Meet the team behind
your Arctic experience
Local knowledge, professional guiding, photography and scientific perspectives come together in a small interdisciplinary team connected to Svalbard and the High Arctic.
Personal experiences shaped by place and expertise
Svalbard Photography combines long-term local experience with professional guiding, visual storytelling and scientific knowledge.
Our team contributes different perspectives to the same goal: helping guests understand and experience the High Arctic in a responsible, personal and meaningful way.
Four perspectives.
One Arctic connection.
Marcel Schütz
Having called Svalbard home since 2010, Marcel combines extensive local experience with a lifelong passion for Arctic nature, photography and expedition guiding.
Marcel is the founder and managing director of Svalbard Photography AS, an expedition leader, photographer and authorised Svalbard guide. Born and raised in Switzerland, he developed an early passion for nature, landscapes and photography. He first travelled to Svalbard in 2008 and was immediately fascinated by the Arctic’s vast landscapes and wildlife. After returning several times, he moved permanently to Longyearbyen in 2010. Since then, Marcel has led numerous expeditions and tours in tourism and research, combining long-term local experience with practical knowledge of Arctic operations. Through Svalbard Photography AS, he brings together guiding, photography, wilderness interpretation and local logistics. In 2021, he also helped establish the Swiss Consulate in Longyearbyen and serves as Honorary Consul. He is fluent in German, Swiss, English and Norwegian.
Lisa Scherk
Passionate about wildlife, photography and Arctic nature, Lisa helps guests experience Svalbard with curiosity, respect and a deeper understanding of its fragile ecosystems.
Lisa is a photographer, Arctic guide and outdoor enthusiast contributing her expertise in wildlife, photography and nature interpretation to Svalbard Photography AS. Born and raised in Bavaria, Germany, she developed a strong connection to nature, wildlife and the outdoors from an early age. Photography became a way for her to capture wild landscapes and tell the stories of the animals living within them. Her first visits to Svalbard created a lasting fascination with the High Arctic, eventually leading her to make the archipelago her home. Today, Lisa combines guiding, photography and her background in sustainability to help guests understand Arctic landscapes and ecosystems. Her work is shaped by careful observation, scientific curiosity and a strong respect for wildlife. She is fluent in German and English.
Dr. Jan Benedict Spannenkrebs
Combining scientific expertise with practical field experience, Jan Benedict makes the Arctic’s natural and scientific wonders engaging, accessible and easy to understand.
Jan Benedict is an expedition leader and science communicator contributing scientific knowledge, field experience and accessible interpretation to selected guiding and Arctic projects. He grew up in the Westerwald region of Germany, where his connection to nature developed into a lasting interest in exploration and science. After studying Biomolecular Engineering in Darmstadt, he moved to Norway to complete a PhD in Biotechnology. His research first brought him to Svalbard, where the contrasts of the Arctic landscape created a deep and enduring connection to the region. Today, Jan Benedict combines scientific understanding with storytelling and practical field experience. He is particularly interested in the small details of life in extreme environments and in helping guests connect these observations with the larger Arctic landscape. He is fluent in German and English.
Dr. Léa Zinsli
With a background in biology and microbiology, Léa combines scientific knowledge with a genuine enthusiasm for communicating the remarkable natural history of the Arctic.
Léa is a guide and science communicator contributing her expertise in biology, environmental observation, photography and communication to Svalbard Photography AS. Born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, she spent much of her early life in the mountains, where her curiosity for nature first developed. She studied Biology at ETH Zurich and completed a PhD in Microbiology before continuing her research in Montréal, Canada, with a focus on marine microorganisms. Her connection to Svalbard began through repeated visits and later included studies at UNIS, where she gained practical Arctic field experience. Today, Léa combines her scientific background with guiding and visual observation, helping guests recognise both the wider Arctic landscape and its finer details. She is fluent in German, Swiss, English and French.
Knowledge, flexibility and respect
Local understanding
Decisions are informed by real conditions, experience and life in Svalbard.
Scientific perspective
Research and natural processes are communicated clearly and responsibly.
Personal guiding
Small groups allow direct communication and adaptable experiences.
Responsible travel
Safety, wildlife welfare and environmental respect guide every decision.
Discover Svalbard through local and scientific perspectives
Tell us about your travel dates, interests and preferred way of exploring. We will help you find or create a suitable Arctic experience.
Contact our team →
