Remote Puffin Access: Private boat trips to a secluded island in the Westfjords give us rare, up-close opportunities to photograph puffins in a pristine, crowd-free environment.
Endless Golden Light: July’s extended daylight means more time in soft, directional light—perfect for maximizing shooting opportunities from early morning through late evening.
Diverse, Iconic Landscapes: From dramatic coastlines and black sand beaches to waterfalls, glaciers, and rugged peaks, we’ll photograph an incredible variety of Iceland’s most striking scenery.
Photographer-Focused Itinerary: Designed with flexibility in mind, we’ll prioritize the best light and conditions, revisit key locations, and spend more time shooting—not just passing through.

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If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Team is available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.

Trip Description:

Iceland is one of those rare places where the landscape feels almost designed for photographers, and this journey puts us right in the middle of it at the perfect time of year. In July, the days stretch endlessly, giving us hours upon hours of soft, workable light to explore and create. We’re not rushing from stop to stop—we’re slowing down, revisiting locations, and shooting when conditions are at their best. This is about being in the right place at the right time, with the flexibility to fully take advantage of it.

What makes this trip truly special is the access to puffins in some of Iceland’s most remote and least-visited regions. While many travelers see puffins from crowded viewpoints, we’ll go far beyond that. Our time in the Westfjords, including private access to a remote island, gives us the opportunity to photograph these birds up close in a pristine environment, without distractions. It’s the kind of experience that transforms a simple wildlife sighting into a portfolio-defining moment.

Beyond the wildlife, the diversity of landscapes is remarkable. From the iconic peaks and waterfalls of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the dramatic coastlines and quiet fjords of the Westfjords, every day presents something completely different. We’ll photograph black sand beaches, rugged cliffs, lighthouses, glaciers, and cascading waterfalls—all within a thoughtfully designed route that maximizes both variety and photographic potential.

This trip is also about refining your vision. With long shooting windows and a small group, we’ll have the time to experiment, adjust, and return to scenes as the light evolves. Whether you’re working on composition, storytelling, or technical skills, this environment allows for meaningful growth behind the camera. It’s not just about capturing great images—it’s about becoming a more confident and intentional photographer.

Trips like this don’t come around often. The combination of peak puffin season, extended daylight, remote access, and a carefully crafted itinerary creates an experience that’s incredibly hard to replicate. If Iceland has been on your list, this is the version of it photographers dream about—and the kind of trip you’ll be thinking about long after you return home.

What's Included

All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
All transportation during the workshop in a custom 'monster truck'
All lodging during the workshop
Airport transfers on the first and last day of the trip
All permits and park fees
Professional photography guiding and instruction
Local Icelandic guide
Gratuity for service staff

What's Not Included

Flights to and from Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF)
Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
Lodging outside workshop dates
Alcoholic beverages
Souvenirs and personal items
Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities
Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.

Details

Final Balance Due 150 days prior to Trip Start

Specialized Itinerary terms & conditions apply. Please see our Cancellation / Transfer policy on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Trip Insurance Required

Trip Itinerary

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 – Arrival in Reykjavík (D)
We’ll arrive in Iceland and transfer from the airport to our hotel in Reykjavík. In the evening, we’ll meet at 6 p.m. in the hotel lobby before heading out for dinner nearby. Over our first meal together, we’ll review the itinerary, talk through the plan for the week, and get to know one another as we prepare for the adventure ahead.

Days 2–3 – Snæfellsnes Peninsula (B,L,D)
We’ll set out for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a region known for its incredible birdlife, with more than 60 species nesting here during the summer months. Over the next two days, we’ll photograph a variety of landscapes and coastal scenes, including Snæfellsjökull National Park and the dramatic Snæfellsjökull Glacier. We’ll explore locations such as Djúpalónssandur, Kirkjufell and its nearby waterfalls, and the iconic Búðir Black Church. Along the way, we’ll focus on photographing seabirds, rugged coastlines, and some of Iceland’s most photogenic scenery.

Days 4–5 – Westfjords (B,L,D)
We’ll continue west into the remote and dramatic Westfjords, one of Iceland’s best regions for puffin photography. Over the next two days, we’ll photograph sweeping coastlines, quiet fjords, and remote lighthouses, all while keeping a close eye on seabird activity. A highlight here is taking two private boat trips to Grímsey (Westfjords), a small, uninhabited island teeming with birdlife. With no human presence, it offers an incredible opportunity to photograph puffins and other seabirds in a pristine environment.

Day 6 – Reykholt (B,L,D)
We’ll leave the Westfjords behind and make our way toward Reykholt. Along the journey, we’ll photograph a mix of Icelandic landscapes, including views of Langjökull, encounters with Icelandic horses, and the striking waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.

Day 7 – Return to Reykjavík (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we’ll begin the journey back to Reykjavík, traveling through the scenic Kaldidalur Valley with beautiful glacier views. We’ll also visit Þingvellir National Park and, time permitting, stop at additional waterfalls along the way. By evening, we’ll return to Reykjavík and check back into our hotel. The workshop concludes here, and we’ll have time to enjoy a final dinner, explore the city, capture a few last images, or simply relax before departure.

Day 8 – Departure Day (B)
We’ll transfer to Keflavík International Airport for our flights home, wrapping up an unforgettable Iceland photography experience.

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.

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