5-Day Summer Photo Tour | Black Sand Beaches, Waterfalls & Glacier Lagoons

Lupin flowers cover much of the Icelandic landscape during the summer months.

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Description

Summary

Tour starts

Iceland

Duration:

5 days

Ending place

Iceland

Difficulty:

Easy

Available:

Apr. - Aug.

Minimum age:

18 years old

Description

Join us on the adventure of a lifetime with this amazing 5-day summer photo tour in Iceland!

During the summer months, you’ll be treated to long days and hours of golden light created by the natural phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, making for endless shooting opportunities.

There’s no better place to experience it than along the South Coast of Iceland, where thundering waterfalls, majestic glaciers, black sand beaches, mossy lava fields and Iceland’s most incredible natural wonders such as the Diamond Ice Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon reign supreme!

This amazing 5-day summer photo tour will take you all along Iceland’s famous south coast and into the Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. Along the way, you’ll learn everything you need to know about landscape photography as you capture the breathtaking scenery bathed in the warm glow of the Midnight Sun.

Summer is when Iceland really comes alive and you’ll have exciting opportunities to photograph the country swathed in colour as wildflowers bloom all along the coast. It’s also the best time for spotting wildlife, including Arctic foxes, Icelandic horses, sheep roaming free and of course, the cutest birds in the world, puffins!

Your four nights of accommodation during the tour will be pre-organised for you before your arrival in Iceland, as will your transfers to and from each of your shooting locations. Please note that your accommodation in Reykjavík is not included in the price of the tour and that you will need to arrange this yourself.

In addition, you’ll have an expert photography guide with you all the way, to teach you all the little tips and tricks that you’ll need to know to master landscape photography in Iceland.

Along with sharing their knowledge with you, they’ll make sure that you’ll get to all of the best locations for photography at all the right times to make the most of the changing light.

Don’t miss out on this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to practice landscape photography in one of the most breathtaking regions that this country has to offer. Check availability by choosing a date.

Included

Professional photo guide

Transportation in a comfortable vehicle

Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses. Rooms with private bathrooms.

Breakfasts at hotel stays during the tour

Map

Attractions

Dyrhólaey

Vatnajökull National Park

Activities

Photo Tours

Photo Workshop

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Lupin flowers are a common sight across Iceland during the summer.

Day 1 - South Coast to Vik

The adventure begins when your photo guide picks you up early in the morning in Reykjavík. From there, you’ll start making your way towards the magnificent South Coast. Your first stop will be at the stunning Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall that drops from a small height of only 60 metres but which resonates with such astounding beauty that it will literally take your breath away. Surrounded by lush, green vegetation and wonderful wildflowers, this waterfall resembles something out of a fairytale in summer. There are a number of different vantage points from which you’ll be able to capture it in all its glory, though the most exciting one is from a path that leads behind the cascade, allowing you to circle the water plunging down from above in a full 360 degrees. Nearby, its neighbour Skógafoss is just as inspiring. It’s the perfect place to practice long exposure photography techniques, transforming the curtain of water into an atmospheric mist. On sunny days, there is often a rainbow to be seen arching through the spray! After stopping for lunch, you’ll continue making your way along the South Coast and head towards the windswept peninsula of Dyrhólaey. Perched high atop a staggering cliff, you’ll experience awe-inspiring views of the coastline all around… provided that you won’t be distracted by the cute little faces of puffins peering back up at you! Aside from puffins, this area is home to an abundance of birdlife as well as a historic lighthouse that make for wonderful compositions. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph the cliffs from above and below, where the black sand beach extends all the way into the horizon. Your next shooting location will be the dramatic black sand beach of Reynisfjara, where tall columnar cliffs meet the roaring waves of the North Atlantic Ocean. You’ll be able to spot puffins swooping down from their nests atop these basaltic columns to catch fish in the ocean, before they fly clumsily back to feed their hungry chicks. If the tide is out then you’ll be able to explore the naturally formed cave that sits by the shore, as well as get closer to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks that rise from the water. After dinner, you’ll have the option to explore the fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal as the Midnight Sun circles overhead, and there’s no spot more magical than the beautiful church that overlooks the village itself. Surrounded by purple lupines, it makes for a truly romantic scene, set against the backdrop of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance. You’ll then retire to your accommodation in Vík í Mýrdal.

Day 2

The shore at Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon in South Iceland.

Day 2 - Vik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

On day two, you’ll have the chance to return to Reynisfjara to capture its famous sea stacks from a different angle, in different conditions. Thereafter, you’ll continue on your journey towards the wild and wonderful vicinity of the Vatnajökull National Park, stopping at vast mossy lava fields and the feather-shaped Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon along the way. On a clear day, you’ll have a fabulous view of the glaciers glistening all around between snow-capped mountain peaks as you make your way along the coastline. You’ll reach the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by the late afternoon, where massive icebergs that have calved from the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier float in the calm waters beneath the warm light of the Midnight Sun. Get your telephoto lens ready as there will be excellent opportunities to capture the diverse sea birds that nest in the area during summer. You might even spot a seal or two hauled out heavily onto the ice! As the sun gets lower upon the horizon, casting the sky in a fiery hue, you’ll head to the nearby Diamond Ice Beach—a breathtaking stretch of black sand that you’ll find dotted with glistening icebergs, resembling jewels beneath the sun. They make for the perfect subjects as the waves swirl around, creating dreamy drawn out motion effects. Don’t worry if you don’t manage to get your technique down pat today as photography at the Diamond Ice Beach presents a whole new set of challenges. You’ll have the chance to refine your skills in the days to come. In the evening, you’ll retire to your accommodation in the vicinity of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Day 3

Peering through an iceberg at Diamond Beach in South Iceland.

