Alaska Aurora Fall Equinox Photography Workshop Experience Your Northern Lights Adventure!
And what's more exciting is that it's predicted to be the strongest aurora season in 20 years! The Solar Maximum is predicted to peak this fall! $3500pp
- in This Northern Lights Photography Workshop:
- Photographing the northern lights
- Reading And Tracking The Data
- Remote Locations away from it all
- fall colors with wildlife possibilities
- open water reflection photography
- exploring the famous Denali highway
Fall Equinox Aurora Workshop
Experience one of nature’s most spectacular displays with our Northern Lights workshop. Witness the captivating lights dance overhead and create unforgettable memories. Join us as we venture out each evening in search of clear skies to view and capture this awe-inspiring sight in all its glory.
Although predicting the Northern Lights can be challenging, the month of September during the fall equinox is widely considered to be the peak season for viewing this natural phenomenon. Our team will ensure that you are in the right place at the right time, from the start of the night until the early morning hours, to witness the Northern Lights at their most vibrant.
The equinox period can trigger some strong aurora activity due to the angle of the north and south magnetic poles.
Don’t miss this chance to embark on an epic adventure. Find out more information below and reserve your spot now before our workshop fills up quickly!
Workshop Information
Dates: September 21st – 26th
Group Size: Limited to 6 people
Cost: $3,500.00pp
Deposit: 50% deposit due at the time of booking with remaining balance due 90 days before the start of the workshop. Or you can pay in full.
Included: Lodging, Guiding/Transportation, Meals; As much laughter as possible and our wealth of local knowledge making sure we put everyone in the best possible locations for light and compositions to capture their own stunning images.
Not Included: Airfare, Alcohol, Meals outside the lodge, Lodging outside of workshop dates 9/21-9/26, Gratuities for instructors and/or guides.
Booking: The workshop will need to be paid in full 90 days prior to the day the workshop begins. Refunds are not available after the 90 day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.
The Schedule
Our workshop starts at 9am on September 21st, where we will start picking everyone up at their pre-arranged lodging in Fairbanks. It’s advised you arrive the day before to prevent any schedule issues that may arise during traveling. Our base camp destination is about 4 hours away from Fairbanks, deep in the Interior of Alaska, away from the city and its light pollution, so get ready to see the Northern Lights!
We should arrive at our base camp, the Tangles Lake Lodge, no later than 5:30pm. After the meet and greet dinner, we’ll head to our assigned rooms, get camera gear ready, and meet in the common use area TBA to kick off the night and head out in search of the aurora.
During the afternoons we will set aside time to meet and go over any post processing questions and techniques. For those feeling up for heading out prior to dinner for some wildlife/landscape photography we can make that happen, just be prepared to head back out chasing the lights that night.
Meals are included and breakfast is served from 8am-11am. Lunch/Dinners are served from 11am until 7pm when the kitchen shuts down for the night, but arrangements can be made if we are running late for any reason. We won’t be heading out chasing the lights until after dinner, and if we’re out during the day a sack lunch will be made up to take along with us.
Be ready for cold temperatures ranging from 10F to 30F, and dress in layers as we’ll be in higher elevations, where it will be cooler in the evenings. Depending on the weather, each night we could be out until sunrise the next morning for the best photo opportunities and drive up to 100 miles. Our relaxed and fun atmosphere will help create a superb experience, where you can gain confidence to take your photography skills to the next level. Our workshop will end on the morning of September 27th, and checkout of Tangles Lake Lodge is at 11am. We will depart back to Fairbanks, and if you are extending your stay or catching a later flight, we will drop you off at your hotel or the airport. It is advised not to book an early flight after the workshop, as we should be back between 4-5pm depending on how many times we stop to photograph along the way.
The Itinerary
Day 1: 9am, start picking everyone up and depart Fairbanks to our lodging for the remainder of the trip. We will have photo opportunities along the 4 hour drive of the vast landscapes of Alaska as well potential wildlife as we embark within the Eastern Alaska Range. After we arrive at the lodge rooms will be assigned and we will get settled in and after our meet and great dinner we will prep and get ready to set out in search of the aurora.
Day 2-6: Breakfast is included ( 8am-11am ) and will be available for anyone who is up for it after a long night of aurora chasing. We will have opportunities during the day depending on how folks are feeling to take in the sights of the Eastern Alaskan Range and photograph some amazing country as well keep an eye out for any wildlife. During this time caribou will be migrating and frequent the area as well moose will be in the rut and can provide some amazing photography opportunities. When setting out during the day a sack lunch will be provided and we will return in time for dinner and to rest up before setting out to photograph the aurora. Depending on weather, we may endure putting on some miles in search for the perfect viewing conditions to photograph the aurora. We can also opt to shoot close around the lodge during the day and use that time to go over any post processing questions before the night of aurora hunting begins. The night of the 26th will be our final dinner together.
