All Eyes on Greenland
Freddy Christensen and Acacia Johnson look North
Well, it’s freezing cold in Madison today. My weather app said it was -14° when I woke up this morning, and even more awful news has come in from Minneapolis, so we’re feeling low this afternoon. I decided to come upstairs and look at some of the winter pictures folks have sent in over the past few months to lift my spirits.
Like many of you, I’ve been following the news coming out of Davos this week, and Greenland has obviously been top of mind. Today, I found an email from photographer Freddy Christensen describing a series of drone photographs he made of his homeland, and I thought you might like them. Freddy writes:
I’m Freddy Christensen, a drone photographer born and raised in Qaqortoq, the southern part of Greenland. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the special magic that appears during our dark winter months; the way fleeting daylight softly illuminates the snow-covered landscapes, how the sky meets the icy horizon, and how the colorful houses stand out against the vast snowy backdrop.
Despite the limited daylight, Greenland’s winter is far from dreary. There’s a stillness that accompanies each settlement, yet it’s never empty or lifeless. You’ll see faint glimmers of orange streetlights in the distance, watch boats quietly resting in partially frozen harbors, and feel a sense of calm that’s both peaceful and awe-inspiring. Through my photography, I strive to capture those contrasts: the untouched wilderness paired with the warm, tight-knit spirit of our communities.
I hope that, by sharing these images, people from all around the world can get a glimpse of Greenland’s unique winter charm. You’ll sense both the rugged isolation and the welcoming coziness that define our towns. These photographs are an invitation to explore and connect with the beauty, resilience, and warmth of Greenland’s winter life.
Freddy’s images are serene and beautiful, and they gave me a sense of calm today, which is something, given the state of the world. Below are a few of my favorites.
I love these pictures and look forward to seeing Greenland in person someday. Freddy doesn’t have a website, but you can follow him @freddychristensen on Instagram to see more of his work. Thanks again for sharing these with us, Freddy. I appreciate it.
One more thing…
Photographer Acacia Johnson published a captivating essay about her travels in Greenland on her Substack yesterday. Please make some time to read “A Visual Love Letter to Greenland” today. It’s a lovely piece of writing. You won’t regret it.
Okay, that’s all for today, friends. I hope you’re staying happy and healthy — and warm — wherever you are in the world. Be safe out there and keep your chin up.
Beautiful, Mother Nature at her best. Happy to be learning more about Greenland. Thanks
Really compelling timing on this feature. The contrast between Freddy's winter stillness and current geopolitical noise around Greenland highlights how place-based art captures something beyond politics. I grew up near a coastaltown that was always in environmental news, but local photography showed a quieter reality. I dunno if it's intentional but the drone angles make those colorful houses looklike tiny refuges against vastness.