Winter Wonderland
Iceland Photo Workshop
Join us on an immersive photography adventure to see one of the most incredible landscapes in the world transformed into a winter wonderland.
Iceland boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery during winter including magnificent frozen waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, dramatic volcanic beaches, glistening ice caves, and the elusive Northern Lights.
During this 10 Day workshop, we will capture these natural wonders as we explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, South Coast, Vatnajökull National Park, and Golden Circle. Aimed at photographers of all skill level – whether you are a beginner, amateur, or professional, you’ll be sure to come away from this workshop with a diverse portfolio of images of Iceland in one of its most beautiful seasons.
Please note that this is a drone-friendly workshop.
We have a limited number of drones available for hire if you do not have your own and wish to learn – please contact us at info@vip-llc.com for information and rates.
Dates
26 Oct - 4 Nov, 2024
6 - 15 November, 2024
Group Size
Maximum of 12 participants
Price (USD)
$4,690 (Double Occupancy)
$5,490 (Single Occupancy)
Workshop Highlights
- Improving your Landscape, Seascape, Golden Hour, and Northern Lights photography skills with our master photographers
- Observing the dynamic nature between ice and fire in Iceland, a country forged through the combined forces of glaciers and volcanic activity
- Exploring ice caves hidden within Europe’s largest glacier
- Learning new photography skills and composition techniques to transform your photos into compelling, creative, and engaging images
- For beginners, learning technical skills in the field such as setting exposure (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture), and how lens choice and depth of field can be used to capture different compositions and lighting scenarios
- Learning how and when to use filters and polarizers to enhance colors, control the dynamic range of the light, and creatively create motion in clouds and water through long exposures
- Receiving support and mentoring that is personalized to your photography skills and journey
- Going on the chase of a lifetime for the Northern Lights
- Learning how to bring your images to life through post-processing (beginner through to advanced techniques such as exposure blending)
- 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
- Visiting the unforgettable Diamond Beach
- Capturing the unique geothermal and geological sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Golden Circle
- Learning advanced photography techniques to make the most of lighting and locations such as bracketing, focus stacking, and long exposures
- Understanding how to create stunning panoramas – from shooting the images in-field to the post-processing workflow
- A small workshop so your experience is truly personal, and you get to know your guides and fellow photographers
Included
- 10 day workshop with 9 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
- Welcome and Farewell meals on Days 1 and 9
- Breakfasts at hotels
- Post-processing and digital workflow masterclass/es with Photo Guides
- Entry to a natural Ice Cave in one of the Vatnajökull outlet glaciers with a certified glacier guide, with all necessary safety gear
- Access to exclusive discounts on gear from our partners
- Lots of fun, bragging rights, and amazing memories!
Excluded
- Flights to and from Iceland
- Airport Transfers to/from Reykjavik
- Food and beverages (other than breakfasts, Welcome and Farewell meals)
- 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.
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.
On a typical day, you can expect long hours. As this workshop focuses on landscape photography, to take advantage of the best light you will be up early to capture the sunrise and out past sunset. Daylight hours will be spent shooting and/or traveling to the next destination. If the weather isn’t ideal, we will use the time for post-processing.
Our Photo Guides will monitor weather forecasts, road conditions, northern lights, 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: Arrival
The workshop starts in the capital city of Reykjavik, where we will meet over a welcome dinner to get to know each other and discuss the workshop itinerary together.
You can use your free time before dinner to explore the vibrant capital and its abundance of photo opportunities.
Be sure to walk along the harbor to visit the Sun Voyager statue, the kaleidoscopic Harpa Concert Hall – a visual wonder from every angle, the incredible street art scattered throughout the city, and the iconic Hallgrímskirkja with its unparalleled 360° views over the colorful capital.
Alternatively, you may want to book an excursion to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, and spend a few hours soaking in the waters to relax ahead of our adventure!
Accommodations: Reykjavik
Day 2: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today we will set off early to start our adventure, making our way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This area is fondly known as ‘Iceland in Miniature’, as here you can get a taste of all the natural wonders Iceland has to offer – waterfalls, volcanic craters, lava fields, and black sand beaches. It is especially beautiful in winter with the rugged, volcanic landscape draped in a soft blanket of snow and ice, under soft winter light.
We will stop at Hraunfossar, where water from an underground spring seeps through a lava field, emerging as if out of nowhere.
We will visit the coastal village of Arnarstapi, where nature has carved magnificent arches and jagged rock formations from the black lava cliffs.
A highlight today will be Kirkjufell Mountain – one of Iceland’s most famous landmarks. With its distinctive shape like a church steeple, it sits by itself on the edge of the sea, towering above its surroundings. We will spend sunset here, exploring its many composition options.
Should the Northern Lights appear, our expert guides will be on hand to help capture images of the aurora dancing over the mountain.
Accommodations: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 3: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
We begin our day with sunrise at the Black Church of Búðir. This picture-perfect building sits alone on an expansive lava field, framed by the incredible backdrop of the Snæfellsnesjökull glacier on one side and the sea on the other. It can be particularly picturesque during the winter months, contrasting dramatically with the snow.
We will then continue our exploration of the peninsula, whose landscapes formed during the eruption of Snæfellsjökull. Throughout the day we will stop at many of these volcanic vistas, for example, Lóndrangar – the remains of a crater that eroded into a magnificent pair of rock pinnacles towering over 60 meters above the waves, and Djúpalónssandur – a beach covered in shiny black pebbles that look like pearls. Surrounded by strange rock formations that appear to emerge from the ocean, this beach is excellent for unique seascapes.
Our final stop will be back at Búðir to photograph the iconic church under a winter sunset and the Northern Lights.
