Midnight Sun Lofoten 2026
Photo Expedition & Workshop
18th June - 26th June 2026
This is not a sightseeing tour. It’s a real photography expedition.
We don’t just take you to locations — we teach you how to think, decide and work as a landscape photographer in demanding conditions, step by step, directly in the field.
You learn why a composition works or fails, when to shoot and when not to, how to control exposure, panoramas and contrast — and how to adapt when conditions change. This is hands-on mentoring, not passive shooting.
Field-based photography mentoring focused on decisions, technique and real results
18th – 26th June 2026
📍 Lofoten Islands, Norway | 👤 Max 8 Participants | 📸 Up to 4 Instructors incl. Jan Šmíd, Master QEP
📸 Shoot Under the Midnight Sun in the Arctic Circle
Join internationally awarded photographer Jan Šmíd, Master QEP, on an intensive summer photo expedition to Norway’s legendary Lofoten Islands — where the sun never sets and Arctic light transforms the landscape around the clock.
Towering mountains, glowing seascapes and vibrant fjords create continuous photographic opportunities. The focus is on working with endless golden light, mastering single frames, panoramas and long exposures, and understanding how to control dynamic light conditions directly in the field.
All images on this page were captured during previous Lofoten photo expeditions led by Jan Šmíd.
👉 Book now and make 2026 the year your portfolio levels up!
🗺️ What Will We See During the Photo Expedition & Tour?
Our photo trip doesn’t follow a rigid itinerary — and that’s by design (more information below). Instead, we adapt daily to the best possible light and weather conditions, so you can capture truly breathtaking landscape photos.
We explore the best of Lofoten: charming fishing villages, wild beaches, mountain viewpoints, and hidden coastal gems. You'll experience both the world-famous icons and the off-the-beaten-path locations that most travelers miss.
We also incorporate opportunities for documentary-style photography and casual sightseeing, ensuring the journey is not just productive but unforgettable.
📍Highlights you may experience during the expedition include:
🏘️ Reine & Hamnøy – postcard-perfect red cabins and dramatic fjord landscapes
🏡 Sakrisøy – picturesque yellow rorbuer nestled under towering peaks
🌑 Skagsanden Beach – iconic black-sand beach with wave patterns
🏖️ Uttakleiv & Haukland – two of the most photogenic beaches in Northern Norway
🌊 Unstad Beach (optional hike) – famous surf spot with dramatic scenery and hiking nearby
🌉 Fredvang Bridges – leading lines, curves, and mountain-framed vistas
🏘️ Nusfjord – charming UNESCO-listed heritage fishing village
🌊 Flakstadøy’s Wild Coastline – remote cliffs and secret coves perfect for exploration
🏠 Å Village – the final village at the end of the road, with stunning views and atmosphere
🏝️ Ramberg Beach – Caribbean-like turquoise waters and wide sandy shorelines
⛰️ Reinebringen & Offersøykammen & Mannen & Vegen (optional hikes) – an amazing panoramic views over beaches, fjords, and peaks
💧 Sørvågen Waterfalls & Lakes – scenic cascades and serene alpine lakes in the dramatic Sørvågen backcountry — perfect for moody reflections and misty drama
⛪️ Flakstad Church – 18th-century red church standing strong by the sea
⛪️ Gimsøy Church – small white wooden church by the sea, anchored with steel cables to withstand Arctic storms
🔭 Panoramic Viewpoints
🌫️ Inland Valleys & Lakes – moody secluded areas and misty, reflective waters
✨ …and much more. We never reveal all our spots up front 😉 – some places are just too magical to spoil in advance. Trust us: this tour goes far beyond the guidebooks.
Here’s a map of some locations – the list is far from complete, and the pins are only approximate:
🎯 Who Is This Photography Expedition For?
This one-of-a-kind Lofoten photo adventure is perfect for landscape photography lovers at any level — from enthusiastic beginners to experienced professionals. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your technique or create a show-stopping portfolio, this workshop delivers expert guidance in one of the most visually spectacular regions on the planet.
Part of the renowned Smid Photography workshop series, this expedition is led by Jan Šmíd and has earned the trust of hundreds of photographers from around the world since 2012.
🌄 What you'll learn:
How to capture single-shots and panoramic landscapes with impact
Advanced exposure techniques including bracketing and metering
Focusing methods to ensure razor-sharp shots every time
How to photograph the magical midnight sun during the polar day — when golden light lasts for hours
While this tour doesn’t include Northern Lights, the endless daylight of the Arctic summer offers a rare opportunity to experiment with soft, dynamic light and long shooting sessions under unique conditions.
