At PARKIT, adventure is at the heart of everything we do. It’s not just about the gear—it’s about the experiences, the stories, and the places they take us. So, when our friends at Rumpl invited us to join them in capturing their newest Northern Lights blanket design in Alaska, we didn’t hesitate. This wasn’t just a product shoot—it was an opportunity to embrace the wild and create something unforgettable.
Alaska, with its rugged landscapes, vast wilderness, and unpredictable beauty, was the perfect stage. From towering glaciers to endless skies, it’s a place that demands exploration. As photographer Willie Woodward put it:
"Adventure photography is about embracing the unknown—camping in the cold, waiting for the perfect moment, and turning it all into something people can feel through an image."
For Willie, Alaska wasn’t new territory. A seasoned adventurer and storyteller, his connection to the state runs deep, from past engineering projects to countless photo trips. Willie works with some of the coolest brands in the game—think YETI and Chaco—but this trip was personal. His goal wasn’t just to photograph the Northern Lights. He wanted to create something more: an immersive story of adventure. And he delivered.
"We loaded up the bush plane with all our camping gear and flew to a remote gravel sandbar at the base of a glacier. You can only get there by plane." – Willie
The Northern Lights can be seen from countless places in Alaska, but for Willie, that wasn’t enough. He wanted visuals that didn’t just look great but felt like an adventure. Thanks to local connections, he mapped out a plan to reach a “locals-only” spot.
This spot wasn’t accessible by road. Willie and his team loaded a bush plane with only the essentials: Rumpl blankets, PARKIT chairs, warm sleeping bags, and just enough food. Every ounce counted. The plane landed on a narrow gravel bar, where the real challenge began—camping in single-digit temperatures and bracing for unpredictable conditions.
"Shooting the Northern Lights is one thing, but adding in a commercial product element with blankets and chairs made it a new kind of challenge. That’s what I love—creating an image that tells a story." – Willie
Once they arrived, it was a waiting game. In the wilderness, nature is on its own schedule. Around the campfire, they watched the skies for hours, wrapped in Rumpl blankets, with PARKIT chairs their steadfast companions. Then, it happened.
"The Aurora was finally out and it felt like the sky was alive—dancing and shifting in a way that makes you stop and feel small in the best way."
The Northern Lights burst across the sky in vibrant waves, illuminating the camp. The team sat in awe as the lights danced above them, their movements fleeting and unpredictable. For 30 magical minutes, the wilderness transformed into a light show unlike anything else on earth.
"The Northern Lights are unpredictable—they can come out for five minutes or a few hours. We sat around the campfire for hours, and then suddenly someone pointed and said, 'Oh, the lights are out!' It was magic for 30 minutes before they were gone." – Willie
Photographing the Northern Lights is no easy feat, but adding a product shoot element takes it to another level. Willie balanced countless variables: freezing temperatures, lighting challenges, and fast-moving Auroras. With the moonlight providing soft illumination and the campfire adding warmth, he worked to capture both the lights and the products in perfect harmony.
Using off-camera lighting and creative composition, Willie highlighted the Rumpl blankets and PARKIT chairs against the wild Alaskan backdrop. Every shot required precision, teamwork, and adaptability to capture those fleeting moments.
"It’s the convergence of everything—the talent, the product, the landscape, and the timing. That’s where the magic happens, and it’s what keeps me coming back for projects like this." – Willie
For Willie, this trip was about more than just the photos. It was about connecting with nature, embracing the unpredictable, and finding beauty in the unknown. These are the moments that define adventure—when preparation meets spontaneity and creates something unforgettable.
"The campfire warmth, the cold single-digit nights, the sound of nothing but the wilderness—it’s an experience that connects you to the world in a way few things can."
This trip embodies everything PARKIT and Rumpl stand for: adventure, exploration, and storytelling. From the first step off the plane to the final click of the shutter, every moment was a reminder of why we venture into the wild.
Ready to start your own adventure? Check out the Northern Lights Edition blanket from Rumpl and the PARKIT chairs that made this trip unforgettable. And if you’re looking for more inspiration, follow Willie Woodward’s incredible work—because the best stories are the ones we share.