Day 7: After breakfast we check out of the lodge the morning of the 27th and will depart back to Fairbanks. Again we will take advantage of any photograph opportunity along the way. We will reach Fairbanks late afternoon and can drop you off at your arranged lodging if you’re staying longer or the airport. It’s advised if you are flying home after the workshop to schedule a later flight on the evening of the 27th.
Lodging, Travel, Transportation
Lodging at the Tangles Lake Lodge is included with single occupancy. You do not need to make a hotel reservation during the dates of the workshop. We have secured rooms with single occupancy so everyone will have their own room. We will reserve your room for you and assign you your room once we get to the lodge.
Amenities include: restaurant in the lodge, gratuities for the lodge, showers, Free WiFi.
Note that our rooms are only booked and scheduled from September 21st through the 26th. It’s advised to arrive in Fairbanks the day before, please be sure to set up your own hotel accommodations and let us know where you are staying so we can pick you up. We suggest Pikes Waterfront Lodge as it’s close to the airport and has free shuttle service.
You will need to secure your own accommodations on dates 9/20 and 9/27.
Travel: Plan to arrive in Fairbanks the day before no later than 6pm. Make sure to let us know where you’re staying and be ready to be picked up at 9am on the 21st to go to the Tangles Lake Lodge which is 4 hours away from Fairbanks where we will have photo opportunities along the way.
Transportation: We will be traveling in a 15 passenger van, by keeping the group small there should be plenty of room for everyone and their gear, but please pack accordingly.
What will we photograph?
On this Alaska northern lights photography workshop adventure, our photography will include these stunning opportunities for you to capture:
Northern Lights
The famous Denali Highway
Reflections of aurora on open water
Fall colors
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Snow capped mountains
Potential wildlife that may include caribou, moose, bears, wolves, fox, and lynx
Experience the magic of Alaska's autumn tapestry - from vibrant wildlife to shimmering auroras!
RECOMMEND GEAR AND DIFFICULTY OF WORKSHOP
Some areas will require short hikes through uneven terrains with some mild elevation gains. Our shooting areas will give you the most remote breathtaking views to enhance your experience. The following clothing and equipment are recommended.
Warm base layers top and bottom ( avoid 100% cotton )
Hiking boots
Warm jackets/Rain jacket
Warm hoodies
Beanies, gloves, face mask covering
Wool socks
Headlamp with a red light
Hand/toe warmers
Make sure you always bring water and some snacks for the nights.
RECOMMENDED CAMERA GEAR
Depending on how bright the Northern Lights are on any given night we will be doing long exposures anywhere from 5 sec to 25 sec also make sure you have a cable release for you camera or that your camera has a 2 second delay! Items with ( * ) are optional.
DSLR or mirrorless or camera that can handle high ISO values
Lenses: 12-16mm wide angle,*20mm Prime, *24-70mm,*70-200mm
Wide angle lenses should have a minimum aperture of F2.8 for shooting the aurora
Solid tripod with a ball head
Remote shutter release or built in 2 second delay
Filters (Circular Polarizing Filter, Graduated ND Filters and Solid ND filters for daytime exposures)
Extra batteries; at least 3 full batteries charged every night
Memory Cards
Lens cloths, rocket blower, etc.
*Laptop for post processing
INSTRUCTION PROVIDED DURING THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
A guided photography tour of Alaska by born and raised professional photographer Michael Schultz
Long exposures night time photography
Shooting in manual mode (Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, depth of field)
Lens selection for composition and lighting
Creating stunning compositions (rule of thirds and simplicity)
Finding foreground elements
Capturing grand landscape photos
Creating panoramic images
Focus stacking, bracketing, histogram usage
CANCELLATION POLICY
Any changes or cancellations will incur a $300 USD change fee per person.
All payments after the 90 day period ( 6/21/2024 ) will need to be paid in full.
At the time of booking, you have the option to pay a 50% deposit or the full workshop amount. If you pay the deposit, the remaining balance will be charged 90 days prior to workshop start, after that 90 day period the amount due will be 100%.
For cancellations more than 90 days from workshop, we will fully refund all money paid and charge the change fee once we fill the vacancy. If we are unable to fill the vacancy, your deposit can be applied to a future workshop within 365 days of the cancellation date.
Cancellations within 90 days of workshop cannot be refunded. If we are able to fill the vacancy, your payment minus the change fee can be applied to a future workshop within 365 days of the cancellation date.
We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Insurance to cover any non-refundable deposits and workshop fees. workshop must be paid in full 90 days prior to the day the workshop start date. Client cancellations prior to 90 days before the workshop will be eligible for a full refund or transfer of funds paid to another workshop. Refunds are not available after the 90 day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.
We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance to cover such costs. Please read the Terms and Conditions for more information.
Guest Speaker Vincent Ledvina
Vincent will be joining us via ZOOM.
Vincent is a professional aurora photographer and Ph.D. student studying the aurora. Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Vincent began chasing auroras when he was 16 years old. Receiving his B.S. Physics from the University of North Dakota in 2022, he brought his passion for aurora chasing to North Dakota and colloquially earned the name “The Aurora Guy.” Now, he is studying the aurora as a Ph.D. student does aurora chasing and tours professionally. His work has been featured on Good Morning America, ABC World News, FOX Weather, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more!
