Aurora photography at the many lakes around Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is a breathtaking way to capture the northern lights as they twist, swirl, and form incredible shapes across the night sky. Unlike static stars or the moon, the aurora is constantly in motion, creating dynamic curtains, spirals, waves, and arcs that seem to dance above the frozen northern landscape. The lakes around Yellowknife, often covered in ice and snow during the peak season from late November through March, provide ideal reflective surfaces, doubling the visual impact of the aurora and allowing photographers to capture both the sky and its mirrored shapes on the lake’s surface. Capturing these dynamic forms requires long exposure photography, typically ranging from a few seconds to tens of seconds depending on the aurora’s intensity and speed of movement. A sturdy tripod is essential to keep the camera steady, while wide-angle lenses help encompass the full sweep of the lights. Remote triggers or intervalometers prevent any camera shake during extended exposures, and careful adjustment of ISO and aperture ensures both the aurora and the foreground are properly exposed. Including foreground elements such as ice patterns, snow-covered rocks, or trees adds scale and context, emphasizing the movement and grandeur of the aurora. Patience and timing are crucial—photographers must observe the aurora’s shifting patterns, waiting for the most dramatic shapes and alignments. Photographing the aurora over Yellowknife’s lakes allows for creative compositions that capture the northern lights not just as light, but as a living, flowing spectacle, producing images that are both technically impressive and profoundly magical.