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Midnight Sun Photo Workshop in Iceland (Photography Workshop in Iceland)

Midnight Sun Photo Workshop in Iceland

Join us on this 7 day summer workshop to capture the iconic locations of Iceland – from stunning waterfalls to majestic mountains, black sand beaches, epic canyons, and volcanic coastlines.

During this photography adventure, we will experience the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, capturing the Icelandic landscape under an ethereal palette of golden colors.

Aimed at photographers of all skill level – beginner, amateur or a professional – you’ll be sure to come away from this workshop with a diverse portfolio of images of Iceland.

Dates

18 - 24 June, 2024

Group Size

Maximum of 6 participants

Price (USD)

$3,850 Double Occupancy
$4,895 Single Occupancy

Workshop Highlights

  • Improving your Landscape, Seascape, Golden Hour, and Aerial photography skills with our team of master photographers
  • Experiencing the diverse landscapes and iconic sights of Iceland under the midnight sun
  • The magnificent, powerful waterfalls of the south coast
  • Learning new skills and advanced photography techniques to make the most of lighting and locations such as bracketing, focus stacking, and long exposures
  • Receiving support and mentoring for both in-field and post-processing techniques customized to meet individual goals
  • Visiting the unforgettable Diamond Beach
  • Capturing the delightful Atlantic Puffins
  • Vestrahorn & Eystrahorn – the dramatic mountain ranges of the south
  • Introduction to drone photography, assistance with drone setup, and if it’s your first time or in-field instruction for how to fly one and use this new tool for photography
  • Understanding how to create stunning panoramas – from shooting the images in-field to the post-processing workflow
  • Learning composition techniques to transform your photos into compelling, creative, and engaging images
  • A small workshop so your experience is truly personal, and you get to know your guide and fellow photographers

Included

  • 7 day workshop with 6 nights accommodation
  • Award-winning, professional Photo Guides who will provide a combination of instruction, masterclasses, and in-field guidance
  • Transportation during the workshop in a comfortable vehicle with ample room for you and your photography gear
  • Post-processing masterclasses and image critique sessions to guarantee that you go home with an incredible portfolio
  • Access to exclusive discounts on gear from our partners
  • Lots of fun, laughter, bragging rights, and amazing memories!

Excluded

  • Travel to and from the workshop’s designated pick-up/drop-off points in Reykjavik
  • Food and beverages
  • Items of a personal nature including (but not limited to) laundry services, clothing, Wi-Fi, email, or phone charges
  • Personal Travel, Medical, Equipment or Trip Cancellation Insurance
  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Gratuities for Photo Guides, local guides, and/or drivers

Book Now

To secure your spot on this workshop, select from the below to either pay a deposit or in full.
Completing your payment confirms acceptance of the Terms and Conditions as outlined.

Please note that the full amount is due 90 days prior to the start of the workshop.
A 4% charge is added using this service. Please contact us if you prefer other payment options.
Occupancy Type is subject to availability - please refer to Your Accommodation Selection in the Important Workshop Information section below.

Itinerary

You can find more information about what to expect during this workshop below. However, to give you the opportunity to capture the best images possible, this itinerary will be kept flexible.

This workshop has been timed to take advantage of the Midnight Sun – a phenomenon that occurs in far Northern countries where sunsets merge into sunrises with no darkness in between, and Golden Hour stretches from around 10 pm until 5 am.
These Golden Hours are a fascinating time to be photographing Iceland!  The landscapes can be painted in an ethereal palette of soft pinks, warm yellows, deep oranges, and dreamy purples from the rays of the low-lying sun.
However, to capture this light, we will be reversing our sleep cycles. We will shoot from late in the afternoon until late morning and sleep throughout the day (whenever we are not using the time to travel to the next destination).

Our Photo Guides will monitor weather forecasts, road conditions, and any other factors and plan the days to optimize shooting conditions.
Our goal is to put you in the best locations at the right time with the best light so you can capture fantastic images.

Day 1: Golden Circle & South Coast

We will be picked up in the capital city of Reykjavik, and start our photography adventure by heading to the geothermal area within the Golden Circle.

Here you will witness the forces of earth and fire that are still actively shaping the landscapes of Iceland. You’ll be amazed by the bubbling mud pits, hot springs, and steaming fumaroles! We’ll spend time capturing the extraordinary activity of Strokkur – a geyser that spouts jets of scalding water over 20 meters into the air every 4-10 minutes.

We will then make our way to the south coast of Iceland and settle into our hotel base for the next two nights. Along the way, we will stop at some rivers for anyone who has a drone.  The abstract, colorful braid patterns caused by the meltwater at this time of year are incredible!

