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Missed Antarctica: Photography At The Edge Of The World (Part 1)?

This blog is part of a two-part story. If you missed the first part of the story of the Antarctica expedition, make sure to check it out on my blog!

This is part two of my story about participating in, and leading, a unique photography workshop in Antarctica last February. I ended the story on the evening of the first day in Antarctica, which is where we continue now. Sit back and enjoy, because this one is even longer and more exhilarating!

 

The Reality Of Travelling In Antarctica

At this stage, we were one full day into the Antarctica photo workshop but it felt as if we had been there for a week – in a good way. This would be the theme during this expedition: days packed to the brim with excursions, epic landscapes to see, and most importantly: an abundance of photography. Each evening, before dinner, we attended the daily briefing by the expedition leader (& team) where we would find out what ‘Plan A’ was for the next day. I write ‘Plan A’ because, from time to time, that would change into ‘Plan B’, ‘Plan C’ or even ‘Plan D’ depending on the weather. Just as I am used to travelling in the Arctic, the weather dictates everything in Antarctica. Every evening we would be talked through what we did that day and where we would (attempt to) go the next day, often complemented by an interesting presentation about Antarctica from the expedition team.

It’s an odd feeling, and perhaps even surreal, to be in such a remote place on the planet and still have the ability to eat a tasty three-course dinner and sleep in a comfortable bed, while admiring epic landscapes and seeing whales & penguins swim by. On the expedition ship, you are in a ‘comfort bubble’ which is in stark contrast with outside, being one of the most unforgiving, and even hostile, environments on Earth. When you are in this bubble, you tend to forget that you are so remote that, for example, there is no easy way out in case of a medical emergency. At one point, the expedition leader told us that in order to evacuate one person they would have to sail back the entire ship to the landing strip on King George Island, in anticipation of a medical evacuation plane (if it can land). Realising this puts things in perspective.

The evening dinner menu on the Sylvia Earle expedition ship.

Being in a remote place on a remote continent and still having the opportunity to pick between various meals and drinking a glass of red wine in the evening, it just feels strange.

Nigel Danson speaking at the evening briefing in Antarctica

Not only the expedition team did some talking during the evening briefings, we also presented the participants in the daily photo contest.

The Vast, Moody Landscapes With Enormous Peaks In Antarctica

The next morning would be an early one as we would begin sailing through the Lemaire Channel. The Lemaire Channel is a narrow passage between some of the steepest mountains we would see in Antarctica. Several of the mountains directly along the shoreline are above 800 metres in height, which you look at very close and from sea level. It’s such an impressive passage and one of the most beautiful ones we did on the trip.

After having been spoiled the first morning, everyone was hoping for beautiful light during the crossing of the Lemaire Channel. Instead, we got low-hanging clouds and moody conditions. Over the years, I have learned not to set myself up for disappointment when it comes to photography. I woke up with zero expectations, thinking that we will get what we will get. You can’t control the weather, so it’s best to make the most out of what you get. Once I got onto the deck, I embraced the atmosphere. It had snowed, everything was dead silent and the low clouds made everything feel extremely atmospheric.

These two peaks greeted us as we entered the Lemaire Channel. They are no less than 800 metres above sea level, absolutely gigantic. Because there were no birds around, it was hard to convey scale in this image but the waves on the water and tiny chunks of ice give you some idea.

Antarctica: Photography At The Edge Of The World (Part 2)

A happy man in his happy place. The first passage through the Lemaire Channel was absolutely epic and I enjoyed it a lot as you can tell.

One aspect I struggled with throughout the Antarctica trip was how to create scale showing the immensity of the area. We hadn’t seen many birds up to that point but, fortunately, that morning we spotted the occasional bird flying past the mountains and glacier outlets. I attempted to use them to add an interesting element in my images, and add a sense of scale to my work. It’s moments like these that made me realise I made a smart move buying extra batteries for my cameras as there would almost never be a downtime from shooting – unless you were sleeping.

It was extremely quiet during the passage, with very little wildlife to be seen. However, at times a small bird would fly past the massive glacial fronts we saw, which added a lot to the photographs.

In this case, I tried a vertical approach, making the bird stand out against the completely white sky for a more minimal look. I created negative space by making the clouds the most prominent part of the image.

