MO 
Morten Hilmer
@mortenhilmer
Morten Hilmer is a professional nature and wildlife photographer born in Denmark in 1980, whose career is deeply marked by his experience in the Arctic. For more than two years, he was part of the elite military unit Sirius Sledge Patrol, patrolling northeast Greenland on dog sleds. This stage not only forged his resistance to extreme weather conditions, but also defined his specialization in Arctic fauna and Danish mammals, allowing him to capture unique images in environments where very few can work.
Today, Hilmer is a recognized Nikon Ambassador in Europe and has been awarded prestigious awards such as Danish Nature Photographer of the Year. His YouTube channel is distinguished by documenting his expeditions and "adventures" in an honest and cinematic way, combining bushcraft techniques with standby photography. Through his books, such as Silence of the North, and his videos, Morten seeks to inspire a deep connection with the natural world, always prioritizing the story and emotion behind each shot over technical perfection.
Previous videos
19
I Waited All Winter for This — 4 Days Chasing Birds in Snow
Published: May 10, 2026 · Duration: 46 min 39 sec · 108K views
Real winter is rare in Denmark, so when the snow finally arrived, I packed my camera and spent four days out there. I am photographing birds and landscapes and holy smoke - this is just amazing. For these of you who have been following me for a while My best friend and buddy through 14 years is not with me anymore.
Today I got my Best Photos of Sanderlings
Published: Jan 9, 2026 · Duration: 21 min 22 sec · 70K views
I am photographing shorebirds on the west coast of Denmark. You can support my work here
5 Days in the North Cascades - Searching for Bears - Wildlife & Landscape Photography
Published: Dec 21, 2025 · Duration: 52 min 39 sec · 108K views
I spend 5 days camping in the North Cascades National Park with my friend Tim, hiking into wild country to photograph wildlife and capture the dramatic mountain landscapes. Along the way, I also have the honor of speaking with a Native American elder from the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe — a conversation about place, nature, and what these mountains mean beyond the map. You can support my work here
10 Years Rewilding My Garden – Now It’s a Bird Photography Paradise
Published: Dec 7, 2025 · Duration: 26 min 5 sec · 113K views
Order my calendar, and I will sign you copy:) 10 years ago my garden looked like a small park. Little by little I stopped chasing the “perfect” lawn and let it grow wilder, with more flowers, cover and water for the birds and insects. In this video I sit hidden in my garden photo blind, listening, waiting and photographing the birds that have moved into this little wild corner outside my door.
Nikon ZR - Field Tested for 19 Days
Published: Sep 17, 2025 · Duration: 1 h 22 min 3 sec · 169K views
I have been field testing the Nikon ZR for 19 days to find out if this is the camera I will be using to create my future behind the scenes videos. You can support my work here This video I filmed with the Nikon ZR This video will be most helpful for people who will use the Nikon ZR for vlogging. Enjoy watching and see you out there!
3 Days Photography and Solo Camping in Remote Denmark | Beyond Expectations
Published: Sep 6, 2025 · Duration: 1 h 12 min 3 sec · 100K views
I am solo camping for 3 days to do wildlife photography but nature has its own will and sometimes things don't go as planned. Enjoy watching and see you out there! You can support my work here
Discovering Hidden Photography Paradise | 3 Days Solo Wild Camping
Published: Aug 3, 2025 · Duration: 54 min 44 sec · 142K views
I am solo camping for 3 days on a location that has somehow been hiding from me until now. This is really a nature photography paradise and I can't wait to discover its secrets and to see what wildlife I will encounter. Enjoy watching and see you out there!
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Behind the Logistics on Svalbard
Published: Jun 8, 2025 · Duration: 49 min 20 sec · 27K views
Jason Roberts from PolarX has been in charge for the logistics on Svalbard when filming Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning with Tom Cruise. In this interview he shares some behind the scenes moments and explains the challenge it is to manage an operation with more than 200 people involved. Jason Roberts share the most challenging moments but also the best moments like flying over Svalbard and taking Tom Cruise…
An Unforgettable Moment | 3 Days Wildlife Photography & Wild Camping
Published: May 18, 2025 · Duration: 48 min 42 sec · 116K views
Behind the scenes of a three-day wildlife photography trip with wild camping, following the unforgettable moments along the way.