Vincent specializes in aurora timelapse photography and real-time video. Combining technical and scientific expertise, Vincent has created stunning timelapse movies from his arctic adventures – he has spent months in northern locations such as Churchill, Manitoba, Iceland, and Fort Yukon, Alaska aurora chasing and perfecting his craft. Aside from photography, Vincent has extensive knowledge of how to predict the aurora, interpret space weather data, and is a Fairbanks resident, currently working on his Ph.D. in Space Physics, studying auroral beads at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Our Alaska Photography Workshop Includes:
Listed below is only covered and included during the dates of the workshop.
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Meals ( at lodging )
- Single Room Status
- Photography Assistance
- How to track the Aurora
- Guest Speaker Vincent Ledvina via ZOOM
From Dream to Reality: The Fall Equinox Workshop Is For You!
- Alaskan born and raised guide
- Learn to track the aurora
- Access to remote Interior Alaska
- Understanding how the aurora works
- Solar Maximum predicted to peak this fall
- Possible strongest aurora in 20 years!
- All inclusive small group workshop
- Limited to only 6 photographers
Limited Availability - 6 spots!
Limited Availability To 6 Spots!
Alaskan Teaching Alaska
In a rapidly competitive market, it is crucial to choose a trusted professional who is knowledgeable about the area and has the necessary experience to guide you towards your goals. Michael Schultz, is a seasoned local expert who was born and raised in Alaska. His familiarity with the region and its unique characteristics make him an invaluable resource for individuals looking to visit this state. With Michael by your side, you can rest assured that you are receiving informed counsel from someone who calls Alaska their home, and who is dedicated to helping you achieve success in your endeavors. The Face The Outdoors northern lights photography tours are like no other.
Hear From Other Photographers
Fellow photographers who’ve been on our Alaska aurora tours have this to say
“My daughter and I had an absolutely wonderful night with Michael chasing the northern lights. We started the night at his lovely home and when the clouds wouldn’t cooperate, we took to the road until we found them (unlike other outfits we tried that drove us to a destination in the hopes we might see something). Michael is the definition of professional. His knowledge of the northern lights, how to track them down, and ultimately how best to photograph them, is absolutely astounding. He is patient and, as a professional photographer himself, he is determined to give you the best opportunity available to get good photographs on any given night. And to accomplish that goal, he helped us with our camera set-up to ensure the best photographs. We HIGHLY recommend Michael and FACE THE OUTDOORS, giving them a solid eleven stars out of ten.”
“First and foremost- Michael was a fantastic tour guide, and I cannot recommend him enough. I do plan to return to Alaska, and I absolutely intend to book with him again. He does his best to maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights and prioritizes your experience/goal above all else. He goes above and beyond in a way no other tour I had researched does- for my encounter, it was cloudy at the house location so we took the (heated) van out to find a clear location (with a gorgeous mountain backdrop) to be able to have an unobstructed view of the phenomenon. He does his best to explain the data behind the aurora tracking to you (if you’re interested) and is available for any kinds of questions you have- whether it be about the tracking or how to take the best photo. If your goal is to see the northern lights, he is absolutely your best option to maximize your chances as he will do whatever he can to help you see them if they are out that night.”
“My wife and I were looking for a private tour out of Fairbanks that would give us the best opportunity to photograph the northern lights. Michael provided that for us. While the night sky played tough to see, we were in great company, had plenty of opportunity to photograph as well as come indoors and warm up between shoots (we were out until 3 am in the morning). I highly rate this tour for the serious photographer, as Michael can share his experiences with photographing and chasing the aurora borealis.”
Frequently Asked Questions
No, each topic will be taught from the ground up and requires no prior knowledge. Whether your a pro or wanting to get into photography this will be an opportunity you don’t wanna miss!
The Tangles Lake Lodge, which will serve as our basecamp, is situated 4 hours away from Fairbanks. This location was meticulously chosen due to its serene environment, free from city noise, light pollution, and crowds. Our organization has a preference for unconventional settings rather than being part of the status quo.
During the upcoming workshop, we will experience a waning full moon. This offers numerous advantages for photography in low light conditions. The presence of lunar illumination serves to enhance the human ability to perceive color in the aurora and provides additional light for bringing foreground and midground subjects into sharp focus. The moon has zero effect on how the aurora will act whereas the equinox does.
Click here to read the Terms and Conditions
You have the option to pay 50% at time of booking with remaining balance due 90 days before start of workshop. All payments after the 90 day period ( 6/18/2024 ) will need to be paid in full. Please see the Terms and Conditions for more information.
The weather in the fall in Alaska can cover wide variety of conditions. We can encounter everything from sun, rain, snow, wind, and sometimes all in the same day. September can bring on some stellar cool crisp sunny days to periods of snow flurries or rain showers.
© 2024 Face The Outdoors. All rights reserved