Walking Inside Of A Documentary

Once we crossed the Lemaire Channel, we headed for our first proper penguin-focused landing: Petermann Island. This island is the home to a big rookery of gentoo penguins, the penguin species we would see most on the Antarctica expedition. After a short zodiac cruise, we found ourselves surrounded by thousands of penguins.

As soon as I got on the shore, it amazed me how indifferent the penguins were. They weren’t frightened nor curious. They weren’t showing any interest at all and didn’t give you a moment’s thought. At one point, two penguins walked up to me and it wasn’t because they were curious about me. No, I was simply in their way. As soon as I moved out of the way, they continued on the same trajectory and went about their day. It was unusual to me. Animals are either nervous, frightened or interested but never have I seen them indifferent. It almost felt as if I was walking through a David Attenborough documentary without disturbing what was happening within it.

Photographing the penguins was a lot of fun but also challenging due to the additional avian flu restrictions. Normally, I would either sit or lie on the ground to photograph these small animals from their eye perspective but that was not allowed (understandably). I did bring a small tripod stool with me but ultimately left it on the ship. My experience during that landing changed my whole planned approach as it proved too difficult to use the stool in the snow – especially with a backpack on.

Antarctica: Photography At The Edge Of The World (Part 2)

It was snowing pretty heavily as we approached Petermann Island in our zodiac.

Antarctica: Photography At The Edge Of The World (Part 2)

I had such a blast walking around the penguins and the atmosphere was just amazing!

This cute chick was sitting near the landing site. I actually managed to capture this shot before we even set foot on Petermann Island.

I have often seen this behaviour in documentaries where an Adélie Penguin is bringing rocks to build the biggest and the best nest to attract females. It was amazing to see this in person too.

Even though the whole place shrouded in low clouds, it felt so atmospheric to be on Petermann Island.

While Gentoo Penguins were by far the most numerous, we did see a few Adélie Penguins too.

After leaving this incredible place behind, we arrived back on the Sylvia Earle. As soon as I got back to my cabin, I stepped out on the balcony. The low-hanging clouds had begun to part and stunning light was making its way through, illuminating the impressive landscapes around us.

As the light began slowly creeping through the low-hanging clouds, the landscape began to turn even more impressive.

The icebergs in this area were very interesting to photograph, especially when you can create compositions using even more ice far into the distance.

This towering spire was one of the most incredible things I have seen that day. Looking on a map, it towered about 700 metres above sea level.

I really liked the clouds in this shot and how they sat on top of one of the peaks. I felt a panoramic aspect ratio worked better for this shot as there wasn’t much going on in the sky or ocean.

The Iceberg Graveyard Full Of Life

Later that evening, our expedition ship sailed to an area called the Iceberg Graveyard to spend the night. It’s aptly named, as the whole bay is filled with icebergs that ran aground and now slowly melt away. It’s as if it were their last resting place. Aside from this being an incredibly scenic place, there was a second reason we were spending the night there. We were also conveniently located near the landing site for the next morning: Port Charcot.

The shapes that could be found in the iceberg were wild. I enjoyed this ‘layered’ and spiky iceberg.

The entire area felt so serene and calm as we were sheltered from winds and open ocean.

That morning, I woke up early for sunrise but instead I focused a lot on the rafting penguins you would see between the icebergs that surrounded us. The penguins gave us a bit of a clue of what to expect during the landing at Port Charcot: a lot of wildlife in awe-inspiring surroundings. As soon as we made landfall, we were surrounded by gentoo penguins with a bunch of them waddling away on their penguin highways.

After a short hike up on a hillside, unexpectedly, we even got to see fur seals very close up. It’s hard to explain what it felt like to be there but it felt so good. There were different species of penguins, adult penguins feeding their chicks, big fur seals rolling about, and even a sleeping leopard seal on an iceberg. It felt so inspiring, invigorating and fulfilling to be there. Not only would you see the most incredible (indifferent) wildlife but there was this epic backdrop to go with it. And this was only the morning! It was our first stop of the day!

The surroundings at Port Charcot were absolutely mind-blowing. It felt very much as if we were walking around in a documentary.

The fur seals were just lying among the penguins. We were so close to them and they couldn’t care less.

I managed to spot this intimate moment between a penguin and its chick during feeding.

We also got to see the penguin highways up close. It was fun to see them waddling around.

This lone penguin provided a great subject to add a bit of scale to the incredibly tall mountains around.

