Why March is a Prime Month for Northern Lights Viewing – The Science Behind the Spectacle
March 18, 2026
A holiday to the Arctic is full of unforgettable moments. Whether you’re capturing your children’s first husky sledding experience, the snow or the Northern Lights, you’ll want photos to remember for years to come.
To help you make the most of every photo opportunity, we’ve put together our top winter photography tips, including some handy advice for capturing the Northern Lights.
Winter Photography Tips
Protect Your Battery From the Cold
Cold Arctic temperatures can drain your phone or camera battery much faster than usual, so it’s important to be prepared. We recommend bringing a portable power bank to keep your devices charged throughout the day. When you’re not taking photos, keep your phone or camera batteries in an inside pocket, close to your body, to help keep them warm.
Capture the Winter Details
There’s so much more to photograph than just the Northern Lights! Including snowy forests, frozen lakes, huskies, reindeer, cosy log cabins and stary skies. You’ll find incredible photo opportunities around every corner. Don’t forget to look out for the smaller details, too. Frosty trees, footprints in fresh snow and beautiful Arctic sunrises and sunsets can all make stunning photographs.
Capture the Adventure
Some of the best holiday photographs are the ones that capture unforgettable experiences as they happen. Whether it’s a husky sled in action, children making snow angels, meeting the reindeer or steam rising from a hot drink, try to capture those spontaneous moments that make your holiday special. Rather than focusing entirely on posed photographs, take a few action shots to bring your Arctic memories to life!
Keep Your Fingers Warm
Taking photographs in freezing temperatures can be tricky, especially when you need to remove your gloves to adjust your camera settings or use your phone. Consider wearing touchscreen gloves or keeping hand warmers in your pockets so you can quickly warm up your fingers between photographs. Keeping your hands warm will make it much easier to enjoy capturing those magical winter moments.
Northern Lights Photography Tips
Seeing the Northern Lights is an unforgettable experience, and naturally, you’ll want to capture the moment! Photographing the Northern Lights can be a little different from taking pictures during the day, but a few simple adjustments can help you achieve some incredible results.
Turn Off Your Flash
One of the most important tips for photographing the Northern Lights is to turn off your camera or phone’s flash. Using flash won’t help illuminate the Northern Lights and can interfere with your photograph, particularly when you’re trying to capture the beautiful colours. Instead, make the most of your camera’s low-light settings to capture the natural beauty of the Northern Lights.
Use Night Mode or a Long Exposure
When photographing the Northern Lights, keeping your camera as still as possible is key.
If you’re using a smartphone, try switching to Night Mode. For cameras with manual settings, experimenting with longer exposures can help capture more light and reveal the colours of the Aurora. A small tripod can make a big difference by reducing camera shake and helping you achieve clearer photographs. Remember that if the Northern Lights are moving quickly, a shorter exposure may help preserve their beautiful shapes and details.
Light Up Your Subject
Want to capture a photograph of yourself or your family with the Northern Lights in the background? Try briefly shining a torch towards the people in your photograph to gently illuminate their faces. This can help them stand out against the darker night sky while keeping the Aurora visible behind them. Avoid using bright lights for too long, particularly when other travellers are enjoying the display.
Experiment and Be Patient
The Northern Lights are constantly changing, which means no two photographs will ever be exactly the same! Try experimenting with different angles and camera settings to discover what works best. Don’t be discouraged if your first few photographs aren’t perfect. Sometimes it takes a little patience to capture that incredible shot. And most importantly, remember to put your camera down occasionally and simply enjoy the experience of watching the Northern Lights for yourself.
Capture Memories That Last a Lifetime
Whether you’re using a professional camera or simply your smartphone, you don’t need to be an expert photographer to take wonderful pictures of your trip. With a little preparation, some patience and these handy photography tips, you’ll be ready to capture the magic of the Arctic!
Ready to create your own unforgettable Arctic memories? Explore our Northern Lights holidays and discover the incredible experiences waiting for you with The Aurora Zone.
Image credits: Graham Oliver
