PRIVATE Northern light photo infused tour

That first green shimmer in the sky? Pure magic.

This private Northern light photo infused tour in Reykjavik mixes northern lights hunting with real aurora photography help, so you’re not just watching. You’ll go out with a professional photographer guide who helps you work with your phone or camera to capture what you’re seeing, and you’ll also get a couple of bonus keepsakes: two high-resolution photos taken of you with the lights behind you.

I especially like the private format (up to 4 people), because the guide can adjust the plan and the tips to your exact setup. I also love that you get two high-resolution photos included with no extra cost, which is a smart win for anyone who struggles with camera settings in the cold.

The main thing to keep in mind is the tour depends on night conditions. If the weather isn’t right, you may be offered a different date or a full refund, so the experience is more about the process and the guidance than a guaranteed aurora every time.

Key things I’d watch for

• Private, up to 4 people means more hands-on help with phone or camera settings
• Two high-resolution photos included gives you polished results even if your settings aren’t perfect
• Reykjavik pickup and round-trip transport makes the logistics easy at night
• Direction planning from Reykjavik helps target the best chance of seeing the lights
• Hot chocolate on the way back keeps the mood warm after the shoot
• Professional photographer guidance helps you move beyond pointing and hoping

Reykjavik Northern Lights at Night: Why This Tour Feels Different

Most northern lights tours focus on seeing the sky. This one focuses on photographing it. That shift matters, because the aurora doesn’t just happen to you—it has to be framed, timed, and captured well. With a photographer guide in charge, you spend less time guessing and more time doing the right things in the right order.

I also like that this is built around being practical. You’re not getting a lecture. You’re getting help using what you already have—phone or camera—so you can actually try during the hunt. And because it’s private, you don’t have to wait your turn or compete with ten other people for brief instructions.

Pickup From Your Reykjavik Hotel (and Why It’s Worth It)

Night tours in Reykjavik can be cold, dark, and time-sensitive. Having round-trip transportation from your hotel removes a lot of friction. You don’t have to find a meeting point in the dark or coordinate getting back after the shoot.

The tour also uses a mobile ticket, which is a small detail, but it helps when you’re trying to keep everything simple: one less printed item to manage while you’re bundled up.

In short: you arrive, you go, you photograph. That flow is a real quality-of-life upgrade when you’re out chasing something as changeable as the aurora.

The Real Skill: Choosing the Direction From Reykjavik

The tour hunts for the northern lights by figuring out which direction from Reykjavik has the best possibility of seeing them. That approach is smart because auroras can show up in different areas depending on conditions. Instead of treating Reykjavik like a single fixed viewing spot, your guide uses the night to make a better plan.

What you’ll likely feel during this part is the guide’s pacing. It’s not frantic. It’s watchful. You’re moving with a purpose, then pausing to check the sky and adjust your setup as needed. That’s exactly what helps you get better shots: you want time to test settings and composition after you’ve arrived, not just a quick stop and sprint back to the car.

Phone or Camera Coaching: What You’ll Be Doing Out There

One of the best parts of this tour is that you’re actively learning how to photograph the aurora—not after the fact, not in theory only. The photographer guide helps you capture the lights using your phone or camera.

Even if you’ve never tried night photos, you can still get results here because the guide’s job is to translate the basics into what works in the moment. Expect guidance around the practical challenges: keeping the camera stable, adjusting exposure so the lights show up clearly, and composing so the sky and the glow look intentional rather than accidental.

If you’re bringing a phone, the same idea applies. You’ll get help matching the aurora to what your device can realistically do. If you’re using a camera, you’ll get pointers that help you avoid the common traps of underexposure and blurry frames—especially when you’re cold and moving quickly.

For many people, the biggest takeaway is confidence. After a couple of guided tries, you stop thinking of it as a luck game.

How the Shooting Works: Framing, Timing, and Keeping Warm

The tour runs for about 4 hours, which is long enough to give your eyes time to adjust and your settings time to improve. That’s important. Northern lights photography often rewards patience more than speed.

During the hunt, the guide helps you refine what you’re doing: where you point, how you frame the sky, and how you react when the aurora changes brightness. The lights can shift fast, so you’ll want to be ready to adjust without overthinking.

Between attempts, you also get the benefit of staying focused. It’s easier to photograph when you’re not constantly asking yourself, Is this the right angle? Is my exposure off? Should I change anything? The guide is there to steer you back toward what matters for that exact moment.