Towards the end, I focused on the mountain tops which were engulfed in clouds.

After boarding the Sylvia Earle after the lading, we sailed out of the Iceberg Graveyard and headed North through the Lemaire Channel again. During this second pass, we got much better visibility but at the same time, we were also hit by katabatic winds, which were incredibly brutal and harsh. I didn’t get much out of that second passage in terms of landscape photography but I did get one of my favourite shots of the entire trip. On one of the mountainsides, I spotted a penguin rookery. It was completely surrounded by untouched snow. I used my telephoto lens to really single out the rookery within that huge patch of snow, making it seem as if there’s a strong white vignette around it. However, it’s all natural and I barely even edited the image.

This random penguin rookery was very far up on a mountain and really stood out in the fresh snow.

I liked the duality in this composition with the pointy iceberg versus the steep mountain.

As we exited the Lemaire Channel again, the winds picked up a lot as you can see by the clouds rolling past these peaks.

The Bay That Turned Out To Be Photography Paradise

As we proceeded on our journey towards the north, we sailed to Paradise Bay. As we would later find out this location was also aptly named in our view as we easily had the best wildlife experiences in this relatively small area. It already began before we even began the zodiac cruise. Around our ship were numerous rafting penguins. And even better, the water was so still that we could even photograph their reflection as they swam along the ship.

Shortly after, we headed down to the mudroom to board the zodiacs. We first headed closer to the science station that was on the shoreline, called Brown Station. As we made our approach, we quickly spotted two Weddell seals nearby. As if it was orchestrated, one of the seals sat up and made this incredible pose the second we got close enough to take photographs. “Next!” was the first thing I said when we got that shot. I just knew we wouldn’t get a better shot than that. I didn’t even know how much better that afternoon would become…

Brown Station is the scientific station located at Paradise Bay. It’s probably the most beautifully located station we saw on the trip.

These rafting gentoo penguins came right by the ship and swam through still water, allowing us to see their reflection too.

The whole area was just impressive. Before we get into the zodiacs, I was singling out small bits of the landscape that I found interesting.

At first, there was a lovely haze around the landscape, which created a lot separation with foregrounds.

This weddell seal posed for us beautifully the second we arrived with the zodiac.

Leaving the Weddell seals behind us, we ventured further into the bay. As we got closer to the glacier, we quickly identified our next ‘target’: a leopard seal lying on an iceberg. It was pretty incredible. Here you have a leopard seal lying on top of an iceberg that’s completely circumventable so we got many opportunities to capture this apex predator in all its glory.

This leopard seal was lying on top of a small iceberg, with a gorgeous backdrop.

I always try to catch my subject in a moment that shows something more about itself. In this case, I really enjoyed this frame where the leopard seal was yawning as you can see this apex predator’s teeth.

About 15 minutes later, we moved on to the next mission as we overheard radio chatter pointing out there was a lone Gentoo penguin on top of a small iceberg nearby. So far, we hadn’t really been able to get the iconic shot of a penguin on an iceberg and let’s be fair: how much more Antarctic can a photo get?! Just as expected, we carefully approached the penguin sitting on top of a small iceberg. It was such a great moment. He didn’t care about us being there at all. And eventually, he even jumped into the water and swam along our zodiac. Even though we had seen lots of penguins at that point, it was such a special moment.

What more do you want, really? This is as Antarctic as it gets!

Another great moment when this gentoo penguin swam along our zodiac, close enough to get a close up like this without much effort.

At this point, it felt like we were just ticking off boxes on our photography bucket list. What else could we get really? Well, easy! We could get whales, and then more whales and then even more whales! The whole bay felt like it turned into a ‘whale soup’ as the expedition team called it. We had several close encounters with humpback whales swimming underneath the zodiacs. Even as we got back onto the expedition ship, we kept seeing the whales pop up between the icebergs around us. I don’t think I will forget Paradise Bay anytime soon.

There were whales everywhere in the bay. Once we got back on the expedition ship, I spent another hour outside on deck, photographing humpback whales.

A whale deep diving in Paradise Bay.

Towards the end of the zodiac cruises, everyone was focused on the humpback whales which were all over the bay.

Reflections & Sunset

The next morning, we travelled onwards to Borgen Bay, a secluded area surrounded by glaciers. The approach was as impressive as the eventual destination. We were greeted by still water with gorgeous reflections of the mountains around us. And as hoped, dramatic clouds added that extra ‘spice’ to the whole surroundings.

