Swan Hellenic is introducing its Antarctic Photography Program, an exclusive voyage-long experience for guests who want to develop their photography skills while exploring Antarctica. With nine specially curated departures available, this unique program offers a rare opportunity to capture the continent’s extraordinary landscapes and wildlife under the guidance of expert photographers.
Limited to a maximum of 10 participants per voyage, the program combines professional guidance, dedicated photographic opportunities, daily image feedback, and editing workshops. The program is available for USD 1,000 per guest.
“Antarctica is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth to photograph, but capturing its beauty and wildlife is also a matter of being in the right place at the right moment and knowing how to respond to constantly changing conditions,” said Mario Bounas, Chief Commercial Officer of Swan Hellenic. “With our new Antarctic Photography Program, offered on nine cruises, we want to give passionate photographers the opportunity to go beyond simply taking pictures – to develop their skills, deepen their understanding of the environment, and create a more personal visual story of their journey. We are also pleased to announce that dedicated photography sailings will be launching in Asia-Pacific next summer season, extending this approach to a new region and offering guests fresh opportunities to develop their skills while discovering its extraordinary landscapes and marine paradises, as well as its wealth of diverse cultures.”
The inaugural Photography Instructor will be Simon Ager, a Canadian-British photographer published by National Geographic, a contributor to SeaLegacy, and a CanGeo Fellow Photographer. He has participated in Antarctic science expeditions for National Geographic and the Schmidt Family Foundation, worked on the post-production crew of BBC Wildlife on One, and is an experienced polar guide and expedition leader.
Simon Ager will lead the program during the Antarctic Peninsula Odyssey, from 24 November to 4 December 2026, onboard SH Vega.
The program will continue with Lauren Buchholz, a landscape photographer, certified National Geographic Photo Instructor, and polar guide. Her work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer and Landscape Photography Magazine, and she has worked extensively with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
Lauren Buchholz will lead the program during three cruises: the first two in 2026 and the third in 2027:
• Antarctic Wonders: Roundtrip Cruise from Ushuaia, from 4 to 13 December 2026.
• Antarctic Wonders: Roundtrip Cruise from Ushuaia, from 13 to 22 December 2026.
• Patagonia and Wild Atlantic: Cruise to the Falkland Islands, from 25 March to 4 April 2027.
The remaining selected voyages on which the program will be available, together with their corresponding dates, are:
• Antarctic Wonders: Roundtrip Cruise from Ushuaia, from 13 to 22 January 2027.
• Expedition to Antarctica: Weddell Sea Cruise, from 22 January to 2 February 2027.
• Antarctic Wonders: Roundtrip Cruise from Ushuaia, from 2 to 11 February 2027.
• Antarctic Wonders: Roundtrip Cruise from Ushuaia, from 3 to 12 March 2027.
• Cruise to the Antarctic Circle, from 12 to 25 March 2027.
Participants will normally form the first guest group to go ashore, following the Expedition Team’s safety assessment. When conditions permit, they may begin their landing experience up to approximately 30 minutes before the main guest operation.
During suitable Zodiac operations, the group may also have access to a dedicated Photography Zodiac, accompanied by the Photography Instructor. The experience will focus on landscape and wildlife photography, including penguins, seals, seabirds, and whales, as well as composition, exposure, and challenging Antarctic light.
Daily feedback sessions will give participants the opportunity to review their images and receive practical guidance. Editing workshops at sea will cover image selection, workflow, post-processing, and visual storytelling. Guests should bring their own camera equipment and, if they wish to take part in the editing sessions, their own laptop or editing device.
The program is open to enthusiastic photographers of different experience levels. Participants do not need to be professionals but should be comfortable using their own camera.
All activities remain subject to weather, sea and ice conditions, wildlife behavior, environmental regulations, IAATO requirements, and the decisions of the Captain and Expedition Leader. Safety and environmental responsibility always take precedence.
With only 10 places available on each voyage, the program offers a highly personal way to learn, photograph, and experience Antarctica in the field.