The aurora borealis is one of the most enchanting shows of nature, and one that ignites our photographic eye and creativity. According to National Geographic, “An aurora is a natural light display that shimmers in the sky. Colorful blue, red, yellow, green, and orange lights shift gently and change shape like softly blowing curtains. Auroras are only visible at night, and usually only appear in lower polar regions.” Because our current solar cycle is approaching peak activity, there have been even more opportunities for more creators to head out with their Sony Alpha cameras to photograph auroras. Check out some of the ones we’ve recently been obsessing over on Instagram below. Do you want more inspiring images in your Instagram feed? Follow @sonyalpha and tag your images #SonyAlpha for a chance to be featured.

The sun is approaching peak activity in its 11 year cycle leading to more chances to capture stunning auroras from further south. See how these creators do it.

Chris Burkard – @chrisburkard

Chris Burkard is an accomplished explorer, photographer, creative director, speaker and author. The Sony Artisan travels the expanses of the earth to capture stories that not only inspire humans to consider their relationship with nature, but also promote the preservation of wild places everywhere. He has spent a significant amount of time working in Iceland, where there are fantastic opportunities to photograph the aurora. The symmetry and color contrast in this shot is tremendous. 

Rachel Jones Ross – @rachel_jones_ross

Photographer and Alpha Collective member Rachel Jones Ross calls the Canadian Rockies home. She likes to get out in the mountains and capture the beautiful views, which often include colorful skies. Learn more about how she has mastered capturing the aurora HERE. We love the story she shares in the caption below. She made this stunning image on the Sony Alpha 1 with the Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master and says, “This shot is unique, not only because of the rainbow of colours, but also because the camera is facing SE and the aurora is so bright it overpowers the rising Milky Way!” 

Cath Simard - @cathsimard

Cath Simard is a photographer and composite artist. The Alpha Collective member is known for her surreal, cold, blue, mountain night aesthetic - as can clearly be seen in this image below. This is a composite image made up of five individual images shot on the Sony Alpha 7R III and the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. In the caption, Simard discusses how she draws inspiration from classical music. She explains this piece stating, “The Gnossiennes were highly experimental pieces, lacking the usual form and structure of classical music. Some qualify Gnossienne No.1 as surrealist. With this image, I wanted to create a piece that feels surreal to the viewer, also disregarding traditional forms of landscape photography while showcasing real elements.”

Sapna Reddy – @sapnareddy

Sapna Reddy is a landscape photographer based in Northern California. The Alpha Collective member is currently pursuing dual careers as a photographer and a physician. Our jaws hit the floor when we saw this shot for the first time. This is a single shot image featuring the Aurora and a moonbow in Iceland. She shot this photo with the Sony Alpha 7R IV with Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master lens. Learn more about the story behind this shot HERE. 

Autumn Schrock – @autpops

Autumn Schrock is a landscape and travel photographer, designer, yogi – and an Alpha Female and member of the Alpha Collective. She took this shot below with the Sony Alpha 7R V and the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G  – one of many epic photos on her Instagram. As she mentions in the caption, seeing the individual ribbons of the aurora is a mesmerizing experience. Check out Schrock’s tips for photographing the aurora HERE. 

Nate Luebbe – @nateinthewild

Alpha Collective member Nate Luebbe is a photographer, cinematographer and self-proclaimed nature nerd. A lifelong explorer of the outdoors, Luebbe shares his passion for Mother Earth on Instagram by posting landscapes, astroscapes, wildlife and more. His dynamic and inspiring photographs, videos and timelapses reveal the spirit of adventure and thirst to see more of the beautiful planet we call home. See the aurora in action with the Instagram Reel below! 

Will Godward - @godwardphotography

Will Godward is a nightscape astrophotographer from South Australia. His work has been featured by Australian Geographic and NASA. Godward's goal is to create a personal connection to the night sky and the wonder that it portrays. The red glow in the image below reminds us of something out of Stranger Things in the best way possible. Godward made this shot with the Sony Alpha 7 II and the Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. 

Filip Hrebenda - @filiphrebenda

Filip Hrebenda is a full-time fine-art landscape photographer and photo workshop leader.  His work is characterized by the sensitive use of colors, light and lines that natural landscapes include. He made the image below on the Sony Alpha 7R III with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master and says, “It doesn't matter how many times I see the aurora. She fascinates me every time as if I were seeing her for the first time.”

David Erichsen - @david_erichsen_photo

Colorado-based landscape and nature photographer David Erichsen loves to shoot lava, northern lights, and storms. We love this waterfall shot with the aurora dancing above. Erichsen made this with a 30-second exposure on his Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. We love that the lights are aligned with the rushing waterfall, making it look almost like one continuous stream through the image. 

Oliver Whone - @oliver.whone

Olicer Whone is a landscape photographer based in Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania. Through his photography he works to encourage others to find appreciation for the natural beauties surrounding them. He creates staggering landscape images, like the one below. Whone made this with his Sony Alpha 7 III and his Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. Check out his page and be sure to give him a follow!