Ian Dawson
midnight sun
Midnight Sun is the new photography book by award-winning polar specialists Sue Flood and Ian Dawson.
To mark the book's launch, join Sue Flood OBE and Ian Dawson for an exclusive preview evening at the Royal Geographical Society on 6th October at 6.30pm, as they take to the stage in conversation with Sir Michael Palin to share the stories behind Midnight Sun and their years photographing the polar regions.
Some places on Earth are disappearing before our eyes. The Arctic and Antarctic.
Spectacular, harsh and rapidly changing. From penguins huddled against fierce blizzards to polar bears hunting across ice floes, this unique volume captures all the drama and fragility of both regions.
Sue Flood and Ian Dawson are united by a shared affinity for the coldest places on Earth, and a conviction that such environments are among those most in need of protection.
Through their breathtaking images of ice, wildlife and the people who call these frozen worlds home,
this collection forms a document to be treasured, a record of landscapes that may not survive the century.
More than a photography book, through the 208 pages of Midnight Sun, witness the polar world before it changes forever.
Alongside pre-publication editions, and limited editions, of Midnight Sun, the evening also offers the opportunity for an exclusive preview of the accompanying exhibition of their work, in the RGS Pavilion, before it opens to the general public.
Welcome...
Ian Dawson is a photographer drawn to the world’s edges - to places where landscape, wildlife and human presence meet in fragile balance. His work is guided by a lifelong fascination with remote environments.
Originally trained in fine art, Ian built an international career as a photojournalist, picture editor and filmmaker. His work has appeared in publications including The Sunday Times, the BBC, The Wall Street Journal and Vogue, with assignments ranging from conflict zones and royal tours to environmental reportage and wildlife stories. He developed a reputation for measured, thoughtful storytelling under demanding conditions.
In recent years his focus has turned increasingly to the polar regions - documenting landscapes, wildlife and communities at the frontline of environmental change. His approach is grounded in patience and respect, seeking to bear witness rather than impose narrative.
This long-form polar work is the subject of a forthcoming fine art book created in collaboration with photographer Sue Flood, alongside exhibitions scheduled in Norway, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.He co-founded Midnight Sun Voyages in 2023...
a company dedicated to carefully curated, small-scale photographic journeys designed for travellers who want time, depth and genuine engagement with place.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and contributed to the Society’s inaugural Summit Photo in 2025, reflecting his ongoing interest in how photography shapes geographic understanding.
He is also a member of The Explorers Club, The Alpine Club and the Guild of Picture Editors, and was recently invited to join the Magnum Collectors Cooperative.
Alongside his photographic career, Ian has volunteered for over two decades with Scottish Mountain Rescue. He is a qualified Mountain Leader and served for many years as both a Mountain Rescue Medic and Training Officer. His service was recognised with the Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
When not travelling, Ian lives with his family in Scotland’s Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park in Scotland.
Recent Work
Latest articles
