Fairbanks: Aurora Portrait Tour with Pro Photographer & Hot Pizza

Summary

Northern lights portraits fairbanks pro photographer pizza night

You’ll head out from Fairbanks into real Alaskan winter darkness with a small group and an expert photographer as your guide. Stay warm in a heated shelter while waiting for the aurora borealis to show up overhead. Enjoy piping hot stone-fired pizza, warming drinks, and get professional portraits under the northern lights—plus tips on shooting your own photos if you want them. It’s an experience that lingers long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

Nathan met us in Fairbanks with this big grin, handing out hand warmers before we even got in the van. He asked if I’d ever seen the aurora before — I admitted I hadn’t, and he just said, “Tonight’s a good night for it.” I liked that he didn’t make any promises. The drive north was quiet at first, headlights bouncing off snowdrifts. Nathan told stories about his years photographing weddings and how he switched to chasing the aurora — apparently it’s less stressful than bridezillas, which made everyone laugh. You could tell he knew these roads by heart.

We stopped maybe 30 miles out of Fairbanks — hard to keep track in the dark, honestly — at a spot Nathan said usually “plays nice” with the lights. He set up this heated shelter (which was a lifesaver; my toes were already numb) and started prepping his camera gear. There was this smell of wood smoke from somewhere nearby, mixed with cold air so sharp it almost stung your nose. Nathan talked us through what to expect and how he’d get our aurora portraits using his own lighting tricks — not just snapshots but actual studio-level shots under all that sky. He even showed me how to set my phone for night photos (I still messed it up but hey).

The pizza came out next — honestly, I didn’t expect much from a portable oven in Alaska at midnight, but it was weirdly perfect: crispy crust, gooey cheese, steam rising into the freezing air while we waited for the sky to do its thing. Someone spilled chai on their gloves and we all laughed because it instantly froze. Nathan kept checking the sky and suddenly just said quietly, “There it is.” The first green ribbons showed up so slowly you almost doubted they were real until they started moving for real overhead. He called us out one by one for portraits — standing there in borrowed boots and too many layers while he fiddled with lights and focus. It felt awkward but also kind of magical? Like you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

I still think about that silence when everyone just looked up — no one talking or even shuffling around much. Later Nathan sent us these wild photos where you could see our faces lit up against those swirling colors. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like hanging out with someone who genuinely loves what he does (and knows how not to freeze his guests). We drove back to Fairbanks sometime after 3am, tired but wired from all that cold and color. Not sure I’ll ever see anything quite like that again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aurora viewing and portrait photography

• Drive 15-40 miles north of Fairbanks
• Set up heated warming shelter
• Enjoy complimentary gourmet pizza
• Drink hot cocoa, coffee, and teas
• Learn aurora science and photography tips
• Take professional aurora portraits
• Trek through frozen tundra under northern lights
• Capture timelapse video of the night sky

Top questions

How far from Fairbanks does this aurora tour go?

The tour drives 15-40 miles north of Fairbanks to find optimal viewing spots for the northern lights.

Is professional photography included on this aurora tour?

Yes, you get studio-quality portraits under the aurora plus landscape shots at no extra cost.

What food is served during the northern lights tour?

A variety of hot gourmet pizzas are cooked fresh in a flame-broil oven during the tour.

Are drinks provided on this Fairbanks aurora trip?

Yes—hot chocolate, chai tea, coffee, apple cider and black tea are included free of charge.

What happens if there’s no aurora on my night?

If you don’t get aurora photos on your tour night, you’re eligible for a second tour free within two years (subject to availability).

How many people are on each aurora portrait tour?

This is a small group experience—only 10 guests per night are booked.

Is there somewhere warm to wait during the tour?

A cozy heated shelter is set up at each location so guests can stay warm between photo sessions.

Can I use my own camera on this northern lights trip?

Yes—Nathan will give tips on photographing the aurora with your own camera or phone if you want.

What’s included

Your night includes roundtrip transport from Fairbanks out into prime aurora territory north of town; use of hand and toe warmers plus headlamps as needed; access to a heated shelter with stools; complimentary gourmet pizzas cooked fresh in a stone-fired oven; unlimited hot chocolate, chai tea, coffee or cider; digital photo album featuring both landscape shots and professional aurora portraits; plus an Aurora Guarantee offering another free tour if conditions don’t deliver visible northern lights in your photos.