After some rest time and a late dinner we will head out for our first Midnight Sun shoot at two of Iceland‘s most iconic landmarks. Reynisfjara is a beach with enormous basalt columns, dramatic black volcanic sand, and impressive sea stacks. At Dyrhólaey there is a massive sea arch, historic lighthouse, and spectacular views over the coastline.
We will stay out shooting for as long as we can last before heading back to the hotel to sleep.

Accommodations: Vik

Skogafoss with Lupines Iceland
Sunset over the sea stacks at Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland

Day 2: Puffins and the South Coast

We will start our day in the late afternoon by visiting an area that is home to a colony of adorable Atlantic Puffins. These comical birds are often called the ‘Clowns of the Sea’ because of their technicolor facial markings and their awkward, clumsy antics. They are incredibly entertaining to watch, and amazing to photograph due to their expressive eyes and their striking colors. They will be sure to capture your hearts and lenses.

As the golden hour begins, we will turn our attention to the landscapes of the South Coast.
We will explore the nearby Víkurkirkja  – a picture-perfect white church that sits atop a hill overlooking the village of Vik í Mýrdal. During the summer months, the surrounding area is covered in vibrant blooms of purple lupine, making this quaint church even more picturesque. From here you can also capture remarkable panoramic views of the valley, stretching from the village below to the stunning coastline including the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

We will end our incredible evening under the midnight sun with two of Iceland’s most recognizable waterfalls.
At Seljalandsfoss, there is a path that leads into a cavern behind the 60-meter-high veil of falling water.  Not only is this an invigorating, unique experience (don’t forget your waterproof clothing for this stop!) – but around the time of the summer solstice, the sun setting on the horizon is in the perfect position to radiate through the cascade of water, creating stunning compositions.

Bigger isn’t always better, but in the case of Skógafoss, we think the saying is true!
This mighty waterfall is so powerful you can see the mist churning in the air from the Ring Road. You can also walk right up to the wall of water if you dare – though you will feel the spray well before you reach it.
We love this spot for its array of composition options – reflections,  rainbows, and wildflowers are abundant! 

Accommodations: Vik

Puffins in Iceland
Sunset at Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

Day 3: Vatnajökull National Park

Today we will make our way to the southeast of Iceland, traveling along the foothills of the Vatnajökull glacier.
During the journey, we will stop at Svínafellsjökull, an immense glacier tongue almost 800 meters wide that stretches down from the ice cap towards the sea like fingers. You will be able to walk close enough to the sharp ice ridges to hear the otherworldly sounds of the glacier – creaks, fractures, and deep cracking. From here, you’ll capture the fascinating textures in the ice made from deposits of black ash and rubble dispersed among the deep blue ice – the scars left by previous volcanic eruptions.

After some rest time and a late dinner, we will head out for what will likely be one of the highlights of the workshop.
Our first stop will be Jökulsárlón. At this beautiful lagoon, icebergs in an array of shapes and sizes break off from the nearby glacial tongue and slowly drift towards the sea. It is a magical experience to see them float by in their palette of colors – turquoise, frosted white, deep blue, and even black. You may also spot seals swimming, feeding, and playing among them.

Our day will finish at one of the most extraordinary locations in Iceland, Diamond Beach – the final resting place for the icebergs that we just saw floating in Jökulsárlón. The icebergs are pounded by waves and smashed into smaller chunks of ice that then wash up onto the black volcanic sand where they lay, glistening like diamonds. We will have plenty of time to photograph this spectacular beach – the memories of watching the ice glow in the golden light will last a lifetime.

Accommodations: Vatnajökull National Park

Icebergs floaring in Glacier Lagoon, Iceland
Midnight Sun Photo Workshop in Iceland (Photography Workshop in Iceland)

Day 4: Summer Solstice!

Today we celebrate the Summer Solstice – the longest day of the year in Iceland!
We couldn’t think of a better place to experience this special day than at Vestrahorn, the iconic mountain that sits alone on the shore of the wild Atlantic Ocean.
We will also spend time around the next headland at Eystrahorn – an incredibly steep mountain that has been continuously battered on all sides by wind and waves, creating jagged peaks and rugged formations from the dark lava rock.

The weather around these mountains is dynamic – it is common to witness clear skies, fog, and clouds all within the same hour.
The scenery constantly shifts as the light changes – making these mountains a photographer’s dream!

These famous landmarks are even more spectacular under the golden light of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by wildflowers, shallow pools providing reflections, and undulating black sand dunes.
We will take our time exploring these many composition options.

