Since mid January, I was running photo workshops in Lofoten. I just finished the 7th group, and the 8th group is coming in this evening. One of the most fascinating parts of this winter is the private visit to the Sami reindeer herder. You may have not heard about Sami people, but if you've watch the Disney's animation "Frozen", it was inspired by Sami culture!

I met this beautiful Sami girl, Kine in her reindeer farm for the discussion about the future business plan. She has her Gakti, the traditional Sami outfits on her. The Gakti is characterized by a dominant color adorned with bands of contrasting colors, plaits, pewter embroidery, tin art, and often a high collar.

I had a great time with Kine’s family and their reindeer. Kine is an outdoor lover, she enjoys being in the nature, spending time with her reindeer and also sitting in the hut looking at the fire – she said the shapes of the fires look different every moment!

Sami are a group of indigenous people that come from the region of Sapmi, which stretches across the Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Sami are best known for reindeer herding, and Kine’s family has about 600 reindeer and has been herding reindeer for many generations. Reindeer are so important to the Sami way of life, many people even go to a special university to learn how to care for their reindeer herds!

In the Sami culture, there are 8 seasons instead of 4. These 8 seasons are closely related to the reindeer’s natural migration and mating, and the reindeer owner’s tasks at the particular time of the year. Reindeer can migrate up to 600 kilometers each year along ancient migration routes between the seasons. A siida is a unique form of organization for the groups of Sami reindeer herders who practice reindeer husbandry together in specific areas.

From next year onward, I will be organizing a visit to Sami reindeer herder family in every Lofoten winter photo workshop. If you have not seen Lofoten in winter, aurora borealis, or the Sami reindeer herder, join us for the adventure to Lofoten next year! Check out my workshop schedule at: https://kahwailin.com/workshops/

Most of my photo workshops this year are full, we have a few seats left in the photo workshop to Faroe Islands on July 24-31, 2023. I will be partnering with the Olympus Ambassador, Matt Suess, for this epic adventure - you will be witnessing the amazing landscape of Faroe Islands, as well as the Atlantic puffins - thousands of them are waiting for you! For more information, please visit: https://www.thefotoexperience.com/2023-faroe-islands-photo-workshop

I will be presenting a landscape photography seminar at Adorama in New York City on 21st March. This seminar is free and is sponsored by NiSi Optics USA. In this seminar, I will talk about the pro tips in seeing the unseen and crafting better images in landscape photography: how to use the lights to create visual emotion; how to use neutral density filters and long exposure technique to create visual dynamism - in grand landscape and seascape photography; and how to use composition to create visual continuity and story.

Sign up and reserve your seat at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-event-the-art-of-landscape-photography-w-dr-kah-wai-lin-nisi-tickets-568167021857?aff=drlin

If you love night sky photography, either milky way, aurora borealis, or deep sky astrophotography, Nightscaper Conference in Kanab, Utah is waiting for you! An exciting 4-days event, with 15+ speakers and 40+ lessons! I will be talking about photographing aurora borealis - how to predict and photograph them.

Sign up and reserve your seat at: https://www.nightscaper.com/

Shop now at the Stetinden Photo - Camera & Telescope Store, and use LINKW2022 for the 15% off for all Fotopro tripods and NiSi filters. This is a special treat for you who is reading my newsletter! Thank you for your support!