Iceland photo tour 2019
NORTHERN LIGHTS AND FALL COLORS
Would you like to join us for our next Iceland Photo Tour? We have decided on September 2019 for our return, to photograph the idyllic Icelandic landscapes, painted with beautiful tundra fall colors. The tour will take place from September 21st to 29th under the new moon, which provides the best possible conditions for shooting the Northern Lights.
Our workshop will focus on the southern part of Iceland, where the most photogenic places are located on the island. During our Iceland photo trip, we will visit emblematic waterfalls such as Skogafoss and Gullfoss, volcanic beaches like Reynisfjara and Stokksnes, other classics like the imposing Kirkjufell, as well as glaciers like the Jokulsarlon.
I will personally assist with all your questions during the photography expedition in Iceland. I will be available 24 hours a day and will do my best so you can return home with not only the best possible photos, but with a greater knowledge base, and of course, unforgettable moments. It doesn’t matter what your skill level is or what photography equipment you bring – together, we will get the most out of both.
2019 ICELAND PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR ITINERARY
Our Iceland Photo Tour itinerary is tentative and flexible, as it will be adjusted according to weather conditions. During night sessions, we will be moving toward areas with clear skies to increase our chances of seeing the Northern Lights. September is the best time to see the Green Lady, so if weather permits, this will be an Iceland Northern Lights tour.
DAY 1: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 21ST
Our Iceland photo tour begins at Keflavik International Airport where we will be waiting for you, which then we will transport to our first accommodation.
After a meet and greet with the rest of the group and a welcome speech, we will venture on our first-night photography session at Lake Kleifarvatn, with Northern Lights if conditions allow.
DAY 2: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 22ND
On the second day of our Iceland photography tour, we will visit the Kerið volcanic crater on the way to Seljalandsfoss, a spectacular waterfall where you can walk behind.
We will continue along the Icelandic Ring Road until we reach one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland, Skogafoss, and the nearby Kvernufoss.
If conditions are favorable, we will return to Seljalandsfoss to photograph the sunset, and if chances are in favor for seeing the Northern Lights, we will take photographs from the Skogafoss waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls we will visit on our Iceland photography workshop.
DAY 3: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 23RD
The third day of our Iceland photo workshop will take us to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where we will photograph the sunset, and the Aurora Borealis if luck is on our side.
On our way, we will stop at the Fjadragljufur canyon and the iconic Lomagnupur rock.
DAY 4: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 24TH
The next morning of our Iceland guided tour, we will photograph the sunrise at the otherworldly Diamond Beach. Then, we will visit the glacier lagoons Jokulsarlon and Fjallsarlon once again during day time.
We will continue ahead on the Ring Road to the furthest point we will reach on this Iceland photography tour: The Hvalnes lighthouse, where we will photograph the sunset.
We will stay in the village of Hofn, and if there is a good forecast to see the Aurora, we will try from Stokksnes.
DAY 5: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 25TH
On the fifth day of our Iceland photography tour, we will take pictures of the sunrise from Stokksnes and begin our journey back on the Ring Road.
On the way, we will stop at Svartifoss waterfall before arriving at Vik, where we will do a sunset photo shoot at Dyrholaey Arch and Reynisfjara beach.
If there is a chance to see the Northern Lights that night, we would catch the show at Vik beach.
DAY 6: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 26TH
On the sixth day of our Iceland photo tour, we will do a sunrise photo shoot from Vik beach and go to the golden circle where we can see the mighty Gullfoss waterfall and the famous Geysir Strokkur.
Additionally, we can take a 40-minute optional detour to the remote Bruarfoss waterfall where we can photograph the sunset.
If there were Northern Lights that night, we will be seeing them from Gullfoss.
DAY 7: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 27TH
On the seventh day of our Iceland Photography tour, we would see the sunrise at Geysir Strokkur and we would head towards Kirkjufell.
On the way we can stop at Thingvellir whenever we have time to do a photo shoot at sunset in the Kirkjufell waterfalls.
If we had forecast of auroras, we would see them either from here or from the black church of Búdir.
DAY 8: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 28TH
The next morning, we will photograph the sunrise from Búdakirkja and visit the southern cliffs of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
We will then return to the vicinity of the airport and spend the last night of our Iceland photography tour there. If aurora possibilities exist, we will go back to Lake Kleifarvatn for one last night session.
DAY 9: ICELAND PHOTO TOUR – SEPTEMBER 29TH
Our photo tour to Iceland ends at the Keflavik airport where we will drop you off to catch your flight back home.
PRICE: $2610
Deposit: $1200
A $1200 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due on June 1st, 2019. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
INCLUDED
- Pick up at the airport
- Transportation during the trip
- Fuel and parking fees
- Accommodation in shared rooms, single beds
- Photo guide Daniel Zafra, a professional landscape, nature, and travel photographer.
- Driver for the entire itinerary.
