In winter, the boreal forest of the Finnish Lapland becomes a surrealistic kingdom of silence, where trees turn into sculptures, the sun skims the horizon and the northern lights paint the skies. Nowhere else is winter as magical as here.
The philosophy of this Photo Immersion Trip Photography is not the goal, but the path. Nowadays, we all rush through our life. We travel fast and we see the world without experiencing it. We think that in order to see more, we need to move faster. But the truth is that travelling in time and light, travelling through mood and weather is often more rewarding. Feelings and emotions, experiences and souvenirs, are not measured in quantity, but in quality. Slowing down makes you connect more with a place. When you slow down, your inner landscape tends to blend with the outer one. And then, magic happens. Life is like a good whisky, and should be consumed in small sips. Photography is the best of the glasses for that whisky.
After many years conducting photo immersion trips, we have realized the best way is to allow our participants to immerse themselves with plenty of time out in the field on their own, undisturbed unless they need any help. Rafael and Anca are always available for participants, anytime, anywhere, to discuss technical, compositional, artistic, or philosophic aspects while we work in the field. Participants will not only get a lot of hands on tuition from Rafael during the photographic sessions, but they will also have the possibility of seeing how Rafael works, how he visualizes, composes and creates his own photographs in the field. Rafael will use many of his photographs to explain many concepts in the field, and later on during the post-processing and critique sessions which will take place at our hotel base. You will receive a lot of instruction about post-processing, which is an essential part of contemporary landscape photography.
The place: Finland In winter, the boreal forest of the Finnish Lapland becomes truly a kingdom of silence where trees turn into sculptures, the sun skims the horizon and the northern lights paint the skies. Nowhere else is winter as magical as here.
An hour later, we move into a tiny hut surrounded by the snow-laden trees in the depths of this pristine wilderness. Inside, we make a fire, sit down and prepare a hot tea to warm up. Then, through the window, a green light starts to dance above the tree tops. We go outside and our hearts beat faster: It is the aurora borealis. What started as a faint light becomes a powerful display of green light, swirling and dancing over the snowy landscape. Minutes later, the aurora disappears, but the show is far from being over. Under the blue light of the moon, the forest and the frozen trees seem to come alive. Around us, dwellers of a world of ice and cold wait in silence. Nothing moves, nothing seems to be alive, and nothing is felt besides the crisp freezing air. Across the glinting snow, elongated shadows creep without unveiling their provenance. Maybe we are not alone, after all ? |
For the full detailed information, please donwload our detailed PDF brochure at the bottom of the right column of this page. The Itinerary
Day 1 - 26th January 2019 - Arrival in Kuusamo We will pick you up at the Kuusamo airport on the first day and transfer you to our cozy log house which will serve as our base. We will have dinner together, get acquainted and possibly photograph the northern lights if the sky is clear. Days 2 to 7 During 6 full days, we will explore and photograph the most interesting and photogenic areas of the whole Finnish Lapland, conveniently located close to our home base. During this period, the sun rises at 8:15 am and sets at around 4:15 pm, giving us 8 hours of warm light due to a sun which stays low above the horizon for the whole day. It will also provide decent waking hours for sunrise photography and also the possibility of photographing night scenes of auroras without having to stay up too long. Our daily schedule will vary depending on the locations we will visit and the nocturnal activity the auroras may have provided, but a typical day will probably be similar to the following: Day 8 - 2nd February 2019 - End of Photo-Immersion trip We will have breakfast together and officially end the photographic trip. We will arrange the transfers to Kuusamo airport for the early morning so that participants can easily catch their connecting flights back home.
