2023 Fall Iceland Workshop
Come join us on an incredible Iceland photography workshop adventure in this rugged and beautiful landscape. We will visit several locations along the southern Icelandic coast, including the mighty Skogafoss waterfalls, the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks, the majestic Vestrahorn, and the glacial lake Jokulsarlon, where chunks of icebergs float past us. And, if we are fortunate, we will also witness the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, that visit Iceland during this time of year. This is a major bucket list location for landscape and outdoor adventure photographers.
Trip Dates
September 2nd - 9th, 2023
Tuition Costs
$2295
(Deposit of $500)
Group Size
6
(3 spots left)
Difficulty Level
Easy to moderate hiking
Iceland Fall Photography Workshop
Iceland is located in one of the northernmost locations on this planet. During this weeklong adventure, we will follow the southern route around Iceland, stopping at several iconic locations. We will photograph the major waterfalls - Skogafoss, Bruarfoss, Gullfoss, and Seljalandsfoss - as well as the legendary sea stacks at Reynisdrangar, several Icelandic churches, the famous Diamond Beach at Jokulsarlon, and the majestic Vestrahorn.
Each day, we will begin by chasing the epic morning light before sunrise, followed by optional day hikes or other activities, and then conclude with following the sunset light in a different location. We will also chase aurora activity, which will require us to be flexible and go at a moment’s notice if an aurora is spotted nearby. When the weather is not favorable, we will spend time in the hotel working on post processing and editing our photos.
With two photo instructors present for the duration of the workshop, you will have plenty of opportunity for one on one instruction to further the skills that you feel you need to work on.
What is Included?
- All Ground Transportation
- All Hotel Accommodations
- All Necessary Permits
- All Photo Education
What is Not Included?
- All Flights
- Meals & Snacks
- Travel Insurance
- Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination
Cancellation and Refund Policies
No one wants to miss out on a trip of a lifetime, but things do happen. In those situations, the following applies:
The first thing to note is that deposits are not refundable. If you cancel and your spot can be filled, you will be refunded the full amount you have paid (minus the deposit). If you cancel and we are unable to fill your spot, the following schedule applies:
- 120 days or more: You are entitled to a refund (minus your deposit).
- 90 to 120 days: You will receive a refund of 50% of the full tuition fees minus the non-refundable deposit.
- Less than 90 days: If you wish to cancel within 90 days of your workshop starting, you are not entitled to a refund.
Unfortunately, we are not able to give refunds for unforeseen weather events during our workshops. This includes unanticipated circumstances such as smoke from wildfires, volcanic eruptions, poor weather, domestic policy actions that result in park closures and/or changes with accessibility, and emergency situations. However, please rest assured that we will always make every reasonable effort to work with local authorities to find solutions for unexpected surprises and present you with reasonable alternatives. In the unlikely event of a workshop cancellation by us, all payments will be refunded in full within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this workshop for beginners or professionals?
Our workshops are typically geared for beginner and intermediate photographers. All participants should have a working understanding of their cameras' settings and Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.
When does the workshop start?
The workshop starts on September 2nd, 2023 in the morning. You can either fly in the day before (September 1st) and get a hotel, or arrive early in the morning on the 2nd before 8am, and we will pick you up from the airport.
When does the workshop end?
The workshop ends on September 9th. We will drop you off at the airport between 2-3pm or to a hotel of your choosing if you are staying longer in Iceland.
What airport do I fly into?
You will fly into Keflavik Airport (KEF) located roughly 50 minutes outside of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Be sure to check in with us before purchasing any flights to make sure things line up correctly.
Which hotel is recommended if I arrive earlier or want to stay longer?
Aurora Hotel is a 10-minute walk from the airport (Aurora Hotel at Reykjavik-Keflavik Airport Terminal KEF ). Several car rental companies are also located in the airport and public transport is also available to Reykjavik.
What do I need to bring?
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera
- 2-4 extra batteries
- 32GB (or higher) memory cards
- A wide angle lens (at least 24mm) and a mid range lens (35-105mm). A telephoto (100mm or higher) would also be very helpful.
- A sturdy tripod
- Neutral density, graduated, and polarizing filters, if you have them
- Headlamp
- A laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop installed
Where do we stay?
We will stay in a small number of hotels located mainly in the southern part of Iceland, which is where we focus our attention for the duration of this workshop. Please note that the workshop cost is based on a shared double room (same gender). If you would like your own room, a single supplement of $800 is added to the cost.
How do meals work?
Every morning, we will take breakfast and dinner at the hotel where we are staying. We will also stop during the day for a lunch break at a local restaurant or cafe. Breakfast is typically included in the room cost, while lunch and dinner are not. Please note that, other than breakfast, meals are not included in the workshop cost.
What does a typical day look like?
We will usually start before sunrise, drive to our location, shoot sunrise, and then return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we might go for a hike, scout new locations, edit photos, or begin our drive to the next location. We will stop along the way for lunch. In the evening, we will drive to our chosen location to shoot sunset, and then to the hotel for dinner.
Meet Your Instructors
Madhavan Parthasarthy is a New York City, USA-based landscape photographer. He is an avid hiker and adventure traveler who started with seascapes, but found his real passion under starry skies and mountainscapes. When not traveling the world with his camera, you can find him in the Big Apple teaching workshops, exploring the city, and sampling new restaurants.
Instagram: @kpmimages
Facebook: @kpmimages
Website: You're on it!
Mario Valkenborg is a Belgium-based landscape photographer. He started as a nature photographer and did a lot of wildlife, bird, macro, and also travel photography. He specialized in landscapes for more than 10 years. He travels all over the world in search of the most epic landscapes but also appreciates the local landscape.
Instagram: @valkphotography
Facebook: Mario Valkenborg
Website: valk-photography.com
More Information
Interested in joining? Have more questions about the workshop? Contact me HERE.