- Travel assistance insurance.
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Keflavik airport
- Meals
- Accommodation in single rooms ($700 extra)
- Entry to different attractions such as Kerið crater, Stokksnes beach or Thingvellir.
- Health insurance
- Telephone, personal expenses, tips etc. and any other service not mentioned in the “INCLUDED” section.
YOUR GUIDE ON THE ICELAND PHOTO TOUR
DAN ZAFRA
Dan will be the photo guide throughout the trip and will make sure you get the best photography results. He will be available 24 hours a day so you can resolve all your questions about landscape photography, technique, and composition. He has a strong vocation for training that he demonstrates during his workshops and photography trips. Night photography, especially the Northern Lights, is one of his great passions. He has captured them in Canada, Iceland, and Norway.
Dan will be the photo guide throughout the trip and will make sure you get the best photography results. He will be available 24 hours a day so you can resolve all your questions about landscape photography, technique, and composition. He has a strong vocation for training that he demonstrates during his workshops and photography trips. Night photography, especially the Northern Lights, is one of his great passions. He has captured them in Canada, Iceland, and Norway.
Ascen
Ascen will be in charge of the logistics, planning, reservation of accommodation, and private transportation (car and driver) so that anyone can shoot Northern Lights all night long with Dan. If you have special needs (general and dietary), or any other query regarding the trip, she will be your first point of contact for solutions. Her main goal for this trip will be to make this journey as comfortable as possible for you. She is responsible for managing reservations, so if you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact her!
Ascen will be in charge of the logistics, planning, reservation of accommodation, and private transportation (car and driver) so that anyone can shoot Northern Lights all night long with Dan. If you have special needs (general and dietary), or any other query regarding the trip, she will be your first point of contact for solutions. Her main goal for this trip will be to make this journey as comfortable as possible for you. She is responsible for managing reservations, so if you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact her!
FQ&A
WHAT TO BRING TO AN ICELAND PHOTO TOUR?
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
- DSLR or mirrorless camera with tripod and remote trigger
- A wide-angle lens, such as 14-24 mm.
- A medium zoom lens, such as 24-70 mm.
- A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens.
You may be interested in this guide where you can dive deeper into photography equipment for traveling.
CLOTHING
The average temperature in Iceland in September is 8ºC but the weather is very variable, going from warm days to snowstorms in a matter of hours. You should be prepared for all seasons and bring winter clothes. Some of the things that you will have to bring to this Iceland photography tour are:
- Waterproof coat for subzero temperatures.
- Thermal waterproof pants.
- Waterproof mountain boots.
- Gloves, hat and scarf.
A complete list of everything that needs to be carried will be sent to the participants of the iceland photo expedition.
MONEY
The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK). It would be more convenient to bring ISK from your home country, although if that is not possible, you could exchange at the Keflavík airport.
In most establishments, you can pay by credit card and debit card, no matter how small the amount is. It is necessary though to bring some cash for shared expenses in the supermarket so that we can have a picnic lunch on the days that we want to make the most of the photo sessions.
DOCUMENTATION
Please check if you need a Visa to visit Iceland. We can help you with this.
WHAT EXPENSES SHOULD YOU CONSIDER FOR THE ICELAND photography WORKSHOP?
FLIGHTS
The price of round-trip flights to Iceland from Europe and the US cost approximately $400-800.
MEALS
Meals are not included. Most of the days, we will try to eat snacks/picnic during lunch to speed up and maximize photo shoot time.
Even so, both supermarkets and restaurants in Iceland are not cheap, so we recommend preparing for about $80 per day.
ENTRANCE FEE
These are the prices of some sites that we will be visiting on our Iceland photo expedition. From our experience, these costs have increased every year. Same goes for places that did not previously have an entrance fee may now charge for visits. Use these data as a guideline:
Kerið = $3 approx.
Stokksnes = $7 approx.
IS THIS ICELAND PHOTO TOUR SUITABLE FOR ME?
WHAT LEVEL DO I NEED TO ATTEND TO THIS PHOTO TOUR TO ICELAND?
Whether you are experienced or just starting in photography, you are all welcome, and I am convinced that you will progress very fast. Together, we will get you back home with greater and deeper knowledge in many photography topics.
In addition, we can meet up by Skype beforehand to discuss your skill level, knowledge, and goals you have for the tour.
AM I TOO YOUNG/OLD FOR THIS ICELAND PHOTO TOUR?
There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph Iceland with us.
WHAT PHYSICAL CONDITIONS DO I NEED?
All the places we will visit in this Iceland photography tour are very close to the road, although we can propose optional activities to discover the best-kept secrets of Iceland, such as the beautiful Bruarfoss waterfall.
CAN I BRING MY DRONE?
Capture the Atlas is drone friendly. However, we are not responsible for accidental damage or fines if you fly it in restricted areas.
JOIN THE EXPEDITION
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The itinerary may change per weather conditions.