Category: News and Updates

JHolko Photography Latest News and Updates

Snowy Owls of Canada 2019 Scouting Trip Report

Posted in Canada, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Wildlife Photographs, Workshops and Expeditions2 Comments

In January of 2019 I travelled to northern Canada to scout a new trip to photograph Snowy Owls in winter. This was actually my first time to Canada (although I am returning later this year in late December) and I thoroughly enjoyed the winter experience. I managed to time my experience in Canada jut about perfectly as it coincided with a severe cold snap of weather that provided some wonderful opportunities (albeit in very cold conditions).

The landscape in the part of Canada I chose to photograph the owl wouldn’t be described as visually spectacular, but it was absolutely ideal for the task at hand, with flat snow covered farm land serving as the perfect environment to photograph this truly amazing bird.

For those of you who are joining me for this new Snowy Owl workshop in December I am pleased to say that the location is just about perfect with a number of different birds (around half a dozen or so) in the local area.

Snowy Owls are wonderful birds to photograph and of all the species I have photographed around the world they are most definitely my favourite. The combination of their white plumage with mottled markings and glowing, iridescent yellow eyes set against a backdrop of soft snow is just gorgeous and makes for superb imagery.

I have uploaded a small portfolio of photographs from my scouting trip to my main website here: Snowy Owls of Canada

My new Snowy Owl workshop in December this year is long Sold out, but I will be repeating this new workshop again in January of 2021 and bookings are now open. I will only be taking a total of five photographers so if you are interested in photographing this magnificent bird then please drop me an email to register your interest. Places are strictly limited and once spoken for thats it. Just drop me an email to register your interest (no obligation at this point).

Testimonials – Svalbard in Winter by Snow Mobile 2019

Posted in Arctic, News and Updates, People Photographs, Photographs, Testimonials, Travel Photography, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

“Josh, Just wanted to drop you a line about our expedition since we were all whisked away so quickly to parts unknown on our last day. I consider myself very fortunate to have been a part of this expedition and that’s a word I don’t use lightly. It was at times difficult, even very difficult but no truly great experience of this nature should be easy. You and Emil were at all times consummate professionals concerned with our safety first. I never was fearful, your careful instructions and planning eliminated any uncertainty. To be in that place, that very special and unique place was for a once in a lifetime chance that I will never forget. Knowing very few people in this world have or will ever have such an adventure makes me feel especially fortunate. I’m going to let my pictures “steep” in the camera for a while and ruminate on this experience so as to fully appreciate it all.

Thanks once again to you and Emil for never once making us feel like ‘greenhorns’. I wish all the best to you and your future endeavours knowing they’ll be a great success.”

Kevin 

“Joshua,

Thanks a lot. From the beginning to the end the entire expedition was unforgettable. I will always remember it. Kevin, Dave and I now have lots of beautiful memories to share with our grandchildren, many years later those memories will be pass to others like grandfather’s mythologies (I mean that with some new editions and improvisations of those memories).

Best regards,

Fatih”

“Hey Joshua,

Thank you for an amazing adventure. It was spectacular and to share it with you was THE BEST. I am so happy that you consider us friends because that is how we think of you. I will always remember this and what a wonderful time with you, Emil, Fatih, Kevin and myself. I know that I will see you again and I hope the same with Fatih and Emil. And now onto the second part of the adventure. When I bought your beautiful polar bear photo on the ice never did I think what it would lead to. I just wanted to go on a trip with the person who made such beauty and it just lead into this. I look forward to being with you many more times. Thanks again Joshua! Best.

Dave”

Svalbard Winter 2019 Expedition Complete

Posted in Arctic, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife Photographs, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

Early this morning I returned to port in Longyearbyen and wrapped up my 2019 Winter ship expedition in the Svalbard archipelago. I will have a full trip report soon, but in brief we experienced what can only be described as challenging weather conditions during our expedition with consistently strong winds that saw us sheltering in many of the fjords to avoid the large sea swells. Despite the weather, we were very fortunate to encounter one of the most active and photogenic Polar Bears I have yet had the pleasure to photograph (more on this later) as well as some truly fabulous Walrus on ice encounters.  I am now headed back to Australia for a few weeks at home (and some time to process and print some photographs!) before I head south to Tasmania for two back-to-back landscape workshops.

Photo of the Month March 2019 – Winter Moon Rising

Posted in Arctic, Landscape Photographs, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Workshops and Expeditions1 Comment

The photograph of the month for March 2019 comes from my Winter Arctic expedition last year aboard M.S Origo and is of the full moon rising above the snow draped mountains of Svalbard.  Photographed from the back deck of our expedition ship with friends Vincent Munier, Daniel Bergmann and Chris Wahl we stood out on the rear deck waiting for the moon to rise above the mountains for a couple of hours. I recall the temperature around -20ºC and near perfect clear skies. I thought we had calculated the time and position the moon would rise perfectly, but as it turned out we had forgotten to take into account the mountains and so with our patience almost at an end and no moon in sight we had just about given up and gone inside for a warm drink. Thanks to Chris for staying outside for a cigarette and coming to get us quickly when he saw the moon starting make an appearance behind the mountains. Who says nothing good comes from smoking!

Svalbard Winter Snow Mobile Expedition Two 2019

Posted in Arctic, News and Updates, Photographs, Travel Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife Photographs, Workshops and ExpeditionsLeave a comment

Yesterday evening I wrapped up my second and final winter snow mobile expedition for 2019 here in Svalbard. As per the first trip, conditions were and remain just about ideal for scootering across the landscape in search of wildlife (although the weather has been much warmer and with a little more wind than the previous week). There was also some heavy snow during the week which actually improved driving conditions further out on the normally very bumpy sea ice. During these two expeditions I drove over 2000 kilometres on snow mobile and my back and shoulders are now more than a little sore.  Thankfully I now have a couple of days to rest and recover before kicking off my winter boat expedition in search of wildlife and arctic winter landscapes. At the conclusion of this expedition I will return home to Australia for a few weeks before I head down to Tasmania for two back-to-back landscape workshops in the ‘apple isle’.