Included and excluded
Included: - Tour led by Rafael Rojas and Anca Minican - "In the field’ photography advice, daily briefings, commentary sessions & image reviews - Special workshop session on night photography - Accommodation in a traditional log house - Single occupancy for all participants - All meals and all non-alcoholic drinks - Transport during the whole stay - Transfers from and to the airport of Kuusamo - Unforgettable experiences and a lot of fun! Excluded - Photographic and clothing equipment - International and domestic flights - Any meals other than those stated in the detailed itinerary - Personal expenses: telephone, gifts,... - Alcoholic beverages - Medical and Accident Insurance (compulsory for all participants) - Cancellation insurance (strongly recommended) - Snowshoes (possibility of renting them - better to bring yours)
Other details
Photography Level All photographic levels, from beginners to advanced photographers are welcome. A certain familiarity with your camera will be very beneficial in order to get the most from this photographic trip. Exertion Level You should be fairly used to working in cold conditions with long periods spent in exposed locations. You should also be reasonably fit as, although most walks are fairly short, the snow can be deep and a walk of around 1.5km is necessary to access some hills where we will photograph. Some paths are cleared and in any case, we will use snowshoes, but you should nevertheless be of good basic fitness. Price 3'900 CHF (Swiss Francs) VAT incl. Single Occupancy Supplement Single Occupancy accommodation is included on this photo trip for all participants. Couples will be able to share the same room (twin beds, which may be put together). Payment details Deposit of 1,500 CHF to secure your place at the time of booking. Full payment of the photo-trip due 120 days (4 months) prior to the departure date. Cancellation Fees Should you need to cancel this Photo Trip, the following fees apply: - 90 days or more before the departure date: Your deposit fee - 89 to 61 days before the departure date: 50% cancellation fee - 60 days or less before the departure date: 100% cancellation fee It is strongly recommended to acquire travel cancellation insurance. If you need any help, please contact us and we will be very glad to assist you. Number of People Very small group limited from 4 (minimum) to 6 (maximum). This number includes photographers and non-photographing partners/spouses. Logistics and Transportation Transportation will be in a van seating 9 people. Accommodation is in our own cozy log house that offers a large living room with fireplace, 7 bedrooms, a sauna and 3 bathrooms. Breakfasts will be served at the house, we will take packed lunches with us for greater flexibility and we will enjoy dinner at the restaurant every evening. Non photographing spouses/partners Non-photographing spouses and partners are welcome on this trip. Even though the dinner conversations will certainly revolve around photography, all locations visited will allow non-photographing partners and spouses to discover and fully enjoy the beauty of the Finnish Lapland. They can also stay at our lovely log house during our early morning or evening photographic forays. Same rates apply. Languages The official language for this photographic trip will be English. However, bear in mind that personal explanations to each participant can be done also in French or Spanish, as we are bilingual in these other languages. A certain international composition of the group should be expected, with all the fun and wonderful implications that brings!
Special Conditions
Visas/Passports Please ensure: Health No vaccinations are mandatory. Luggage Please bear in mind the volume limitation for your photo-bag! We will be traveling in a van of 9 seats, which should be able to accommodate all the bags we normally take for our photographic sessions. Therefore, we will hike up the hill in the snow and you do not want to carry unnecessary weight with you. Insurances All participants must be in possession of Health and Accident Insurance (with repatriation cover).
Informations about the Weather:
The weather in Finnish Lapland is decidedly continental, with long cold winters and relatively warm summers. Well inland and far away from the influence of the Atlantic, the weather tends to be quite dry, and in fact, this is one of the areas in Scandinavia where the sun shines the most on average throughout the year. |
Rafael Rojas Rafael Rojas is a fine art photographer specialized in landscape and nature photography. Following a career as an engineer, researcher and university lecturer he made a dramatic change by becoming a professional photographer of nature and landscape, his true passion and vocation. Today, he travels the planet always in search of those fleeting moments when light and land combine to create sheer magic and inspire the soul.
His work has been awarded in the most prestigious international photography competitions, including the Hasselblad Master award, First Prize several times in the IPA International Photography Awards (USA), Px3 Prix de Photographie de Paris (France), Nature’s Best (USA), International Conservation Awards (USA), European Nature Photographer of the Year GDT (Germany), MML International (Spain), Trierenberg Super Circuit (Austria), Panoramic Photographer of the Year Awards (Australia), etc.
