2026 Iceland Photography Workshop Tour

2026 Iceland Photography Workshop Tour

Dates: July 19-29, 2026

Price:

$8200.00 single occupancy ($8500 PayPal)/ $14,500.00 for 2 (sharing a room) double occupancy ($15,000 PayPal). Workshop price includes 11 days of instruction with 2 guides, all lodging, transportation, all breakfast and 2 dinners. Limited to 10 students. 

Not included

Alcohol, snacks and beverages

Lunches and dinners except for the welcome and last dinner

Flight tickets, Airport transfer

Fly into Reykjavik

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel and the workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $150 service charge. If you cancel and the workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:

Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus $150 fee.

Less than 90 days: no refund

Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.

Required;

Please purchase “Travel Insurance” at time of registration. AAA or Allianz offer policies

Itinerary: 2026 Iceland Photography Workshop Tour

Day 1/July 19: Arrival
As with most visitors to Iceland, your arrival will be at Keflavík International Airport. From there, you can easily
reach your accommodation in the center of Reykjavík with a quick and comfortable airport transfer.
Please note that airport transfers are not included in the tour. However, convenient options are readily available
just outside the airport building, including Flybus (www.flybus.is) and taxis.
Your accommodation in Reykjavík will be at Hótel Reykjavík Saga.

Day 2/July 20: Hvítserkur
Today marks the exciting start of your photography tour as we journey towards North Iceland and the untamed
beauty of the Vatnsnes Peninsula. We might stop on our way at Hraunfossar waterfalls.
The remarkable peninsula boasts a vast and largely untouched landscape, where rugged
hills meet vibrant green pastures dotted with Icelandic horses. Along the eastern coast, you’ll be treated to
stunning panoramic views stretching across the water to the peaks of the Strandir region in the Westfjords.
Vatnsnes is also a haven for wildlife, famous for its numerous flocks of geese and, more notably, as a significant seal
breeding ground. In fact, it’s one of the premier locations in Iceland to observe seals in their natural environment,
and their inquisitive nature often allows for close encounters.
Our main photographic focus for the day will be Hvítserkur, a truly unique 15-meter high basalt stack rising
dramatically from the sea. According to Icelandic folklore, this impressive rock formation was once a troll who was
caught out by the sunrise and petrified – a common fate for any troll who fails to seek shelter before dawn.
Depending on your vantage point, Hvítserkur can resemble either a dragon drinking from the ocean or a massive,
craggy troll. Understanding the crucial role of light in landscape photography, your experienced guides will carefully plan our timing to ensure the sun is perfectly positioned for you to capture the most enchanting shot of
this iconic attraction. Following our photography session, we will settle in for the night at our accommodation on
the Vatnsnes Peninsula:Gauksmýri lodge

Day 3/July 21: North Iceland
It’s time to head North towards Lake Mývatn where your group will spend the next two days photographing the
many wonderful natural features that characterise the region. The lake itself is very picturesque with incredible
rock formations which you will have the opportunity to photograph.Sitting squarely on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the
Mývatn Basin is one of the most volcanically active regions on earth. It has produced an astonishing landscape
unlike anywhere else in the country. This becomes very apparent at the Námskarð Pass, an otherworldly landscape
of spluttering mud-pots, weird lava formations, steaming fumaroles and volcanic craters. Lake Myvatn is one of
Iceland’s major breeding grounds for birds and in combination with craters and fresh lava fields this is a fantastic
destination for photographers.Your accommodation for the evening will be in the Mývatn region.
Accommodation:Sel hótel Mývatn

Day 4/July 22: Mývatn area in depth
On day four, your exploration of the Mývatn area continues with a visit to Namafjall, a geothermal wonderland
dotted with vibrant hot springs and bubbling mud pools. You’ll then experience the captivating geothermal field of
Hverir, where the soft, golden light of the midnight sun creates incredible contrasts and textures perfect for
photography. The journey continues to Krafla, a vast caldera spanning about 10 kilometers and home to the
striking Víti Crater, featuring a brilliant green lake. Interestingly, “Víti” translates to “hell,” reflecting old beliefs
about volcanoes as gateways to the underworld.
Later, two stunning waterfalls await your lens: Goðafoss, the “Fall of the Gods,” and the majestic Aldeyjarfoss,
which plunges into a wide basin framed by remarkably beautiful basalt columns.
Given the continuous daylight and the sun’s position near the horizon, photographers will find exceptional
conditions and numerous opportunities to capture breathtaking images of these unique landscapes. Depending on
conditions and available time, there might also be possibilities to visit Dettifoss and further explore Aldeyjarfoss.
Accommodation:Sel hótel Mývatn

