Aurora Portrait Tour: Expert Photography in Fairbanks
4.9
114 Ratings

Experience the Fairbanks Aurora Tour with professional portrait photographer Nathan. Get high-quality aurora portraits and explore Alaska with an expert guide. Book now!

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 93QJ42XR+4R4 - This isn’t your grandmother’s crowded Princess Cruise! Join us for a unique photography adventure and stay warm as we explore a winter wonderland under the northern lights. This tour is a magical journey through the sparkling frozen tundra, chasing the colorful swirls of the aurora borealis overhead. Learn the basic science behind…
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What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Complimentary digital photo album - landscapes and portraits
  • Access to heated warming shelter
  • Experience with flying Chinese lanterns (included)
  • Headlamps provided
  • Tea and coffee available
  • Bottled water included
  • Insulated over boots for warmth
  • Crampons included for better traction on ice
  • Snacks provided
  • Complimentary hand/toe warmers
Additional Information

Nathan is a professional portrait photographer by trade, which is something you’d be hard pressed to find on any other Aurora tour in the Fairbanks area. He has 9 years experience as an engagement/wedding photographer. Other tours offer “free portraits” but not to the level of expertise that Nathan will provide, he uses controlled supplemental studio…

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(114 Ratings)
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Culture32821007097
Oct 3, 2024
Great aurora experience along with 11 shooting stars! - Nathan picked us up at our hotel in Fairbanks. We were the only couple on the tour, everyone else canceled due to what looked like a bad night for aurora hunting. We had a great night. We drove to Olness Pond, Nathan sets up a warming tent and then the fun begins. We had chai tea, gluten free and regular pizza as well as a beautiful aurora. Nathan took some amazing photos as well. We set off Chinese lanterns as well. Nathan made the experience an amazing one! Although the KP numbers may have looked low in the morning, the solar wind Bz and solar wind Bt numbers were high. We saw an amazing show while we were there and on the way back to the hotel. Thank you Nathan for the amazing experience and for the photos for our 40th anniversary trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jordan_c
Oct 3, 2024
Once in a lifetime experience - Friendly guy who provided an amazing experience. Was early for my accommodation pick up, had a great setup to stay warm, provided delicious hot drinks and pizza, great photo ideas to get of yourself and was great at providing information for how to take my own photos.
Review provided by Viator
Katkhor
Apr 14, 2024
Worth Every Penny! - First off, I know this tour is a bit pricey, but it was so worth it for the pictures alone! Nathan was great - he used to be a wedding photographer, but then discovered a passion for capturing Auroras. We really appreciated his expertise - our 1 week stay yielded mostly cloudy evenings. Our group was worried we wouldn't be able to see the Aurora before we left. But Nathan came in clutch! He monitored the weather and cloud cover so he could take us to the perfect spot and we finally had success! It was below 0°F that night and the heated tent was so nice. He monitored the sky through a video feed so if there was bursts of activity, we could go back outside. While cooking the pizzas, he gave us detailed explanations on what causes the Auroras. The pizza was super tasty and the warm drinks were definitely appreciated. Overall, this was a great experience and we highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Booyah2019
Apr 11, 2024
Amazing Aurora Show - Nathan was amazing. He does not take you to a specific spot. Nathan monitors the weather patterns throughout the day, Follows the BZ value thorughout the evening and takes you to the best viewing spot for that night. The pop-up heated tent gives him / you this luxury. His knowledge about photography and auroras make him the unique person to go with. He will take some photos of the aurora itself, as well as, portraits of you with the aurora. So you will get some great shots, even if your nightime photography skills are lacking. Our group was small, so he had a little time to give me tips for my photos of the aurora. This is most likely a once in a lifetime activity, so don't let the price scare you away. Nathan is worth it. I would have added some photos he took. However, the nightime photos were too large for Tripadvisor's rules. Trust me they are worderful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Addie_d
Apr 7, 2024
