Iceland
Photo tour

Meeting at Keflavik Airport. You can arrive at any time, as on the first day we are staying overnight in Reykjavik. Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world, combining the coziness of a small Scandinavian town with the spirit of a modern creative city. Colorful wooden houses with bright roofs stand next to avant-garde architecture, and old streets seamlessly blend with street art and unusual art installations.

For a photographer, Reykjavik offers countless subjects: the famous Hallgrímskirkja Church with its futuristic silhouette, the Harpa concert hall with light reflecting on its glass panels, fishing ports with boats and seagulls, and narrow streets where every door and sign looks made for a photo.

The city is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset: the first rays illuminate Faxaflói Bay and reflect in Harpa’s glass facade, while the warm light makes the colorful houses even brighter. In the evening, if the weather is favorable, the Northern Lights may appear over Reykjavik, turning the capital into a scene from a northern fairy tale.

This is an acclimatization day: a walk around the city center and harbor, hot baths, and a sunset on the waterfront overlooking the Sun Voyager monument. Overnight in a Reykjavik campsite.

We will have breakfast and head south early in the morning. Our route leads to Vík, the southernmost town in Iceland, where we will set up camp. On the way, we will stop at four of the most beautiful waterfalls.

The first will be Gljúfrabúi — little-known but very picturesque, hidden in a narrow gorge, almost inside a cave. It is rather difficult to photograph, so our photo guide will give a detailed briefing and help you capture unique shots.

Then, in the pre-sunset light, we will photograph one of Iceland’s most beautiful and famous waterfalls — Seljalandsfoss. It is one of the few waterfalls you can photograph from the inside — a path runs around it, allowing you to walk all the way around.

While the sun is still low, we will head to the iconic Icelandic beach Reynisfjara. This is perhaps one of the most photogenic places on the planet. The black volcanic sand creates the feeling of another world, as if you’ve stepped onto a different planet. Majestic basalt columns, resembling organ pipes, rise straight from the ocean, and on the horizon you can see the dark sea stacks of Reynisdrangar, wrapped in legends about trolls turned to stone.

For a photographer, this is a true paradise: the contrast of black sand, white Atlantic foam, and the often dramatic sky creates a unique palette. Sunrises and sunsets are especially impressive — the soft light highlights the texture of the basalt, and the ocean waves acquire a silvery glow.

But Reynisfjara is not only beautiful, but also dangerous: powerful sneaker waves can suddenly rush ashore, so shooting here requires caution and respect for the elements.

The photo tour at Reynisfjara is an opportunity to capture Iceland in its pristine, rugged beauty, where nature speaks loudly and magnificently, and every frame becomes part of an ancient northern legend. Here we will also see Atlantic puffins for the first time, and after sunset we will return to camp to rest.

At sunrise we will head to the famous Dyrhólaey promontory. Sunrise at Dyrhólaey is pure magic: the first rays of the sun break through the ocean mist and paint the black sand in golden and pink tones. From the top of the cliffs, a mesmerizing panorama opens up: a long straight line of beach stretching all the way to the horizon, and the Atlantic crashing with white-crested waves.

The iconic Dyrhólaey arch rises majestically above the sea, like a stone gateway to another world. At this time of day the light is soft and gentle, highlighting the texture of the basalt cliffs and giving special depth to every frame. In spring and summer you can often see puffins gliding above the rocks — they become lively accents in the composition.

For a photographer, sunrise at Dyrhólaey is a chance to capture the combination of a dramatic ocean and the subtle tenderness of light, when Iceland reveals its poetic beauty. Every minute of sunrise here is a gift for the lens and for inspiration. For good shots, you’ll need a 24−70 mm lens, and up to 400 mm for photographing puffins.

Then we will head to one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls — Skógafoss. It is 60 meters high and about 25 meters wide. The water drops from a granite cliff into a deep valley, creating an impressive sight. The waterfall is surrounded by beautiful nature — green hills, dense forests, and mountain peaks. This is one of the most visited places in Iceland, so we will try to arrive before the tourist buses.

Next, we will visit another waterfall — Kvernufoss, less known but very beautiful. You can walk behind it, which provides unique shooting opportunities.

After the morning photo session, we will have breakfast, pack up the camp, and head east toward Skaftafell. On the way, we will stop at the famous canyon — Fjaðrárgljúfur. We’ll take about an hour-long walk along the cliffs, ending at a stunning viewpoint overlooking a waterfall.

In Skaftafell we will set up camp, rest for a bit, and then head out to capture the sunset at the famous glacier lagoon — Jökulsárlón. You will photograph majestic drifting icebergs in the backlight of the setting sun.

This will be the most sleepless night of our photo tour — but it is absolutely worth it. We will meet the sunrise at the Jökulsárlón ice lagoon, by the ocean, where waves wash ice blocks — and sometimes even whole icebergs — onto the anthracite-black beach. Photographing these ice sculptures in the first rays of the rising sun is perhaps the highlight of the entire photo tour, and if we are lucky with the weather, it will be one of the most unforgettable sunrises of your life. We will do everything possible to make it happen.

During the day we will rest and take a walk on the Svínafellsjökull glacier. In the evening we will go to photograph the most elegant waterfall in Iceland — Svartifoss, a narrow transparent stream framed by basalt columns. This very view inspired architect Guðjón Samúelsson to design Iceland’s main church — Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík. Since this is a very popular spot, we will start shooting around 21:00 to avoid tourist crowds.

