The plane touched down on the gravel runway in Kulusuk and as I stepped outside, the crisp Greenlandic air was a welcome feeling. Framed by enormous mountains a beautiful fjord became visible in front of me. Normally airports don’t offer such a stunning view, but here we are. A boat was waiting at the docks to move us to Tasiilaq, the start of this photography adventure. What does it take to get here and how would you prepare for it?
East Greenland is a photographer’s dream—a beautiful and raw region where icebergs tower like cathedrals, and fjords carve deep into the landscape. The untouched beauty of this remote region offers unique opportunities to capture interesting moments. Unlike more tourist-heavy destinations, East Greenland remains a place of discovery, where you can immerse yourself in the vastness of the Arctic. With its rough and mostly unnamed mountains, a diversity of glaciers and dancing northern lights during winter time, its’ an ideal destination for a photography adventure.
Beyond its stunning nature, East Greenland’s culture adds depth to your photographic storytelling. The small settlements such as Tinit and Kuummiut showcase traditional Inuit life in this Arctic environment. From colorful wooden houses on the icy shores to the everyday life in the harbor, every corner offers a glimpse into the Greenlandic culture.
East Greenland offers both opportunities and challenges for photographers, and it helps if you come well prepared regarding photography gear. A weather-sealed camera is essential to withstand cold, moisture, and wind. Especially when photographing from a boat you might get the occasional splash of water over the side. Combine that with freezing temperatures and the conditions will be quite the challenge.
Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing the vastness of the fjords – as well as capturing the night sky and northern lights – while a telephoto lens allows you to zoom in on wildlife , such as whales or seabirds. Also, a telephoto lens is perfect for capturing those intricate details in a mountainous landscape, or compressing the frame with small houses in front of large mountains. Don’t forget a sturdy tripod to stabilize your shots, especially for long exposures during Northern Lights photography.
Battery life is a major consideration in freezing conditions, as the cold can quickly deplete power. Pack multiple batteries and keep them close to your body to maintain warmth. Similarly, bringing enough memory cards is recommended.. Finally a quick tip: only take your camera inside when you are certain you are not photographing anything for the next hour, since your lens might fog up leaving your camera useless for the coming hour or so. I usually leave my camera right outside the door and take both memory cards and batteries with me inside.
Appropriate clothing is key to a successful photography tour. I always dress according to the layering system. A good moisture regulating base layer, an insulating middle layer and a waterproof and windproof outer shell. For a base layer my best experiences are with merino wool, since it keeps you warm in cold circumstances, even if it gets wet.
Next to the clothing layers gloves and footwear are important to look into. For gloves it’s recommended to bring both thin quick drying gloves as well as well insulated thick gloves, preferably made with leather or gore tex. The thin gloves work well when you have to quickly adjust some settings on your camera, while the thicker gloves will keep you warm when standing still for a longer time; for example on a boat. As for footwear it depends on whether you are mostly hiking or doing your photography from a boat. When you have to stand still often, those insulated waterproof snow boots work well to keep your feet warm, especially when combined with thick merino wool socks. When hiking I always opt for hiking boots with a mid to high ankle with an outer layer of leather and an inner layer made of gore tex. And of course, don’t forget a good warm hat! You know the drill by now: get one made of merino wool.
Greenland’s weather is as dynamic as its landscapes. One moment, the sun might shine over the fjord as if it were the perfect summer day, and the next day snow might cover the surroundings. Checking the weather forecast daily and consulting with the local tourism office can help you plan your shoots effectively.
Wind is another major factor in East Greenland, often making conditions feel much colder than the thermometer indicates. Especially when booking your flights in and out of Greenland it is recommended to build in some margin. When the weather doesn’t allow your flight to head out on time, it would be great to have some spare time to get to your connected flight on your next destination, for example in Iceland.
The unpredictable weather will however ensure that you get the most interesting circumstances from a photography point of view. And that’s exactly what we are here for.
Your photography adventure in East Greenland starts way before you even arrive. A good planning is very important, especially since transportation and logistics might be very complicated and expensive because of the remoteness and ever changing weather conditions. Reaching out to local tour operators to make a general day-to-day itinerary while building in flexibility to switch things around to align with the weather forecast might be helpful.
Once you arrive at your base for the trip – which is probably Tasiilaq – make yourself comfortable with the surroundings and people: visit the local shop for groceries, get a Greenlandic sim card to stay in touch with the homefront and go on a little walk through town. Cultural elements are always a very important aspect on photography trips like this and familiarizing yourself with the way people live their life is a sign of respect and might even get you into more interesting photo opportunities. When visiting Greenland’s small settlements, be respectful of local customs and ask for permission before photographing people.
An East Greenland photography tour often consists of a combination of hiking and boat rides, visiting settlements and exploring glaciers and of course tasting local food, meeting new people and shooting memorable photos.
Our photo expedition is created to get the most out of your time in this incredible region, providing access to the best locations at the right times. We go out for sunrise shoots, stay on the water during sunset to photograph those beautiful icebergs, hike to the top of the mountain for stunning panoramic views and of course search for the northern lights.
Find more information about the next photography expedition here:
East Greenland photography expedition