His fine art prints, which form part of numerous private collections belonging to individuals and corporations, are often exhibited at international level, in private galleries and museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington and the Burke Museum in Seattle, USA. His photographs are also frequently used by various companies and institutions and are often published for editorial use in magazines including National Geographic Travel, Terre Sauvage, etc. One of the activities of Rafael Rojas is teaching and lecturing about Nature Photography, which he carries out during his photographic workshops and Photo Trips. This allows him to share and pass on to others his passion and knowledge about nature and photography by means of photographic tuition in locations where natural inspiration is at hand. Rafael uses his former experience in teaching at the university, his contagious passion and a deep experience and knowledge of the natural environment to assure optimal learning and unforgettable memories for all his clients. He has collaborated in the creation of several photography books, including “Visions of Earth” and “Natura” - both from Editions Altus - and is the author of his own line of photography books “A photographer’s vision” which he publishes and distributes from his website in different languages as eBooks. He was one of the founders and directors of the company WHYTAKE.NET - The Global Community of Nature PhotographersTM. He is also a member of the select nature photography groups “Bouts de Planète” (France) and “Portfolio Natural” (Spain). He works with a panoramic 617 medium format film camera, a Hasselblad 6x6 and a whole Nikon digital system, always set on the sturdiest tripod available. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Romanian...
Anca Minican
![]() Her broad experience in the corporate world, her professionalism and her methodical and serious approach make her a valuable asset for the organization, on-site logistics and the support to customers during our workshops and photographic trips. She also plays a key role in the team building and knows how to create an amicable environment with a personal touch as all our clients can testify! Anca was one of the founders and directors of the company WHYTAKE.NET - The Global Community of Nature PhotographersTM. She is also co-editor of the whole range of Rafael Rojas Photography books, ensures the representation of our Limited Edition Fine Art prints and manages the photographic library of Rafael Rojas Photography. To summarize, nothing would work without her! She speaks English, French, Spanish, Romanian and quite some Italian... |
Is this trip available for all photographic levels?
Yes. This Photo Immersion trip caters for all photographic levels, from beginners to advanced and even professional photographers. However, the truth is that to make the most of the possibilities of this photographic trip it would be best that you already have a certain knowledge of the use of your camera so it is recoÂmmended that you exercise a little and become accustomed to your equipment in the weeks prior to the trip. Or you may prefer to enrol on one of our intensive photographic workshops of 1/2 day or 2 days in Switzerland (see availability). In any case, during our Photo Immersion trip to Finland we will tackle the basic technical use of a DSRL for all our beginner participants.
Which are the official languages for this photo-trip?
The official languages for this photo-tour are English and French. If we have the two languages represented among our participants, we will use the two for the general explanations and critique sessions. However, as the number of participants is quite small, we can tailor the teaching to cater for the particular language of our participants, and speak with them either in English, French or Spanish. We are used to dealing with international groups in our workshops and photo trips and it is normal to have four or five nationalities represented in the group. Trust us, that is one of the strong points of our workshops and a highly enriching experience! What is the fitness level for this trip?
You should be used to working in cold conditions with lengthy periods spent in exposed locations. You should also be reasonably fit as although most walks are fairly short, the snow can be deep and a walk of around 1.5km is necessary to access some hills. Some paths are cleared and in any case we will use snowshoes, but you should nevertheless be of good basic fitness. Bear in mind however that any person in average physical shape with the good clothing and equipment we recommend should not have any problem. Do not hesitate to contact us if you are not sure about the difficulty level of this trip!
We will be close to the Arctic Circle...Will I freeze to death?
There is an old adage which says "There is no such thing as cold weather, only inappropriate clothing!", and this could not be truer for the Finnish winter. Absolutely everybody can comfortably hike, photograph and enjoy the Finnish winter wonderland, provided he/she is well prepared in terms of clothing. Normal tourists visit the Finnish Lapland every year without any experience or special skills and fully enjoy the wonderful experience. However, it is essential to bring the right clothing and equipment. As part of the learning experience of this trip, we will assist you and explain how to dress and react in the cold so that you can fully enjoy the magical environment and photograph this winter wonderland. Temperatures in winter can vary greatly, ranging from -10 to -40°C on some rare occasions. The weather is very dry however, and as soon as we are properly clothed the feeling of cold disappears. The truth is there is nothing as invigorating as breathing the crisp cold winter air in the boreal forest!What clothing should I bring?
