REVIEW · TROMSO
Northern Lights Photography Online Workshop
Book on Viator →Operated by Wandering Owl · Bookable on Viator
Tromsø makes night-sky photos feel possible. This 2-hour Northern Lights Photography Online Workshop blends online-style instruction with personal Q&A in an indoor classroom run by Wandering Owl, in a place where auroras are a regular topic. I like that it works for both complete beginners and more experienced photographers, and that you can get answers right there instead of guessing on your own. One catch: the class does not provide photography equipment, so you’ll need your own camera (and basics like a way to steady it).
You meet at Strandvegen 89 in Tromsø, and the experience is designed to be easy to attend, with the promise of refreshments and a location that’s straightforward to find. The instruction is offered in English, and they encourage you to share your email so they can send your login details for the online course.
The biggest consideration is that this is focused on the photography lesson, not the real-life aurora chase. The indoor session is separate from an Aurora Hunt, so if you want to try the techniques under the sky, you’ll need to book that part separately too.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Book This For
- Tromsø Basics: Why This Workshop Works for Aurora Photos
- What You Actually Get in the 2-Hour Session
- Stop at Wandering Owl: How the Workshop Stage Is Set
- Aurora Hunt Is Separate: Plan Your Timing on Purpose
- Price and Value: What $30.07 Really Buys You
- Equipment Check: The One Thing That Can Slow You Down
- Language, Group Size, and the Comfort Factor
- The One Access Problem I’d Watch For
- Who Should Book This Workshop (and Who Might Skip It)
- Booking Tips That Will Help You Get More From the Class
- Should You Book the Northern Lights Photography Online Workshop?
- FAQ
- How long is the Northern Lights Photography Online Workshop?
- Is the workshop offered in English?
- Do I need my own camera and photography equipment?
- Is pickup and drop-off included?
- Does the workshop include an Aurora Hunt?
- Where do I meet for the workshop?
- Will I get login details for the online course?
Key Things I’d Book This For

- Small-group Q&A so you can ask questions instead of absorbing info in silence
- English instruction for straightforward learning without language friction
- Indoor classroom setting so you’re not scrambling before you understand the basics
- Online course materials with support, plus slide-style teaching
- Refreshments provided, because 2 hours is easier when you’re not running on empty
Tromsø Basics: Why This Workshop Works for Aurora Photos
Northern lights photography has a reputation for being either magical or mystifying. In real life, it’s a lot of practical decisions made in very low light. That’s exactly what makes a workshop like this useful: it’s aimed at helping you turn the usual chaos into a repeatable process.
Tromsø is a smart backdrop for learning. You’re in northern Norway, where aurora interest is part of the local culture and where it’s normal to talk about the lights, the timing, and the camera choices people make at night. You don’t need to be a pro to benefit. Even if you’re new, you can use the lesson to avoid common mistakes before you ever step outside with a camera.
I also like that the workshop is designed to fit different skill levels. The description is clear that it’s suitable for complete beginners and more experienced photographers, which usually means the teaching won’t assume you already know every camera setting.
One more thing I appreciate: the experience is planned around a classroom setting with an easy-to-find meeting point. That matters because the biggest learning losses often happen when you arrive flustered, cold, or distracted. Here, the focus stays on the photos.
Other northern lights tours we've reviewed in Tromso
What You Actually Get in the 2-Hour Session

This is not a half-baked talk and it’s not an unstructured hangout. You’re signing up for a 2-hour photography workshop with online instruction, presentation slides, and support from a professional photographer.
The “online” part is important. You’re not only listening live. You also get an online course experience, which includes login details sent by email. That means you can revisit what you learned and refresh your approach when you’re back thinking about settings and composition later on.
You’ll also get personal attention. The class is described as a small-group session, and it’s private for your group only. In plain terms: you should expect a better chance to ask questions than you would in a big crowd.
And yes, you’ll have refreshments. That sounds minor until you realize you’re trying to focus for a couple hours. Small comfort boosts attention, and attention is what you need when the material is technical.
Stop at Wandering Owl: How the Workshop Stage Is Set
Your session starts at Strandvegen 89 in Tromsø, at Wandering Owl. From there, you stay in an indoor classroom setting for the main learning. This is a key detail: it’s an indoor workshop, not a cold-weather lecture outside.
Inside, the workshop uses presentation slides and online instruction. That combo is a good sign for anyone who learns visually. Aurora photography has a lot of “try this, then check that” thinking. Slides and guided support are a practical way to help you connect the explanation to what your camera does.
They also make it easy to ask questions. That’s not just a nice extra. For night-sky photography, your questions can be very specific: what to prioritize, what to avoid, how to approach the scene when the light is changing. If the class is small enough, you’ll have a real shot at getting answers that match your gear and your experience level.
A drawback to keep in mind: this indoor workshop does not include a tour. The aurora chase is handled separately through an Aurora Hunt you purchase on your own.
Aurora Hunt Is Separate: Plan Your Timing on Purpose
The workshop is about photography technique. The Aurora Hunt is about being under the aurora. They are not bundled together here.
So if you’re the type who wants a full package—learn it and then immediately test it in the same outing—you’ll need to add the Aurora Hunt separately. The good news is that this keeps the workshop focused. You’re not trying to multitask between learning and chasing in the same limited time.
For your planning, think of it as two-step learning:
- First, come in and understand the photo approach.
