I took my very first aurora borealis photos while on canoe trips through Manitoba's provincial parks. Armed with a camera, a tripod, and plenty of trial and error, I spent countless nights under some incredibly dark skies figuring things out as I went.

Since then, I've photographed the northern lights all over the province. From the rugged wilderness of Nopiming Provincial Park to the dunes of Spruce Woods Provincial Park, and even just outside Winnipeg in Birds Hill Provincial Park.

But if there's one place that keeps calling me back, it's Churchill. It's one of those places where you can spend hours watching the sky change, forgetting about camera settings altogether because the experience is just that incredible.

Along the way, I've learned that photographing the northern lights is equal parts preparation, patience and luck. Knowing your camera helps, but knowing when to stop fiddling with the settings, put the camera down for a moment, and simply enjoy the show is just as important.

If you're planning to chase the aurora borealis in Manitoba, here are a few lessons I've picked up over the years that I hope will help you come home with great photos and even better memories.

What You’ll Learn About Aurora Borealis Photography in Manitoba

• Manitoba offers incredible opportunities to photograph the northern lights, including Churchill, one of the best places in the world to experience the aurora borealis, located directly beneath the auroral oval.
• The biggest factors in a great aurora borealis photo are patience, preparation and choosing the right conditions.
• You don’t need expensive equipment to start. Modern phones can capture amazing images with a few simple tricks.
• Churchill offers a unique aurora borealis experience, but remote locations require local knowledge.
• The best aurora borealis photos are often the ones that remind you exactly where you were when the sky came alive.

The Aurora Borealis Rewards Patience

The aurora borealis doesn't keep a schedule. Some nights it appears while the sky is still glowing with sunset. Other nights, you wait. One of my favourite memories started over dinner at Frontiers North Adventures' Dan's Diner in Churchill.

While we were all enjoying our meal, I couldn't stop glancing out the panoramic windows. A few faint ribbons of green had started to appear in the sky, so I grabbed my coat and stepped outside.

It looked promising, but not spectacular.

A handful of us stood in the cold watching the lights slowly brighten before they seemed to fade again. One by one, people headed back inside, convinced the show was over.

I decided to stay.

I found my composition, dialed in my camera settings, and waited.

Then, in an instant, the sky exploded.

Waves of green and purple stretched from horizon to horizon. It felt like I was standing inside a giant lava lamp. I remember yelling for everyone to come back outside because I knew this was one of those rare moments you never forget.

That night reminded me what aurora borealis photography is really about.

You can watch the forecasts, scout the perfect location, and have your camera ready, but you can't force the northern lights to appear.

Aurora borealis photography has taught me that patience is often the most valuable piece of gear you can bring. Of course, if that patience happens to include a fine dining experience while you wait for the sky to put on a show, I'd highly recommend it!

My Aurora Borealis Photography Journey Started Close to Home

When people think about photographing the northern lights, they often picture travelling far north. While northern Manitoba offers incredible opportunities, you don’t have to start there.

Some of my first aurora borealis experiences happened during canoe trips in Nopiming Provincial Park. Away from city lights, surrounded by wilderness, I started playing with settings and reviewing the results. I learned how to use my camera in the dark and honestly I grew a huge appreciation for how incredible star gazing can be.

I’ve also photographed the aurora borealis in Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Birds Hill Provincial Park and even from my back yard in the city.

Finding a good location comes down to a few important things:

• Dark skies with limited light pollution
• A clear view of the sky
• Interesting foregrounds
• Safe access
• A place where you can comfortably wait

Birds Hill Provincial Park has been one of my favourite options close to Winnipeg because it’s easy to access while still offering darker skies than the city. Additionally, it’s darker when you’re looking north specifically. If you go to parks south of the city you will be pointing at the city to see the aurora borealis most likely.

One important safety reminder: darkness changes how you experience a place. Stay off roads, be aware of your surroundings and remember that drivers may not expect people to be outside taking photos at night.

Why Churchill is Special for Aurora Borealis Photography

Churchill holds a special place in my aurora borealis photography journey.

