S V A L B A R D E X P E D I T I O N
August 28th - September 7th, 2020.
Two years ago I travelled the furthest North I’d ever been, documenting the pristine wilderness of Svalbard for the first time. Experiencing some of the most unique glacial mountains and resilient wildlife I’d ever seen, my connection to this Arctic landscape has grown strong. Since that first visit, my passion for documenting this pristine region has grown strong. Over the last year, I have worked as a photography guide on several expeditions across the Arctic, and I’m now preparing for one of my biggest trips to date.
Travelling by ship to the North of Svalbard next August, I’m thrilled to announce that you’ll be able to join me on board for the trip of a lifetime. Alongside my friend and co-guide Lina Kayser, we have charted our own ship equipped for 12 guests. With photographers in mind, we will work directly with the twelve of you who join us throughout the trip to refine your creative eye and visual style. We will shoot together amidst one of the most remote areas of Svalbard, only reachable by ship, home not only to some of the most magnificent outlet glaciers on the planet, but also to one of the worlds most pristine Arctic wildlife areas. It’s going to be a true photographic adventure.
Scroll down for all of the information on how to apply ⇓
THE LAND OF THE POLAR BEAR.
This expedition will be carried out on a ship over ten nights, focused purely on photography and the experience of being completely disconnected. We’ll be starting out and ending in Longyearbyen, where we will board the ship and unite with our fellow group members. We will be travelling aboard the ship M/V Kinfish, with a maximum of 12 guests on board. With the small total group size, this ship was selected to keep our experience intimate and fully embrace the peacefulness of the spring season in Svalbard. We will keep an eye out for wildlife at all times, and there will be plenty of time to stop and drop the zodiacs for any photography opportunities. The Eastern and Northern coasts of Svalbard offer amazing scenery with endless rugged peaks and glaciers, stretching all the way down from the mountains and into the ocean.
As soon as we leave Longyearbyen there will be no WiFi or cell connection. With your phone safely placed in your cabin it is time to lose yourself in the mesmerising world of the Arctic. Our route will be carefully planned to provide the best opportunities for encountering wildlife and amazing scenery. However, ice conditions, wildlife and weather are all beyond our control, and we in any case we will work with these variables as we go. Safety will always be the top priority!
PHOTOGRAPHY
Travelling in late summer our focus will be on the amazing light and transitioning seasons. At this time we can expect anything from summer scenes to fresh snowfall. The landscape transitions from green to rich earthly colours, and the fist snow covers begins to cover the mountain tops. There are still chances for seeing whales and birds before they migrate. We will keep an eye up for polar bears at all times, and our guides are experts in their knowledge on scouting. The ship has a spacious deck at a low level that allows for getting really amazing shots, and it’s great way to photograph wildlife without any disturbance - something that is extremely important to us.
POLAR BEAR SAFETY
We are guests in the home of the polar bear and will act respectfully to ensure that they are undisturbed by our presence. The safety of our guests and not least the safety of the polar bear will always be top priority. Our expedition leaders are experienced and certified guides, with extended knowledge on polar expeditions. Though extremely rare, they have the skills and training on how to safely handle any potential situation that could arise.
ITINERARY
28th AUGUST: EMBARKATION DAY
We welcome you on board the ship at Longyearbyen harbour at 4 pm. Get settled in your cabin, and get to know your expedition team and fellow explorers.
28th AUGUST THROUGH 7th OF SEPTEMBER: EXPEDITION DAYS
This will be an Arctic expedition in the rightful meaning of the word. Even though our route is carefully planned in advance, we might do changes as we go based on ice conditions, weather and wildlife - and your wishes. If conditions allow this might be some of the highlights:
Visiting the abandoned russian settlement Pyramiden, a great place to spot the arctic fox
Sailing north towards the ice edge to search for wildlife
Reaching the ice wall of Nordaustlandet, a place seen by a very few
Hike on the tundra to look for reindeer
Sailing through the Hinlopen straight and get close to the dramatic cliffs of Alkefjellet
We can also expect to see walrus and seals relaxing on the ice, whales and seals swimming and different species of arctic birds.