Two High-Resolution Photos Included (and Why That’s a Big Deal)

This tour includes two high-resolution photos of you with the lights behind you. There’s no extra fee for these. That’s one of the strongest value points.

Why it matters: when you’re chasing auroras, taking photos of yourself is hard. You’re usually worried about your phone settings, or you’re asking someone else to take a shot and hoping they nail it. With a pro taking your portraits, you get photos designed specifically for this situation—lights in the background, you in frame, and an outcome that’s far more likely to look like a real memory rather than a blurry experiment.

Also, these photos are a built-in safety net. Even if your own shots come out mixed (night photography is tricky), you still leave with polished images.

One detail worth noting from the feedback: people reported receiving their photos very quickly after the tour, which is a nice morale boost when you’re still excited from seeing the aurora.

The Guide Factor: Bragi’s Hands-On Approach

This experience is led by a professional photographer guide tied to ArcticShots. In one message from the guide, Bragi came across as genuinely invested in the experience—answering questions, sharing knowledge, and making sure people felt comfortable.

That matters for a private aurora shoot. When you’re standing outside at night in winter gear, it helps to have someone who can read the moment and keep you calm. The best guides don’t just know settings. They also know how to make you feel at ease while you learn.

If you’re a solo person, the private nature plus a friendly, clear guide tends to be exactly what you want. You can ask questions without feeling rushed or self-conscious.

Hot Chocolate on the Way Back

You don’t just freeze in the name of art. Before heading back, you’ll get some hot chocolate to warm you up.

That sounds simple, but it changes the vibe. It gives you a reset after time outside, and it’s an easy way to end the experience on a positive note, especially if the lights take a few minutes to settle into something camera-friendly.

Price and Value: What $1,190 Really Buys

The price is $1,190 per group, up to 4 people, for about 4 hours. On paper, it can look steep. In practice, it can be very fair depending on your priorities.

Here’s what you’re paying for:

• Private guiding instead of a shared group where you get less direct help
• A professional photographer focused on helping you capture the lights
• Round-trip transportation from your Reykjavik hotel
• Two high-resolution photos included, taken with the aurora behind you

That combination is the real value. A do-it-yourself aurora plan costs time, effort, and guesswork. A shared tour costs money too, but you may lose the one-on-one photo coaching that makes the difference.

If you’re traveling as a pair or small group (up to 4), it spreads out. If you’re a solo photographer type, paying for privacy can still make sense because it buys you attention and results—especially with those included portrait photos.

Who Should Book This Northern Light Photo Tour?

This is a great fit if you want northern lights and you also want photo competence. You’ll like it if:

• You’re using a phone and want it to perform better at night
• You’re bringing a camera but need help applying the basics fast
• You care about leaving with actual portraits of yourself under the aurora
• You prefer private time with a guide who can tailor suggestions to your gear

It may be less ideal if you only want a casual viewing experience and don’t care about photography. If your goal is simply to stand in one spot and look up, there are cheaper options. But if you want the sky plus the skills, this one is built for that.

Final Call: Should You Book ArcticShots?

I think you should book this tour if you want a northern lights night with purpose. The included two high-resolution photos, the professional photographer guide, and the pickup/round-trip transport make it feel like a serious photo experience without turning into a complicated planning project.

Just be honest with yourself about the one uncertainty that comes with aurora hunting: the night’s conditions matter. The good news is the tour is designed around that reality with weather-dependent scheduling and the option of a different date or a full refund if things don’t cooperate.

If you want the best chance of both seeing the aurora and getting photos you’ll actually want to keep, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

What is the duration of the private Northern light photo infused tour?

It runs for about 4 hours.

How many people can join this private tour?

It’s private, and your group can be up to 4 people.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour is based in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, round-trip transportation from your Reykjavik hotel is included.

Do I receive photos of myself with the northern lights?

Yes. You’ll receive two high-resolution photos with the lights behind you, included at no extra cost.

Can I use my phone, or do I need a camera?

The guide will help you use your phone or camera to capture the aurora.

What time does the tour operate?

The listed hours show Sunday from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM, within the date range of 10/18/2024 to 06/16/2026.

Is hot chocolate provided?

Yes. You’ll be served hot chocolate before heading back.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.