As soon as the ship stopped at our destination, we could hear the thundering sounds of the glacial ice moving all around us. Once we got out on the zodiacs our goal was to find beautiful crystal blue glacial ice. There were so many opportunities for great landscape shots that screamed Antarctica in my view. A bit further on into a neighbouring bay, we also found a lone penguin sitting on top of a small island. Using my telephoto lens, I attempted to compress the scene so the penguin was put against the glacial front. It’s another one of my favourite shots of the entire trip and one of the first I fully processed.

The clouds that morning really stole the show for me and added so much atmosphere to my images.

This enormous mountain sticking out through the fog was so interesting to watch. The colours and contrasts really made it feel unique.

This penguin shot is arguably my favourite shot of the entire trip. It just screams ‘Antarctica’ to me.

That morning we went on a zodiac cruise going through the ice-filled bay. My goal was looking for beautiful crystal blue ice.

The sharp peaks, and clouds moving around them, will forever stick with me. It’s this kind of moody landscape shots that I love most.

This crystal blue glacial ice made a nice foreground against a moody background.

Even after we boarded the ship, the reflections made it well worth to spend more time shooting.

We spotted this unique, jagged, iceberg on our way back to the ship. It was difficult to find a good composition for it but I felt this angle worked best.

Later that day, we continued onwards to Orne Harbour. Due to the more demanding hike that awaited us, the expedition team split us up into hikers and people who would want to do a longer zodiac cruise. I was on one of the longer zodiac cruises and, even though we missed out on a beautiful hike, we got a few incredible moments with chinstrap penguins and fur seals. Another such moment was a close-up encounter with a leopard seal. It was really thrilling being so close to such a large, wild animal. We were able to approach him so closely that you could hear him breathing. It just blew my mind. But the best that day was yet to come…

This is about as close as you can get to a leopard seal. He was so relaxed and rarely looked up at us. At one point, our zodiac driver switched off the engine and let us drift to experience the scene. We could hear him breathing.

This fur seal was beautifully positioned, with a proud pose, on top of this iceberg near the ship.

We stayed in Orne Harbour and the ship waited for sunset before continuing our journey. The light was just fantastic. Out of all the sunset opportunities we got, this one was by far the most colourful. Some of the mountains surrounding us were veiled in the most dramatic clouds, adding to the overall atmosphere.

As the sun began setting, a slowly changing colour palette began casting beautiful colours all over the bay.

This rolling cloud was so gorgeous. I was very happy to have my Canon RF 100-500mm to get this close up.

While not that interesting during daylight, the nearby ice-covered peaks became so much more interesting with a little cast of pink on them.

As we began sailing towards our next destination, this was the view behind us. The mountains, the small puff of clouds and complementing colours made it into a stunning scene.

Sunset near Orne Harbour.

There’s something about the combination of blue ice and pink skies that just works.

We spotted this peak after the sun had set. I waited for this little chunk of ice to be in the right spot before pressing the shutter button. Shot at ISO12800!

Antarctica: Photography At The Edge Of The World (Part 2)

The morning after, we were again treated to some stunning colours. While we weren’t super close to land, I did like these two icebergs in the distance, combined with the colours.

I spotted this lone chinstrap penguin sitting on top of an iceberg in the middle of the Gerlache Strait.

This image won’t win me any awards but it was too great of a moment for me to not share it. We spotted several breaching whales in the distance while traversing the Gerlache Strait.

The Final Landings

Later during the trip, landings & zodiac cruises would become more challenging. Especially the zodiac cruise at Graham Passage, a beautiful area filled with large icebergs, was probably one of the more challenging ones due to the more intense wind and colder temperatures. The swell on the ocean also became bigger, which made it even more tricky to shoot. However, I really enjoyed that zodiac cruise as it required a lot more thinking and working the scene to find compositions. The surroundings were incredible but finding something that worked was trickier than usual.

Compositions in Graham Passage felt challenging and really needed to be worked. I instructed the zodiac driver to keep going back and forth near this iceberg until we found a way to get a shot out of it. 

I wanted to encompass the environment this seal was lying in. It was in such a beautiful spot, with an epic backdrop. I just wish the clouds were more dramatic. You become greedy and picky after a while!