Day 5/July 23: Landmannalaugar
On the fifth day of your Icelandic adventure, you will journey south towards Landmannalaugar. This breathtaking
mountainous area, located within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, is accessible only by 4WD, and while the drive will
be considerable, the scenery will undoubtedly make it worthwhile.
Upon arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the vibrant rhyolite peaks, the stark black lava fields, and
the imposing Hekla volcano, which lies slightly to the west. Despite its ominous nickname, “Gateway to Hell,” this
active volcano overlooks a region of multi-colored mountains and stark landscapes, creating an extraordinary
environment for photographers. Among the highlights are the enchanting crater lakes of Bláhylur and Ljótipollur in Veidivotn, often considered two of Iceland’s best-kept secrets. Despite their somewhat unassuming translations of “The Blue
Puddle” and “The Ugly Puddle,” both lakes are far more stunning than their names imply. Ljótipollur is particularly
captivating, with its striking red sand slopes that descend into a pool of cool blue water.
We are confident that this portion of your tour will provide you with incredible photographic experiences.
Accommodation:Hrauneyjar Highland hotel

Day 6/July 24: Landmannalaugar
Just a quick note about the next part of your Landmannalaugur exploration! You’ll have ample opportunity to
photograph the majestic Háifoss waterfall, also known as “The Tall Falls.” As Iceland’s fifth-highest waterfall, it
boasts an impressive 122-meter cascade into the deep gorge of the Þórsá glacier river. This location offers
numerous spectacular viewpoints, and the misty spray can add a unique element to your compositions.
You’ll also have the chance to discover Hjálparfoss waterfall on the Fossá river. Its distinctive twin basalt columns
split the river momentarily before it plunges into a serene pool. The white rush of the water against the backdrop
of (hopefully) blue skies and rolling hills provides a fantastic splash of color for your photographs.
Depending on conditions and time, we may also visit other captivating locations such as Sigöldugljúfur and
Frostastaðavatn. Your evening will once again be spent in the Landmannalaugur area.
We hope you enjoy these incredible sights! Accommodation:Hrauneyjar Highland hotel

Day 7/July 25: Vík í Mýrdal
On the seventh day of your tour, you will journey towards Iceland’s stunning south coast. This region is
characterized by its dramatic shorelines, impressive waterfalls, and unique rock formations that have been shaped
by time and the forces of nature. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph the iconic Reynisdrangar sea stacks
from the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, a location renowned for its beauty and once recognized as the most
beautiful non-tropical beach worldwide. Take in the sight of the hexagonal basalt columns and the powerful waves
crashing onto the shore. The itinerary also includes visits to the majestic waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
Both originate from a height of 60 meters in the Southern Highland interior, yet they present strikingly different
appearances. Skógafoss descends in a wide, thundering cascade, while Seljalandsfoss gracefully flows over a
concave cavern, offering the unique experience of walking behind the falling water.
As puffins will still be nesting in Iceland during this time, there’s a possibility of capturing these charming birds at
Dyrhólaey. Accommodation:Hótel Vík í Mýrdal

Day 8/July 26: Vatnajökull National park
Today’s journey along the South Coast will lead you to Vatnajökull National Park, a sprawling area renowned for its
diverse and stunning photographic opportunities. The initial part of our day promises a variety of captivating
subjects, including dramatic lava landscapes, impressive glacier tongues, picturesque waterfalls, and the stark
beauty of black sand plains. Later in the day, we will focus our attention on the mesmerizing Jökulsárlón glacier
lagoon. This breathtaking location is filled with vibrant blue icebergs that have calved from the Breiðamerkurjökull
glacier tongue, drifting serenely across the lake towards the ocean. Each unique iceberg offers fantastic
photographic potential. During warmer summer days, you might also spot seals relaxing on the ice or swimming in
the clear blue waters, providing a wonderful chance for wildlife photography.
Just a short distance from Jökulsárlón lies the famous Diamond Beach. Here, icebergs that have made their way to
the ocean are often washed ashore on the black sands. This location offers incredible opportunities to capture dazzling sun stars and the beautiful golden light reflecting off the ice .Accommodation: Hótel Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon

