2024 Winter Skies: Aurora & Orion Chase Photo Workshop

With Matt Suess & Rachel Jones Ross

Discover the Magic of Winter in the Canadian Rockies this November

with our exclusive photo workshop experience, designed for photographers of all skill levels.

Winter is our favorite season, and the Canadian Rockies offer some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever photograph. As the snow, ice, and frost transform the scenery into a breathtaking winter wonderland, you’ll find yourself surrounded by scenes that feel straight out of a fairytale. Snow simplifies the often complex landscapes, allowing you to focus on capturing the true essence of winter.

But there’s more to November than just snow. This is a unique time of transition, where autumn gives way to the stillness of late winter. It’s when some lakes begin to freeze while others, with their deep, jewel-toned waters, continue to flow. The contrast is mesmerizing, and the opportunity to photograph these early season frozen lakes, with the possibility of frozen methane bubbles, is truly special.

As you explore these frozen landscapes, you’ll also have the chance to capture rare frost flowers and breathtaking reflections. Locals even refer to this month as “never miss a sunrise November,” and for good reason. November skies are famous for their fiery sunrises, offering more vibrant colors than at any other time of the year.

But the magic doesn’t end with the day. As night falls, the winter sky comes alive. Under the truly dark, Bortle 1 skies of the Canadian Rockies, the stars shine so brightly it feels as though you could reach out and touch them, or see them reflected in the still waters. November is also an excellent time to witness the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis. Last year, we experienced Kp6 and Kp8 conditions, creating a dazzling display of dancing lights that could even be captured on a smartphone.

As a special highlight, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the constellation Orion as it floats through the night sky. For this workshop, I’ll provide star trackers to help you capture the intricate details of Orion’s nebulosity and the vibrant colors of the stars. Whether you’re new to astro-photography or have an astro-modified camera, this is the perfect chance to experiment with long exposures, lower ISOs, and narrow apertures to capture the sharpest and most colorful stars.

Join us this November for a winter photography experience like no other, where you’ll have the chance to capture the beauty and magic of the Canadian Rockies in its most enchanting season.

Must Be in Good Physical Condition

Getting to areas is easy - walking on uneven ground, in snow and ice, no hills, close to parking areas.

The weather in November is variable with average high temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius and average low temperatures around -10 degrees Celsius. However, it is not uncommon to get a 'cold snap' with temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius. The cold is a 'dry' cold and is easily managed with good layers.

More info on clothing and gear will be provided after registration.

This workshop is designed for any skill level, yet a DSLR/Mirrorless or equivalent camera with interchangeable lenses AND a sturdy tripod are required, as well as a basic working knowledge of your camera.

Most clients who take my workshops are beginners to advanced amateurs and even pros. My workshops are filled with hands-on instruction & demonstrations. I encourage & help find and develop each clients' unique personal style of photography.

Spouses & companions are certainly welcome on this trip - even non-photographer spouses/companions. However in order for spouses/companions to join us during travel and at locations, they need to be fully registered. Matt will be sure to provide tips on getting the best cell phone photos if that is the only camera they have with them!

After pickup we will transfer to our workshop hotel. After checkin we will have an informational meeting to prepare us for the week. We will plan for a sunset shoot that day.

Depending on weather, we will maximize our shooting opportunities that includes night sky, sunrise, sunset, and other photogenic locations that might lend themselves to daytime photography. Plan for on average 3 photo locations per day with plenty of time at each to create numerous amazing photographs and hone your skills.

Plan for a sunrise shoot, breakfast, then transfer to Calgary with an expected arrival at 2pm. Plan your flights to leave no sooner than 6pm that evening. If you need to stay at a hotel that evening at the airport we have a list of hotels you can book on your own.