate all your time to working with photography. We will visit stunning natural areas in Andøy, Sortland, Øksnes, and Bø municipalities. Much of our time will be spent outdoors with cameras in nature, and you will experience being in a constant “photography bubble” over several days. As you will likely come to Vesterålen to photograph as much as possible, we will limit the time spent on lectures and theory. Any theory you need to learn will be covered in the field with the subjects in front of us and around us.

Andøya – spectacular coastal landscape by the sea in the north

The workshop begins on Andøya, in the northeastern part of Vesterålen. The coastal landscape on Andøya offers many exciting photography opportunities. Together with the natural surroundings, we'll find inspiration to create beautiful and compelling images in and of nature. The constantly changing light and weather provide wonderful experiences when we're out with our cameras. During the workshop, you'll get to know several beautiful spots along Andøya’s coastline, from Bleik with one of the country’s longest sandy beaches to more rugged and wild coastal scenery. We'll spend much time outdoors with our cameras, and the workshop is designed as an inspirational community where we can enjoy photographing with others who share the same interest.

Nyksund – one of the most unique places along the Norwegian coast

The second part of the workshop is based in Nyksund. This distinctive fishing village in Vesterålen has become one of Norway’s most charming and peculiar places, full of character and history. Nyksund can rightfully be called one of Norway’s most unique places, marked by both dereliction and restoration. In Nyksund, we stay and eat at Ekspedisjonen, one of the best coastal restaurants, specialising in fish, alongside dishes you'd often find in good restaurants. Ekspedisjonen is centrally located in the old fishing village, and here you easily find photographic inspiration unfolding. Nyksund offers old piers, some restored, others quite dilapidated. You can explore the jetties with your camera and venture out into the beautiful and wild coastal nature. Or discover street art, old rusty cranes, an oil tank used for concerts and art exhibitions, old boat engines and a charming little chapel – the possibilities are incredible!

In its heyday, Nyksund was bustling with fishermen and dock workers. It was one of Norway’s most vibrant coastal communities, despite being relatively small. At the turn of the last century, Nyksund was Vesterålen’s second largest fishing village with about 250 permanent residents. During the winter cod-fishing season, almost 1,000 people could be present. Just over 50 years ago, the village was completely abandoned and fell into decay until a group of German architecture students arrived and began efforts to rehabilitate the village's buildings. Today, Nyksund hosts fishing tourism, fishing boats, restaurants, an art gallery, a second-hand shop, café, and more, yet it only has 25 residents.

Prerequisites

You should have some experience with photography and be familiar with the main functions of your own camera. Participants should be in generally good physical shape. There will be no strenuous hikes or trips in steep terrain.

Practical Information – Vesterålen Winter Adventure 2026

Dates

9 – 15th February 2026.

Course Duration

The course runs from Monday at 7 PM to Sunday at 12 PM

Location

Hotel Marena Andenes

Ekspedisjonen Nyksund

Instructor

Bjørn Joachimsen

Tuition language

English
Norwegian (for individual tuition)

Accommodation

Accommodation costs are covered by each participant throughout the workshop.
From 9 to 12 February, we will stay at Hotel Marena in Andenes. Single rooms have been pre-booked for the participants, so you do not need to book a room yourself. Further information about prices will be announced shortly.
From 12 to 15 February, we will stay at Ekspedisjonen Nyksund. Single rooms have been pre-booked for participants, so you do not need to book a room yourself. Further information about prices will be announced shortly.

Meals

Meal costs are covered by each participant throughout the workshop.
From 9 to 12 February, breakfast is included in the hotel cost at Hotel Marena. We will dine at local restaurants in Andenes every evening.
From 12 to 15 February, breakfast and a two-course dinner are included in the hotel cost at Ekspedisjonen Nyksund.

Travel and Transport

You should fly to Harstad Narvik Evenes Airport. Air tickets are covered by the participants themselves.
Recommended Flights
9th February 2025: Oslo Airport Gardermoen – Harstad Narvik Airport Evenes (SK 4094): 15:00 – 16:45
16th February 2025: Harstad Narvik Airport Evenes – Oslo Airport Gardermoen (SK 4095): 17:20 – 19:10
If you use the flights mentioned above, you will be picked up and dropped off at Harstad Narvik Evenes Airport.
Travel to and from Harstad Narvik Evenes Airport is to be booked and covered by the individual participants. If you plan to arrive at the workshop later than the start time or leave the workshop before the end time, this must be arranged with the course organiser in advance. In such cases, you will need to arrange your own transport between the airport and the venue both ways.
Participants must have their travel insurance.
You do not need your own car/rental car during the workshop.
Please get in touch if you would like advice regarding travel arrangements – bjorn.joachimsen@gmail.com

Necessary Equipment

Digital camera (DSLR/mirrorless/compact camera)
If you have multiple lenses for your camera equipment, we recommend bringing as many as possible. If you'd like to leave some at home, please contact us beforehand to confirm what you should bring and what you can do without.
Camera tripod (feel free to ask for advice if you need to purchase one)
Waterproof and warm footwear
Clothing suitable for the weather and season (waterproof and windproof)
Head lamp
Extra camera batteries. Please bring 2 extra batteries. Important!
Crampons suitable for terrain use. Recommended: Snowline Chainsen Pro or similar.
Water bottle
Computer or tablet with photo editing software (not required)

Useful Equipment

The equipment listed here is not necessary to bring, but it can enhance your learning experience.

Graduated neutral density filters
Polarising filter
ND filter/grey filter
Remote control with timer function

Participant Fees

EUR 950.- (registration before 9th November 2025)
EUR 1050.- (registration from 9th November 2025)

The participant fee covers instruction. The fee is payable upon invoice sent via email.

Terms and Conditions

Registration is binding after 9th November 2025. Failure to attend will be regarded as a cancellation.
A deposit of EUR 200.- is required. The deposit will be invoiced after registration and is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. If registering after 9th November 2025, the full course fee is payable.

More Information??

Contact Bjørn Joachimsen, email:: bjorn.joachimsen@gmail.com

Registration

Registration deadline: 9th November 2025

Registration – Vesterålen Winter Adventure 2026

Name

First Name

Last Name

email

Phone

Street adress

P.O. Number

City

Workshop fee

EUR 950.- (registration before 9th November 2025)

EUR 1050.- (registration from 9th November 2025)

Discount Code

I accept the following terms: An invoice will be sent to the provided email address. The full course fee will be charged for cancellations made after 9 November 2025. Failure to attend will be regarded as a cancellation. A deposit of EUR 200.- is required. The deposit will be invoiced after registration and is non-refundable.

Yes

I am covered by travel insurance

Ja

About the Instructor

Bjørn Joachimsen

Bjørn works across many photographic genres, including portrait, landscape, architecture, and industrial photography. He was born and raised on the coast of Northern Norway and captures natural experiences with his camera across both the southern and northern regions of the country. Bjørn has worked professionally in photography for 20 years and has extensive experience in a variety of commissioned photography genres. He is one of the most active photography instructors in Norway, conducting courses throughout the country. In addition to teaching photography, Bjørn also instructs in Lightroom and Photoshop. Over the years, he has collaborated on workshops with numerous photographers from both Norway and abroad, including Bjørn Opsahl, Bård Løken, David Beckstead (USA), Jens Haugen, Trine Bjervig, Lars Andreas Dybvik, Dag Nystuen, and Kate Monica Myrmellom. In the spring of 2014, Bjørn was responsible for the artistic decoration of the Clarion Hotel The Edge in Tromsø – a prestigious project in decoration and art photography.