Accommodations: Vatnajökull National Park

7 Day Photography Workshop - Midnight Sun in Iceland 2024
Sunset and lupines Vestrahorn Iceland

Day 5: Vatnajökull National Park

Following our longest night of shooting the midnight sun, we will take things a little easier today.

In the afternoon, your guides will run post-processing training. Whether you are brand new to editing or have extensive experience, you are sure to learn new techniques for your workflow to help you return home with great images of Iceland.

The landscapes within the Vatnajökull National Park are diverse, dotted with waterfalls, rivers, lava fields, and mountain peaks. We will spend our last late night of golden hour light exploring the unique sites and capturing them in a variety of conditions.

To ensure our portfolios are varied and to practice our long exposure skills, we will also return to Diamond Beach today.

Accommodations: Vatnajökull National Park

Blue Ice on the Diamond Beach in Iceland
Svartifoss Waterfall Iceland

Day 6: Return to the City

Today will be our final day of shooting, and we will travel back along the beautiful south coast towards Reykjavik, stopping at several places to capture the incredible vistas.

One of these will be Eldhraun, where you will find endless opportunities for abstract images amongst the fascinating formations and natural pillars of this moss-covered lava field. Another will be Kvernufoss; a magical waterfall often considered a hidden gem due to being partially hidden at the end of a moss-coated, narrow gorge.

Along the way, we will keep our eye out for wildlife. At this time of year, it is common to spot herds of wandering reindeer, free-roaming Icelandic sheep, Arctic foxes, and beautiful Icelandic Horses.

We will arrive in the city early in the evening.

Accommodations: Reykjavik Area

7 Day Photography Workshop - Midnight Sun in Iceland 2024
7 Day Photography Workshop - Midnight Sun in Iceland 2024

Day 7: Departure

After breakfast, you can explore the city, then make your way to the airport to fly home, with memories to last a lifetime, new friends, and memory cards full of amazing images of Iceland under the Midnight Sun.

Sunset over Reykjavik Iceland
Sunset at the Sun Voyager Reykjavik Iceland

Important Workshop Information

Level of Fitness and Medical Requirements

A moderate level of fitness is required for this workshop.

 

Most shooting locations are easily accessible via a short hike. However, sometimes this may be across rough, uneven, icy or muddy terrain that includes elevation changes. Our Guides will let you know if a photography destination involves a long hike, steep incline or particularly challenging terrain, and provide alternative shooting locations or other options if you don’t feel comfortable.

 

Participants should be able to carry their own camera gear while hiking.

 

Sometimes we may remain in a location shooting for a few hours. Participants should be comfortable outdoors for extended periods of time in various weather conditions such as wind, rain, sun and extremes of temperature. Wherever possible, our Guides will keep the vehicle available nearby so participants can rest and take a break.

 

All participants should be in good physical shape with no mobility issues. If you have any concerns about your suitability, then reach out to us and we will be happy to discuss the particular location details of the workshop with you.

 

You must advise Viking International Phototours in advance and in writing via email of any illness, injury, or pre-existing medical conditions that might reasonably be expected to affect your participation during the workshop.

Important - Minimum participants required

Our workshops require a minimum number of participants to proceed.

 

We will confirm if your photography workshop will be proceeding 90 days before the start date, at which point full payment of any remaining balance will be required.

 

Viking International Phototours reserves the right to reschedule or cancel workshops due to low participant numbers. We will do our best to reschedule the workshop within two years of the original date. 

If this happens, we will offer you the choice between:

    • Retaining your spot on the rescheduled workshop;
    • Transferring to the same workshop on a different date if there is availability; or
    • Canceling your spot on the rescheduled workshop: No refund – your funds will be held as credit which can be transferred or used towards our other photography workshops, self-drive packages, or tours for up to 2 years from the date of cancellation.

In the improbable event that a workshop is canceled altogether rather than rescheduled, we will offer you the choice between:

    • Applying your funds towards a different workshop, tour or self-drive experience; or 
    • Receiving a full refund minus a $300 USD fee and any non-refundable fees paid to third parties.

Please note that Viking International Phototours are not liable for travel expenses incurred to reach the workshop destination or any other personal expenses incurred in preparing for your workshop. For this reason, we require that you obtain Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance.

 

We also recommend you do not book travel or make any trip-related purchases before the workshop has been confirmed.

Your accommodation selection

Accommodation options on our photography workshops may include:

Double Occupancy where you will share a room with your traveling companion;
Double Occupancy where you are paired with another workshop participant of the same gender; and/or
Single Occupancy in your own room.