Good clothing and equipment is essential for this photographic trip. If you follow our recommendations you will be able to fully enjoy and photograph the magic of the Northern winter. It is very important that you bring a layered system of clothing.Here below we list the different necessary elements: - Comfortable winter boots/shoes for trekking, with a well gripping sole that can be used with snow-shoes. These boots should be especially suitable for winter. It is very important that they are not too tight, since that will accentuate the loss of heat. We recommend boots specially designed for cold temperatures such as Kamik or Sorel. Otherwise, you can also use winter boots internally lined with lambs' wool or other insulating materials (such as Meindl winter boots), and add some thermal packs inside to keep your feet warm. - Thermal underwear. Merino wool is recommended, such as Icebreaker 260 shirts. - Polar fleece - Down inner jacket, ideally with bonnet - Outer down parka with bonnet. We recommend parkas filled with natural goose down of 800 or 900. For example, the Batura Summit of RAB or similar - Balaclava - Chemical thermal packs for hands and feet - Two or three layers of gloves. We recommend inner silk gloves, intermediate soft shell gloves and external warm mittens. You can also bring with you some thermal packs to slip between the glove layers if needed. - This layered system should also be used for your lower clothing: Merino wool leggings, down trousers and some heavy duty ski over-trousers which serve to protect you from the wind and snow. - A pair of thick wool socks allowing some free space between the feet and the boots. Bear in mind we will assist registered participants to gear up during this trip. In fact, knowing how to prepare and photograph in the cold is part of the learning experience of this photo-immersion trip! What sort of photographic equipment do I need to bring?
In terms of photographic equipment, the choice depends very much on your experience, your budget and your style of photography. There are a few general points though which should be mentioned. Most photographers tend to bring too much equipment to Photo Trips, leading to extremely heavy bags which then become a burden more than a useful tool to experience and photograph the places we visit. Never bring pieces of equipment you are not familiar with to a photo trip, and limit your equipment to what you will need in the majority of cases. Typically, any camera you use normally and a couple of zooms like a 24-70 and a telephoto 70-200 are more than enough for the vast majority of situations. For our Finland photo trip, it might be useful to bring a fast lens, particularly wide, which gives good performance wide open (f1.8, f1.4 or at least a good f2.8) for the photography of the Northern Lights. Please refer to the Checklist document of the detailed PDF brochure where we mention photographic and non photographic equipment necessary for this trip. How many people will attend these Photo-Immersion trips?
A highly reduced number, of a maximum of 6 photographers, will be accepted. The idea is to keep the group at a very individual level, being able to engage in deep discussions as we evaluate our work completed during each day. As Photo Immersion trips are shorter than our Photo Adventure trips, this allows us to focus on each of the participants in a more personal manner.
Can I bring my non-photographing spouse or companion with me?
Non-photographing spouses and partners are Âwelcome on this trip. Even though the dinner Âconversations will certainly revolve around photoÂgraphy, all locations visited will allow non-photographing partners and spouses to discover and fully enjoy the beauty of the Finnish Lapland. They can also stay at our lovely log house during our early morning or Âevening photographic forays. Same rates apply.
Do you offer single occupancy options for the accommodation in this Photo-trip?
Single Occupancy accommodation is included on this photo trip for all participants. Couples will be able to share the same room (twin beds, which may be put together).
Why do you offer these "Photo Immersion trips", is it a type of marketing gimmick?