After that zodiac cruise at Graham Passage, the weather expectedly began taking a turn for the worse with stronger winds and bigger swells. From that point onwards, our planned landings would not be as obvious as they had been up until that point. Throughout the night, we began crossing the Bransfield Strait again to get to a location we had skipped on the first day: Deception Island.

Deception Island, where we landed at Telefon Bay, was a location I had been really looking forward to visiting as a volcano enthusiast. The entire island is essentially a submarine volcano that managed to grow above the surface. After a large eruption, the entire centre of it collapsed, flooding it with ocean water. When you approach it, you sail into the caldera of the volcano where we would also be sheltered from the extreme winds that had been developing outside of the caldera. Not only was I excited because this was the southernmost volcano I had ever visited, I was also excited because it looked so much like Iceland, my home!

The weather had become moodier and moodier, which made our approach to Deception Island feel even more like Iceland.

The cliffside at Neptune’s Bellows, the entrance into the caldera of Deception Island.

The landscape really reminded me of the Icelandic Highlands. No vegetation or colours, snow, and very moody weather.

This fur seal blended into the landscape so well that I didn’t even notice him until we were about 10 metres away from him.

I could post a photo like this, tag it as being in Iceland, and no one would know better. It was that similar!

From Deception Island, it was a short distance to our next destination: Half Moon Island. While the surrounding landscapes were stunning, as we had grown to expect, the real star of the show was the wildlife. The island was the home to a large flock of chinstrap penguins, and while they were a lot of fun to photograph, something else was happening on the northern end of the island which was grabbing the attention of our group. Amongst the dozens of fur seals lay a huge female elephant seal.  That afternoon was incredible. Again this combination of jaw-dropping landscapes with many different species of wildlife captivated me. So often during this trip I felt as if I was walking inside of an episode of BBC’s Frozen Planet or Planet Earth.

The dramatic and colourful landscape of Half Moon Island.

These rock stacks are, I believe, remnants of Antarctica’s volcanic past.

My first stop on Half Moon Island was at the chinstrap penguin rookery.

Even though we had seen many, many penguins it was still such a great experience to see them up close. It’s almost impossible to be bored of them.

The interaction between the dozens of fur seals on the island is something I won’t forget easily. There were a lot of young adult males, play fighting with each other.

And some other fur seals were just napping on the beach. Cute, right?

Between the fur seals and penguins lay an animal we hadn’t seen before, and is also pretty rare to see there: a female elephant seal. She was so huge!

After our landing at Half Moon Island, we were again treated to a nice sunset.

The Unplanned Drake Passage

The landing at Half Moon Island was a definite highlight of the trip and it’s good that it was because after that landings and zodiac cruises became impossible due to the weather. With very strong westerly winds, we had to jump from one inlet to another on the South Shetland Islands to be shielded from it.

Even though landings weren’t possible due to the weather, there were still plenty of things to shoot.

The next day, we arrived back with the expedition ship at the Bellingshausen Station but it wasn’t clear whether we were going to be leaving Antarctica just yet. The same problem that prevented us from landing in Antarctica, was now going to prevent us from taking off. The morning of our planned departure we had a briefing. The message communicated to us during that briefing was very clear: we weren’t going to fly that day, or the next day, or the day after that. There might be a chance to fly after that but the window was really small so there was only one solution: sailing back over the Drake Passage. For those who aren’t aware: the Drake Passage is one of the roughest stretches of ocean on the planet. For many, it’s a deal breaker to visit Antarctica even though it’s a small price to pay for the grandness that follows.

The official last morning of the photo expedition in Antarctica happened in style with a very colourful sunrise.

Our last sunrise on the South Shetland Islands.

While there wasn’t much of interest to shoot in this particular bay, the colours were too great to not photograph.

As we sailed along the South Shetland Islands, the conditions were incredibly moody.

The last icebergs after leaving the South Shetland Islands.

Officially the last Antarctic iceberg I saw. For now…

This wasn’t exactly what everyone was expecting. Originally this photo expedition was going to be a fly-in/fly-out situation to avoid the Drake Passage. But it could be far worse… We could have been the people who were waiting to get to Antarctica. They were stuck in Punta Arenas for three days and now also had to add another three days of crossing the Drake Passage aside from flying in.