The community sits directly beneath the aurora oval, which means the northern lights don't just appear on the horizon… they often surround you! On the best nights, the aurora borealis forms a corona, where shimmering curtains of light seem to meet directly overhead. It's less like watching the northern lights and more like standing inside them.

Churchill also adds something photographers love: a sense of place. The aurora borealis may be the star of the show, but it's the tundra, the wildlife, the northern community and the unmistakable feeling of being somewhere truly remote that transform a photograph into a story. However, that remoteness also means you need to respect the environment and understand the risks.

If you’re travelling to Churchill, I recommend working with experienced guides who understand the landscape, wildlife and conditions. That allows you to focus on the experience while someone else helps take care of safety. After all, this is polar bear country.

When Is the Best Time to Photograph the Northern Lights?

The northern lights can appear any time of year in Manitoba. I’ve photographed them in every season.

However, if you’re planning a trip specifically for aurora borealis photography, fall through winter often gives you the best opportunities. The reason is simple: darkness.

Manitoba's endless summer evenings are beautiful, but they come with a trade-off: true darkness doesn't arrive until much later, leaving fewer hours to photograph the aurora borealis. Fall and winter bring long nights, and colder air often means less moisture and clearer skies.

The best viewing window is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., with many strong displays happening around magnetic midnight. But remember: the aurora borealis is never guaranteed. That’s why we say we’re ‘chasing’ it!

Your Eyes and Your Camera See Different Things

One of the first things people often say after seeing the aurora borealis for the first time is: “Why doesn’t it look like the photos?”

It's a fair question. Cameras can capture more light than our eyes because they collect it over several seconds. That's why a long exposure often reveals colours and details that aren't immediately visible.

But don't let your camera have all the fun. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Another lesson in patience. After 20 to 30 minutes away from bright lights, you'll notice more colour, more movement, and far more detail in the aurora borealis.

That's why photographers use red headlamps and dim the lights inside their vehicles while they wait. Preserving your night vision makes a remarkable difference.

Aurora borealis photography isn't just about having the right camera settings. It's about being ready before the show begins.

You Don’t Need Expensive Gear to Start

The best camera is sometimes the one you already have. Modern phones have become surprisingly good at photographing the northern lights. Many newer phones have long exposure modes that can capture impressive images.

The biggest improvement you can make is keeping your phone still.

A tripod is ideal, but even resting your phone on a stable surface can make a big difference. If your watch can trigger your phone’s shutter, that can help prevent movement during the exposure.

Once you move into dedicated cameras, the biggest advantages come from having a wide and fast lens. The equipment isn’t cheap and you’ll need to spend time with it before you’re out photographing the aurora borealis. More on that later.

For aurora borealis photography, I usually recommend:

• A wide lens, around 11mm to 14mm on a camera body
• A fast aperture, ideally f/1.8 or faster
• A sturdy tripod
• A remote shutter or timer

I currently shoot on a Sony A73 body with a Sony FE 14mm/1.8 lens. The wider the lens, the more of the sky you can capture.

My Starter Settings for Aurora Borealis Photography

For someone using a camera, I usually recommend starting simple. Try:

• Aperture: f/1.8 or faster (lower number) if possible
• Shutter speed: 3–5 seconds to start and up to 10-15 seconds for dim aurora borealis
• ISO: Start at a comfortable level for your camera and adjust from there (1600-3200)
• Focus: Manual focus on the stars
• File type: RAW if you plan to edit

The shutter speed is one of the biggest creative choices. A slower shutter speed captures more light but can soften the movement of the aurora borealis. A faster shutter speed helps freeze the shape and movement of the lights. If the aurora borealis is bright and moving quickly, lower your ISO and shorten your exposure (shutter). If the aurora borealis is faint, increase your ISO and use a longer exposure.

One important lesson I learned the hard way: your camera screen can fool you. When you’re outside in the dark, your eyes adjust and your camera screen can look much brighter than your actual image. When you get home, you may discover your photos are darker than expected. Use your histogram to check your exposure. You want your image data pushed slightly to the right so you capture shadow detail without creating too much digital noise. You can also dim your lcd screen so that it’s not as bright.