7th SEPTEMBER: DISEMBARKATION DAY
You will wake up at harbour in Longyearbyen and disembarkation will be at around 08:00 am.
THE HOSTS
BENJAMIN HARDMAN
Benjamin is an Australian freelance photographer based in the South of Iceland.
With a strong focus on the Arctic region, Benjamin's work reflects the lifestyle and intense seasonal shifts seen across the landscape in this part of the world. After years of photographic exploration throughout the mountains of Iceland, Benjamin now travels regularly into the high-Arctic, working to create a unified visual story of the freezing North through photography.
lina kayser
Lina is a Norwegian nature photographer based in Bergen, Norway.
Ever since early childhood Lina has had a strong passion about nature and the animals living. Over the years it has only grown stronger, and now Lina is specialising in photography in Arctic regions. This is her third ship based expedition around Svalbard documenting the wilderness of the Arctic. Lina has been in partnership with Nikon for 2 years.
TRIP DETAILS
DATES: August 28th - september 7th, 2020.
PRICE: $9,590 USD // €8,500 Euros
12 places available
INCLUDED
10 nights accomodation on board the ship
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, tea, snacks)
Zodiac excursions
Photography mentoring on location
Post processing tutorials and editing sessions
Professional tele zooms and cameras for loan
NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Svalbard
Accommodation before and after the expedition
Personal travel insurance including camera gear
Snacks and beverages from the bar
LOCATION MAP
FAQ
What level of photography is required?
Anyone is welcome on this expedition, wether you are a beginner, enthusiast or pro. If you are a passionate beginner we will help you with the technical skills, and for the pros we will do our best to get you the shots you have dreamed of.
What camera gear should I bring?
A DSLR or Mirrorless camera body and lenses of your choice. The best combination is to bring both a wide angle and a tele lens, or a zoom lens like 80-400 mm. A sturdy tripod is useful for heavy lenses and bring your laptop and external hard drives for editing sessions. Keep in mind that the climate in the Arctic can be very harsh with strong winds, cold temperatures, snow and ice. Extra batteries is crucial. We will also have a variety of camera gear on board that you can try out and loan.
Can I bring my drone?
It is possible to use your drone on Svalbard, but there are several restrictions you must be aware of and follow. Keep in mind that the cold temperatures can make your battery drop from 100% to 0 in seconds and being this far north can disturb your gps and compass. It is very easy to loose control over your drone in these conditions. Disturbing wildlife on Svalbard is prohibited and it is prohibited to use your drone in Longyearbyen. See more: https://www.sysselmannen.no/globalassets/sysselmannen-bilder/annet/beredskap/droneplakat.jpg
How will the weather be?
In the Arctic you need to be prepared for anything. Temperatures down to -10°C / 14°F and below can be expected, and in combination with strong winds and snowfall it is going to get cold. We will spend quite amount of time outside on deck photographing and looking for wildlife. Make sure you pack to stay warm.
Will we see any wild animals?
The chances are very high that we will see wildlife, but with wild animals no guarantees can ever be given. The expedition team are experts in their fields and will know where to go for the best opportunities. Animals that we can expect to encounter is the polar bear, arctic fox, walruses, reindeer, seals, whales and arctic birds.
Will there be any activities?
We will do zodiac excursions and landings on shore, and if conditions allow we will do some hiking. The main purpose for the hikes will be getting to awesome photo locations and viewpoints. There will also be editing sessions on board the ship in-between the shootings.
How do I get to Svalbard?
There are daily flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen and flying time is less than 3 hours. Be aware of the mandatory ID control for all travellers, also Norwegians, so don't forget to bring your passport or national ID card.
applications are NOW OPEN.
Our booking form can be found over on Lina’s website. Please fill in this form and we will get back to you shortly:
http://linakayser.com/svalbard-expedition-booking-inquiry
Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions!
All bookings will be handled by Twin Tracks Expeditions ahead of the trip.
Benjamin: hello@benjaminhardman.com