Your accommodation selection is made when you book the workshop.

 

During this workshop, we will be staying in clean, comfortable accommodations that include hotels, guesthouses, and apartments.
Please note that if you select Single Occupancy, this may include your own bedroom within a multi-room apartment or Guesthouse (shared bathroom/kitchenette).

 

Solo Participants wanting Double Occupancy
Solo participants are welcome to select the Double Occupancy rate at the time of booking. If Viking International Phototours is unable to pair you with a roommate of the same gender from the workshop group, we will notify you ahead of the workshop and request you to pay the supplementary cost for a Single Occupancy room.

 

Single Room Availability
On some photography workshops, Single Occupancy rooms may be limited. If this is the case, single rooms will be assigned on a first-booked, first-served basis. If you booked a photography workshop at the Single Occupancy rate and we are unable to provide you with a single room, we will notify you ahead of the workshop, place you into a Double Occupancy room paired with a workshop participant of the same gender, and refund you the difference.

When to arrive at the workshop destination

We cannot delay or change a workshop in the event of travel disruptions that cause a participant to arrive late.


If this happens, participants are responsible for arranging their own transport to catch up with the group – which can be a very costly expense. In addition, no refunds will be made for any time missed on a workshop due to the late arrival by the participant.


For this reason, we highly recommend you arrive the day before your workshop is scheduled to start at the latest.
At the very least, you will be more refreshed and relaxed for the start of your adventure.

Workshop meeting point

Participants will be collected from Reykjavik City Hall.

As buses are restricted in large parts of Downtown Reykjavik, we are unable to collect individuals from their hotels.

 

We recommend you book a place to stay nearby – there are a number of decent hotels and guesthouses within walking distance.

Midnight Sun

One of the major goals of this workshop is to take advantage of the Midnight Sun – a phenomenon where sunsets merge into sunrises with no darkness in between.


In order to capture this light, we will be aiming to reverse our sleep cycles – shooting from late in the afternoon until late morning and sleeping during the day where possible.

Itinerary

Our workshop’s itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of our Photo Guides depending on factors including but not limited to weather, road conditions, transportation delays, and other factors beyond our control. We will check the weather forecasts and road conditions and plan our day to optimize shooting conditions.

 

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to visit all the locations on the itinerary.

Aerial Photography & Drones in Iceland

Iceland is stunning from the ground, and just as amazing with a birds-eye-view of the landscape. There are drone-friendly places, so if you own a drone, you are welcome to bring it along to the workshop.

 

Please note that you are solely responsible for your equipment, and are expected to adhere to all rules and regulations as specified by the Icelandic Transport Authority.

 

Viking International Phototours and our Photo Guides will not be liable for any injury or damage caused to equipment, environment, or people caused by you operating your drone during our workshop.

Please also note that the wind and weather in Iceland can be sudden and hazardous, so use your judgement and be mindful of conditions.

Traveling with a Non-Photographer

If you are traveling with a partner/friend who is interested in joining you on this workshop but they are NOT a photographer, we may be able to accommodate them. In some instances, this may be at a reduced price.

 

Please note that this will be at the discretion of Viking International Phototours – contact us for information.

 

Your companion would need to understand that this is a photography workshop and not a typical ‘tourist’ tour – long hours will be spent photographing locations outdoors rather than visiting attractions.

Arranging as a private workshop experience

If you are interested in this workshop but would prefer a private experience or to attend with your own group of people, we can arrange that for you – contact us to discuss.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

We know that plans can change, and unforeseen circumstances can happen. 

 

You need to advise us in writing via email as soon as possible if you need to cancel your workshop. Your cancellation is not official until you have received a return email confirmation acknowledging your cancellation.

 

If you cancel and we can fill your spot on the workshop, you will receive a full refund minus a $300 USD fee.
If you cancel and the workshop does not fill, cancellation requests and refunds will be processed according to the following:

    • More than 90 days from the start date of the workshop: Full refund minus $300 USD fee*
    • Less than 90 days: No refund – your funds will be held as a credit which can be transferred or used towards our other self-drive packages, tours, or photography workshops for up to 2 years from the date of cancellation*.

*Please note that some of our workshops with partner companies/third parties may have non-refundable deposits, which will not be refunded or credited to you.

Booking Terms & Conditions

Please refer to the Terms and Conditions.

Booking with Viking International Phototours indicates acceptance of the Booking Terms and Conditions as outlined.

How to contact us

If you have any questions about this workshop, please get in touch with us at info@vip-llc.com.