© 2026 Robert Canis
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For the duration of this tour, we will be staying in a beautifully renovated former school in a wonderfully peaceful location where everyone will have a private bedroom and bathroom. For full details, please see Accommodation in the main body.
Flights
In case of any unforeseen circumstances, such as flight cancellations/rescheduling, it is a condition of booking that you leave +/- 3 days free on either side of the dates stated.
2 places remaining
Join me for an 8‑day wildlife and landscape photography adventure in northern Finland, capturing the iconic golden eagle and the mesmerising frozen tykky forests. Led by two highly experienced nature photographers and refined over twelve years, this is, we believe, the ultimate Finland in Winter photography experience. Don’t miss what promises to be a true trip of a lifetime!
Mid‑winter in Finland is a truly special experience. Silence, deep snow, golden eagles, and unending views of snow‑laden, tree‑covered fells stretching all the way toward Russia combine to create a photography adventure like no other.
For the duration of the tour, we’ll be based at 65° North - just outside the Arctic Circle - in the extensive upland region of Kuusamo. Defined by its rugged canyons, fast‑flowing rapids, frozen lakes and high fells, Kuusamo has been a Mecca for Finnish nature photographers for more than 30 years. Indeed, I’ve been visiting regularly myself since the late 1990s!
My co‑guide, and friend of more than 25 years, is professional nature photographer Paavo Hamunen. Having lived most of his life in this region and with a wealth of local contacts, there is simply no one better qualified to guide us safely and confidently into the Finnish wilds.
TYKKY: FROZEN FORESTS OF THE NORTH
Due to the proximity to the Baltic, freezing temperatures, altitude, and extreme snowfall, the fell‑top trees take on frozen, mysterious shapes each year, known by the Finns as tykky. A sight‑to‑behold phenomenon, you will be escorted, as a passenger, by snowmobile to the top of Kuntivaara Fell, which lies just 1 km from the Russian border.

I really can’t stress enough what an incredible experience this is. Comparable in awe to Iceland’s Jökulsárlón Ice Lagoon, no matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing truly prepares you for it. My guests and I are always blown away by these Sentinels of the North.



FULL MOON
Among other things, what makes this trip so special and unique (the only one of its kind) is that the dates have been chosen specifically to coincide with a full moon. This means that, should we be blessed with clear skies, capturing the moon rising above a winter‑wonderland landscape is very much a possibility.


As is the landscape illuminated, solely, by the light of the moon. A very special experience!


WILDLIFE
But let's not forget, this is also a wildlife photography tour where, from large heated hides, we will photograph the iconic golden eagle. Unlike many other such hides in Scandinavia, where you have to enter before daybreak, here, we can do so at 9am!



In the past, the eagles have arrived around 1pm, and so, while waiting for the star attraction, we can busy ourselves with smaller visitors such as woodpeckers, red squirrels, tits and siberian jays enticed by the food placed a few metres in front of us.


HIGHLIGHTS
All-inclusive
Private en-suite bedrooms
Daily briefings
Tuition from two professional photographers
Small group size of just 5
4WD minibus transportation
Winter wonderland landscapes
Full-moon opportunities
Tykky: Frozen, snow-laden trees
Golden eagles from heated hides
Dipper, red squirrels and forest birds
Reindeer
To be confirmed nearer the time, we’ll endeavour to visit a nearby traditional reindeer farm, where portraits of these hardy, beautiful creatures can be taken. It’s a wonderful experience and an excellent opportunity to get close to - and photograph - this iconic mammal of the north.


We will also visit a river set in a beautiful landscape to photograph the numerous and very confiding dippers that frequent this stretch of water. It’s great fun, and amazing images can be captured here. In both 2019 and 2023, we even photographed otters from a distance of fewer than 20 metres.

And, while there, should you wish to have a break from wildlife, wherever you look, there are numerous intimate landscape opportunities.

