MiDNIGHT SUN 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.
JUNE 18TH - 24TH 2023
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
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 photographer
WHAT’S INCLUDED
7 Days, 6 Nights of Exploration & Photography Instruction
Clean and comfortable accomodations
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!
WHAT’S 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
FULL 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, as 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 – shooting from late in the afternoon until late morning as weather allows, and sleeping 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 ONE - SATURDAY (06-18-23)
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 where we will settle into the hotel that will be our 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 – a beach with enormous basalt columns, dramatic black volcanic sand, and impressive sea stacks, and Dyrhólaey with its 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
DAY TWO - SUNDAY (06-19-23)
Puffins & 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
DAY THREE - MONDAY (06-20-23)
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
DAY FOUR - TUESDAY (06-21-23)
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
DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY (06-22-23)
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
DAY SIX - THURSDAY (06-23-23)
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
DAY SEVEN - THURSDAY (08-04-22)
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.
Price for the workshop is $5495 USD For Double Occupancy (shared room)
You'll have two options to sign up for the photo tour. First option is the deposit to secure your spot, with balance due 90 days before workshop. Second option is to pay full amount upfront. Pricing is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy is available for $6085. Please email about this request and we will provide more info. Upon signing up you will be emailed a list of all details for locations and a checklist of what to bring to be fully prepared for the workshop.
Payment plans are available for workshops. Contact me for more info.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Sigurður William Brynjarsson
Sigurdur William Brynjarsson (Siggi) is a photographer based in Iceland. He is currently the brand ambassador for Skylum software, NiSi Filters, FotoPro tripods Irix lenses, Vallerret Photography Gloves and is a distinguished member of the Global Elite Photographers team. He is passionate about photographing locations all around the world, but especially in his home country of Iceland.
He has won multiple awards for his work, both locally and internationally, especially for his Aurora Borealis photos and has even written a book on the subject. He has led photography workshops and tours in Iceland since 2012 with great success and rave reviews. When the days get longer, he turns his eyes towards the amazing midnight sun with golden hours that seem to stretch on forever.
Siggi is the owner and CEO of Viking International PhotoTours, a company that is registered in both Iceland and the US and is a certified tour operator by the Icelandic Tourist Board. He is also Red Cross CPR and First Aid Certified.
John Weatherby
John is a US based photographer who discovered his passion for photography while working as a waiter in college. While managing the companies social media accounts, John began to learn how to take better photos, eventually investing in a DSLR and lighting equipment. Venturing away from the hospitality industry, John began to take photos of his hometown (Tampa Bay) which immediately gained the attention of the community and affirmed that he could turn his passion into a successful career.
John started his company Weatherby Photography in 2015 and has since worked with clients such as Uber, Pepsi, and the Home Depot, to name a few.
John is most known for his vivid pictures, showcasing an “outside of the box” perspective. Aside from his fine art work, John’s specialties also include commercial, architecture and travel photography.