Exploring Iceland by Drone: Aerial Photography Workshop Recap

There are certain trips that feel special every time you run them, and for me, Iceland Aerial Explorer is one of those. I first put this itinerary together three years ago, originally as a Highlands-focused trip. Soon after, it evolved into our dedicated drone workshop — and it has become one of my absolute favorites. Iceland is not just one of the most beautiful countries in the world; it’s also one of the most drone-friendly landscapes anywhere on Earth.

The Highlands in particular are unlike any other landscape I’ve photographed. Access alone is part of the adventure: many of the best locations require bumpy drives along rocky tracks, river crossings, and a capable vehicle. It’s remote, quiet, and raw — the type of place where solitude still exists, even as Iceland has grown in popularity. And after visiting Iceland six times, I can say confidently that it never feels stale. Each trip brings something new, and no two workshops look the same. Weather, access, and spontaneity shape every journey. You could run this trip ten times, visit different locations each time, and come home with ten different sets of images.

Mountains are everywhere in the world, from the Canadian Rockies to the Swiss Alps to the Cascades. They’re beautiful (and unique in their own ways), yes, but also familiar. Iceland is different. The volcanic landscape, blanketed in green moss and cut through by veins of braided rivers, feels otherworldly. There’s nowhere else like it, and that’s what makes this trip so special.

Learning to Fly, Iceland Style

One thing I love about this trip is that it works for everyone, no matter their drone experience. Some of our guests this year had only flown a few times before arriving. That first morning always comes with nerves: anxiety over taking off, worrying about the wind, keeping an eye on battery life. But by the end of the week, everyone was confidently flying, exploring compositions, and creating professional-quality aerial images.

We have a simple philosophy here: “fly a battery.” Put in a full battery, take off, and fly until you’re down to the reserve. Do that three or four times a day and your comfort level skyrockets. Confidence comes from hours in the air, and Iceland is the perfect classroom.
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Drone technology today is remarkable. These prosumer models are lightyears ahead of where the industry was even five years ago. Excellent sensors, great transmission, long battery life, crisp 4-6K video — you can get perspectives that previously required chartering a helicopter or fixed-wing plane. And with Iceland as your canvas, the creative possibilities are endless.

A Strong Start

Our trip began in Reykjavík, Iceland’s lively little capital. After a night in town, we immediately headed for the South Coast, where wide river deltas carve striking patterns into the black volcanic sand. One river in particular runs glacial blue, a rarity in Iceland, and it provided our first chance to really stretch our drones’ wings.
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From there, we drove inland toward the Highlands, stopping to photograph some red-crusted craters and sweeping moss-covered lava fields. These ancient flows, now blanketed in green, create endless abstract opportunities from the air. Our base for the first part of the trip was the Highland Center — a comfortable outpost tucked into the wilderness and perfectly situated for exploring.

Waterfalls and Wilderness

Iceland is often called the land of waterfalls, and for good reason. We spent a morning photographing Háifoss, one of the country’s most spectacular cascades. Dropping nearly 400 feet into a canyon, it looks incredible from any angle, but from above it becomes a study in symmetry and scale. Later that day, we explored one of my favorite quiet corners of the Highlands: a river valley filled with blue lakes, green ridges, and layered volcanic slopes. It was the type of place where you could fly for hours and never run out of compositions.
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Our weather window stayed kind to us through these first days. Iceland is infamous for its unpredictability, but we enjoyed a stretch of good weather and light. Two evenings in a row, we had cookouts in the backcountry — grilling burgers on a portable stove as the sun dropped behind crater-rimmed lakes and glowing rhyolite peaks. These are the moments that stick: good light, great company, and an incredible wilderness to yourself. 

Iconic Canyons and Hidden Gems

On day four, we set out to photograph Sigöldugljúfur, nicknamed the “Valley of Tears.” This hidden canyon has waterfalls streaming down every wall, tumbling into turquoise water below. Standing on the rim and sending up a drone reveals an intricate mosaic of cliffs, streams, and color.

In the afternoon, we drove toward Landmannalaugar, but stayed on the far side of the river — a much less crowded area filled with hidden gems.

Here, we photographed a striking abstract formation known as the “Tree of Life” and explored a series of lakes set within a stark volcanic landscape.

​​​​​​​Eventually we reached the edge of a massive lake and a sweeping braided river directly across from Landmannalaugar. From this vantage point, we launched our drones in every direction, capturing the mountains, rivers, and craters glowing in the evening light. As the sun set in spectacular fashion, we grilled burgers on our portable stove — the perfect way to end an unforgettable day in the Highlands.
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Crossing the Island

Day five was a big one. We transitioned from the west side of Fjallabak Nature Reserve to the east, driving a rugged track that wound through Landmannalaugar. It was an all-day affair of stopping at ridges, lakes, and lava fields whenever the light broke through.

That evening, we stopped at one of my favorite hidden gems — one of Iceland's longest lakes surrounded a volcanic ridge of mountains. The light was spectacular: ethereal clouds, pastel skies reflecting off blue water, moss glowing craters and mountains under the low sun. It was a moving sunset, especially for me, as this area is special and notorious difficult to capture in good weather.

​​​​​​​We stayed until the very last light before making the long drive to our South Coast lodging. A big day, yes, but one of the most rewarding.

Rivers, Rain, and Rest

The next morning we stayed closer to the hotel, photographing braided rivers that flowed right outside our doorstep. From the air, they looked like brushstrokes across a canvas, threads weaving through black sand. Later that day the rain arrived, as it inevitably does in Iceland. We drove into the Highlands again, this time to photograph Ófærufoss, a gorgeous waterfall framed by steep canyon walls.

Despite the fog and drizzle, we made the most of the mood — sometimes gray light brings out detail and subtle color that harsh sun hides.

On day seven, I noticed a small window clearing near Þórsmörk on my weather app. We gambled, and it paid off. Driving into this remote valley meant river crossings and rough roads, but the payoff was nice: glaciers spilling off the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, winding rivers, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in southern Iceland. We spent the day flying here, photographing this otherworldly landscape.

Final Highlights
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Our last days brought a mix of rain and opportunity. One highlight was Brúarfoss, famous for its shockingly blue water. Although we dealt with some rain, it was a fitting finale to our week of aerial exploration. We also photographed the confluence of multiple rivers before heading back to Reykjavík to conclude the workshop.

Reflections

Looking back, this trip felt like the perfect balance of weather, adventure, and productivity. We had our share of rain and clouds, but by watching forecasts closely and seizing every clear window, we made the most of our time. We came home with quality images — everything from canyon waterfalls to crater lakes to braided rivers.

What excites me most is how different this year looked compared to last year’s departure. The Highlands are so vast and varied that no two trips are ever the same. One season you might focus on waterfalls and river deltas, another on moss-covered mountains and volcanic craters. Iceland is a photographic gift that keeps giving.

​​​​​​​For me personally, it remains one of my favorite trips in our entire catalog. I can’t explain exactly why, but it feels endlessly fresh. The Highlands are wild and unique, a landscape that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Every time I come back, I feel the same spark of discovery.

​​​​​​​And for anyone considering this workshop, my advice is simple: buy a drone, practice a little, and come with us. They aren’t as complicated as they seem, and the learning curve is far easier than most expect. Within days you’ll be flying comfortably, and the perspectives you’ll bring home will transform your portfolio.
Iceland’s Aerial Explorer is, quite simply, one of the best photography trips I know — and I can’t wait to return.