Aerial view of the Lofoten Islands in Norway captured by Hrvoje Juric during his winter overland journey, showing a winding coastal road over snow-covered islands leading toward towering Arctic mountains, part of his Dacia Duster camper expedition to photograph the aurora borealis.

Chasing the light

30. Juli 2025Scandinavia
0
Karte

(First published in Issue 7, December 2022) It is an early winter morning at minus 14 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit), the sun is rising slowly, barely showing its true face, and the white wilderness surrounds us. I am in my new home, a rooftop tent on my converted car, which I replaced my bicycle with. We are a pack of three, two hairy dogs and one with a little less hair.


Hrvoje Juric walks with his two dogs, Ena and Max, across a snowy suspension bridge in a Finnish forest during his Dacia Duster winter vanlife adventure, holding a camera and wearing a green jacket and blue beanie, capturing the essence of his photography-focused journey through northern Europe.
A pack of three - @hrvoje_juric 12/2022


Going to Nordkapp in winter is not new to me. In 2016, I cycled from Oslo to Nordkapp, a journey that lasted 36 days through all kinds of conditions. That trip was about pushing my limits, and luckily I did not cross them. This time, however, the mission was completely different.


The goal was to capture the aurora borealis. and it was a mission that did not necessarily guaranteed success.


We could have arrived in the north only to find clouds every day. But after 11 years of traveling the world, I have learned that it is crucial to believe in what you are doing and that the results will eventually follow.


Hrvoje Juric prepares a campfire meal with one of his dogs beside him on a rocky coastline in Norway during his Dacia Duster camping journey. Surrounded by mountains and cold northern waters, the scene captures the rugged outdoor lifestyle and self-sufficient spirit of his aurora borealis photography expedition across northern Europe.
Believe in what you are doing and [...] results will eventually follow - @hrvoje_juric 12/2022


My loyal companions, Ena and Max, are always ready for adventure. Whether we go to Lake Borovik, just a half-hour drive from my former home, or to the mountain wilderness of Durmitor National Park in Montenegro, they are always up for an adventure. This time I prepared them with coats and paw protection. At some points, the temperature would drop to minus 41 degrees Celsius (minus 42 degrees Fahrenheit) while shooting the aurora over frozen lakes, and I wanted to keep them safe.


The aurora borealis is one of the most beautiful natural phenomena, best seen in the northern hemisphere. I got into my Dacia Duster, which I converted into a camper, packed warm clothes and food, and set off on a 15,000-kilometer (9,300-mile) adventure.


Hrvoje Juric’s red Dacia Duster camper with a rooftop tent is parked beside a fjord in northern Norway during his winter vanlife expedition. Snow-dusted mountains and traditional red houses line the distant shoreline, illustrating the remote and scenic backdrop of his aurora borealis photography journey through Europe.
My Dacia Duster, which I converted into a camper - @hrvoje_juric 12/2022


View from inside Hrvoje Juric’s Dacia Duster rooftop tent at Nordkapp, Norway, showing his dog resting beside him while both look out toward the iconic globe monument and Arctic Ocean, capturing a peaceful moment from their winter vanlife journey across northern Europe.
Resting in the rooftop tent at Nordkapp - @hrvoje_juric 12/2022


In 40 days, we traveled through most of Europe. From Austria and Germany to Denmark and Sweden, and finally to Finland. We stopped for a while in Rovaniemi. In Sweden, we were lucky to have clear skies and saw the aurora borealis for the first time. It was a comical moment when I ran into the snow completely barefoot, without socks, to set my camera up on a tripod for long exposure. On long drives, I like to go barefoot, which a real hardcore crew of campers will understand.


I caught the most beautiful aurora north of Rovaniemi. That evening we drove almost 300 kilometers (186 miles)to have as few clouds and light pollution as possible. Driving at night in winter conditions over that distance was not easy. I also had trouble sleeping at times because I almost completely reversed day and night. But all of it made sense in the end. I got the best possible reward: National Geographic published my photos of the aurora borealis on their channels, including some from Norway. That project led to further collaboration with them, and we are now discussing new opportunities.


Two dogs, Ena and Max, sit on a snow-lined road under a vivid aurora borealis sky in Finnish Lapland during Hrvoje Juric’s Dacia Duster winter overland journey. The green and purple northern lights illuminate the night, showcasing the remote wilderness and magic of Arctic photography adventures.
Ena & Max under northern lights - @hrvoje_juric 12/2022


Aerial view of the Lofoten Islands in Norway captured by Hrvoje Juric during his winter overland journey, showing a winding coastal road over snow-covered islands leading toward towering Arctic mountains, part of his Dacia Duster camper expedition to photograph the aurora borealis.
Winter on the Lofoten Islands - @hrvoje_juric 12/2022


Being a freelancer for over 12 years and and living on the road is not at all easy. I sold my house a few months ago and decided to live in nature, with my dogs, going wherever the road takes us.


I feel like I have taken a huge burden off my back.


Life is simpler. I no longer have so many obligations I was never fond of. And most importantly, I now get to fully devote myself to photography and video. Ena and Max are with me through it all. Can a man ask for more?


Kommentare

Noch keine Kommentare