Focus is One of the Most Important Steps

A lot of people assume they can focus once and forget about it. Don’t.

Every time you move your camera or adjust your setup, you can accidentally change your focus. The easiest way to focus is to use the stars. Most cameras have a ‘focus magnifier’ (different brands have different names for the same thing) feature that allows you to enlarge the live image. Use this to zoom in on a bright star and adjust until it's the smallest, crisp point of light possible. Focus peaking can also help.

And if you’re photographing in extreme cold, keep checking your lens. Ice crystals can build up and make your images soft. Do not breathe on your lens to clear it. That moisture will fog your lens almost instantly. Use a lintless cloth to wipe it clear.

Don't Just Photography the Sky

The biggest mistake I see is people only photographing the aurora borealis. The sky is amazing, but where you are helps to tell the story. A photo of coloured light alone could have been taken anywhere. Adding a sense of place makes it memorable. Look for:

• Trees
• Cabins
• Shorelines
• Snow-covered landscapes
• Trails
• Vehicles
• People

People can also add scale and emotion to an image. Just remember they need to stay still during longer exposures or they will become blurry. You can also try light painting by using a strobe or flashlight to light subjects while capturing the aurora borealis at the same time.

Staying Warm and Protecting Your Gear

Cold weather photography comes with its own challenges. My biggest tips:

• Bring extra batteries and keep them warm in interior pockets.
• Dress warmer than you think you need because you won’t be moving much.
• Bring snacks and drinks.
• Use hand warmers to keep your fingers comfortable.
• Avoid plastic tripods in extreme cold because they can become brittle.

Your camera also needs some care. Going from warm to cold is usually fine. Going from cold back into a warm room is where condensation becomes a problem. If your camera has been outside for hours, let it warm up slowly inside a camera bag or plastic bag. Make sure that bag has the same starting temperature as the outside air. I also keep silica packs in my camera bag to help manage moisture but an open bag of rice can do the same job. Just make sure not to dump the rice in your bag by moving it around.

Accidents happen and if you do forget and everything frosts over immediately do three things:

• DO NOT TURN THE CAMERA ON
• Remove the battery
• Place the camera in a bag of rice and seal the bag

Let that sit for 10-14 hours and let the moisture fully absorb into the rice. Remove the camera and wipe off any rice. Insert the battery and make sure everything is functioning.

Plan Your Aurora Borealis Photography Adventure

Check the Conditions

Aurora borealis forecasts can help, but they are never a guarantee.

The best raw space weather data comes from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. You also need to check the local weather because clouds will block the aurora borealis no matter how strong the solar activity is. I like using Windy to check cloud conditions.

The moon is also worth considering. Some photographers prefer a darker sky, while others like having moonlight because it helps illuminate the landscape and create stronger video results.

Locations like Churchill have live cams for audiences around the world to view the aurora borealis. This is a great tool to check and see if there is any activity before you venture outside.

Know Your Equipment Before You Go

A freezing night under the northern lights is not the time to learn your camera. Practice at home. Photograph stars. Try your settings in a dark room. Discern the level of ISO noise you’re comfortable with. Learn where your buttons and switches are by touch and how to remove your battery without needing a flashlight.

Make Yourself Comfortable

Aurora borealis photography is a waiting game. The worst feeling is seeing someone pack it up early only to find out they missed the show. Bring what you need to stay outside and enjoy the experience regardless of what you see. Sometimes the lights appear quickly. Sometimes they make you wait. Either way, take a breathe and find beauty in the stars.

The Northern Lights Are Worth Chasing

The best aurora borealis photo begins long before you press the shutter. It starts with choosing the right location, understanding the conditions, preparing your gear and then doing perhaps the hardest part of all… waiting.

Manitoba has given me some of the most memorable nights I've ever spent behind a camera. I hope it gives you a few of your own. If you're ready to chase the aurora borealis, there's no better place to begin.

Plan your Manitoba getaway, look up and experience the aurora borealis in one of my favourite places on Earth.