No. Basically we propose activities that we ourselves enjoy, and that we have identified as most suitable to develop what we consider the most valuable aspect about photography; experiencing the world, connecting with it, having something to say and saying it by means of a camera. We realized that, after many years photographing the natural world, we could summarise why we enjoyed it in two distinct ways: Either with the thrill and adventure of slow-paced itinerant trips, or in the quietness and intimacy provided by short periods of discovery of a particular environment. What we offer to our clients is what we have found we enjoy the most ourselves, and that is why we propose both Photo-Adventure as Photo-Immersion trips...
Will I get bored after 1 week in the same place?
Many times, we have spent 2 weeks on the same stretch of coast, walking less than 300 metres every day, and never found the same scene and emotions. We have spent 3 weeks in the Taiga, visiting the same forest every day, and every day the magic of winter created a new spectacle for our eyes only...In our Photo-Immersion trips, you may experience a certain shock at the beginning, since your mind, more used to the frenetic world we live in, will ask for more. You may want an internet connection. You may want to share that last photograph on Facebook. Do not relent by allowing your mind to keep to its normal routine, "see" instead of looking and enjoy the experience. At the end of the trip you will return home as if you were waking up from a pleasant dream, where your photographs will be the proof that it really took place. Returning to "reality" may not be easy, though! Photo-Immersion trips seem quite deep and intense... Are these trips only for experienced photographers?
No. Photo-Immersion trips are open to everyone and all levels. A good photographer is not someone who just knows how to operate a camera. If you are nervous of the technical knowledge, you will see how in less than an hour we can resolve that aspect. And then, we will discover what lies below the tip of the iceberg...
There will be some travelling involved in your Photo-Immersion trips?
It depends on the particular Photo Immersion trip, but in the vast majority of cases travelling will be limited, if any. On some occasions, we may work along the same stretch of coast, on foot, from our cottage base located at 100m from the seashore. In some cases, we may even take bicycles and cycle along the back roads of a tropical island where no cars are allowed. In other cases, we might hire a small van to reach some locations nearby, repeating some of them during the week. However as we will be based in the same location, you will be able to leave your luggage at our base, and only take a few necessary items with you each day.
Which equipment should I bring?
Please refer to the Checklist document of the PDF brochure where we mention photographic and non photographic equipment necessary for this trip. Please use the button "Download brochure" that you will find on the right column of this page.
Does Rafael also take photographs during the photo trips?
For our workshops, which are never longer than a couple of days of three, Rafael is normally focused on the learning experience of his clients in that short period of time and for that reason he rarely takes his camera out of the bag. He may do so to explain certain aspects, or to demonstrate with some particular examples how he normally looks for his compositions and creates his photographs. Workshops are highly intensive learning programmes, and therefore all the time is put to the service of our clients, with one-to-one tuition. However during our photo trips, with more days available, we adopt a less intensive approach, allowing our participants to immerse themselves with plenty of time out in the field on their own. Of course, participants will still get a lot of hands on tuition from Rafael during the photographic sessions, but they will also have the possibility of seeing how Rafael works, how he visualizes, composes and creates his photographs in the field. Some of his photographs taken during the trip will also be used as examples during the lectures and critique sessions held during the trip. In a way, during our photo trips you will also learn by seeing how Rafael normally works on his own photographs and later on uses them for discussion and analysis. Is Finland a safe place?
Yes. In terms of safety, there is almost nowhere that can beat Finland. The Finnish Lapland, even if remote, isolated and at the verge of the Arctic Circle, has very good transport, health and social infrasÂtructures. Kuusamo, at only 40 minutes from where we will be based, caters for any needs you may have, even in the case of serious health problems. Also, the areas we will visit do not encompass any natural dangers, if you are properly dressed for the cold temperatures. Therefore, bears are still sleeping !Do I need to have travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks valid for the place and time of the Photo Trip. This must include cover for the activities to be undertaken during the trip. We also strongly recommend you take out cover for cancellation and curtailment and baggage cover. In case you need assistance in finding a good insurance option, let us know and we will put you in contact with the leading insurance companies we normally work with.
If I have a medical condition will this prevent me from joining a trip?