Day 9/July 27: Vatnajökull National park in depth
Your day begins with a sunrise photography session at the stunning Diamond Beach. Afterwards, we will journey
further east along Iceland’s South Coast, beyond Vatnajökull National Park, to the majestic Vestrahorn mountain
nestled on the Stokksnes Peninsula. Even under the soft light of the Midnight Sun, Vestrahorn possesses an
awe-inspiring presence. This steep 454-meter-high mountain is surrounded by numerous picturesque peaks and
slopes, where the foreground plays a crucial role. The powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the
shore offer a fantastic opportunity to frame the mountain in the distance. Throughout the day, we will explore the
diverse landscapes of the Stokksnes Peninsula, seeking the ideal composition to photograph Vestrahorn against the
black sands, across windswept dunes, or within dramatic seascapes. We will remain in this captivating location
during the golden hours, when Vestrahorn takes on a shadowy and even more enchanting character.
Accommodation: Hótel Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon

Day 10/July 28: Skaftafell- Southern region to Reykjavík
Day ten of your tour will be dedicated to exploring the incredible Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Often called a hiker’s
paradise, this area is equally captivating for photographers. Skaftafell encompasses many of the iconic Icelandic
landscapes that draw visitors from around the world, including glacier tongues, lagoons, waterfalls, forests, rivers,
volcanoes, and unique lava formations – offering a wealth of photographic opportunities throughout the day.
You’ll have ample time to photograph its diverse scenery, providing a continued opportunity to refine your
landscape photography skills. By this point in the tour, we anticipate you’ll see significant progress in your
technique. After capturing the beauty of Skaftafell, we will begin our journey back along the South Coast towards
Reykjavík, making some memorable stops along the way.
Accommodation: Fosshótel Reykjavík

Day 11/July 29: Departure
Today marks the end of your incredible journey in Iceland. We will go out for an early morning photo shoot in Reykjavic.
At checkout, please make your way back to the airport for your departure or spend a few more days exploring this wonderful city.

Location:  

I’m excited to announce a return workshop to the fabled country of Iceland. I am once again teaming up with extraordinaire local guide and photographer Brynjar Agustsson (Benny) https://photos.panorama.is/index only this time in summer. 

After meeting up in the cool city of Reykjavik we will venture to the north of this amazing island. Next visiting the highly scenic Landmannalaugar region in the interior. 

We then visit the stunning southeastern coastline at Vestrahorn where the black sand beaches frame the rugged peaks that literally jut right from the Atlantic Ocean.

We will work our way back westward along the south coast of Iceland. The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and black “diamond”  beach where chunks of icebergs create a magical setting.

We’ll spend a day at the southern most point of Iceland in Vik with its splendid hillside church, craggy seastacks and cliffs full of Atlantic puffins. This will also be the peak time for colorful stands of purple lupine wildflowers that accent the rural churches and landscapes.

We will complete this amazing itinerary by capturing two iconic waterfalls at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss before heading back for a final evening in the  vibrant capitol city of Reykjavik. 

EQUIPMENT SUGGESTIONS:

A sturdy tripod is a necessity for good landscapes. Participants should have a working knowledge of their equipment (know which button does what!) before the workshop. I suggest a SLR camera with a wide-angle lens (17-35mm range) and a telephoto lens up in the 300-500mm range 

2 WAYS TO REGISTER:

*My Preferred Payment 1) DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION & WAIVER FORM – 2026 Workshop Register form

1)FILL OUT COMPLETELY AND MAIL WITH CHECK OR MONEY ORDER  TO:

Chuck Haney Photography
PO Box 698
Whitefish, MT 59937

2) ONLINE REGISTRATION (Payment via Paypal) *PayPal Holdings, Inc. is an American company operating a worldwide online payments system that supports online money transfers and serves as an electronic alternative to traditional paper methods like checks and money orders.