Lapland Northern Lights Photography Class: Learn Camera Settings

Learn to photograph the northern lights instead of just watching them disappear

A two-hour northern lights photography class in Lapland, Finland, where a live guide teaches camera settings and techniques for capturing the aurora while sharing stories about arctic nature and Lapland life. The class includes transportation and pickup; children from age 3 are welcome, and the guide speaks English or Finnish.

The Experience

Two hours is enough time to cover what actually matters: the camera settings that turn the northern lights from a blur into a photograph. The guide walks through aperture, shutter speed and ISO in the context of what you're shooting, then takes you out to photograph them. You're not sitting in a heated cabin watching a slideshow—you're learning by doing it, with someone who knows how the light behaves in the arctic sky and how your camera responds to it.

Transportation is included, so you don't navigate Lapland in the dark or rent a car to chase the aurora. The guide handles the logistics of where to position yourself and when, which matters more than you'd think when you're trying to frame a shot and the lights are moving. You'll hear the stories about arctic nature and life in Lapland that give the landscape context, but the focus stays on the photography itself—what you need to know to come home with images instead of just memories.

The class works for anyone with a camera, whether you've shot in manual mode before or you're still figuring out what all the buttons do. The guide adjusts the instruction to the group, so you're not lost in technical jargon or bored by basics. Children from age 3 can join, and the guide speaks English or Finnish depending on who's in the group.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Finnish.
• transportation to and from the photography location.
• instruction on camera settings for northern lights photography.
• stories about arctic nature and Lapland life.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kairankutsu Oy

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here because the guide adjusts the camera instruction to the cameras people bring and the questions they have. If you're traveling solo or with one other person and want personalized help with your settings, you'll get it; if you're a larger group, the guide keeps everyone moving together so nobody gets left behind while someone else troubleshoots their aperture.

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Top questions

What camera do I need to photograph the northern lights in Lapland?

Any camera that shoots in manual mode will work—a DSLR, mirrorless camera or even some smartphones with manual controls. The guide teaches you how to use whatever you bring, focusing on the settings that matter for low-light photography of the aurora.

How cold is it when we're out photographing the northern lights?

Lapland temperatures vary by season, but northern lights season runs through the winter when it's well below freezing. Dress in layers and bring gloves you can work a camera in; the guide will position you where you can photograph without standing still for hours.

What if the northern lights don't appear during the class?

The class teaches camera settings and technique regardless of whether the aurora shows up that night. The guide covers the settings you'll need when the lights do appear, so you're ready for future nights in Lapland or anywhere else with a dark sky.

Is this class suitable for someone who's never used manual mode before?

Yes. The guide teaches camera settings from the ground up in the context of photographing the aurora. You don't need prior experience; you just need a camera that has manual controls and a willingness to learn how to use them.

How many people will be in the class?

The class is a small group, which keeps the instruction personalized and means the guide can help each person with their specific camera and questions without rushing through the settings.