This expedition is designed to elevate your photography, challenge your creativity, and inspire you to shoot like never before.
☀️ Why Lofoten in Summer
In summer, Lofoten blooms with wildflowers, its vivid scenery sometimes resembling Madeira. Add turquoise waters, misty inversions, and hours of golden light, and you get a photographer’s dream.
We’re talking about sunsets that turn into sunrises without ever going dark. Imagine having 6 hours of perfect light to create one single composition. That’s not an exaggeration — it’s what the Arctic Circle offers in June.
If you’ve never visited northern Scandinavia in summer, prepare for a unique experience: long, calm sessions with ideal light, endless inspiration, and a creative rhythm unlike any other time of year. You’ll shoot long after midnight, guided by soft shadows and glowing skies.
🌸 Blooming landscapes and lush coastal colors
🌊 Turquoise sea and misty inversions in the valleys
⛰ Towering peaks and quiet beaches
🏘 Charming fishing villages under arctic skies
We’ll photograph from high peaks, sea-level fjords, and unique hidden spots that most photographers miss.
🟢 Physically Accessible Photo Tour, Adapted to Your Fitness Level
This expedition is suitable for all levels of fitness. Most photo locations require only light walks. If you're eager for hikes to high-altitude spots, you’ll have that option. And if you prefer an easy photo workshop with accessible viewpoints, we’ve got you covered too.
✅ No one is left behind.
✅ Flexible plan each day based on weather and fitness.
✅ up to 4 instructors, multiple vehicles = personalized approach.
📍 Location: Lofoten Islands, Norway
📅 Dates: 18th – 26th June 2026
👥 Participants: Max 8
👨🏫 Instructors: up to 4 – Jan Šmíd (Master QEP), Martin Strouhal (QEP), Pavel Drexler (Adobe Certified Professional), Michael Prouza
✈️ Flights: Group support available
💰 Price: 4990 USD
(🇨🇿 orientační cena pro CZ účastníky: 49 000 Kč — USD price applies to international bookings; CZK rate reflects local currency & local services)
💼 Deposit: 1490 USD
🏠 Accommodation: Private cabins (“rorbuer”) or luxury villa in Reine area (accommodation in twin rooms, single room available for an additional fee)
🍽 Meals: Breakfast included (!), self-catering or restaurants
🌐 Language: English (🇨🇿 český lektor k dispozici)
Highlights of the Lofoten Photo Tour June 2026
✅ The best photo locations + hidden gems
✅ Endless soft light under the midnight sun
✅ Individual mentoring with 4 instructors
✅ Luxurious, scenic accommodation
✅ Gear consultations & test equipment available
✅ Study materials and image reviews included
Breathtaking 4K drone footage of Norway’s Lofoten Islands — filmed during our past photo expeditions. Watch dramatic Arctic peaks, rugged coastlines, and golden winter light from above.
Why Join This Photo Workshop with Jan Smid?
🔥 Unbeatable Arctic Light – The midnight sun gives you hours of perfect light every night
📷 Master Techniques – Learn advanced field and post-production techniques
🌍 Unique Access – Discover off-the-beaten-path locations with a local expert team
🎒 Tailored Experience – Whether you hike or stroll, we adapt to your comfort
🏡 Relax in Style – Finish the day in a private cabin or villa with sea views
🤝 Small Group, Big Value – up to 4 instructors for just 8 participants
📸 Recommended Photography Gear
To get the most out of your Lofoten photo expedition, we recommend bringing a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a sturdy tripod, and a selection of wide-angle to telephoto lenses. But don't worry — even if you shoot exclusively on a smartphone, you're still welcome! We adapt our approach based on your gear and experience level.
🎒 Not sure what to bring? After you register, you'll receive a detailed gear checklist, plus personal advice tailored to your needs.
🧭 Still deciding on your setup? No problem. As part of your expedition package, we offer:
Equipment consultations before the trip
Tips for optimizing your current gear
Guidance on choosing tripods, filters, or weather-proof clothing
(Limited) access to test gear during the expedition
Whether you’re a seasoned pro fine-tuning your lens lineup or a beginner looking for a reliable kit — we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared for every location and lighting condition.
✅ What’s Included in the Price ❌ What’s Not Included
📸 Full photo instruction (up to 4 instructors incl. Jan Šmíd – Master QEP)
Techniques for panoramas, seascapes, bracketing, stacking, and post-processingPersonal mentoring & daily image reviews
🛌 8 nights in luxury cabins (traditional red houses) in Reine
Private terrace, hot tub, full kitchen, laundry, top amenities, double occupancystandard (single room available at extra cost)
🚘 All transport incl. airport pickup & local transfers
✈️ Flight assistance (group ticket coordination)
🍳 Daily breakfast (tailored to your preferences)
🎒 Extras: Free Sony gear test, pre-trip gear/clothing consult, personalized schedule
Flights to/from Lofoten
Lunch/dinner
Entry fees (if applicable)
How We Work: Flexible, Real-World Shooting (what about the itinerary)?