It is a condition of booking that you disclose any medical conditions. This is essential, as it may affect both your own and other people's enjoyment of the workshop and will allow us to understand the implications relative to the particular trip.
How easy will be to charge my batteries?
We can charge our batteries every day in our hut, and also in our vehicle as we will take an inverter; however, bring plenty of batteries with you (2 or even 3 minimum) so that you are always ready and flexible. Bear in mind that cold temperatures can strongly affect the time of use for a fully charged battery.
Do I need a Visa for visiting Finland?
Citizens of the USA and most European and other countries do not need a visa to enter the country. Please visit the Finnish government website to confirm whether or not you need a visa, that is your responsibility!
Can you cater for special diets?
Yes, our accommodation partners can cater for most diets. Please advise us of your preferences at the time of booking on your booking form.
What if I shoot film, can I still join this Photo-Immersion Trip?
Of course you can! If you shoot film and want to bring your system, feel free. In fact, Rafael still works with film for a very large part of his work and he will very happy to help you with yours. For obvious reasons, we may not use your photos for the critique session during the trip (unless you use a Polaroid), but you will see the photographs of the other participants commented. At the end of the photo trip though, we will be pleased to prepare a video critique of some of your photographs, once developed, scanned and sent to us for a personal review.
Can the group turn into a competition to see who creates the best photograph?
No. Our whole philosophy is one of humility and self confidence, of forgetting about the hunt for photographic trophies, and about the need to focus on an individualÂ’s personal vision. That is why the environment and mood we foster in our groups is deeply embedded in these beliefs. In all the workshops and photo trips we have organised during the last few years, we have never seen bitter competition arise between the members of our groups. If one day that should happen, you can be sure we will be the first to make it disappear. Photography should not be a contest, since we are all different, none better or worse.
I do not have any photographic equipment. Do you have some available for rent?
We do not rent any equipment as we should need to cater for many different requirements; however we can suggest some addresses where you will be able to rent a camera, lens or tripod. If you have any queries concerning what to purchase prior to a workshop or a photo-trip, just let us know and we will be very glad to help.
How can I travel to Kuusamo?
Kuusamo is a quite important city of northern Finland and therefore has a good connection with Helsinki and with any international destination. If taken in advance, flight tickets should be relatively cheap.
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J.Bognar - Hungary
Sandrine Cavin - Switzerland
Phil Fontana - USA
John Erskin - South Africa
Sunil Patel - New Zealand
Nathalie Capitan - Switzerland
J.Van Marcke - Belgium
P. Conesa - Spain
Yves Curchod, Switzerland
Luke Classen, USA
A. Franklin - USA
B. Dupas - Switzerland
L. Thomas - USA
I was amazed that he did not use his camera during the workshop. That made it clear to me that this was about OUR photographs, not his. This is rare , and I have never taken a workshop were the leader was not spending any time on his/her photographs. The entire workshop was well organized and the accommodation and food were above what I expected. He does not skimp on anything. He was totally prepared ahead of time, knew the upcoming weather and tailored each session perfectly based on that. Therefore, many languages were served. Anca was super-friendly and a valuable part of the entire affair. Highly recommended! J. Stern - USA
B. Vioget - Switzerland
S. Schild - Switzerland
T. Von Weid - Switzerland
V. Manixab - Switzerland
N. Bohny - Switzerland
J. Wasem - Switzerland
S. Bongard - Switzerland
J. Thies - Germany
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Photograph the moon rising over an endless expanse of boreal forest under the magical light of dusk. |
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Photograph the eerie figures of the spruce trees, turned into a myriad of surrealistic ice and frost sculptures, under a varying range of light conditions and moods. This is surely something you will never have seen before. |
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Get ready for the possibility of photographing the Northern Lights. The Finnish Lapland is ideally situated to witness and photograph this incredible phenomenon, as the number of clear nights here is one of the highest in the whole of Scandinavia. |
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We will photograph two national parks in many different weather and light conditions. We will work with wide and intimate landscapes, night scenes, simplicity and minimalism, details, etc |
difficulty level: Moderate
photography level: All