Mark McColl Photography

Svalbard Photography Workshop

23rd September – 1st October 2023 (8 nights)

Co-led by Lee Frost and Mark McColl

£7300 per person - fully booked

This will quite literally be the trip of a lifetime, travelling deep into the arctic on a vessel exclusively for our own use. At around 78 degrees north, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard has the worlds most northerly settlement (Longyearbyen) and sits approximately midway between the northern coast of mainland Norway and the north pole.

Svalbard has three broad seasons – Polar Summer, Northern lights winter, and Sunny winter. Polar summer commences in May, when the midnight sun dominates the sky. Our trip will take place in late polar summer – when we have sunrises, sunsets, low angled light and the potential for gorgeous colour. This only happens for a short period each year. During our trip we’ll have roughly 12 hrs of light each day, giving us plenty of time to indulge ourselves in the type of photography many can only dream of. And at night there is a fair chance of seeing the aurora borealis if skies are clear and there is solar activity.

We’ll have a polar exploration vessel (MS Stockholm) for our own exclusive use for 8 nights. The group size is limited to 10 photographers plus tutors Lee Frost and Mark McColl, meaning the trip is geared firmly towards getting amazing images. Having the vessel to ourselves means that we can be much more flexible in terms of where we go, although that may depend on weather, ice and even animals! Flexibility is the key. The M/S Stockholm is, relatively speaking, a small vessel, meaning that we can get much closer to the wildlife and landscape than in larger vessels, and of course being in a dedicated photography group means that we can prioritise the subjects that we wish to shoot.

On board there’ll also be 2 experienced guides from Polar Quest, and we’ll have 2 zodiacs to make landings or for cruising closer to wildlife. We’d expect to be able to photograph polar bears, seal and walrus, plus possibly whales, arctic fox and a variety of birdlife. And (of course) we’ll be shooting amazing landscapes and icebergs.

The trip price includes full board accommodation (all meals, including beers / wine / soft drinks) for 8 nights, based on 2 sharing a cabin with private facilities, and all zodiac launches.

The starting point for the trip is Longyearbyen - accessible via a direct flight from Oslo airport. Lee and Mark will circulate recommended flights nearer the time of the trip.

Included:

• 8 nights accommodation - shared cabin for 2 on board the MS Stockholm, with private facilities in each cabin

• 2 expedition leaders from Polar Quest

• All meals on board the ship (breakfasts, lunch, dinner)

• All drinks on board the ship (including alcoholic beverages – beer, wine)

• Use of zodiac craft

• Tuition from Lee Frost and Mark McColl

Excluded:

• Travel to / from Longyearbyen

• Insurance (each participant must have adequate travel insurance)

• Meals / drinks not specified above

• Customary gratuity for the ship’s crew

• Hotel costs related to fitting in with flight schedule

Payment schedule

Initial deposit - £1500

Second payment (due before 1/12/22) - £1500

Final payment (due before 1/6/23) - £4300

Bookings are made through Lee Frost's website:

Lee Frost Photography

or you can email me at

Mark McColl

A bit about our Ship, the M/S Stockholm…

The M/S Stockholm was built in 1953 for the Swedish national maritime administration. She was totally refitted in 1998 for use as a polar passenger ship and can carry up to 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities with portholes, and the ship itself has beautiful brass details and wooden decks. She has been navigating the waters around Svalbard for around 20 years. The standard of cuisine on board is high, and with such a small group on board this could be likened to travelling on a private yacht. Hopefully we might get the opportunity to venture on deck with a glass of wine and watch the aurora borealis twist and turn overhead! For more information on the ship, please visit the following link:

MS Stockholm