Photographer & Instructor at Capture the Atlas
Hi, I’m Unai Larraya! Thanks to my parents’ love for hiking, I developed a passion for the outdoors from an early age. My first mountain experience was as a baby, carried in a backpack on my father’s back, exploring the peaks of Navarra and the Pyrenees in Spain. Today, I return to those same mountains, but this time with a camera in hand, ready to capture their breathtaking beauty.
My journey into photography truly began when I was 15 and got my first camera, a Canon 600D. Initially, I shot everything on auto mode, with no idea what I was doing. But I was hooked on the idea of seeing the world through a lens, which led me to dive deeper into the technical aspects of photography—learning about settings, focal lengths, and the magic of light.
Over time, I discovered a community of photographers that helped me refine my skills and pushed me to explore new techniques. As my passion grew, I ventured into wildlife photography and eventually video production, capturing the raw emotions and soul of nature.
These days, I split my time between landscape and wildlife photography, with a special focus on stunning sunrises, sunsets, and the fascinating behavior of animals in their natural habitat. I love working with light and shadow to create images that tell a story, reflecting not just the scene but also the mood and emotion within it.
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been leading photography workshops and tours. I’m dedicated to making learning fun and accessible, breaking down complex ideas into simple, engaging lessons. My goal is to create a supportive and friendly environment where everyone feels comfortable to grow and explore their own creative style.
When I’m not behind the camera, you can often find me climbing or hiking, always seeking new adventures in nature. I’ve even competed as a climber with the Navarra selection, pushing my limits and exploring unique landscapes. Additionally, I enjoy working on audiovisual projects, including capturing unique perspectives with my drone.
I’m excited to share my passion for photography with you and help you see the world through a different lens. Let’s capture some incredible moments together and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Awards & publications
- 1st Prize – Findango Photo Contest 2022
- 1st Prize – Conocer Navarra 2021
- 1st Prize – Conocer Navarra (Youth Category) 2021
- 1st Prize – Calamonte Joven (Photography) 2021
- 2nd Prize – GOROSTI Nature Photography Contest 2022
- 2nd Prize – Lux Splendida 2020
- 2nd Prize – Memorial Carlos Caraglia 2023
- 2nd Prize – DBF Photo Contest 2022
- 3rd Prize – GOROSTI Nature Photography Contest 2018
- 3rd Prize – 100 Años de Picos y Ordesa 2019
- Honorable Mention – 100 Años de Picos y Ordesa 2019
- Semifinalist – Lumix G Photographic Challenge 2021
- Representative of Navarra – Lumix G Photographic Challenge 2019
- 1st Prize – “Landscapes and Nature: Revealing the Ecosystem” 2018
- Catalogue Selected – 35 AWARDS 2022
- Best Photo and Photographer – 35 AWARDS (Snow Category) 2023
- Honorable Mentions – Canarian Photo Awards 2023
- Honorable Mention – FIO 2023
My gear
As a passionate photographer, having the right gear is essential for capturing breathtaking landscapes and the wonders of nature. Here’s a look at the toolkit I rely on:
Photo tours I'm leading
My happy students
Seeing my students reach their creative goals has been so rewarding! Here’s what some of them have to say about our photo tours:
This was an unforgettable, unbelievable experience not only because of the stunning location, but primarily because of the extraordinary guides who led our adventure. They were the best tour leaders I have ever had. They really cared about your experience from every angle: learning, safety, level of difficulty and of course photographic development. I recommend them without reservation.
I also want to add that the logistics of the trip done by both the whole CTA team and the leaders of our group were exemplary from tracking the weather closely to determine which spots would be best for the entire organization and planning of the experience from checklists before starting to lists of places that we went to and the CTA Academy. I wish all of my life were so well organized!
Janet Bachant
2024 Madeira Photo Tour
I was recently on a Capture the Atlas Summer Iceland trip. We were exceedingly lucky to have great weather for the whole trip. The itinerary overlapped an Iceland trip I did 2 years ago but that trip was not oriented to photography and I never felt that I was repeating things. We covered a lot of ground and ventured as far as far SE Iceland. We hit many of the ‘usual’ spots but always to shoot amazing scenes. The guides were excellent and were always willing to help their clients and set up great shots, Accommodations were good to excellent. I would go with them again.
Jack Bernstein
2024 Iceland Summer Photo Tour
First tour with this group. The experience was exceptional. The trainers were very knowledgeable and personable and engaged with everyone on the tour. As a novice photographer, I didn't know what I didn't know. David and Unai were able to connect with me at my level, and then help me develop new skills that will enhance my abilities forward. It brought me to a new level of understanding and appreciation for the hobby of photography.
Bob Thomson
2024 Iceland Summer Photo Tour
It’s an amazing week with a lot of fun and for sure most of the credit go to Prince and Unai. I am very very sure they gave me a new thought of landscape photography and improved my level. I had seen they were really into helping us while taking sun rise and sun set when was such a short time, like checking the composition and histogram and even dust on lens and sensor. They are so taking care of everything in detail. Really looking forward to learning from them again.
BTW, I am a slow learner and they are just so patient to me and teach me again and again.
And I will highly recommend you guys to my friends.
Quincy Ngan
2023 Dolomites Photo Tour
I recently joined a photography workshop in Iceland with Capture the Atlas, and it was incredible. From the well-organized welcome packet to the supportive group chat, I was impressed by the attention to detail.
Workshop leaders Prince and Unai were fantastic—knowledgeable, approachable, and passionate. They went above and beyond to ensure we captured Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes, offering expert guidance and inspiration.
Overall, it was an unforgettable experience. If you're seeking a photography adventure led by experts who genuinely care about your growth, I highly recommend Capture the Atlas!
Kyle Rudderow
2023 Iceland Photo Tour