- Then, go out on a separate Aurora Hunt and try it with real conditions.
This also helps your expectations. If the sky is quiet on your hunt night, you’re not walking away feeling like you paid for a guaranteed show. You paid for learning, plus you can keep improving your odds for next time by applying what you learned.
Price and Value: What $30.07 Really Buys You
At $30.07 per person, this is priced like a skill-focused add-on rather than a full aurora expedition. That can be a good thing.
Here’s what you’re getting in exchange:
- All taxes and fees are included in the price
- Online instruction from a professional photographer
- Presentation slides and support
- A private, small-group feel
- Refreshments
- Mobile ticket and email-based login details for the online course
What you are not getting:
- Pickup or drop-off
- Photography equipment
- The Aurora Hunt
So the value depends on what you already have and what you want. If you already own a camera and you’re aiming to build your technical confidence, the cost is reasonable for the teaching portion.
If you’re hoping the workshop will provide equipment or transportation, you’ll feel the gap quickly. Bring your own camera, and make your own way to the meeting point at Strandvegen 89.
The best bargain is usually for people who can turn lessons into action quickly. If you’re ready to practice, this pricing makes sense.
Other aurora photography tours in Tromso
Equipment Check: The One Thing That Can Slow You Down
The workshop expects you to have your own photography equipment. That’s not just a formality. For northern lights photography, having the wrong gear (or none at all) can turn the lesson into theory.
At minimum, plan on bringing whatever you use for night photos. If you’re unsure about what’s “enough,” your best move is to prepare your kit before the class. Then, during Q&A, you can ask more targeted questions based on what you actually have.
Also, remember that the indoor classroom can explain strategies, but you won’t be able to practice with provided equipment during the session. The lesson is your foundation; your gear is your testing tool.
Language, Group Size, and the Comfort Factor
You’ll take the workshop in English, which is a major practical advantage in a specialized topic like aurora photography. It reduces the risk of missing key points that you’ll need later when you’re adjusting settings.
The class is described as a private activity for your group only. That tends to create a more comfortable learning environment. In a small setting, people usually feel freer asking questions, and you also get more relevant answers because the instructor can tailor explanations to what’s in the room.
Finally, the experience includes refreshments, and it runs indoors. In winter conditions, that kind of comfort is a real quality-of-life improvement. It keeps the focus on learning rather than surviving the temperature.
The One Access Problem I’d Watch For
One negative point stood out in the available feedback: a customer said they never received the link to access the workshop, and the course access didn’t arrive even after checking email and spam.
Now, I can’t guarantee you’ll face the same issue. But I can tell you what to do to avoid it:
- When booking, use the email address you actually check often.
- If you do not receive your course login details soon after booking, contact the provider early rather than waiting weeks.
The provider’s response in that case indicated their system did not show the missing link was sent, and they asked the person to reach out so they could investigate. So the lesson is clear: if the link doesn’t show up, don’t assume it’s fine. Make the inquiry quickly.
Who Should Book This Workshop (and Who Might Skip It)
This experience is a strong fit if:
- You want a structured learning session for northern lights photography
- You want to ask questions in a small-group format
- You already own a camera and basic night-photo gear
- You’re planning to do an Aurora Hunt separately and want better results
It may be less suitable if:
- You expect pickup, drop-off, or a full aurora outing included in the price
- You need a provider to supply photography equipment
- You’re looking for a guided outdoor hunt inside this same 2 hours
If you’re the kind of person who learns best with instruction you can revisit, the email-based online course access is a helpful match.
Booking Tips That Will Help You Get More From the Class
A $30.07 class can still feel like a lot if you show up unprepared. To get value, do three things before you attend:
- Bring the gear you plan to use for aurora photos
- Plan your access by making sure your email is correct
- Think of this as the teaching step before your separate Aurora Hunt
Also, since the meeting point is Strandvegen 89, plan to arrive with enough time to settle. You’ll learn faster if you’re not rushing in.
Should You Book the Northern Lights Photography Online Workshop?
If your goal is to improve your northern lights results, this is the kind of booking that pays off later. The format—2 hours, English instruction, slides, and support—makes it practical for both beginners and more experienced photographers who want a clear, repeatable approach. The best reason to book is the focus on technique, plus the chance to ask questions in a small-group setting.
I’d recommend booking if you already have your own camera and you’re willing to handle transportation on your own. If you don’t have equipment, or you were hoping the Aurora Hunt is included, you’ll likely feel you’re paying for only part of what you wanted.
My final advice: treat this workshop as your confidence-building step. Then pair it with an Aurora Hunt you buy separately, and you’ll be in a much better position to turn knowledge into actual aurora photos.
FAQ
How long is the Northern Lights Photography Online Workshop?
It runs for about 2 hours.
Is the workshop offered in English?
Yes, the online course is offered in English.
Do I need my own camera and photography equipment?
Yes. Photography equipment is not provided, so you’ll need to bring your own.
Is pickup and drop-off included?
No. Pickup and drop-off are not provided.
Does the workshop include an Aurora Hunt?
No. The workshop does not include a tour or Aurora Hunt. You need to purchase the Aurora Hunt separately.
Where do I meet for the workshop?
The meeting point is Strandvegen 89, 9006 Tromsø, Norway, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
Will I get login details for the online course?
You should receive login details by email, and the provider encourages you to share your email address during booking.




























