NORTHERN NIGHTS
Join me for a three-night/ four-day photography workshop in a retreat setting held at Blachford Lake Lodge and Wilderness Resort, northern Canada's premier all-season eco-lodge. During the day, participants will attend workshop sessions, where you will be instructed in various tips, settings, and compositional techniques, which you can put to use in the evenings during our in-field exercises. Evenings will be spent capturing images of the aurora borealis, enjoying bonfire pits, an Aurora viewing lounge, and a hot tub. As well, there will be time to enjoy activities around the lodge such as fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, a sauna, or just relaxing by the lake.
Join me on an adventure that will transform your photography and help create lasting memories and connections with fellow photographers. Don't miss an opportunity to make a lasting impact with your art!
TRIP DATES
September 28 - October 1 2024
LOCATION
Blachford Lake Lodge, NWT
COST
$5275 Canadian Dollars
GROUP SIZE
Minimum 2
Maximum 4
(more dependant on lodge availability)
DIFFICULTY
Easy hiking and walking
The aurora borealis (northern lights) dancing overhead of Blachford Lake Lodge in the NWT.
ITINERARY
Day One - Saturday, September 28
Meet at the designated float base in Yellowknife to embark on our 25-minute float plane ride into the remote wilderness, leaving the hustle and bustle of the "Big City" behind. Upon arriving at Blachford, guests check in and explore the resort and grounds. Later in the afternoon, we meet as a group to officially kick off the workshop. There will be coffee and snacks while we become acquainted and go over the agenda for the next few days. We will also take this opportunity to discuss camera settings and compositional techniques for shooting the aurora. Following this, dinner prepared by the in-house chef will be served. After dinner, our evening of aurora shooting begins and will last until approximately 1 am.
Day Two - Sunday, September 29
Participants wake up at their leisure and enjoy the morning at the lodge. You may wish to start your day off with a kayak on the lake, followed by a dip in the hot tub. You may choose to hike, fish, or do yoga. All of these activities can be arranged via the lodge. After lunch, we meet as a group to review images captured the night before. We will look at what worked and what didn't. There will be time for an editing session, if people wish to edit their images and ask for help. We will then have dinner, and prep for another night of shooting the Aurora, which will again last until approximately 1 am.
Day Three - Monday, September 30
Day three starts much like the day before, with participants being able to sleep in or take part in the lodge's activities. After lunch, our classroom session begins with a group critique. Participants are encouraged to prepare a few photos which will be presented to the group. We will discuss what worked, and what might be tried differently next time. This will be followed up by an informal editing session. After dinner, our final night of aurora shooting begins. Again, shooting the aurora will last until about 1 am.
Day Four - Tuesday, October 1
Our final morning is for packing up our cabins and enjoying a group breakfast before our float plane comes to take us back to Yellowknife.
Workshop cost: $5275 per person
Full payment can be made at the time of registration. A $1000 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot can also be made, with the balance due on July 15, 2024. If this payment method doesn't work for you, please contact me to see if we can make alternate arrangements.
Cancellation policy: registration is non-refundable, but is transferable. This means that if a participant is unable to make it, but can find someone else to take their spot, this is acceptable.
Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each cabin is based on double occupancy and will be separated by male and female occupants unless sharing a room with friends or couples. Limited single occupancy is available at an additional cost. If there are no more rooms available in the cabins, a lodge room may still be available that we can accommodate you in. Please contact me for any information.
About Blachford Lake Lodge
Our fall season provides great outdoor opportunities and excellent aurora viewing at the lodge. You can visit our website and our Facebook Page here.
If your dream is to see the Aurora Borealis, here are some reasons why Blachford Lake Lodge can make this dream come true:
The Northwest Territories has been credited the “Aurora Capital of the World”; there is a 98% chance of seeing the Aurora during a three night visit. Its capital, Yellowknife, is located right underneath the Auroral Oval which makes it one of the top locations for Aurora viewing.
Our lodge is only accessible by bush plane as there are no roads to Blachford Lake Lodge. Due to our remote location there is no light pollution from nearby towns, cities, cabins, or road traffic; you won’t see anyone other than other lodge guests and staff while you stay with us.
