ABOUT Laia
Field-based photography, guiding and science communication from the Arctic
Laia Soler is based in Svalbard, working across Arctic and remote environments year-round. Her work is grounded in time spent in the field across land, sea and ice, in conditions that demand patience, preparation and restraint.
Photography is her primary medium. Her images are informed by extended observation of animal behaviour, weather patterns and landscape processes. She is interested not only in how the Arctic appears but also in how it functions and how people move through it responsibly.
Her work is rooted in long-term field engagement and a systems-based understanding of Arctic environments.
Field practice
Working across photography, guiding and science communication, she approaches the Arctic as both a field environment and an interconnected system. Her work brings together observation, field experience and visual storytelling to examine the relationships between wildlife, people and landscape under changing environmental conditions.
Guiding
Alongside photography, Laia undertakes selective private field guiding for small groups. These experiences prioritise safety, ethics and environmental awareness, and are designed for photographers, videographers, and nature-focused visitors seeking deeper, field-based engagement rather than touristic encounters.
Credentials
She is a certified Arctic Nature Guide, a member of the Norsk Naturguideforbund and a board member of the Svalbard Guide Association. Her professional background also includes AECO certifications related to operations and guiding in Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland.
This professional framework provides a strong foundation in field safety, risk assessment, environmental responsibility and operational awareness in Arctic environments.
Background
Her academic background in biology and biotechnology informs how she interprets ecosystems, plans fieldwork and communicates environmental change through photography, writing and guided experiences.
Her field experience extends beyond the Arctic. She has conducted fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, hiked in the Cusco region and contributed to environmental and photography projects across European and Mediterranean environments. These experiences support her ability to adapt to different ecosystems, climates and logistical contexts.
Collaborations
She collaborates with brands, research groups, NGOs and institutions on projects related to polar environments, wildlife, and environmental storytelling. Her work prioritises long-term partnerships grounded in field use, operational relevance and sustained engagement in demanding environments.
Her work is driven by a continued commitment to understanding and documenting fragile, rapidly changing environments, and to doing so with accuracy, restraint and respect.