Winter Light in the Lofoten Islands
An Immersive Photography Workshop
February 15th-21st, 2027
The dramatic landscapes, Arctic light, and deep history of Norway’s Lofoten Islands have captivated artists for centuries. This winter, we invite you to an immersive five-day photography workshop on Lofoten’s wild outer coast, co-led by acclaimed photographers Acacia Johnson and Tor Edvin Eliassen.
Through fieldwork, lectures, feedback sessions, and guided excursions into the Northern Norwegian landscape, Acacia and Tor Edvin will help our small group of participants develop the skills to tell compelling visual stories about the natural world. In the ever-changing light of winter, we will dive into the region’s mythology, history, and folklore, relying on local expertise to visit hidden sites in the Lofoten Islands far from the beaten track.
Our time together will balance classroom sessions (exploring light, emotion, composition, narrative, and technical skills) with conceptual guidance and daily photographic excursions. Every day, we will visit a new location in Lofoten to photograph the natural world during the hours of painterly light of sunrise and/or sunset. These outings will give each student ample opportunities to hone their skills, take creative risks, and create a new body of work.
Weather permitting, there may be possibilities for aurora sightings.
Participants Will Leave With:
-
A stronger grasp of their photography skills, approaches to editing & sequencing, and personal vision.
-
A new body of work grounded in place and visual narrative.
-
Greater confidence working in winter conditions.
-
Personalized, constructive feedback from the instructors and fellow workshop participants.
-
Incredible memories from Lofoten and a new creative community.
Beyond the structured sessions, there will be plenty of informal opportunities to socialize over shared meals, during drives, and after dinner.
Location
Our workshop will take place at Villa Lofoten, a unique collection of restored historic houses once used by fishermen and farmers in the quiet coastal village of Kvalnes, located on the rugged outer edge of the Lofoten Islands. Original materials have been preserved and combined with curated Scandinavian design and art, creating spaces that feel both authentic and contemporary. The remote and retreat-like setting offers a rare sense of stillness — shaped by the sea, the weather, and the changing light. Read more about Villa Lofoten.
The nearest airports to Kvalnes are Leknes (LEK), a 35-min drive away, and Svolvær (SVJ), a 55-min drive away.
Your Instructors
Acacia Johnson
Acacia Johnson is a photographer, writer, and 2023 National Geographic Explorer from Alaska, focused on the environment and the connections between people and place. Her photographic practice stems from a reverence for the natural world, a curiosity about the people who live closely with it, and a sense of the land as a place of transcendence and transformation.
Acacia’s photographs have been exhibited internationally and are housed in collections at the Anchorage Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian, among many others. In 2020, she was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Art and Style, and in 2021 received the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant. She was the 2022 recipient of the ICP Infinity Awards for Documentary Practices and Photojournalism.
Tor Edvin Eliassen
Tor Edvin Eliassen is an award-winning cinematographer and photographer from a small village in Northern Norway. From character-driven documentaries in the Arctic landscape to dynamic music videos set against Namibian sand dunes, Eliassen is known for his evocative cinematography and ability to capture authentic human experiences – even in the most extreme environments. When working with people, he combines technical excellence with a friendly, genuine demeanor that puts everyone around him at ease.
Eliassen studied filmmaking at Nordland College of Art and Film in Lofoten, Norway, and the Polish National Film School in Łódź, Poland. Most recently, he was the cinematographer for Folktales, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. Premiering at Sundance 2025, the documentary captures Norway’s Pasvik Folk High School and its students’ transformative journeys learning survival skills and dogsledding in the Arctic wilderness. In 2026, Folktales was shortlisted for the Oscars, and Eliassen was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, Cinema Eye Awards, and the American Society of Cinematographers Awards. He spends most of his time in Lofoten when not on set.
Selected photographs from Lofoten by Acacia & Tor Edvin
Details & Practical Information
Fee:
This course costs € 3,900.
The workshop fee includes all instruction, excursions, shared transportation, meals, and a private bedroom at one of Villa Lofotens restored historical houses with high standard and a private or shared bathroom.
All meals are made with local ingredients of the best quality and served at Villa Lofoten’s own restaurant, beginning with a welcome dinner on the day of arrival and finishing with breakfast on the morning of departure. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.
We arrange airport pickup and will provide shared vehicles for transportation during the workshop. Participants are welcome to rent their own cars if desired.
Schedule:
We will meet at Villa Lofoten on the afternoon of February 15th, 2027, for an orientation and welcome dinner.
Our 5 action-packed course days will run from February 16th-20th from approximately 8 am to 6 pm, with optional activities before breakfast and after dinner.
Departure will be on the morning of February 21st, after breakfast.
Application:
The course is limited to 12 participants, with a minimum of 6.
To apply for the photo workshop, please send 20-30 of your photographs, a brief artist statement, and an optional CV to booking@villalofoten.com by November 30th, 2026.
Accepted applicants will be notified by December 5th.
A 50% deposit is required upon acceptance to secure your spot, with the balance due by January 1st, 2027.
For any questions or inquiries, please send us an email:
We look forward to seeing you in Lofoten!
