Bryan Hansel
@bryanhansel.com
Photographer and photo workshop leader specializing in seascapes, landscapes & nightscapes. Fav place: Boundary Waters. A good Minnesotan. Grand Marais. Learn more at www.bryanhansel.com. I write at bryanhansel.substack.com and at paddlinglight.com.
This is June's image in my 2026 Northern Landscapes Calendar. I'm super excited because it was selected for Lulu's gift guide this year! I can also offer you a pre-Black Friday code. Use 2025VIP30 for 30% off from now until the 27th of November.
Get it here: www.lulu.com/shop/bryan-h...
Get it here: www.lulu.com/shop/bryan-h...
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
This is June's image in my 2026 Northern Landscapes Calendar. I'm super excited because it was selected for Lulu's gift guide this year! I can also offer you a pre-Black Friday code. Use 2025VIP30 for 30% off from now until the 27th of November.
Get it here: www.lulu.com/shop/bryan-h...
Get it here: www.lulu.com/shop/bryan-h...
Sunrise from Grand Marais, Minnesota today
November 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Sunrise from Grand Marais, Minnesota today
Here's the January image in my 2026 Northern Landscapes Calendar.
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Here's the January image in my 2026 Northern Landscapes Calendar.
This morning's sunrise over Lake Superior was pretty darn good.
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This morning's sunrise over Lake Superior was pretty darn good.
Telling a Kayak or Canoe Trip Story
Learn how to capture your paddling adventures even when you’re focused on staying upright with a simple plan for bringing home images as memorable as the journey itself.
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/telling-a-...
Learn how to capture your paddling adventures even when you’re focused on staying upright with a simple plan for bringing home images as memorable as the journey itself.
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/telling-a-...
Telling a Kayak or Canoe Trip Story
For photographers, capturing the story of a paddling trip is half the fun and learning how to capture your paddling adventures even when you’re focused on staying upright becomes easier when you have ...
bryanhansel.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Telling a Kayak or Canoe Trip Story
Learn how to capture your paddling adventures even when you’re focused on staying upright with a simple plan for bringing home images as memorable as the journey itself.
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/telling-a-...
Learn how to capture your paddling adventures even when you’re focused on staying upright with a simple plan for bringing home images as memorable as the journey itself.
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/telling-a-...
New Bill Would Allow Roads, Airports, and Guard Towers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness www.paddlinglight.com/articles/a-t...
New Bill Would Allow Roads, Airports, and Guard Towers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Roads and airports in the Boundary Waters? If Senator Lee has his way that could be the reality. His new bill would change the Wilderness Act of 1964 to allow all types of installations along the bord...
www.paddlinglight.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
New Bill Would Allow Roads, Airports, and Guard Towers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness www.paddlinglight.com/articles/a-t...
I haven't eaten at McDonald's in a long time. After I saw this headline, I checked the prices for a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal at the Two Harbors, MN store (that's the closest store to me. It's 1.5 hours away). With tax, it was ~$15. Crazy. In Thunder Bay, it's ~$18 CAD ($13 USD).
November 18, 2025 at 1:03 AM
I haven't eaten at McDonald's in a long time. After I saw this headline, I checked the prices for a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal at the Two Harbors, MN store (that's the closest store to me. It's 1.5 hours away). With tax, it was ~$15. Crazy. In Thunder Bay, it's ~$18 CAD ($13 USD).
Ten months after the EXPLORE Act passed, the Forest Service still has no wilderness filming policy, and the agency reveals it's still “reviewing” implementation despite telling YouTube creator filming was prohibited in the BWCA. The EXPLORE Act was supposed to fix these problems on federal lands.