FINALLY...
Thank you for considering this tour. Should you have any questions - no matter how small or insignificant they may seem - please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm here to help and to ensure you enjoy a wonderful week filled with inspiring photography.
" My reason for contacting you is to congratulate you for organising a most memorable tour. I got so much out of it due to your ability to suggest the most effective ways of using our photographic equipment to obtain the best possible images. I was always impressed by your personal qualities and in dealing with us in different situations. You were always positive, cheerful, displaying concern for our welfare as well as using your considerable experience to ensure we got the best images in a range of locations. Consequently, it is not surprising that there is a constant demand for places on your photographic tours. I have enjoyed the company of many professional photographers in a range of locations across the world. I would wish to tell you that in my estimation that your are right at the top due to your effective leadership, management of clients, photographic expertise and your approachability."
Nick Nicholas
"What a crackerjack of a week! Tons of snow, a blood moon, birds galore, some great landscapes and otters as a bonus. The blood moon was amazing, even if difficult to photograph. All organised in your usual immaculate manner. The heated hides were very comfortable, especially having spent time outside in -31degrees! Many thanks to you and all of your local team. It made for a wonderful experience, and I'm ready to go back!"
David Barker
“Finland was a great trip with a variety of subjects to shoot. It was infectious the enjoyment when we saw some fantastic birdlife and landscape and the occasional mammal glimpsed such as a fleeting glimpse of the Moose. The guides who must have seen the images we came across numerous times were also just as excited as us, and went to great length to make sure we got to see and capture some great photographs. The company was good, and the sharing of experience and knowledge which added to the tour as well as Robs knowledge of Finland, and the impromptu camera clinics which Rob was invaluable at sorting out issues in a calm manner. Great place to stay and hospitality and food brilliant. The only downside was having to leave such a fantastic place to come home.”.
Helen Kelly
“Well what can I say? Once again you have surpassed yourself!! Accommodation in a cosy log cabin in the forest set the scene for a fabulous few days of photography in the Kuusomo region of Finland and we were sustained by our hosts superb hearty traditional cuisine.....I have developed a liking for Reindeer and Elk! The schedule allowed plenty of opportunity for both landscape and wildlife photography and individuals had time to perfect their own style of photography in addition to having three professionals on hand to advise. Parvo and Ollie were excellent local guides and very generous in sharing their knowledge of the area, wildlife and photography skills. Highlights for me included good views of the pair of Golden Eagles, the Great Grey Owl, Crested tit ( not to mention a whole host of the smaller birds), Wolverine tracks, Ice sculptures and the heavily snow laden trees so typical of the area... oh and of course the snowmobile shuttle up to the Hides!. I have returned home having enjoyed the company of a great group and thrilled to have some 'keepers' amongst my many images. As always your clients' safety is paramount to you and your professionalism at all times makes any trip with you a truly amazing experience. The only dilemma is...where to next, Bob?"
Wendy Kennett
"Having just returned from my third trip to Finland with Rob, this tour was all I expected and more. Designed to coincide with the full moon and the eclipse, we experienced ‘real winter’ in January, with knee-deep snow and temperatures around -25c. We had the most gorgeous light, with the sun never far above the horizon. Rob is always ‘on hand’ with tips on camera settings and compositions, as well as keeping our safety in mind at all times. The tour was very well organized, with fabulous food, a large log cabin (with sauna) remotely tucked in the forest and surrounded by frozen snow-covered lakes. Transportation and guided trips were organised by Rob himself, Paavo and Olli, who are both locals and great photographers. We quickly became good friends. I thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to witness the Finnish scenery at its very best. Indeed, I would love to return!"
Phil Drury
"The Finland trip with Robert was a truly special experience. A wonderful environment with knowledgeable and passionate local guides who enabled us to have some magical moments...and that is even before you take a photograph! Robert was an outstanding mentor throughout our time together. Very generous and supportive with his knowledge and advice, I learnt a lot and took some pictures I am delighted with as a consequence. We had a lot of fun too...a great trip, Robert. Thank you.”
Gareth Williams
“The trip was very well organised from start to finish. The advice on camera equipment and what to take was extremely useful before the trip. During the tour we were constantly given information on camera settings and suggestions on how to improve. A trip made enjoyable by good support from Robert, Paavo and Olli, and meeting the other photographers. We will certainly join Robert's other workshops again!"
Marie-Laure Stone
"A thoroughly enjoyable trip into the wilderness of Finland. Perfectly organised, excellent accommodation and a simply stunning location. A big thank you to Rob, Olli and Paavo for all the support given and for making this trip so special. Plenty of photographic opportunities and lots of fun along the way. Highly recommended."
Roger Marks
Thank you for dropping by and considering attending a workshop. I love nothing more than to pass on to others the knowledge I have gained over the last 30 years as a professional photographer and 15 as a workshop and tour leader. My group sizes are always small ensuring a fun and friendly group dynamic, lots of 'personal space' in which to photograph without too much fear of others getting in your way and as much tuition as you would like or feel that you need. I hope you can join me!
Although under the 'umbrella' of Workshops, please note there is a difference between the three types that I offer. To avoid any confusion, please see below.
Those taking place in the UK are classed as Workshops where learning is the primary aim, and in the case of those which are multi-day residential, very often include image critique and post-processing sessions.
Overseas trips are classed as Tours where the logistics are all taken care of and where the emphasis is on getting you to great locations at the best time of the day. Since these may include hide photography and working in cold, windy conditions where one-on-one tuition isn't practical, these are less hands-on. However, prior to the hide session or upon arriving at a location, I will give advice and suggestions on composition, lens selection and exposure.
Creative Visions is a new concept that I have designed to specifically nurture your artistic growth. They can take place in either the UK or abroad combining both workshop and tour principles. There will be critique and post-processing tutorials and, most importantly, you will be encouraged to go beyond the record and representational and instead produce more intimate creative interpretations.