We were pretty lucky: the crossing of the Drake wasn’t too terrible aside from the first day, when we had the roughest seas. According to the crew, it was the smoothest crossing they had that season (a Drake Lake as opposite to the Drake Shake). It took us just under three days to get back to South America from Antarctica, where we anchored at Puerto Williams – the southernmost settlement in the world. From there, we had to take another, fairly short, flight to Punta Arenas where this wild adventure ended. After an unexpected three day journey, we finally made it.

Image credit: David Waronoff.

The amazing group of people that hosted this photography workshop. Left to right: Mads Peter Iversen, James Popsys, Dani Connor, Nigel Danson, myself, Rachel Bigsby, Adam Gibbs & Rick Bebbington.

As we entered South America again, we sailed on the famous Beagle Channel.

As soon as sunrise colours began hitting, we were treated to one last colourful send-off.

I especially liked the play between the trees on the mountainsides and the low clouds that slowly began fading as the sun rose higher and higher.

Conclusion: Part Two

Those who were on this Antarctica workshop will have noticed that I skipped a few moments and locations here and there in this blog. Truth be told, I could have written an endless amount of pages about this expedition and the experience I had. There were many more epic moments than I could possibly mention here – as shown by the abundant use of superlatives in my blog. It’s a place you have to see for yourself to believe it’s real. To see, smell, and feel Antarctica, all of that combined was an experience that really poured oil onto the fire that is my drive to explore and photograph.

And, if this is how my photographic 2024 will continue… Bring it on!

Arriving at Puerto Williams after an epic adventure in Antarctica.

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From puffins in the midnight sun to Arctic foxes in the wild, from glaciers and volcanoes to dramatic coastlines seen by drone – these journeys are more than workshops; they’re once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Group sizes are kept small, ensuring personal mentoring and plenty of shooting opportunities.

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What Previous Participants Shared About Their Experience

I can't say enough about the fantastic time my son and I had with Jeroen! I had taken his Masterclass on drone photography and then booked a personal tour/class while visiting Iceland. I learned so much between the Masterclass and the tour. Especially regarding the capabilities of my drone and how to handle it when flying in adverse conditions! If you can't make it to Iceland check out his drone Masterclass! You won't be sorry!

Larry R.Private Photography Day Tour (September 2025)

Fantastic workshop in West Greenland! Very well organized and planned to make the most of an epic photography journey in this unbelievable polar enviroment. All was great, from accommodation, to food, and to all the locations we visited, between icebergs, glaciers, and small local village and settlements. I have to thank Jeroen and Mads for their great work. Apart from being exceptional photographers and share their knowledge to us, they really made their best to give us a truly enjoyable and amazing experience. As a group, it was really great fun to expend time with other committed and passionate photographers, and, above all, very nice people.

Ivan S.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2025)

Ten Stars. OK, Twenty Stars. A phenomenal journey and experience. Jeroen was beyond my expectations. Way beyond. His knowledge of the area Western Greenland) and photography (drones and camera) was superb. I highly recommend any trip with Jeroen. Seriously. Just go. You won't regret it.

Robert M.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2025)

Going the Extra Mile... This was the second of Jeroen’s drone workshops I have attended. That in itself should tell you how good he is. This workshop was held under the most difficult conditions, with the aftermath of hurricane Erin sweeping across Iceland, resulting in very high winds, rain and road closures. Despite that, not a minute of our time in Iceland was wasted, as Jeroen took us from one superb location to another, flexing plans around the weather. Flying drones in high winds and rain can be difficult, but Jeroen’s expertise made us all feel calm and able to fly anywhere. If it wasn’t enough to find suitable locations in the worst of conditions, Jeroen also drove a 7-hour round trip to get a replacement drone when mine fell out of the sky. The only way Jeroen can now improve is to reach god status, so he can control the weather too. What an experience. Thank you Jeroen.

Paul G.Aerials of the Icelandic Highlands (August 2025)

The 'Aerials of the Icelandic Highlands' (22-29 Aug '25) was my second drone trip with Jeroen. Despite the very challenging weather conditions, caused by the remnants of Hurricane Erin over Iceland, it was a superb week. Jeroen is a first-class tour leader who not only gets you to the 'right place at the right time' but he also provides excellent guidance and gives you a great deal of confidence for drone flying. He's raised my skill set substantially. On arriving at a location, Jeroen will fly his drone to highlight the possible landscape opportunities (most of which cannot be seen at ground level). He then supports you during flights and is always on hand in case of any difficulties. Jeroen really goes the extra mile to make sure that everyone in the group gets the best experience possible. I enjoyed this second trip with Jeroen so much that I will be booking another.