There is no fixed day-by-day itinerary. Each shooting day is planned around light direction, cloud cover, weather and wind, not a rigid schedule. With the midnight sun, photography happens around the clock. We move between locations based on the angle and quality of light, shooting late at night, early morning or whenever conditions are strongest — without the limits of sunrise or sunset.
Thanks to deep local knowledge of the Lofoten Islands, we always choose the right location for the moment, focusing on clean compositions, long light transitions and high-quality landscape images. Between key photo sessions, we also explore iconic and lesser-known locations mentioned in the expedition introduction.
🎯 Our mission is simple: To help every participant create the best images possible — every single day.
This photo expedition is designed as an intensive field-based learning experience, where photography is taught directly in real landscapes and changing conditions. If you want to understand how expeditions, private courses and mentoring connect into one complete education system — and how individual formats complement each other — you can read a detailed explanation here.
For those planning more premium workshops in 2026–2027, explore our Alaska Fall Landscape & Glacier Photo Expedition 2026 and Alaska Fall Photo Workshop 2027 — plus early-spring Iceland, summer Lofoten and the Outer Hebrides for a complete year-round portfolio (fotoexpedice Aljaška 2026, fotoexpedice Aljaška 2027, fotoworkshop Aljaška).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Lofoten Summer Photo Workshop 2026
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No. The expedition is designed to be physically accessible. Most photo locations require only light walks. However, optional “sunrise/sunset” hikes to higher viewpoints are available for more active participants.
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This expedition focuses on landscape, seascape, and panoramic photography under the magical light of the midnight sun. You'll master shooting in continuous twilight, capture dramatic coastal scenes, and learn advanced techniques for dynamic compositions in ever-changing light.
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Ideally, bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, and a selection of lenses. But even mobile photographers are welcome — we adapt our instruction to your gear level. We also offer pre-trip gear consultations and, in some cases, test gear.
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No, $1490 is the deposit price to secure your place. Full payment details will be provided after booking.
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The sun never sets — which means hours and hours of golden light, soft shadows, and glowing mountain peaks. You can shoot landscapes at 2 a.m. and still catch breathtaking light without harsh contrast. It's a dream scenario for every landscape photographer.
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If you’d like to keep developing your landscape portfolio after Lofoten, our top recommendations are the Alaska Fall Landscape & Glacier Photo Expeditions 2026 & 2027 — offering dramatic autumn colors, enormous glaciers and excellent chances to photograph the Aurora Borealis.
For different seasons and scenery, explore also our Iceland early-season workshop, the Madeira spring photo expedition, and the Outer Hebrides photography tour — together these destinations create a perfectly balanced year-round portfolio of mountains, seascapes, cliffs and wild coastlines.
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Ano — expedice je otevřená i českým účastníkům a veškerá komunikace může probíhat také v češtině.
Past photography expeditions to the Lofoten Islands
April 2 - 10, 2016
March 17 – 26, 2017
September 15 – 24, 2017
September 25 – October 4, 2017
November 6 – 15, 2017
February 9 – 18, 2018
March 9 – 18, 2018
September 24 – October 3, 2018
November 2 – 11, 2018
February 22 – March 3, 2019
September 6 – 15, 2019
February 14 – 21, 2020
September 22 – 30, 2020
September 23 – October 1, 2021
February 20 – 28, 2022
February 12 – 20, 2023
September 20 – 28, 2023
February 25 – March 4, 2024
September 28 - October 6, 2024
February 20 - 28, 2025
March 16 - 24, 2025
June 15 - 23, 2025
Avoid 6 common landscape composition mistakes with real examples and practical tips in this video (Part 2). Watch Part 1 for an even deeper dive into composition errors, and get ready to improve your landscape shots before joining one of our upcoming photo expeditions!
Watch Part 1 here
Watch this exciting behind-the-scenes video from our photo expeditions to the stunning summer Lofoten Islands, Norway. Get an exclusive look at our past photography trips and see how our workshops and expeditions come to life. Want to join us for the 2026 Midnight Sun Expedition? Learn hands-on techniques, capture breathtaking landscapes, and experience the beauty of the Arctic like never before. Don’t miss your chance to be part of our next adventure!
