9 day Autumn Photo Workshop in Iceland

Capture the transitional colours of autumn in Iceland as we chase the Northern Lights on this intensive 9-day photography workshop! We’ll explore the magical sights of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, with its windswept coasts and sea stacks rising up from the tumultuous waves of the North Atlantic Ocean; the wild and beautiful south coast, home to Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls; and the serene and tranquil Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon where icebergs float about on their way to sea. Whether you are a beginner, an amateur or a seasoned professional, this photography workshop will expand your portfolio and expose you to a plethora of fascinating locations within Iceland that will leave you breathless and in awe.

You’ll arrive in Iceland at the Keflavik International Airport and make your way by FlyBus to your hotel in the capital city of Reykjavik. Once there, you’ll be able to take some time to relax or head out to do some exploring of the city at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll meet as a group for dinner at a local restaurant. Our guides will go over the itinerary with you for the days ahead and you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers a little bit better.

You’ll retire for the night in Reykjavik.

On day two, the adventure truly begins! We’ll head northwest towards the Snaefellsnes peninsula, home to some of the most dramatic scenery in all of Iceland. Its windswept coasts with Snaefellsjokull glacier in the background are sights to be reckoned with. As we make our way along the coast, you’ll have the chance to photograph the small fishing village of Arnarstapi, with its towering cliffs and extraordinary basalt columns making for stunning compositions amidst the gorgeous fall colours.

Nearby, in the vast Buðahraun lava field, sits the black church of Budir. The small but distinct church is a beautiful sight within the rugged terrain, making for an incredible contrast to the surrounding scenery.

It will be the perfect place to photograph the elusive Northern Lights, should they make an appearance tonight.

You’ll retire for the night in Snaefellsnes.

On day three, we’ll continue our journey along the northern coastline of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, photographing the coastline of the Breiðafjörður fjord. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the Westfjords across the bay in the distance, as well as countless islands in between.

The highlight of the day will be Mount Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most iconic landmark and perhaps its most famous mountain. There will be numerous compositions to explore here and wide-angle lenses are the key. We’ll hunt for interesting foreground elements, of which there will be many with the brilliant colours of the foliage all around. The waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss also makes for a stunning subject with Kirkjufell looming behind. There’s no doubt that this mountain makes an enchanting subject for the Northern Lights, so we will stay here into the evening, hoping for a glorious display.

You will then retire for the night in Snaefellsnes.

We’ll bid farewell to beautiful Snaefellsnes and begin making our way towards the charming south coast of Iceland. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.

Prepare to get wet at Seljalandsfoss, as there is a path that circles the entire cascade, giving you the chance to photograph it in 360 degrees. If we are lucky and the sun is shining, then there may even be a gorgeous rainbow rising forth from its mist.

Nearby, Skogafoss is perhaps the most photographed waterfall in Iceland, and there’s no wonder why. It’s incredibly photogenic, surrounded by lush vegetation as a wall of water plunges through it 60 metres down towards the ground. It’s perfect for wide-angle shots, though we’ll get our telephoto lenses out to focus on details within the water also.

By afternoon, we’ll arrive at the beautiful black sand beach of Reynisfjara to capture the Reynisdrangar sea stacks as the sun begins to set. Legend has it that these extraordinary basalt rock formations are the petrified remains of two trolls attempting to drag a masted ship back to shore. If the Northern Lights make a display, then this will be the perfect place to photograph them.

You will spend the night in the sleepy seaside village of Vík.

On day five, we’ll continue our journey east and spend the morning at the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This protected wilderness area offers up a variety of diverse landscapes. You’ll have the chance to photograph glistening blue glacial tongues, beautiful lakes, stunning waterfalls, thick forests and the remnants of volcanic activity from Iceland’s past.

The highlight of the day will be when we reach the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, famed for the large icebergs that float within it before they drift out to sea. It is also home to a lot of wildlife, including seabirds and seals. You’ll find the latter splashing about playfully or hauled out heavily onto the ice, so be prepared to capture them with your telephoto lens attached!

The glacier lagoon makes for an enchanting backdrop beneath the Northern Lights, so we will return here if there is aurora activity and the skies are clear in the evening.

You will retire for the night in the Jokulsarlon area.

After an early breakfast, we’ll have a sunrise shoot at Jokulsarlon, where the pastel hues in the sky set against the dreamy whiteness of the icebergs make for truly fairytale-like shots.

At the adjacent ice beach, icebergs that have floated out of the lagoon wash back up ashore onto the black sand beach, resembling diamonds as they glisten in the sun. This is your chance to practice long exposure photography, as the waves sweep in and recede around these sparkling gems.

In the afternoon, we’ll get a little off the beaten track, photographing the lesser-known Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. Although smaller than its counterpart, it offers up just as mesmerising opportunities and you’ll be able to take your time here, away from the bustling crowds.

If we’re lucky and the Northern Lights dance this evening, then we will photograph them over one of the lagoons, or at the magical diamond ice beach.

You will then retire for the night in the Jokulsarlon area.

On day seven, we’ll continue exploring the Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. It makes for stunning photography in autumn, with fall colours complementing the snowy mountain peaks in the distance.

Our subject for the day will be Vestrahorn on the enchanting Stokksnes peninsula. This mountain with its jagged peaks looms over a black sand beach, making for a variety of fascinating compositions. The surrounding area is diverse, with undulating sand dunes, reflective pools and coastal plants that give it a wild and somewhat raw charm. There is so much to photograph here that we will spend our day capturing Vestrahorn from all angles.

In the evening, we’ll return to Jokulsarlon for our final sunset shoot of the icebergs.

You will retire for the night in the Jokulsarlon area.

Day eight will largely consist of travelling back from Vatnajokull National Park towards Reykjavik, though we will make multiple stops along the way to continue our quest in capturing the most spectacular sights of Iceland. There will be an opportunity to photograph Svartifoss at the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by basalt columns on either side.

We’ll make another stop at Reynisfjara beach, to capture its beauty beneath different light. The area offers so much drama that it will be difficult not to make different and interesting shots. Depending on the weather and the conditions, we may be able to stop at some of the more hidden waterfalls along the south coast, before arriving back in Reykjavik just in time for our final dinner together as a group.

You will retire for the night in Reykjavik.

We strongly recommend you to get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:

Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus $300 service fee.

75 days or more: 75% refund

60 days or more: 50% refund

Less than 60 days: no refund

Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.

We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic government medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas.

The tour is always dependent on weather, as the Icelandic weather can indeed be highly unpredictable. Likewise, visits to ice caves are dependent on favorable conditions, and indeed the ice caves themselves are not permanent. When it comes to the Northern Lights, while they are most likely to be seen between September and April, there is no guarantee that they will appear on a given day.

Total price: 4400 USD

New 2023/2024 Dates

Day 1 - Arrival

Day 2 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Day 3 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Day 4 - Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik

Day 5 - Vik-Glacier Lagoon

Day 6 - Vatnajokull National Park

Day 7 - Vatnajokull National Park

Day 8 - Vatnajokull National Park- Reykjavik

Day 9 - Departure

Included:

Not included:

Photo Gallery