Photographer Erica Connolly Treads the Frozen Path with Great Expedition

The Arctic is a region that never truly rests. Between the slow, tectonic groan of massive glaciers and the electric dance of the Northern Lights, the environment demands a photographer who is as adaptable as they are resilient. For Dallas-based photographer Erica Connolly, her latest commission with The Great Expedition was less of a job and more of a homecoming to a landscape she has come to adore.

The Great Expedition Company also known as Great Exped crafts transformative Arctic travel experiences. Born from six years of unhurried exploration across the Arctic, the company curates journeys that go far beyond traditional travel, connecting curious adventurers to remote landscapes while championing the preservation of these fragile environments. Drawing on deep industry expertise, an extensive network, and rare access to the far north.

[Related Reading: Ten tips for capturing the best wildlife images in the Arctic and Antarctica]

A Familiar Chill

Having traveled with Great Exped as a guest in the Arctic three times prior, Erica was no stranger to the schooner’s deck. However, this trip transformed her from a leisure traveler into a visual storyteller, tasked with documenting the living, breathing essence of the Arctic for future marketing. Her mission was clear: document the ship within the vast Arctic landscape while reflecting the authentic guest perspective.

Having traveled nearly the exact same route before, I knew what to expect and was excited to bring a fresh perspective to one of my favorite regions to photograph.

Erica’s background as a former flight attendant and her experience living abroad have cultivated a professional foundation rooted in hospitality and adaptability, traits that are essential when your office is a boat subject to the whims of the North Atlantic.

Precision Packing for the Remote

Technical preparation for an expedition to Eastern Greenland is a lesson in minimalism and redundancy. With strict luggage weight restrictions imposed by small airplanes and dirt runways, every ounce of gear must justify its place. Erica’s kit was a strategic blend of versatility and backup: two mirrorless bodies, her “trusty” 24-70mm and 100-500mm lenses, a 50mm backup, and a drone.

The remote nature of the shoot meant that a gear failure would be terminal for the project. While she brought plastic bags to seal her gear against the pervasive moisture, the true enemy was the temperature.

Camera batteries drain incredibly fast in extreme temperatures, so I compensate by bringing plenty of extras and constantly rotating them on the charger.

Life on a Moving Canvas

Living and working on a boat for eight days presents a unique set of creative hurdles. The primary challenge wasn’t just the cold, but the constant motion. During a two-day crossing from Greenland to Iceland in open water, the physical toll of the sea became apparent. Erica had planned to use the transit time for editing, but the rough waters turned a productive afternoon into a battle to “stay upright” and keep her “lunch down.”

I was on a heavily rocking zodiac, wearing both of my Canon R5s, trying to stabilize my heavy 100-500 lens while navigating around six other people in a very small space. The driver had to keep repositioning us to avoid surrounding ice… Despite all of that, it resulted in one of my favorite images.

Despite the physical strain, the visual rewards were constant. Erica found herself unable to sit through a full meal without glancing toward the deck, fearful of missing a transient moment of light or wildlife. To manage the risk of shooting from zodiacs — small inflatable boats used to transport passengers on excursions away from the cruise ship — she maintained a rigorous workflow, offloading drone footage and memory cards daily.

The Dancing Sky

While the first half of the trip was shrouded in heavy clouds, the Arctic eventually revealed its most dramatic spectacle. The final days brought clear skies and an “insane” display of the Northern Lights. For a photographer who takes pride in stringing together tiny, unspoken stories that distill a place to its very core, the neon colors dancing across the sky provided the ultimate finale.

The entire sky was electric — you could actually see the neon colors dancing across it. It was intense and magical. Shooting long exposures from a moving boat, even with a tripod, was challenging, but I’m still thrilled with the results.

The project stands as a testament to the combination of technical skill and a deep, personal connection to the landscape. Under the expedition leadership of photographer Joseph Hall — a seasoned navigator of the Arctic’s unforgiving terrain — Erica was guided into the heart of the wilderness with both purpose and precision. By embracing the harsh shadows of bright days and the moody atmosphere of the clouds, Erica was able to photograph something more than just a marketing asset; she reached into the Great North and pulled out its very spirit.

See more of Erica’s work on her website.

---