Niklas Virsen – Swedish nature photography and wildlife expeditions
Official site of Niklas Virsen – nature photography, wildlife images and ecotourism
I am Niklas Virsen, a Swedish nature photographer specializing in wildlife and landscapes from expeditions around the world. Here you can explore my portfolio, search the image bank, and discover the value of ecotourism through nature photography.
About my work
Through Niklas Virsen Nature Photography, I share images from photo expeditions across northern Scandinavia, Africa, and beyond. My nature photography ranges from photographing mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains and brown bears in the Northern Taiga to arctic foxes in Iceland. I am committed to ecotourism and believe it plays a crucial role in preserving wildlife and natural habitats.
Questions You May Have About My Work
Who is Niklas Virsen?
I am a Swedish nature photographer, educator, and tour leader with extensive experience from expeditions in Europe, northern Scandinavia, Africa, and other regions. My work in nature photography ranges from arctic foxes in Iceland to mountain gorillas in the Virunga mountains.
What type of nature photography do you specialize in?
My nature photography includes wildlife, landscapes, and close-up encounters, showing the diversity of the natural world.
Where have you worked?
I have photographed in a wide range of environments, including arctic landscapes, rainforests, and African savannas. My nature photography reflects the diversity of wildlife and landscapes.
Have you won awards for your nature photography?
Yes. I have been awarded and recognized in several major international photo competitions, including Asferico, MontPhoto, and Oasis Photo Contest.
Is ecotourism important in your work?
Absolutely! I am committed to promoting ecotourism as a key part of wildlife conservation. My nature photography aims to inspire people to explore and protect wild places and wildlife.
Places i love to visit
In my nature photography, I’m drawn to a variety of wild habitats around the world. Each biome offers unique wildlife, and landscapes, and each requires a different photographic approach. These are some of the environments I return to again and again:
Arctic Tundra – Harsh, frozen landscapes with wildlife adapted to snow and ice
Mountain Areas – High altitude wildlife, winter peaks and autumn plateaus
Northern Taiga – Ancient conifer forests, forest birds, and apex predators like bears
Savanna – Heat, acacia silhouettes, and rich biodiversity
Thornbush Landscapes – Dry habitats with unique plant and animal adaptations
Tropical Rainforest – Dense, vibrant ecosystems full of life
How It All Started
I have worked as a nature photographer for about ten years, and it all began with my company Fröstad Naturfoto (www.frostadnaturfoto.se) . Through it, I arrange photo tours and workshops, taking countless nature photographers to unique and spectacular locations around the world to capture wildlife and landscapes.
But if we rewind a bit, my journey in nature photography actually started on the island of Gotland with a small compact camera. I started my nature photography career by photographing landscapes, and that is where I developed my ability to see images and recognize their potential. Over the past seven years, I have focused mainly on wildlife and birds, but landscapes have always remained a part of my work. I believe it is important to include landscapes, wildlife, birds, macro, and plants to create a complete story about a place or a biome, not just isolated images.
The Equipment I Use
Over the course of my career in nature photography, I have worked with several different camera systems. I started with Pentax (Ricoh), using the K20D, K7, and K3. I then moved on to Nikon, working with the D500 and the D850 along with a range of lenses.
Later, I switched to Olympus (OMD), where I was proud to serve as the Swedish Olympus Ambassador, using the E-M1X and several other models. I often change systems to be able to answer my clients questions during photo tours and photo courses, and to provide the best possible advice based on first-hand experience.
Today, I photograph with the Sony Alpha system, primarily the A1, together with a variety of lenses suited for wildlife, landscapes, and macro photography. What I appreciate most about the Sony Alpha system, and the A1 in particular, is its outstanding autofocus performance and exceptional image quality.