Photography

Northern Exposure Northern Exposure Photography in the Arctic Photography in the Arctic

CAMILLE SEAMAN believes in capturing images that articulate the connections between humans and nature—a mindset that took root while growing up in the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Now a National Geographic Photography Expert who joins guests on select Lindblad-National Geographic expeditions, Seaman has spent the past two decades documenting the rapidly changing icescapes of Antarctica and the Arctic. Her polar pursuits recently took her to Svalbard, where she sat down with us to share her perspectives on Arctic photography.

Describe your personal relationship with the Arctic.

As an indigenous person, I was raised to know that we are interconnected and interrelated to everything. When I look at the ice, I understand that the ice and how it exists somehow relates to me. It has an effect. So to have the opportunity to really stand in front of it and feel that awe—that overwhelming sense of scale here—is really powerful.

What is your role as a National Geographic Photography Expert?

As a photographer, I understand before I even raise my camera that my job is to inspire people. My job is to create greater empathy and compassion. When I raise my camera here, I know that I am becoming the messenger for this place.

What makes the Arctic a good photography backdrop?

The thing that keeps me coming back to the polar regions over and over again is the unique quality of light that you can only find here. Because of where we are, we don’t really get a sunset. There is this pseudo sunrise and sunset light that can last for many hours. The colors it creates are quite extraordinary.

How does traveling by expedition ship facilitate your craft?

The National Geographic Resolution has ruined me because it is so luxurious—so comfortable. But importantly, it’s so quiet. I feel the silence of the ship as we approach wildlife. And the ship’s ice class allows us to go places other ships wouldn’t even dare. We felt that just yesterday when observed a polar bear. There were other ships nearby, and they couldn’t even contemplate getting as close as we did.

How would you encourage travelers to approach photography on an expedition?

I would encourage people to express themselves and to not worry about getting a checklist of images. Make a picture of a walrus, but show me the walrus in a way that means something to you. We want people to go home with images that are personal, so that when they show their friends and family, they’re able to evoke some sense of what a place meant to them.

Watch Camille Seaman describe the splendor of Svalbard in the springtime at expeditions.com/camille