Testing Underwater Drone for NatGeo, BBC Planet Earth and Netflix productions | PolarX
Published: Apr 6, 2025 · Duration: 22 min 46 sec · 32K views
I am out with PolarX on Svalbard to test their ROV - underwater drone for future NatGeo, BBC Planet Earth and Netflix productions. PolarX crew wants to see if it is possible to launch it from their Hägglunds BV206 snow track vehicle in winter conditions and If it is possible to control the unit from inside the belt vehicle it will open up new opportunities for them in the production of future nature documentaries.
2 Days Camping in the Remote Arctic Backcountry — Wildlife Photography by Dogsled
Published: Mar 23, 2025 · Duration: 29 min 6 sec · 44K views
I am on a 2-day dogsledding trip on Svalbard with my good friend Martin. We are winter camping, flying our drones, doing nature photography and just having a great time. A huge thanks to Martin and Karina from Greendog for making all this possible for me by supporting me in any possible way.
When Skills Matter More Than a Long Lens - Wildlife Photography in -15°C on Svalbard
Published: Feb 22, 2025 · Duration: 23 min 1 sec · 55K views
I am seeking out ptarmigans on Svalbard to hopefully get my first photographs of these beautiful birds on this 3-week trip. A huge thanks to Martin and Karina from Greendog for making all this possible for me by supporting me in any possible way.
Deep Snow, Frozen Tripod and Happiness - Wildlife Photography on Svalbard
Published: Feb 15, 2025 · Duration: 16 min 21 sec · 75K views
I am traveling to Svalbard to spend three weeks photographing wildlife and landscapes and to explore this wonderful location on snow mobile, dogsled and on skis. A huge thanks to Martin and Karina from Greendog for making all this possible for me by supporting me in any possible way.
Best Tripod Head for Wildlife Photography - if I could only choose one.
Published: Feb 1, 2025 · Duration: 40 min 45 sec · 124K views
What would be the best tripod head for wildlife and landscape photography if I could only choose one? I am going through the pros and cons of my three favorite tripods heads - each representing a group of tripod heads - the ball head, the gimbal head and the video head. I have decided only to bring one of them on my upcoming photo adventure to Svalbard, and it is now time to make the choice...
My Expectations Exceeded - Photographing Birds & Squirrels in a Garden
Published: Jan 18, 2025 · Duration: 23 min 56 sec · 126K views
I am spending two days in a garden near a big city to photograph birds and squirrels. Sometimes you don't need to travel to the end of the world to get great experiences in nature.
A Day With Landscapes and Wildlife - Photographing the Beauty of Winter
Published: Dec 21, 2024 · Duration: 27 min 25 sec · 164K views
I am spending a day in nature doing landscape photography and wildlife photography. I am also doing some close-up photography of the beautiful heather, covered in frost. It is winter in Denmark and daylight is sparse which is a challenge when doing wildlife photography.
3 Days Winter Camping and Bird Photography from Photo Blind
Published: Dec 1, 2024 · Duration: 1 h 13 min 42 sec · 125K views
Three days of winter camping in a Danish forest, combining bird and landscape photography from a photo blind. The video follows life at a base camp, from cooking over a fire to drying camera equipment, and how plans change along the way.
My Sound Recording Setup for Wildlife Photography
Published: Oct 31, 2024 · Duration: 31 min 52 sec · 77K views
A look at a stereo sound recording setup used to capture red deer during the rutting season, built around a 32-bit float recorder, small stereo microphones and a custom stereo bar. It also covers tips for better recordings and how to organize the audio files in an editing workflow to complement the visual storytelling.
Wildlife Photography in Stealth Mode - 5 days at work with pro photographer
Published: Oct 13, 2024 · Duration: 54 min 20 sec · 323K views
Step into a world of untamed beauty as I take you on a magical wildlife photography adventure through the enchanting woodlands of Denmark. This time, I’m setting my sights on the magnificent red deer, capturing their raw power and grace during the thrilling rutting season. But this journey is about more than just images – it’s about immersing you in the soul of nature, where every sound tells a story.