Ten Months After EXPLORE Act, Forest Service Still Has No Wilderness Filming Policy
Agency reveals it's still “reviewing” implementation ten months after law took effect, despite telling content creator filming was prohibited When Adam Van Tassell planned a solo canoe trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) this fall, he thought the new EXPLORE Act had finally cleared the way for small-scale creators like him to film without a permit. Van Tassell runs the YouTube channel Crazy Good Fishing, where he shares his videos with 1,300 subscribers. Instead, a Superior National Forest official told him his planned video would be illegal.
www.paddlinglight.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Ten months after the EXPLORE Act passed, the Forest Service still has no wilderness filming policy, and the agency reveals it's still “reviewing” implementation despite telling YouTube creator filming was prohibited in the BWCA. The EXPLORE Act was supposed to fix these problems on federal lands.
I'm giving a free online Canoe Kayak Photography Tips Presentation. For more information and to sign up, head to the link.
Canoe and Kayak Photography Tips Presentation
Starting this Friday, November 14th, there's an online Landscape Photography Summit that I'm part of. I’ll be sharing my Canoe and Kayak Photography Tips at the 2025 Landscape Photography Summit, a free two-week online event featuring a new speaker each day. I attended one earlier this year and watched every session. It was an excellent experience and full of ideas worth revisiting. I'm not 100% certain on which day that my presentation will air, but you'll get notice if you sign up for the summit. Presentation: Canoe and Kayak Photography Tips…
www.paddlinglight.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I'm giving a free online Canoe Kayak Photography Tips Presentation. For more information and to sign up, head to the link.
Reposted by Bryan Hansel
Where the River Led Me plus the 2025 Landscape Photography Summit
A two-week celebration of landscape photography and a chance to see how I photograph from the seat of a canoe, from the inestimable @bryanhansel.com
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/where-the-...
A two-week celebration of landscape photography and a chance to see how I photograph from the seat of a canoe, from the inestimable @bryanhansel.com
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/where-the-...
Where the River Led Me plus the 2025 Landscape Photography Summit
A two-week celebration of landscape photography and a chance to see how I photograph from the seat of a canoe.
bryanhansel.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Where the River Led Me plus the 2025 Landscape Photography Summit
A two-week celebration of landscape photography and a chance to see how I photograph from the seat of a canoe, from the inestimable @bryanhansel.com
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/where-the-...
A two-week celebration of landscape photography and a chance to see how I photograph from the seat of a canoe, from the inestimable @bryanhansel.com
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/where-the-...
I'm speaking at the 2025 Landscape Photography Summit, which starts Friday and goes on for two weeks and is online and FREE. There's a different speaker each day. I'm speaking about Canoe and Kayak Photography.
Register for the summit below:
www.bryanhansel.com/out/summit/
Register for the summit below:
www.bryanhansel.com/out/summit/
November 12, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I'm speaking at the 2025 Landscape Photography Summit, which starts Friday and goes on for two weeks and is online and FREE. There's a different speaker each day. I'm speaking about Canoe and Kayak Photography.
Register for the summit below:
www.bryanhansel.com/out/summit/
Register for the summit below:
www.bryanhansel.com/out/summit/
Reposted by Bryan Hansel
Did someone say Lake Superior?
Here's a sunrise along the inland sea we call a lake from early last month while on a workshop with @bryanhansel.com
A
It's ALWAYS a great day to go outside in your community.
Here's a sunrise along the inland sea we call a lake from early last month while on a workshop with @bryanhansel.com
A
It's ALWAYS a great day to go outside in your community.
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Did someone say Lake Superior?
Here's a sunrise along the inland sea we call a lake from early last month while on a workshop with @bryanhansel.com
A
It's ALWAYS a great day to go outside in your community.
Here's a sunrise along the inland sea we call a lake from early last month while on a workshop with @bryanhansel.com
A
It's ALWAYS a great day to go outside in your community.
Most people don't understand the other dangers of cold water exposure and think it's hypothermia that will kill you. It will, but before you get to that state cold shock and cold incapacitation will likely kill you first. Learn more about these dangers.
