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⭐ Arctic Adventure Photo Tour Highlights – June 2026

  • Jul 16
  • 4 min read

Updated: 7 days ago


There's something extraordinary about Svalbard in June.


I had the pleasure of sharing it with a wonderful group of photographers from the UK, Ireland, Germany and India on my annual Arctic Adventure Svalbard photo tour. We arrived just as the High Arctic was beginning one of its most magical seasonal changes.


It’s a remarkable time to visit, when winter gives way to summer almost overnight. One day the valleys are still blanketed in snow and ice; the next, the first patches of green grass and purple saxifrage appear across the tundra. Migratory birds return to breed, and what seemed a quiet, frozen landscape suddenly comes alive.


Unlike most visitors who pass through briefly by cruise ship, our small group photo tour stayed in one location and immerse ourselves in this fabulous place. Over the course of a week we experienced the rhythm of Arctic life and discovered some unforgettable wildlife encounters and bird photography opportunities...


Little Auks are one of the defining birds of Svalbard. Thousands of them wheel overhead in tight flocks before dropping onto the cliffs to breed. Tiny, energetic and expressive, they're a firm favourite with bird photographers.
Little Auks are one of the defining birds of Svalbard. Thousands of them wheel overhead in tight flocks before dropping onto the cliffs to breed. Tiny, energetic and expressive, they're a firm favourite with bird photographers.
The familiar call of Common Eiders around the outskirts of town became the soundtrack to many of our days. Their subtle palette of colours worked beautifully against the fresh greens beginning to appear across the tundra, and they offered a gentle introduction to Arctic photography - allowing guests to settle in, experiment, and begin discovering the opportunities around them.
The familiar call of Common Eiders around the outskirts of town became the soundtrack to many of our days. Their subtle palette of colours worked beautifully against the fresh greens beginning to appear across the tundra, and they offered a gentle introduction to Arctic photography - allowing guests to settle in, experiment, and begin discovering the opportunities around them.
"Trip of a lifetime to Svalbard with Paul as brilliant guide. His knowledge of the area and the wildlife there are second to none. We learnt so much not only about Svalbard but also gained new photography skills. Highly recommend!" - Rhona
June marks the arrival of some of the Arctic's most spectacular breeding birds. Male King Eiders are one of the true icons of Svalbard, looking their best right now as they display their incredible colours and courtship behaviours. For many wildlife photographers, encountering these birds in the Arctic landscape is one of the defining moments of the Svalbard photo tour.
June marks the arrival of some of the Arctic's most spectacular breeding birds. Male King Eiders are one of the true icons of Svalbard, looking their best right now as they display their incredible colours and courtship behaviours. For many wildlife photographers, encountering these birds in the Arctic landscape is one of the defining moments of the Svalbard photo tour.
After a long migration north, Red-Necked Phalaropes had arrived on their breeding grounds. One of the joys of Svalbard is that species which can be incredibly wary elsewhere often allow surprisingly close views. This gives participants of my small group photography tour proper time to slow down and experiment - this portrait was even taken using a 100mm macro lens!
After a long migration north, Red-Necked Phalaropes had arrived on their breeding grounds. One of the joys of Svalbard is that species which can be incredibly wary elsewhere often allow surprisingly close views. This gives participants of my small group photography tour proper time to slow down and experiment - this portrait was even taken using a 100mm macro lens!
On calm evenings, the Arctic transforms again. This is the land of the midnight sun, where light lingers for hours and windless pools create glassy reflections. Quieter moments offer guests a chance to embrace atmosphere in their photos.
On calm evenings, the Arctic transforms again. This is the land of the midnight sun, where light lingers for hours and windless pools create glassy reflections. Quieter moments offer guests a chance to embrace atmosphere in their photos.
Want to experience a Svalbard photo tour for yourself? → Find out more about my Arctic Adventure Wildlife Photography Tour
The abundance of breeding birds creates opportunities for one of Svalbard's most charismatic mammal, the Arctic Fox. Over 7 days, we encountered no fewer than 8 different Arctic Foxes, witnessing an incredible variety of behaviour: swimming between shorelines, searching for eggs, and chasing geese. At this time of year they're shedding their thick white winter coats, revealing rich chocolate-brown summer fur beneath.
The abundance of breeding birds creates opportunities for one of Svalbard's most charismatic mammal, the Arctic Fox. Over 7 days, we encountered no fewer than 8 different Arctic Foxes, witnessing an incredible variety of behaviour: swimming between shorelines, searching for eggs, and chasing geese. At this time of year they're shedding their thick white winter coats, revealing rich chocolate-brown summer fur beneath.
Because this small group photo tour revisits locations throughout the week, we have time to move beyond simply recording what we see. We can experiment with different approaches, refine compositions, and really explore the creative potential of each encounter. On misty mornings, we experimented with high-key photography, using the soft monochrome conditions to emphasise the vivid colours of a King Eider’s breeding plumage.
Because this small group photo tour revisits locations throughout the week, we have time to move beyond simply recording what we see. We can experiment with different approaches, refine compositions, and really explore the creative potential of each encounter. On misty mornings, we experimented with high-key photography, using the soft monochrome conditions to emphasise the vivid colours of a King Eider’s breeding plumage.

With Arctic Terns, we explored lower perspectives, creative framing, white balance adjustments and the use of colour to create more artistic wildlife photography interpretations.
With Arctic Terns, we explored lower perspectives, creative framing, white balance adjustments and the use of colour to create more artistic wildlife photography interpretations.
"Had a wonderful time and learnt a lot, not only about how to improve my photography but also regarding the local wildlife from our excellent guide Paul. His experience and local knowledge was bonus as he knew where we were most likely to find the things we wanted to see, and was very flexible regarding our requests. Would definitely recommend." - Jenni
Although we mainly explore Svalbard’s landscapes on land, we also venture out by boat into the fjords. Walrus are a major highlight of the Arctic photography tour, and encountering these enormous animals resting on the ice is an unforgettable experience.
Although we mainly explore Svalbard’s landscapes on land, we also venture out by boat into the fjords. Walrus are a major highlight of the Arctic photography tour, and encountering these enormous animals resting on the ice is an unforgettable experience.
Svalbard is a strange, beautiful landscape that can feels otherworldly at first, yet it has a way of capturing everyone's imaginations and working its charm.
Svalbard is a strange, beautiful landscape that can feels otherworldly at first, yet it has a way of capturing everyone's imaginations and working its charm.

Arctic Photography Up Close


One of the joys of this small group photo tour is that we don’t rush. Rather than seeing Svalbard from the deck of a giant cruise ship for a few hours, we spend the week truly immersed in the landscape. That means taking time to recognise and photograph individual animals, watch the landscapes change day by day, and enjoy local life in Longyearbyen as much as the wilderness that surrounds it.


It’s a place that quietly works its way under your skin and stays with you long after you've gone home.


Thank you to everyone who joined this year's Arctic Adventure for making it such an enjoyable week.


Paul Alistair Collins

Want to experience Svalbard for yourself? Join me on the next Arctic photography tour, where we spend time exploring its incredible wilderness and photographing its unique wildlife.→ Book your place on the next small group photo tour to the Arctic Circle.

Species Highlights: Arctic Fox, Walrus, Beluga, Reindeer, Little Auk, Red-Throated Diver, King Eider, Common Eider, Long-Tailed Duck, Ptarmigan, Red-Necked Phalarope, Grey Phalarope, Arctic Skua, Wood Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Bunting.

 
 
 

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