Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Waterfalls, Black Sand, and the Beginning of Letting Go

We leave the airport on the morning of July 13 and begin our journey along Iceland’s magnificent South Coast.

Our first stop is Seljalandsfoss. Though only about 60 meters high, it still takes your breath away. A narrow path allows you to walk behind the cascading water. From inside the waterfall, the view opens toward the sky and surrounding countryside- a perspective unlike anywhere else.

A short drive away is Skógafoss, powerful and wide, often decorated with rainbows in sunny weather. Those who feel adventurous (or need their steps 🙂) can climb the staircase to the top for sweeping views of the landscape.

After lunch, we continue toward the dramatic cliffs of Dyrhólaey, where puffins often nest during the summer months and the coastline stretches endlessly in both directions.

We’ll also visit a smaller, lesser-known waterfall tucked into moss-covered cliffs- one of Iceland’s hidden gems.

Later, we explore the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach, known for its basalt columns and towering sea stacks rising from the Atlantic.

By evening, we arrive in the small coastal village of Vík, where we’ll enjoy dinner together.

Afterward, we’ll drive up to the small church overlooking the village - one of the most iconic views on the South Coast.

Our first night is spent in a peaceful countryside guesthouse.

Moss Fields, Canyons, and Glacier Lagoons

After breakfast, we continue east through vast moss-covered lava fields.

Our first stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a winding green canyon carved slowly by water over thousands of years.

By afternoon, we arrive at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where enormous icebergs drift across still water toward the sea. We’ll pause here for lunch.

Nearby lies Diamond Beach, where pieces of glacial ice wash ashore on black volcanic sand, sparkling like scattered gemstones. Marilyn Monroe once sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. She may not have meant glacier ice - but for a photographer standing here, it feels just as irresistible.

Have your telephoto lens ready - there are plenty of opportunities to photograph seabirds during the summer. And if we’re lucky, we might even spot a seal or two lounging on the ice. There is also an opportunity to practice ICM, long exposure, macro and other creative techniques.

We’ll photograph and explore this extraordinary place through the evening light before settling into our countryside guesthouse near the lagoon.

Glaciers, Details, and Creative Exploration

Yes- there will be an alarm. A gentle one 🙂

For those who wish, we begin the day with an optional morning shoot at the glacier lagoon or Diamond Beach. The soft early light transforms the floating ice and quiet shoreline into something almost still and meditative.

Later, we explore Skaftafell Nature Reserve - often called a crown jewel of Iceland’s southeastern region - nestled at the foot of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Once an independent national park, it now forms part of the vast Vatnajökull National Park. This area offers a mix of dramatic views and quieter moments - perfect for both wide landscapes and more intimate compositions.

We’ll also visit another glacier lagoon, a quieter and equally beautiful alternative to Jökulsárlón, where we can slow down and explore at a more relaxed pace.

This day is about going a little deeper - shifting from grand views to details, textures, and more abstract ways of seeing and practicing ICM, long exposure, macro and other creative techniques.

For those interested, there will also be opportunities to create artistic portraits within the landscape, continuing to explore a more creative approach to photography.

Vestrahorn — One of Iceland’s Most Striking Mountains

Today we travel toward my favorite mountain range, home to the dramatic peaks of Vestrahorn.

Many photographers consider Diamond Beach their favorite location in Iceland -until they see Vestrahorn.

The mountain rises sharply above black sand dunes and open coastline, creating one of the most visually striking landscapes in the country.

We’ll spend most of the day exploring this extraordinary area - watching how light shifts across the peaks and how reflections appear in the shallow pools scattered across the sand.

Nearby, we can also explore a small Viking village film set, adding another dramatic element to the landscape.

We’ll also visit the lesser-known but equally beautiful Eystrahorn Mountain, where - if we’re lucky - lupins may be in bloom in the foreground. This location offers opportunities for ICM, creative macro, and minimalist photography, as well as a continuation of our artistic portrait sessions.

By evening, we return to our guesthouse for our final night in the Icelandic countryside.

Golden Circle & The Return

Our final day begins gently. For those who wish, there’s an option to return to the glacier lagoon one last time for the morning light - quiet, soft, and completely different from the day before.

After breakfast, we begin our journey back toward the airport, following Iceland’s well-known Golden Circle route.

Our first stop is Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. There’s plenty to explore here - from classic compositions to more creative approaches, depending on how you feel inspired in the moment.

Next, we visit the Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes, sending a column of water high into the air - always a bit unpredictable, and fun to photograph.

Our final stop is Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly drift apart. It’s a place with a very distinct feel - lava fields, clear spring water, and quiet paths that invite a slower pace before the journey home.

By evening, we return to the airport (plan for around 9 pm) where our tour will be concluded.
Memory cards full, a few new ways of seeing, and five days of Iceland that will stay with you.