Ilove night photography because of the imagination and inspiration that I experience. When I look at the night sky, I feel small yet special, and it gives me a quiet place to reflect and search for answers to perplexing questions or find peace from my daily anxieties. And I believe sharing photos of these evening scenes is important because most people will never experience its magic because they can’t access the few areas of the world that are still dark enough to reveal those hidden marvels that shine through the darkness.

Shooting the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is one of the more interesting of these breathtaking experiences offered by dark sky areas around the globe. Capturing the vibrant colors and fluid movements of the aurora requires not just the right equipment, but also some planning and an understanding of proven techniques and camera settings that are most likely to produce successful images.

I’ve prepared this guide, which includes some photos I took on a recent shoot just off U.S. Highway 91 between Downey and Oxford Idaho, to help you capture your own shots of this astronomical phenomenon –– including some cell phone camera tips.