Day 3 - Vatnajokull National Park / Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Depending on the conditions, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Diamond Ice Beach can look completely different, so you’ll return to shoot them in the morning on day three. Although you could spend hours here, there is a lot more to see, so you’ll have to peel yourself away finally! The afternoon will be spent immersed in the wild beauty of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, right at the edge of the largest glacier in Europe. This area is well-known for its abundant flora and fauna, spectacular hiking trails and magnificent glacier tongues. As the Midnight Sun takes on that familiar golden glow, your photo guide will take you to some lesser known locations off the beaten track, including the Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon which is smaller but just as breathtaking as its larger counterpart, Jökulsárlón. You’ll retire for the night at your accommodation in the vicinity.

Day 4

A horse ride galloping on the Stokknes Peninsula, just in front of Vestrahorn Mountain.

Day 4 - Vatnajokull National Park / Skaftafell Nature Reserve

You’ll rise early on day four to revisit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Diamond Ice Beach for another thrilling shoot, before making your way to the outskirts of the Vatnajökull National Park. Your main subject for the day will be the mighty peaks of Vestrahorn, looming large against the horizon. Jagged and grey, this mountain stands out dramatically amidst rolling black dunes, with the waves of the North Atlantic Ocean crashing in from the side. It makes for endlessly dramatic compositions, so you’ll spend a significant amount of the day travelling around the Stokksnes Peninsula, capturing the peaks from different angles. Again, your photo guide will take you to some lesser known locations that they have hidden up their sleeves, to make the most of the golden light. You’ll retire for the night in the vicinity of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Day 5

A geyser explodes at Haukadalur Geothermal Valley, on the Golden Circle sightseeing route in Iceland.

Day 5 - Golden Circle & Back to Reykjavik

Day five marks the penultimate point of your Midnight Sun photography tour in Iceland and you’ll start the day off with a bang with one final chance to get your feet wet at the Diamond Ice Beach and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Thereafter, you’ll begin making your way back to Reykjavík, though not without a detour through Iceland’s most famous route—the Golden Circle. Your first stop will be at the immensely powerful Gullfoss waterfall, where glacial water thunders across two tiers, plunging into a dramatic canyon below. There are a number of different compositions to be found here so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the area in detail. Next, you’ll have an opportunity to immerse yourself in Iceland’s seething volcanic landscapes at the Geysir Geothermal Area. Aside from the exploding fountain geyser called Strokkur, the area is littered with steaming fumaroles, hot springs and bubbling mud pots. Your final stop will be at Þingvellir, Iceland’s only mainland UNESCO World Heritage Site. The scenery here is captivating, and you’ll soon find out why. Located in a rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, there are incredible lava fields to photograph, ravines full of crystal clear spring water, as well as the small waterfall Oxararfoss surrounded by smooth rocks. You’ll also have a spectacular view of Iceland’s largest natural lake, Þingvallavatn, which makes for a fantastic subject on a backdrop of mountains and bathed in the warmth of the Midnight Sun. Your photo guide will ensure that you reach Reykjavík in the evening – just in time for dinner and to explore the city at your leisure if you so wish—no doubt with memory cards packed with photos, brilliant new landscape photography skills and amazing memories from your five-day summer photography adventure in Iceland.

Good to know

- We are a local tour operator and travel agency authorised by the tourism board of Iceland.

- We offer small group tours with a maximum group size of 10-12. This way, you’ll get to know your photography guide and we can take you to shoot in unique places that aren’t suitable for larger groups.

- All our guests get a free collection of post-processing videos from our award-winning photographers worth over $1,500.

- On our tours we use comfortable vehicles to safely transport you to amazing locations.

- We are using only the best hotels available in Iceland.

- Our photo tours and workshops are guided by award-winning professional landscape photographers.

- We provide crampons and rubber boots for free to all our guests throughout the tour.

- During the tour, we give highly informative and easy-to-follow photography and post-processing lectures.

- Our photo guides will always help you in the field to make sure you will bring home stunning photos of Iceland.

Disclaimer

We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic 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.

Departure Schedule

15-19 Jun 2024- Guided by Kaspars Dzenis

20-24 Jul 2024- Guided by Kaspars Dzenis

11-15 Aug 2024- Guided by Kaspars Dzenis

16-20 Apr 2025-

8-12 May 2025-

15-19 Jun 2025

20-24 Jul 2025

11-15 Aug 2025

Guides

Brynjar Ágústsson

English, Icelandic

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Being out in nature with a camera and a tripod can be like a form of meditation – a soothing, peaceful experience that has the potential to lift you out of this world.

For Brynjar Ágústsson, a native Icelandic professional landscape photographer, there is simply nothing more satisfying. A former member of the Rimmugýgur Icelandic Viking Community from Hafnarfjördur, Brynjar is acquainted with even the most hidden corners of Iceland and knows every magical location like the back of his hand.

This former parachute jumper, windsurfer and mountain guide has amassed a wealth of experience from guiding countless photography tours, finding himself at his absolute best when outdoors in the wilderness with a camera in hand.

Well-versed in Lightroom and Photoshop, Brynjar’s work has been featured in many magazines, commercials and exhibitions around the world. He has a deep-rooted interest in keeping abreast with the ongoing technological and ideological advancements in photography, as well as a keen eye for composition and light.

With this Viking at the helm, you will be taken to the most epic arctic landscapes on an adventure to remember for a lifetime. Brynjar’s passion for Icelandic nature is quickly mirrored by all those who join him during every journey. Says the man himself, “In our photo tours, you are in the right place at the right time when the beauty of nature’s show begins.”