On the fifth day of our photo tour, we will head to the north of the island — to the shores of the steaming volcanic Lake Mývatn, where we will spend two nights. This will be the longest drive of the entire tour — about 5 hours. After setting up our camp, we will take a sightseeing tour around the lake and walk among the mini-craters — the landscapes here are completely different from those we saw in the south.

Hverir is one of the most surreal places in Iceland, where the earth literally breathes and boils beneath your feet. Here, an otherworldly landscape unfolds: bubbling mud pots, clouds of steam, multicolored mineral deposits and fissures from which the hot breath of the earth escapes. The palette of ochre, red, gray and blue creates the impression that you have landed on another planet.

For a photographer, Hverir is a true treasure trove of textures and hues. The morning or evening light softly illuminates the steam clouds, turning them into mystical veils, while sharp cracks and mineral patches form abstract compositions reminiscent of expressionist paintings. This place is perfect for those seeking not classic postcard scenes, but images with character, drama and the unique energy of nature. Shooting in Hverir feels like touching the very heartbeat of the planet. Every frame here holds the breath of the Earth.

In the evening, after the long drive, we will relax in a thermal lagoon that we prefer to the famous Blue Lagoon. It is less crowded, has two saunas with divine views, healing mud, and cold beer served right in the hot water. We will restore our strength well before the final part of our intense journey.

On the sixth day of our photo tour, we will start the morning at Dettifoss — the most mystical and breathtaking waterfall in Iceland. We will photograph and enjoy the pristine power of its turbulent, muddy stream. The opening shots of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus were filmed here. After that, we will head to the nearby waterfall Selfoss, where multiple streams cascade down the walls of a long canyon.

After the waterfalls, we will drive to the fishing village of Húsavík, from where we will go on a whale-watching boat trip. You never know in advance whether we will be lucky, but in 9 out of 10 cases we photograph the giant tails of these magnificent creatures, and sometimes whales surface just ten meters from the boat. The trip ends with hot cocoa from the captain.

After returning to the Mývatn area, we will relax a little. In the evening, we will visit the famous Grjótagjá cave, where, as Game of Thrones fans remember, Jon Snow and Ygritte made love right after another "You know nothing, Jon Snow."

At sunset, we will head to Goðafoss — the "Waterfall of the Gods," which, in addition to its beauty, has important historical significance. This is where pagan idols were thrown when Iceland adopted Christianity.

We will head to the northwest of the island, to the small town of Hvammstangi, where we will set up camp. In the evening, we will photograph seals basking in the sun on the coastal rocks and bays.

Seals are a common sight in Iceland’s coastal waters. Several species live in the country, including the common harbor seal and the grey seal. They can often be seen lying on rocky outcrops or swimming in the cold waters of the Atlantic.

In Icelandic folklore, seals are described as magical creatures capable of transforming into humans. In Iceland’s history, they played an important role by providing early settlers with food and clothing. Today, seals are an integral part of the country’s natural heritage and one of the most beloved attractions for visitors.

We will start the day early to photograph the famous Icelandic rock Hvítserkur, which resembles a dinosaur drinking water in the rays of the rising sun. Then we will break camp and head to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

It is located in the western part of Iceland and is known for its dramatic landscapes: glaciers, lava fields, and coastal villages. The peninsula is about 90 kilometers long and roughly 30 kilometers wide. It is home to many natural wonders, including the Snæfellsjökull glacier, which is the center of the national park of the same name.

Our main goal is to photograph the iconic views of Mount Kirkjufell, also known as one of the key filming locations in the series Game of Thrones.

In the morning we will walk along the southern coast of the peninsula. The Snæfellsnes coastline is known for its rugged beauty — here you’ll find towering rocky cliffs, black sandy beaches, and rock formations rising from the water. We will photograph the picturesque stone arches and the views of the village of Arnarstapi.

Along the way we will stop at an absolutely amazing and completely unique waterfall — Hraunfossar. It is located in western Iceland, not far from the town of Borgarnes.

The name Hraunfossar translates as "Lava Waterfalls" because the water flows directly out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field. These waterfalls are unique in that they are formed not by a single river, but by an entire system of underground springs that emerge from the lava and cascade into the river Hvítá.

Hraunfossar stretches for about 900 meters, and the width of the streams varies from a few to several dozen meters. The water here is crystal clear, with a characteristic blue-green tint. The surrounding landscape is just as impressive — with rugged lava formations and moss-covered rocks.

After that, we will head to the village of Geysir. The Haukadalur Valley in Iceland is the birthplace of the world’s most famous hot spring, which gave its name to all geysers on the planet. The Great Geysir, first mentioned in the 13th century, once erupted with water columns reaching heights of 70−80 meters. Today it rests, but nearby lives its "younger brother" — Strokkur, which every few minutes forcefully shoots boiling water 20−30 meters into the air.

For a photographer, this place is a celebration of dynamics and anticipation. The camera captures the dramatic moment: the water rises as a bubbling dome that, in an instant, transforms into a powerful fountain lit by the sun or glowing in the evening light. Steam swirls around, and the contrast of the cold sky and boiling water creates images of incredible intensity.

Geysir and its valley are not only a natural wonder, but also an opportunity to capture the rare magic of the moment when the elements merge into one spectacle. Shooting here brings emotions you’ll never forget: every eruption is slightly different, and each time it is a unique, unrepeatable frame.

We will wake up very early to photograph one of Iceland’s most iconic scenes — the Strokkur geyser in the rays of the rising sun (hopefully the weather will be on our side). Then we will pack up the camp and head to Reykjavik. We will arrive in the city after lunch and set up camp at the campground. You can fly home either in the evening of this day or the following day.