Woman Washed Off Breakwater and Into Lake Superior
In early November 2025, several people were f'ing around on a breakwater during a gales warning on Lake Superior, and they were about to find out. Waves ranged from 10 to 12 feet, and they were breaking over breakwater. A large enough wave hit and washed one of the group into Lake Superior. The video below shows the wave and the woman getting washed into the big lake. Water temps were around 50°F, which is very cold. Luckily, she survived. While I've written about cold water before, this was a good reminder to write about it again.
www.paddlinglight.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Most people don't understand the other dangers of cold water exposure and think it's hypothermia that will kill you. It will, but before you get to that state cold shock and cold incapacitation will likely kill you first. Learn more about these dangers.
Not a bad sunrise. Not bad at all.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Not a bad sunrise. Not bad at all.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior
This is a selfie and it's always been one of my favorite self portraits.
November 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This is a selfie and it's always been one of my favorite self portraits.
Silent Sports Magazine ran a profile piece on me and my photography. You can read it at the link.
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
Bryan Hansel - Silent Sports
Minnesota landscape photographer Bryan Hansel caught COVID early in 2024 and remained ill for months. “I remember not having any energy at all,” Hansel recalls, “just kind of …
silentsportsmagazine.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Silent Sports Magazine ran a profile piece on me and my photography. You can read it at the link.
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A National Treasure
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A National Treasure
One of the wildest routes in the BWCA, shared with family, and just enough light to make magical photos. Plus a ridiculous number of beaver dams, because the Frost River always throws a loop.
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A National Treasure
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
I've spent many nights waking up shivering at 3am and many more in that half-sleep state knowing that I was too cold but could do anything about it. I've learned a few tricks that changed everything. Now my nights are comfortable, and yours can be too.
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
How to Stay Warm in Your Sleeping Bag
Learning how to stay warm in your sleeping bag can transform your paddling trips. Learn a few tricks so your nights are comfortable.
www.paddlinglight.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I've spent many nights waking up shivering at 3am and many more in that half-sleep state knowing that I was too cold but could do anything about it. I've learned a few tricks that changed everything. Now my nights are comfortable, and yours can be too.
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
I think it's always interesting to see what photos of mine other people like. My wife loves this one. I'm not sold on it, but I didn't delete it because she likes it.
October 31, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I think it's always interesting to see what photos of mine other people like. My wife loves this one. I'm not sold on it, but I didn't delete it because she likes it.
My 2026 Northern Landscape Calendar is available. The images are all from northern #Minnesota.
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
October 30, 2025 at 10:24 PM
My 2026 Northern Landscape Calendar is available. The images are all from northern #Minnesota.
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
Sunrise over Lake Superior on Minnesota's north shore
October 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Sunrise over Lake Superior on Minnesota's north shore
I had a great Lake Superior sunrise on Sunday morning!
October 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I had a great Lake Superior sunrise on Sunday morning!
Over MEA weekend we paddled the Frost River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Here are a few photos from the trip.
October 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Over MEA weekend we paddled the Frost River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Here are a few photos from the trip.
The ThermoWorks ThermoDrop is a small thermometer that can help you track high and low temps and evaluate how your sleeping bag performs at night. I used it on a recent late fall trip and found some unexpected and surprising results.
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
ThermoDrop Thermometer Review
The ThermoWorks ThermoDrop is a small thermometer that can help you track high and low temps and evaluate how your sleeping bag performs. I used it on a recent late fall trip and found some unexpected...
www.paddlinglight.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The ThermoWorks ThermoDrop is a small thermometer that can help you track high and low temps and evaluate how your sleeping bag performs at night. I used it on a recent late fall trip and found some unexpected and surprising results.
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
I just had a cancellation on my December 5 to 7th Seascapes of Lake Superior Photo Workshop in Grand Marais, MN. You should come. www.bryanhansel.com/shop/seascap...
Seascapes of Lake Superior Photo Workshop ⋆ Bryan Hansel Photography
Seascapes of Lake Superior Photography Workshop Register Now → Dates: December 5 to 7, 2025 Location: Grand Marais, MN Cost: $499 Explore the rugged and
www.bryanhansel.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I just had a cancellation on my December 5 to 7th Seascapes of Lake Superior Photo Workshop in Grand Marais, MN. You should come. www.bryanhansel.com/shop/seascap...