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Workshops / Workshops / Nunavik Photo Tour

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Join Helen Grose and Andrew McLachlan for a bucket-list opportunity -- an exploratory tour of wild and remote Nunavik!

Stay at a wilderness camp on the Ungava Peninsula in Northern Quebec, and spend the days roaming the tundra in search of mighty muskoxen, and taking in the area's vast beauty. From burgeoning seasonal colours, and flora details, to ancient tent rings and cairns, to wildlife and northern lights, we'll photograph everything that catches our eyes!

Saturday, September 2 -
Saturday, September 9, 2023

2023 Nunavik Tour Photo Card - low res copy.jpg

Top left & bottom middle images by Allen Gordon | All other images copyright Norrie Franko

Neither Helen nor Andrew have explored this region, so we're inviting 4-6 photographers who are up for adventure, have an open mind, and share our passion for photographing all of Mother Nature's beauty to join us. We thank Helen's friend Norrie Franko (Tabby Press) for not only allowing us to use her wonderful images to give you a sense of what you might capture, but also for helping us with invaluable information about what we might expect. We are very excited for this trip!

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, September 2, 2023

We will fly from Montreal to the village of Kuujjuaq in the Northhern Quebec region of Nunavik

(10 a.m. departure, 12:20 p.m. arrival - subject to change)

After we collect our luggage, we'll be driven to the float plane base at Stewart Lake, where we'll board a float plane for a 30 minute flight to our camp on the Ungava Peninsula.

That afternoon, we'll get settled into our cabins, get acquainted with each other and the camp, enjoy a family-style meal in the kitchen cabin, and discuss our plan for our first day out in the field. We'll want to get to bed early so we're ready to get going at the crack of dawn.

Please note: you will be responsible for getting yourself to Montreal.

Sunday, September 3 to Friday, September 8

Our itinerary for the week will be largely determined by the weather, as well as wildlife movement. We can expect to spend all day outside with our cameras. Depending where the herds of muskoxen are, we may need to hike up to 10km/day, or we may get lucky and enjoy their presence close to camp. They are, of course, the main attraction in the area, but there is other wildlife potential, such as black bears, wolves, foxes, lemmings, water fowl, birds of prey, and ptarmagan. In the event someone doesn't feel up for a hike across the tundra one day, there will always be the option to stay around camp. We are of the opinion there is always something to photograph! We look forward to learning about local history and culture from our local guides, and relishing in the colours and textures of a unique landscape and its flora. The camp is right under the Aurora belt, so there's a good chance of capturing a show if the skies are clear.

Saturday, September 9

We will most likely leave camp in the morning (before noon). We'll take the float plane back to Kuujjuaq, and then be driven to the airport to catch our afternoon flight (2:50 p.m.) back to Montreal. Flight times are subject to change due to weather and other charters that may be ahead of ours. Please note that any costs associated with a delay in travel - such as, but not limited to flight cancellations, or substantial delays - are not included in the cost of the tour and are the responsibility of each participant.

What to Expect

Daily Activity

Each day will start with a hearty breakfast, and then we'll pack ourselves a lunch with what's provided before heading off for the day. We will each be responsible for carrying our own gear, which includes our camera bag, clothing, food & drinks. We will be led by our local guides, who are expert trackers. While we'll likely hike every day, but we may also make use of a boat to ferry us in a different direction. Despite being tundra, there's a fair degree of elevation with ridges and an esker. The ground will be wet and spongy, and some areas will have waist high shrubs we'll be walking through. As always, we expect everyone to know their own limits and pace themselves accordingly.

Photography Instruction & Guiding

There will be no formal instruction during this trip, but Andrew and Helen are happy to offer suggestions for settings and composition, provide feedback in the field, with back-of-camera review, and answer any questions you may have to help you get the most out of this adventure. We will benefit from the expertise of local guides who are skilled at tracking herd movement, and no doubt learn about their culture and history by asking questions.

Photography Gear

To take advantage of the wildlife opportunities, we feel you should have a minimum focal length of 400mm. Muskox are large, but the distance we'll be from them will likely vary quite significantly. If you're keen on macro, we're sure there will be lots to capture your interest. And, of course, a wide angle lens is suggested for capturing landscapes and the northern lights. You will need a tripod for the northern lights. More details about suggested personal and camera gear will be provided prior to the trip.

Camp/Accommodations

The camp is best described as rustic. We consider it a place to eat our meals and rest, with the remainder of our time spent on the move looking for and photographing wildlife.

They are in the process of constructing two new sleeping cabins. The existing cabins contain a combination of double bed and bunk beds, or two sets of bunks, as well as shelving and hooks for hanging clothing. How the accommodations are assigned will depend on the make-up of our group.

There is no electricity in the cabins, they are heated by propane or oil stoves and lit with solar lanterns. There are outlets in the kitchen cabin where we’ll be able to charge our batteries and dump our cards each night. There is no Internet. There is running water to the kitchen cabin, with a shower facility there, though we again understand it’s best described as rustic. Our restroom facilities are outhouses.