Early summer is the most magical moment on Stora Karlsö: flower meadows burst into bloom, thousands of seabirds fill the cliffs, and the island’s limestone landscapes glow in soft Nordic light. This is the peak season for both nature and photography.

Join us for a five‑day creative photography adventure on Gotland and Stora Karlsö. The journey is guided by award‑winning photographic artist Jaana Kotamäki, who will teach multiple exposure, ICM, creative motion techniques, and the atmospheric use of vintage lenses.

This experience blends documentary nature photography, artistic experimentation, and the exploration of Gotland’s historical sites. Stora Karlsö is famous for blooming orchids, coastal flowers, dramatic sea views, and seabird colonies, which create an unforgettable photographic playground.

Nature, Birds & Creative Techniques on Gotland and Stora Karlsö Islands in Sweden

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What to Expect:

- Tuesday 15.6.: Arrival in Gotland & Evening Photography in Visby. You arrive in Gotland during the day and meet the group in Visby, the medieval Hanseatic town known for its cobblestone alleys and ancient city wall.

After checking in at the hotel, we enjoy a relaxed dinner together and begin our photographic exploration. Meet & greet with your teacher Jaana Kotamäki. Introduction to the week’s creative themes. Evening walk in Visby’s Old Town, photographing the city wall, narrow medieval streets, textures, shadows, and soft evening light. Optional first exercises in ICM and multiple exposures to warm up the creative eye!

- Wednesday 16.6.: Ferry to Stora Karlsö & First Encounters with the Island. After breakfast, we travel to Klintehamn, where a short ferry ride takes us to Stora Karlsö.

Upon arrival, we settle into the island’s accommodation and begin exploring its unique nature. Peak bloom of early-summer orchids, wild herbs and coastal flowers, colonies of Common Guillemots (etelänkiisla) and Razorbills (ruokki), long, soft evenings ideal for slow, experimental photography, calm seas and mild temperatures for comfortable walking and shooting

Highlights: Orientation walk with the guide, introduction to the island’s geology, flora, and birdlife, first photographic session: coastal cliffs, limestone textures, early-summer vegetation, evening seabird photography from viewpoints near the cliffs

- Thursday 17.6, Friday 18.6.: Dive deeper into wildlife in the island: Nature, Birds & Creative Techniques on Stora Karlsö: Full days dedicated to exploring the island’s gentle trails and diverse habitats. We combine documentary nature photography and bird portraits with artistic experimentation.

Highlights: Guided walk through meadows, juniper groves, and cliff edges. Photographing flowering plants, sea vistas, and dynamic bird colonies. Hands-on practice with: Multiple exposure techniques, ICM (Intentional Camera Movement). Creative blur and abstraction. Using vintage lenses for atmospheric rendering

Evening session: seabirds in golden light, silhouettes, motion studies, sea and reflections.

- Saturday 19.6.: Return to Visby & Northern Gotland Road Trip
In the morning we take the ferry back to Gotland and pick up a rental car for a full-day excursion to the island’s northern landscapes.

Highlights: Road trip to Gotland’s iconic natural formations and cultural sites. Rugged limestone sea stacks, coastal cliffs and ancient cultural landscapes. Documentary photography of historical sites. Creative sessions with vintage lenses in open landscapes. Evening return to Visby

- Sunday 20.6.: Departure
After breakfast we head back to the mainland by ferry.
Your memory cards will be full of seabirds, flowers, medieval textures, limestone shores and experimental artworks — a rich blend of documentary and creative photography. Share your work with fellow participants and receive constructive feedback. Wrap up with a group lunch in a ferry to Swedish mainland

After these rewarding and creativity-enhancing days, you have different artistic photographs that form an intriguing collection of your workshop in Sweden. During this journey, you have learned how to narrate an unforgettable visual experience by creative techiques in photography and uniquely present it through your social channels or print it in high-quality formats.

Throughout the workshop, you'll be guided by two experienced professional photographers familiar with the area, ensuring a deep connection with both the craft and the environment.

Feel free to contact us and tell us about your expectations - we will make your photography holiday dreams come true!

Place: Gotland and Stora Karlsö, Sweden
Availability: 15.-20.6.2027
Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
Number of participants: Min 6 persons, max 15 persons
Accommodation: hotels, cabins, single or double rooms
Price: 2280 €/person in double room
Price includes: Transport and guidance on islands in Sweden, meals (breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner), accommodation.
The price doesn’t include flights or ferries.
Equipment: DSLR or mirrorless camera with suitable objectives. Participants dress according to the weather. Please request the entire list of equipment before booking.
Equipment included in the price:
By additional cost: Single room supplement 100 €/stay. Camera equipment: We have different kinds of cameras and lenses for rent. Ask for availability if needed.
Payment: Invoice, cash, credit card
Tour level: Easy.
Languages: Finnish, English
Insurance: We require participants to have insurance for outdoor activities.
Tour operator: Our tours are organized responsibly by Matexpro Oy, registered with the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) under registration number 322/21/Mj.