Capturing a Glacier Timelapse Behind the Scenes of Nat Geo's 'America the Beautiful'

In the Spring of 2020, I had the opportunity of joining Wildstar Films and their production for National Geographic’s ‘America the Beautiful’ on Disney Plus. This marked my beginning in the world Natural History television production. It felt like a dream come true to be a part of! After a few months of capturing fog timelapse footage in the Pacific Northwest, a new assignment arose.

Towards the end of summer, joined my good friend Nick Grier (Cascade Camera Works) on Mount Baker’s Coleman Glacier capturing timelapse footage of subglacial movement over the course of two weeks.

Now, over two years later I look back on it still as one of my all time favorite projects and am excited to share some of the behind the scenes from this leg of production.

Blue hour of our camp on Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker where we spent two weeks living.
Blue hour of Andrew & Nick's camp on Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker where we spent two weeks living.
Nick Grier observing a subglacial timelapse running for 14 days for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
Andrew Studer stands by his timelapse capturing subglacial movement over the course of two weeks on Coleman Glacier for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
Andrew Studer and Nick Grier on Coleman Glacier where they spent two weeks capturing subglacial timelapse of Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
Nick Grier just before pulling cards on a long term timelapse he had running of Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
Nick Grier offloading timelapse footage in his tent
Nick Grier offloading timelapse footage in his tent for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
Andrew Studer setting up a telephoto timelapse of Coleman Glacier during sunset
Andrew Studer setting up a telephoto timelapse of Coleman Glacier during sunset. Photo by Nick Grier
Andrew Studer setting up a telephoto timelapse of Coleman Glacier during sunset. Photo by Nick Grier
The stars over Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker
Nick Grier observing a subglacial timelapse running for 14 days for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
Nick Grier observing a subglacial timelapse running for 14 days for National Geographic's 'America the Beautiful.'
A waterfall just below Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker are illuminated by the last moments of sunlight
Two waterfalls just below Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker are illuminated by the last moments of sunlight

The landscapes in the distance surrounding our camp were incredible! I captured these images of waterfalls fed by meltwater from Coleman Glacier with a backup camera and telephoto lens that was not in use during a beautiful sunset.

by Andrew Studer