Accommodations: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 4 : Golden Circle
We will say goodbye to the peninsula and head to the Golden Circle – the route known for its three famous, natural attractions.
The first is Þingvellir National Park where we can walk along the Almannagjá gorge – the rift valley between the European and North American tectonic plates where Iceland is tearing apart. Flowing into this valley is the stunning Öxarárfoss falls, often covered in dazzling icicles during winter.
The second is Haukadalur, a geothermal area shaped by the forces of earth and fire, with bubbling mud pits, hot springs, and steaming fumaroles. We’ll have our cameras at ready to capture the extraordinary activity of Strokkur, a geyser that spouts jets of scalding water over 20 meters into the air every 10 minutes.
The last is Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. Here the water cascades over two tiers before dropping dramatically into a narrow, deep canyon where it can appear as if the river is disappearing into the earth!
Accommodations: Golden Circle
Day 5: South Coast
We will head back onto the Ring Road and continue along to the South Coast – the home of many iconic sites in Iceland including the winding Fjaðrárgljúfur feather canyon, Eldhraun lava field, and the Yoda Cave – as well as many lesser-known secret gems known to our Guides. The seaside town of Vik will be our base for the next two nights as we explore the area.
On the way we will stop at two of Iceland‘s most picturesque waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss – with its path that leads behind the veil of falling water, and Skógafoss – a waterfall so mighty you will feel the mist before you reach it. Snow and glittering icicles will add an extra touch of wonder, and if the lighting is right, we will be able to capture rainbows in their spray!
Accommodations: Vik
Day 6: South Coast
After breakfast, 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.
We will spend our afternoon and sunset capturing some incredible seascapes including the promontory of Dyrhólaey with its massive arch, historic lighthouse, and spectacular views over the coastline; and Reynisfjara Beach with its tall basalt columns, dramatic black volcanic sand, and impressive sea stacks.
As always, our Guides will be watching the aurora forecasts closely. There are many amazing locations nearby that we can go to photograph the Northern Lights, should they appear.
Accommodations: Vik
Day 7: Vatnajökull National Park
Today we will continue along the Ring Road to the southeast of Iceland, traveling along the foothills of the Vatnajökull glacier, past majestic mountain ranges and epic glacial tongues that stretch down from the ice cap towards the sea.
After checking into our nearby hotel, we will head out to Jökulsárlón. At this beautiful lagoon, icebergs in various 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 can even spot seals swimming, feeding, and playing amongst them!
Our final destination today will be one of the most extraordinary locations in Iceland, Diamond Beach – the final resting place for the icebergs that have calved from the nearby glacier and made their way out to sea. The icebergs are pounded by the waves and smashed into smaller chunks of ice that then wash up onto the black sand where they lay, glistening like diamonds.
We will spend sunset photographing this spectacular beach – the memories of watching the ice glow in the golden hour light will last a lifetime.
Accommodations: Vatnajökull National Park
Day 8: Ice Caves and Mountains
Today is sure to be a highlight of our adventure!
We will travel on a super-truck to Europe’s largest glacier to explore the frozen underworld of the ice caves hidden within. You’ll be amazed by the intense colors, remarkable structures, and textures in their glistening walls. As they are always changing, we will be able to capture some truly unique images.
We will then travel to the majestic mountains of the East: Vestrahorn, the iconic mountain that sits alone on the shore of the wild Atlantic Ocean, and Eystrahorn – an incredibly steep mountain that has been battered over eons 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 within the same hour. The scenery constantly shifts as the light changes providing endless composition options. Additionally, these sites are even more spectacular in winter, where you can find foregrounds such as frozen shallow pools, and undulating black dunes dusted in snow.
We will spend the afternoon exploring the many composition options, staying to photograph the jagged peaks against the backdrop of a winter sunset. This will also be our last opportunity to chase the Northern Lights, so our Guides will be keeping an eye on the forecast so that we are ready to capture the reflection of the aurora on the wet sands.
Accommodations: Vatnajökull National Park
Day 9: Return to the City
Sadly, today will be our final day of shooting.
We will begin the day early with sunrise back at Diamond Beach, as it can look drastically different on each visit depending on the weather conditions, light, and the amount of ice.
We will then start our journey back along the Ring Road towards Reykjavik.
Along the way, we will stop to capture sites such as the dramatic Lómagnúpur mountain, Hofskirkja – the last turf church built in Iceland, and the immense Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue. For drone lovers, it is especially epic viewed from above, with tendrils that reach down from the ice cap towards the sea.
Once we reach Reykjavik, we will share one last dinner together. This will be a special night, where we will fondly reminisce about our adventure, share stories, and talk about our favorite places.
Accommodations: Reykjavik
Day 10: Departure
Today you will 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 as a winter wonderland.
We will not say goodbye, but “see you later”, because it’s very likely we will cross paths again.
Important Workshop Information
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the major goals of this workshop is hunting and photographing the Northern Lights.
While the Northern Lights season typically runs from September to March, to view them there needs to be sufficient solar activity and clear skies.
As such, while we cannot guarantee that you will catch the lights, our Guides will check daily for Northern Lights activity and weather forecast and plan the day based on these predictions.
Ice Cave tours are not often canceled due to rain or snow, so it is important you are prepared with adequate clothing.
However, as the safety of our participants is our main priority, if the Ice Cave Tour operator feels at any point that conditions are not safe, we will cancel the tour. In the event this occurs, we will do our best to reschedule to another day with more favorable conditions – as long as our itinerary and pre-booked accommodation allows.
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.
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.
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.
Please refer to the Terms and Conditions.
Booking with Viking International Phototours indicates acceptance of the Booking Terms and Conditions as outlined.
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.
If you have any questions about this workshop, please get in touch with us at info@vip-llc.com.