At Blachford Lake Lodge you can view the Aurora from the comfort of your own room, just outside your room or cabin, the dining room and lounge areas, from our two Aurora viewing decks, the hot tub or sauna, the tipi.
We are open during the fall from mid August through Mid October. Some guests prefer dates close to the dark phase of the moon while some prefer dates closer to the full moon to have the chance to view the Aurora and full moon simultaneously. Seeing as the Aurora are an all-natural phenomena, it is very hard to predict the intensity of the Aurora during a specific period of time, but the longer you stay, the higher your chances will be to view the Aurora (plus, you’ll have more time to relax and to take advantage of the outdoor activities offered at the lodge).
Getting Here
Our lodge is the only fly-in wilderness resort on Blachford Lake, which is a remote 17 kilometers (12 mile) lake. The lodge is a 25-minute bush plane flight from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories and is located north of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. Yellowknife is easily accessible with daily flight service from most major U.S. and Canadian cities, and same-day connections through Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. Currently, the airlines flying into Yellowknife from major southern centers are:
· Canadian North: www.canadiannorth.com
· Air Canada: www.aircanada.com
· West Jet: www.westjet.ca
Scheduled departure days from Yellowknife to the lodge are Tuesday and Saturday. During our fall season most of our flights depart Yellowknife between 10am-13:00pm. We suggest strongly that you book pre/post nights in Yellowknife. Please ask if you would like us to assist with booking these nights.
Accommodations & Facilities
Accommodations at Blachford Lake Lodge include five guest bedrooms in the main lodge and five cozy log cabins – all include daily housekeeping, towels, and down duvets. All five of the hand-built log cabins are fully equipped with a wood stove, electricity, and are within a few minute walk from the main lodge. Our main lodge facilities include a dining room, conference room, Aurora-viewing lounge, bar, full kitchen, showers and full bathrooms, fireplaces, sauna, hot tub, and open decks for Aurora viewing – all the amenities of a “world-class” lodge. Our hot tub is the perfect place to sit back in the evening and watch the Aurora dance overhead.
The bathrooms in the lodge are shared, with hot showers and high-tech composting toilets. Being so far from town, we have to create/supply all our own electricity, water, heating and waste/garbage disposal. We are committed to doing this in the most eco-friendly manner, hence our composting toilets. The individual guest rooms in our lodge do not have their own washroom facilities but we do have showers, basins and toilets on each of the lodge’s two floors. All of our hand crafted cabins have been outfitted with high-tech en suite, composting toilets, and wash basins. Please check this link for more pictures of our accommodation - Blachford - Accommodation.
Lodge rooms are located on the 2nd floor of the main lodge, toilets and showers are down the hall. These are closer to the lodge amenities. Cabins are a 1-3 minute walk from the main loge, have wood stoves and ensuite toilets, showers are in the main lodge. These offer more privacy.
Activities
Our autumn season is a great time for Aurora viewing as well as fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating and hiking. While hiking around the lodge grounds, you will also discover an abundance of northern wildflowers and berries, eagles, loons and beaver dams. Spend your evenings lounging in our hot tub, or detoxing in our lakefront sauna. Late summer/autumn (mid-August to October) is a great time to listen to the loons while watching the Aurora reflect in the water.
If you’d like to try fishing during your stay, please visit: https://licences.enr.gov.nt.ca/
What’s Included
All photo instruction
Return air charter from Yellowknife to Blachford Lake Lodge
Welcome drink on arrival
Accommodation (cabin) with daily housekeeping
Three delicious meals per day, prepared by our in-house chef
Snacks, juice and coffee are available throughout the day
Use of Lodge Facilities: dining room, Aurora viewing lounge, fireplaces, northern library, bathrooms with showers, basins and toilets, open decks
Use of seasonal equipment: we have canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, fat tire bikes, hiking trails
2 guided activities daily
Use of hot tub, sauna, tipi, bonfire pits, etc. at your leisure
Option to participate in different handicraft activities
Yoga equipment available for personal use
AuroraWatch service nightly (until 3 am)
What’s Not Included
Travel to/from Yellowknife
Any accomodations pre/post workshop in Yellowknife
Travel insurance
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic drinks
Guided fishing tours
Preparation and Tips
Here are a few tips to make the most out of your astrophotography adventure:
1. Gear: A camera, lenses, and sturdy tripod. Lots of memory cards and extra batteries.
2. Clothing: Pack warm clothing as temperatures can get cold and drop significantly during the night.
3. Planning: We will be here during the new moon phase, giving us the darkest skies possible. The sun will set around 1930, so we can begin our aurora hunt early in the evening.
