arctic circle

/  by Katherine Yaksich

This Arctic Life My favorite image of my Arctic series goes out to this mother and cub, spotted from our ship from over 8 miles away by one of our naturalists. It may not look like it, but this was my most challenging photograph. We had to race over in our Zodiacs in very rough waters to get within 125 meters, and shooting at a focal length of 640 mm from a bouncing watercraft is not very ideal. Water was spraying all over us in true Arctic expedition fashion, and some cameras even stopped working after this operation.  According to a report published by the World Wide Fund for Nature, “ A substantial reduction in the  extent of the sea ice during the summer will  undoubtedly have a negative impact on polar  bears. Based on extremely conservative  forecasts about the future extent of the sea ice,  scientists have estimated that two thirds of the  polar bear population could become extinct by  2050. If the sea ice continues to retreat at the  speed witnessed during the last few years, the  situation will become even more critical.”

This Arctic Life

My favorite image of my Arctic series goes out to this mother and cub, spotted from our ship from over 8 miles away by one of our naturalists. It may not look like it, but this was my most challenging photograph. We had to race over in our Zodiacs in very rough waters to get within 125 meters, and shooting at a focal length of 640 mm from a bouncing watercraft is not very ideal. Water was spraying all over us in true Arctic expedition fashion, and some cameras even stopped working after this operation. 

According to a report published by the World Wide Fund for Nature, “A substantial reduction in the extent of the sea ice during the summer will undoubtedly have a negative impact on polar bears. Based on extremely conservative forecasts about the future extent of the sea ice, scientists have estimated that two thirds of the polar bear population could become extinct by 2050. If the sea ice continues to retreat at the speed witnessed during the last few years, the situation will become even more critical.”

/  by Katherine Yaksich

MOTHERHOOD

Polar bears rolling in the deep at Hornsund, located on the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard.

Filmed on location in the Arctic

/  by Katherine Yaksich

This Arctic Life One last shot before I go again - my favorite polar bear at Inglefieldbreen. Polar bears have transparent hair, black skin, and black tongues and are the largest terrestrial predator on earth. #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

This Arctic Life

One last shot before I go again - my favorite polar bear at Inglefieldbreen. Polar bears have transparent hair, black skin, and black tongues and are the largest terrestrial predator on earth. #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

/  by Katherine Yaksich

“The secret to success is to do what you love.” - Dr. Tom Smith, rifle master and naturalist Tom is one of the most fascinating guys I have ever met and has some incredible stories that include traveling solo through the Arctic for 2 years on a single journey, living and hunting with the Inuit community, and saving a polar bear’s life by punching it in the face. I’m lucky to be part of this team #thisarcticlife #makeportraits (at Svalbard)

“The secret to success is to do what you love.” - Dr. Tom Smith, rifle master and naturalist

Tom is one of the most fascinating guys I have ever met and has some incredible stories that include traveling solo through the Arctic for 2 years on a single journey, living and hunting with the Inuit community, and saving a polar bear’s life by punching it in the face. I’m lucky to be part of this team #thisarcticlife #makeportraits (at Svalbard)