Leica Photo Adventure: Greenland | August 7-12, 2024
$6,895 ($2,495 Deposit)
Workshop at a Glance
Physical Activity
Photographic Intensity
Classroom Instruction Climate/Weather Severity
Food and Accommodations
Good for Non-photographers-
Join Leica Store Miami on a once in a lifetime adventure to Greenland, home of the most incredible icebergs in the world! We will be based out the coastal town of Ilulissat in western Greenland which is about 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This quaint town is situated right on the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are no highways in Greenland and getting around by land is challenging. So we've chartered two private boats for the entirety of our adventure. Much of our traveling and photography will happen at night, when the "midnight sun" offers the best light to work with and the conditions are unlike anything you've ever experienced.
We'll explore the Icefjord as well as Disko Bay, known for its humpback whales, seals and other wildlife. Out on the Icefjord, the water is glassy calm and there are next to no waves, so we should have plenty of opportunities to photograph amazing icebergs, spot wildlife and capture incredible mirror-like reflections.
More often than not we will begin our sessions after dinner, chasing the best light and the most spectacular scenes. With the sun low on the horizon the light will become more saturated, with deep icy blues and a sky tinged with fiery reds. This magical light lasts between 2 to 4 hours, so we will try and make the most of it!
This tour is suitable for all levels of experience and ability. While other cameras are certainly allowed, the focus is on Leica camera systems and learning how to use them to their full potential. Current owners as well as those wanting to try Leica gear out for a week of real shooting are encouraged to attend. We’ll share our favorite tips and tricks so you can get the most out of this exceptional gear.
Leica experts Colin McKinley and Kirsten Vignes from Leica Store Miami along with two specialist photographer/guides will be on hand to give assistance and advice as you photograph this extraordinary part of our world.We’ll have two experienced captains who are accustomed to working with photographers, know the area well, and have an uncanny knack of sussing out great spots from behind the helm. Please note that the itinerary proposed is subject to the weather conditions. One thing we can promise is that we’ll take you to the best locations and help you walk away with a catalog of inspiring photographs you’ll be proud of.
Why this trip is differentMany Greenland trips are spent aboard the cramped cabin of a large ship, but we'll spend our down time at the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. This guarantees that the group will be well rested, properly fed, and within walking distance of plenty of Greenlandic culture for varied photo opportunities when not at sea.
Unlike most photo workshops, we'll do the majority of our shooting after dinner and into the early morning as this is when we'll find the best light. During the day, we'll rest up, gather for post-processing and critique sessions and explore the town. Ilulissat is known for its colorful houses, dog sleds, museums, fish markets, and hospitable locals. In short, there’s plenty to do when we're not chasing down picture-perfect postcard shots on the water.
What to Expect
- Capture the beautiful landscapes and seascapes of the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay. We'll sail among the greatest icebergs in the world in amazing light!
- Explore Rodebay, a Greenlandic settlement reachable only by sea.
- See whales and other animals up close and personal.
- Stay in a comfortable arctic hotel and have a unique taste of Greenland with gourmet 3-course dinners each night.
- Cruise each night on two private charter sail boats.
- Learn from in-field instruction, as well as post-processing and critique sessions during the daytime.
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Dates:
Wednesday, August 7 - Monday, August 12, 2024
Cost:
$6895 - Double occupancy lodging (Single room available for $1000)
*We have booked standard rooms for this trip, but the Hotel Arctic does offer luxury room/suite upgrades. If interested, email us for pricing and availability.Size:
Limited to 16 attendees
Included in the cost of the trip:
- Double occupancy lodging in the Hotel Arctic - (Single room available for $1000) *We have booked standard rooms for this trip, but the Hotel Arctic does offer luxury room/suite upgrades. If interested, email us for pricing and availability.
- All meals except lunches and alcohol
- Gratuities for guides and boat crews
- Private boat charter
- Transfers to and from airport
- Port taxes, fees and fuel
- In-the-field photography instruction
- Adobe Lightroom post processing instruction
- 1-on-1 critique/review sessions
Not included in the cost of the trip:
- Airfare
- Medical/Travel/Gear insurance
- Lunches
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visas (if applicable; free for US citizens)
Signing Up
To sign up for this photo adventure, call 305-921-4433, email us (workshops@leicastoremiami.com) or checkout here on our website. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to seeing you in Greenland!
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Ilulissat
We recommend booking a flight that arrives in Ilulissat in the early afternoon. If you're flying from Europe, you can take AirGreenland from Copenhagen (usually connecting through Kangerlussuaq). If you're flying from North America, you can take a direct flight on Icelandair from Keflavik International Airport - KEF. Keep in mind that Icelandair may not offer daily flights to Ilulissat. Whichever flight you choose, make sure to arrive before 5:00pm on the 7th. The Hotel Arctic provides an airport shuttle so we will coordinate pick-up times once we have everyone's flight information.We'll meet at 5:00pm in the hotel restaurant to get to know one another, talk about the trip and enjoy a welcome dinner. After dinner we'll board our vessels and depart to the Icefjord! We'll photograph amazing icebergs during 2 or 3 hours of magical light and then head back to the hotel.