4. Protect your equipment: Be mindful of these regions' dry, dusty conditions. Use lens hoods and protective covers for your camera gear to prevent damage.
5. Safety: We are going nowhere that is considered unsafe, but you must be aware of hazards. The trails/paths are rocky and uneven. There is also a need to pay attention to wildlife such as bears, and take the appropriate deterrents when out exploring.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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-Passport and/or any travel documents required
-Warm clothing (yes, the weather can get very cold)
-Bathing suit
-Sunglasses
-Comfortable shoes
-Sunscreen and lip balm
-Refillable water bottle
-Medication
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1. Trip Cancellation
In the unfortunate event that your trip needs to be cancelled or curtailed due to unexpected circumstances such as illness, injury, or unforeseen events.
2. Medical Expenses
Medical emergencies can occur while travelling, regardless of how careful you are. Make sure your insurance policy covers necessary medical expenses, such as hospitalization, surgery, medications, and emergency medical evacuation, ensuring that you receive the best possible care without financial burden.
3. Personal Belongings
Belongings are of course valuable to you, which is why your policy should cover lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, as well as personal items.
4. Trip Delay and/or Interruption
Unforeseen events or circumstances such as natural disasters, severe weather conditions, or strikes can lead to significant trip delays or interruptions.
5. Emergency Assistance
Whether you need help with medical coordination, travel arrangements, or language translation in case of emergencies.
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You will be staying in cabins every night, and all rooms will be based on double occupancy. If groups of friends want to share a space, this is also available.
If all spaces in the cabins sell out, there may be rooms available in the lodge.
A single supplement is available for an additional fee. This is dependent on the availability of the accommodation.
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You can bring all the luggage you are able and want to travel with. It is recommended that it does not exceed 18kg. It will go on top of the 4x4, protected with a waterproof insulator.
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Towards the end of September, the temperature can be anywhere from 10ºC to -10ºC. It is not uncommon for it to get even colder in the night, so please bring appropriate clothing. The lodge has clothing for rent if you do not have the proper gear
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Yes, you just need to let me know! I will pass along the information to the lodge staff who will be more than happy to accommodate. We will have a menu ready for your diet.
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You may wish to carry cash for any purchases in Yellowknife or at the lodge, although cards will work at both locations.
Insurance Policy
All participants must have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as any medical or emergency rescue coverage. Proof of insurance is required a month prior to the start date of the expedition. Please refer to the FAQ for a list of what is required from your insurance policy.
Cancellation Policy and Payment Plan
Unexpected circumstances can arise, causing the need for cancellations. While the deposit is non-refundable, it is transferable to another person. With this policy, if you are unable to attend, you have the option to transfer your reservation to another individual. This ensures that your investment is not wasted and that someone else can benefit from the experience.
Additionally, a convenient payment plan is offered. This option allows you to spread out the cost of your reservation over a period of time, making it easier to fit into your budget. With the non-refundable transferable cancellation policy and payment plan, we strive to provide participants with peace of mind and flexibility.
A minimum of two participants is needed for this workshop to proceed. If these numbers haven’t been reached by July 15, 2024, the workshop may be cancelled and any payments will be returned.
Please see the complete list of TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
ABOUT ME
From the Canadian Arctic to the White Continent and working on everywhere in between. I’m a self-proclaimed coffee, camera, and culinary connoisseur. I’m a passionate photographer who specializes in many genres. I’m an adventurous globe-trotter who’s not overly scared of street meat. I’m a professionally trained barista, a great camp cook, a fervent podcast listener, a great friend, and an eternal optimist.
