2025 Travelers' Choice
About Backcountry Journeys
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys
If you're considering a photography tour, hear why Backcountry Journeys delivers the best experience in the industry.Frequently Asked Questions
If you're new to photography tours, or new to BCJ, you can find our common travel questions here.Fitness Levels
Our trips vary on physical intensity, and by reviewing our fitness levels, you can find out which trips may be more challenging, or aligned more closely with your comfort level.Meet The Crew
We've built an amazing team of experienced guides, and dedicated office staff that elevate your travel experience. Get to know their backgrounds, and hear their stories.Gift Certificates
Give the gift of photo adventure! We offer gift certificates that can be applied to any of our upcoming tours.Loyalty Program
We reward our frequent photo adventurers with exclusive discounts on amazing photography tours.Contact Us
If you need to get in touch with our office staff, or have additional business inquiries, you can find our information here.Stay Up To Date On All Things
Backcountry Journeys
Backcountry Journeys
Our Photography Community
Our Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Our Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.Community Testimonials
We're proud to foster an amazing group of photo travelers, and here you can find their stories from their past adventures.Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
Trip Report: Ultimate Northern Lights - March 2022
Published November 3, 2022
In early January of 2022, I found myself shivering in the middle of the night deep in a forest located in Colorado’s Front Range. I was there working on my Wilderness First Responder certification, and we were in the middle of a night time mock rescue. Our “patient” had tripped while hiking and broken his leg. After checking, stabilizing, and coming up with an evacuation plan, our small group stood around waiting for our instructor to come sign off on our work.
As we made small talk, I mentioned that I was a photographer. One of my fellow rescuers quickly asked me what my favorite experience I have had through photography was. My mind raced. I have been so fortunate to have witnessed so much of the natural world first hand. Was it flying over an active volcano in Iceland? Sunset over Mt. Everest? Leopard cubs in South Africa? Almost subconsciously, I blurted out “Probably seeing the northern lights”.
As we made small talk, I mentioned that I was a photographer. One of my fellow rescuers quickly asked me what my favorite experience I have had through photography was. My mind raced. I have been so fortunate to have witnessed so much of the natural world first hand. Was it flying over an active volcano in Iceland? Sunset over Mt. Everest? Leopard cubs in South Africa? Almost subconsciously, I blurted out “Probably seeing the northern lights”.
There is a reason the aurora borealis is one of the first things to come to mind when running down the list of incredible nature experiences. The best word I can come up with to describe them is mesmerizing. The colors and speed in which it moves is something that always takes your breath away. I have never seen a photo or video that truly capture what it is like to see them in person. When the Aurora is active and dancing above your head, the ground is glowing green, and the colors become visible to the naked eye, there is nothing quite like it.
So it was with great anticipation that I boarded a flight to Fairbanks to meet two groups of photographers eager to check the northern lights off their bucket lists and perhaps make a photo or two. Fellow guide Ben Blankenship had run a trip the week prior and according to all reports, they were very successful in chasing aurora. It was a good sign and our groups were ready to stay up late and photograph this phenomenon. What we lacked in sleep we were determined to make up in fun!
One of the actives we do on this trip is visit the Museum of the North on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. This museum is amazing and includes in depth exhibits of the flora, fauna, and humans of Alaska. They also have an extensive art gallery that includes a few original signed Ansel Adams prints. The best part of our visit to the museum however, is the showing of their aurora documentary. This movie does a great job of explaining the science of aurora borealis. My favorite part though, is when the narrator says “Photographing the northern lights is easy. All you need is patience, a good tripod, patience, clear skies, patience, a long exposure, and patience.” Having patience is a critical component of photographing the northern lights and would become sort of a mantra for our groups.
It didn’t take long to get into the rhythm of aurora hunting. Some nights we stayed in the van, opting for mobility to chase down the clear skies and aurora. Other evenings we stayed in state park cabins, drinking hot chocolate, roasting marshmallows, playing games, and getting to know each other while we patiently waited for the aurora to make an appearance.
It didn’t take long to get into the rhythm of aurora hunting. Some nights we stayed in the van, opting for mobility to chase down the clear skies and aurora. Other evenings we stayed in state park cabins, drinking hot chocolate, roasting marshmallows, playing games, and getting to know each other while we patiently waited for the aurora to make an appearance.
When the aurora would finally come, it was a mad rush for everyone to get all their layers on and grab one last pair of hand warmers and head out into the cold. I have always said that the best way to combat photographing in the cold is to have good light (only half-kidding). The cold is psychologically so much more bearable if you are excited about the light you are photographing. That theory was proven time and time again over two weeks shooting aurora. When the lights come out, you are entranced, totally taken by the colors and movement above. It can be overwhelming watching an active aurora. You almost have to remind yourself to take photos and stay warm.
It is amazing how how varied the aurora can be. Sometimes it is a lazy, slow moving aurora that arches across the horizon. Other times it races across the sky so fast that it almost doesn’t seem possible. Often the color is faint, requiring a camera (with a sensor more sensitive to light than our eyes) to confirm that the sky has green in it. Alternatively, the colors can sometimes be so intense that you can walk around without a headlamp. Every night you see it, it is going to be different shapes, intensity, speed. That variety is what makes it so exciting to photograph.
It is amazing how how varied the aurora can be. Sometimes it is a lazy, slow moving aurora that arches across the horizon. Other times it races across the sky so fast that it almost doesn’t seem possible. Often the color is faint, requiring a camera (with a sensor more sensitive to light than our eyes) to confirm that the sky has green in it. Alternatively, the colors can sometimes be so intense that you can walk around without a headlamp. Every night you see it, it is going to be different shapes, intensity, speed. That variety is what makes it so exciting to photograph.
Another highlight for both groups was our dog sledding excursion. We arrived at the location, about an hour outside of Fairbanks, and had plenty of time to walk around meeting and photographing the dogs. One thing I think we all noticed was how much the dogs wanted to run. Just like when my dog gets a sense we might be going to the dog park and loses her mind, these dogs were turned up to a ten at the thought of being chosen to go for the days run. As the crew put together the dog teams, we loaded up on the sleds and we were off! Racing through the boreal forests behind a team of dogs was an experience I won’t soon forget. It was also real treat to hear stories from the drivers about racing in the Iditarod and other extreme dog sled races around Alaska.
We had some really incredible nights under the lights. We ooh'ed and aah'ed as the lights would race across the sky. When the activity is high, it can look like a flames flickering overhead in different shades of green and red. The colors and movement are still vividly etched in my mind. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we were incredibly grateful to have seen what we saw.
We offer world-class travel photography
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
Get Our Trip Catalog
Receive a trip catalog that highlights all of our upcoming photo tours and workshops.Schedule a Trip Consultation
Meet with a photo experience coordinator, and experience a personal touch to your booking experience.Landscape Guide
Receive a FREE Landscape Cheat Sheet Written By a Pro Photographer.Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.