Best.Tour.Ever!! Look no further, book this experience! - This was the most INCREDIBLE experience we have ever had! We got lucky and the skies opened up and the lights gave us a show! The tour itself is awesome, it’s a small group and a perfect setting. Nathan sets up a pizza oven and we get to enjoy hot pizza in the heated tent while we wait for the show to start! He talks about the science behind the aurora and then sets up his professional photography equipment and starts taking pictures. He will take as many as you want with your family, individually, etc and even gets some of the sky too. The best part is he sends you the link for free!!! I see that some tours take pictures but then you have to pay for them, which sucks since you’ve just paid $$$ for the tour itself! We had an extra family on our trip bc the night before the lights didn’t happen, so they were trying again. He offers you the opportunity to come back and do the tour again for up to 2 years! How cool is that?! So…..Stop looking at other tours, just book this one, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll be supporting local! He isn’t a big tour company, he’s just a professional doing what he loves and providing an amazing experience!
Review provided by Viator
585addiew
Apr 7, 2024
Absolutely AMAZING tour - lots of extras set this tour apart from others- just book it! You won’t be disappointed!! - This was the most INCREDIBLE experience we have ever had! We got lucky and the skies opened up and the lights gave us a show! The tour itself is awesome, it’s a small group and a perfect setting. Nathan sets up a pizza oven and we get to enjoy hot pizza in the heated tent while we wait for the show to start! He talks about the science behind the aurora and then sets up his professional photography equipment and starts taking pictures. He will take as many as you want with your family, individually, etc and even gets some of the sky too. The best part is he sends you the link for free!!! I see that some tours take pictures but then you have to pay for them, which sucks since you’ve just paid $$$ for the tour itself! We had an extra family on our trip bc the night before the lights didn’t happen, so they were trying again. He offers you the opportunity to come back and do the tour again for up to 2 years! How cool is that?! So…..Stop looking at other tours, just book this one, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed!! Oh and you’ll be supporting local! He isn’t a big tour company, he’s just a professional doing what he loves and providing an amazing experience! If I could give it 10 stars I would! Book already!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_f
Apr 6, 2024
Winning combination - Pizza and 'Lights! - Thoroughly enjoyed Nathan and his efforts to help us to see the Lights. Very successful outcome. The pizza and cocoa were extra-special! Unfortunately, the pics taken of us were just OK. All in all, however, a great experience. Highly recommend it!
Review provided by Viator
Nived_m
Apr 6, 2024
Worth every penny - It was one of the best tour experience . The guide was very friendly and well informed. He took lots of good portrait of us and pizzas tasted so in the warm tent . Hands down one of the best aurora experiences.
Review provided by Viator
Daphne
Apr 6, 2024
Bucket List Tour! - Best tour booked for our family with 2 boys age 10 & 16 for spring break in hopes of experiencing the Northern Lights for the first time! Nathan our kind & knowledgeable guide & experienced photographer made the whole trip seamless, carefree & fun- from pick up/drop off at our hotel to setting up a warm refuge in his cozy tent to preparing delicious gourmet pizza & hot drinks while we waited for the aurora to appear. Once it did, he set up his camera to take professional pictures for all of us throughout the night so we could experience it fully in the moment. He then sent a digital photo album a few days later so we could capture this magical moment/night. He even went above & beyond when the aurora did not appear the 1st night & guaranteed a free 2nd tour within 2 years (space permitting). We got lucky & were able to book the following night where we had a great show! It is clear Nathan cares about his guests having a genuinely great experience & is a wonderful host! Highly recommend to all!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J2304pvsarahb
Apr 5, 2024
Amazing tour from all angles! - Seeing the Northern Lights was our entire hope and reason for our trip, and Nathan did not disappoint! Everything was so well executed and kept toasty warm from pick-up to location choice, set-up, pizzas, pictures, and the drop-off home. We traveled with a 12 and 10 year old, so staying warm for the show was crucial. Pizzas were great, and made for a good time chatting with other travelers. The photographs Nathan took and sent in a follow-up were phenomenal. Nathan was knowledgeable and provided next level service the entire night. My husband’s glasses took a detour in the van somehow when we were loading up, and Nathan went the extra mile to drop them back to us at the hotel after he’d found them. This is absolutely the best tour to choose.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $300
From $300
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).