Day 2 - Ilulissat and Disko Bay
You'll have the morning to yourself during which time you can have breakfast, rest up or explore Ilulissat. We'll get together in the afternoon for a post-processing and Q&A session. Afterwards, we’ll have a fairly leisurely afternoon and plan for the evening ahead. After dinner we will once again sail out into the icefjord.
We will hunt for some open-water icebergs which vary in size and shape, all the while keeping our eyes peeled for whales and dolphins. Be prepared to see castles, archways, towers and more under the midnight sun.
Days 3 - Disko Bay and Oqaatsut (Rodebay)
You'll have the morning off but after lunch, we’ll hop aboard our boat and head to the village of Oqaatsut (Rodebay). Oqaatsut is a small settlement to the north of Ilulissat. There, we will take a walk through the village which currently has under 30 inhabitants.
We will eat out that evening, in what is known as the “whalehunter’s pub”, a small restaurant with a big history.
Day 4 - Ilulissat, Icefjord
You'll have this morning to yourself, but after lunch, we'll meet for another post-processing and critique session. As evening rolls around again, we’ll prepare for another night out on the water. Just before midnight we will once again set sail, skirting around the Icefjord in search of the best compositions and light conditions. The area is a UNESCO world heritage site after all, so it’s definitely worth visiting as much as possible. After several hours gliding over the wave less expanse, we will head back to port.Day 5 - Icefjord
After breakfast we will spend some time on post processing and critique. By this point in the expedition, you will have a ton of photos to process and edit. As evening falls we will once again set sail in search of icebergs, wildlife and amazing light.Day 6 - Departure
Day six will be our last in Greenland. After a hearty breakfast we will say our goodbyes. Transfers back to the airport are included, but you may want to consider more time in Greenland or perhaps a short Iceland tour. -
Payment
A $2495 deposit, along with the single supplement room fee if you choose it, is due at the time of registration. The balance will be due on May 7, 2024.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Enrollment is limited to 16 participants, and once you sign up, we are counting on your attendance. If you need to withdraw from this workshop, please notify us in writing (email is acceptable) as soon as possible. This is our refund policy:
If you cancel and we find someone to fill your seat, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $250 service charge. If you cancel and we cannot find someone to fill your seat, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule:
At least 90 days before the start of the workshop: Full refund minus $250 service fee.
Between 89 and 60 days before the start of the workshop: 75% refund
Between 59 and 45 days before the start of the workshop: 50% refund
Less than 45 days from the start of the workshop: No refundCourse Cancellation and Other Terms
Leica Store Miami reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by 90 days prior to the start of the workshop.
In the event that this workshop must be canceled due to inadequate enrollment, all fees and deposits will be refunded in full or may be transferred to another workshop within 24 months.
In the unlikely event of illness, accident or injury to one of the instructors, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to replace that instructor with a comparable instructor.
In the event of a natural disaster or severe weather event, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to postpone or cancel the workshop.Medical Insurance (required)
Emergency medical insurance through a provider like Allianz or similar is required to participate in any of Leica Store Miami's international workshop.
Travel Insurance (STRONGLY recommended)Leica Store Miami is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or personal emergencies so we highly recommend purchasing travel Insurance. Companies like Travelex and Allianz Global Assistance are reputable but you can choose any vendor you like. Just make sure that they have an A+ rating from the BBB. Leica Store Miami is not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a workshop cancellation.
Camera Gear Insurance (STRONGLY recommended)
We advise all of our workshop attendees to insure their camera gear against damage, theft, loss, etc. If your gear is not already insured, check with your home owner's insurance to see if they offer coverage. There are several photo specific insurance policies out there as well.
Communicable Illness Protocols
Our main goal on all of our tours is to keep everyone safe. To that end, we ask that everyone do their best to avoid exposure to communicable diseases like Covid-19, influenza, RSV, etc before and during our trip. If someone in our group becomes ill on the trip and we deem it to be harmful to the group, we reserve the right to remove them from group activities where social distancing is not possible.Single Room Policy
If you sign-up for double occupancy room sharing and there are no other attendees to pair you with, you will be responsible for paying the single room supplement.
Transfers
If for any reason you wish to transfer your deposit or workshop fee, please notify us by email. You must register and complete a new workshop within 24 months of the withdrawal. We reserve the right to accept or deny any transfer.
There are no exceptions to our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.
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