Two Weeks at Sea: Photographing Norway with P&O Cruises

Some jobs stick with you long after you've packed up your kit and got home and this was definitely one of them. I recently spent two unforgettable weeks at sea with P&O Cruises, sailing through Norway on a mission that felt more like a dream than a job.

The assignment? Capture the magic of the experiences had by a group of eight journalists and influencers as they explored the Arctic North. From husky sledding through frozen forests to chasing the Northern Lights, this was an adventure in every sense of the word and my job was to document every moment.

A Journey Through Norway

Our route took us from the fjords of Stavanger to the snowy landscapes surrounding Tromsø. In between were moments that felt more like scenes from a documentary: snowmobiling under the stars, reindeer sledding across vast white plains, and, of course, the ever-elusive Northern Lights dancing across the sky.

P&O Cruises brought me on board to visually tell the story of these experiences, not just as a series of snapshots, but as a connected, emotional journey. The goal was to create imagery that made people feel like they were there too, living it alongside the group.

Capturing Authentic Travel Moments

When I’m shooting a trip like this, the key is full immersion. I’m not standing off to the side with a long lens, I’m riding the sled, hiking the trails, and sitting around the fire. The idea is to blend in so that the reactions, interactions, and joy I capture are all 100% real.

I leaned heavily on two of my favourite focal lengths for this type of work: 35mm and 50mm prime lenses. These are ideal for travel and event photography, especially when you want images to feel personal and present. They keep you close to the action without intruding, which is crucial when trying to capture the real, unfiltered emotion that comes with these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Mobility Over Gear Overload

A trip like this isn’t the time to be carrying a heavy kit. You’re constantly moving on foot, on sleds, even on snowmobiles and agility is everything. I packed light and focused on knowing my equipment inside and out so I could shoot confidently and quickly in ever-changing environments.

From icy dusk in the Arctic Circle to golden hour on the deck of the cruise ship, conditions shifted fast. This meant being prepared for anything: cold batteries, low light, and fleeting moments that wouldn’t come around twice.

From Social Media to Print Features

The photos from this trip didn’t just live in a gallery. They were picked up and shared across influencer pages with over 1 million followers, featured in the Scottish Sun, and even landed in a couple of Forbes magazine articles. It’s always incredibly rewarding to see your work make an impact and reach a wide audience, especially when the assignment means so much to you personally.

Final Thoughts

To say this was a "pinch-me" kind of job would be an understatement. It’s not every day you get to cruise through the Arctic, experience such wild beauty, and call it work. I’m hugely grateful to P&O Cruises for trusting me with such an incredible assignment and allowing me to help showcase the power of travel through photography.

If you're planning a press trip, influencer experience, or brand-led adventure and need a photographer who can keep up, blend in, and tell the story in a real, emotional way, get in touch. These are the moments people remember for life. Let's make sure they're captured the right way.