Milt I.Aerials of the Icelandic Highlands (August 2025)

Jeroen is a top-notch pro photographer and will be my go-to for any future photo workshops I do in Iceland/Greenland. Don't hesitate to sign up for any of his workshops. He's legit. I've been with him on 2 photo trips now, and I'm sure I'll be on more in the future!

Paul O.East Greenland Sailboat Photo Expedition (August 2025)

Just finished my third workshop with Jeroen on a sail boat in East Greenland. Again a fantastic experience. These workshops aren't only about improving my drone and photography skills, but I also learn about exciting parts of the world. Since my last two workshops, I have continued to explore the places that Jeroen first showed me. This might not be so easy in East Greenland! Again, I highly recommend Jeroen's workshops - they are probably some of the best available.

Jon A.East Greenland Sailboat Photo Expedition (August 2025)

Just returned from back to back workshops with Jeroen (Aerials and East Greenland) and can highly recommend his workshops! I appreciate how he provides highlights of each photo location and is consistently asking “how are you doing”. Staff and food on the Greenland sailboat was outstanding! Finally, he makes the trips fun! I will attend more!

Alan B.Aerials of the Icelandic Highlands Drone Photo Workshop (August 2025)

I've been on a couple of workshop with Jeroen before, and I keep doing more and will continue to do more. Simply put: my favorite photos I've ever taken have been on workshops with him. His knowledge of the weather and environmental conditions, various compositions to try, and the area we are shooting help ensure that you are taking photos you can be proud of when you get back home. He is always helpful and goes out of his way to check in with you to make sure you're getting the shot. Also, as a bonus, he is incredibly funny and there are always lots of laughs on these workshops. Can't wait for our next one!

Heather H.Aerials of the Icelandic Highlands Drone Photo Workshop (August 2025)

Just got back from an incredible drone photography workshop in Iceland with JVN Photography, and wow—what an experience! Jeroen, our fearless leader, made the whole trip a blast with his great sense of humor and awesome teaching style. He was always checking in, making sure we were safe and confident while flying our drones (even when the wind was doing its best to carry us away!). One wild day we found ourselves in a full-on sandstorm, and I’ll admit—I was totally freaked out. But with Jeroen’s encouragement, I stepped out of the car, faced the storm, and ended up capturing some of my favorite shots of the trip. I learned so much, had tons of fun, and would 100% recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to level up their drone photography in one of the most stunning places on Earth. Thanks, Jeroen!

Carrie C.Aerials of the Icelandic Highlands Drone Photo Workshop (July 2025)

My dad and I just returned from the BEST arctic fox adventure in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve with Jeroen. Jeroen made a comment at the beginning of our trip that stuck with me. He said that even though this is a photography workshop, the experience of everything is what it is all about, and the photos we hoped to take were the icing on the cake. That could not have been more accurate. "Living" with the foxes, the friendships we made, the moments we experienced together and alone with our furry friends, the knowledge and expertise gained, being off the grid, and some epic photo moments made this trip an incredible and memorable adventure of a lifetime. I would sign up for every upcoming workshop Jeroen has on the books if I could and I will certainly be back for more.

Megan G.Arctic Foxes in Hornstrandir Photo Workshop (June 2025)

After spending a week in the magnificent Hornstrandir Nature Reserve alongside Jeroen and seven other passionate photographers, I return home with a head full of magical memories. Taking part in a workshop with Jeroen is more than just a photographic journey — it’s a deeply human experience. With his professionalism, deep knowledge, and unmistakable sense of humor, he creates a warm, welcoming, and cohesive atmosphere for everyone involved. Jeroen is also incredibly attentive and thoughtful. Always approachable and available, he takes time for everyone, offering guidance, answering questions, and encouraging without ever being overbearing. Photographing Arctic foxes in the raw and untouched beauty of Hornstrandir was an unforgettable experience. We were incredibly lucky to encounter several of them, including their cubs — a rare and precious privilege I’ll never forget. If you're passionate about photography and want to discover Iceland in a truly unique way, I wholeheartedly recommend Jeroen’s workshops. You won’t regret it.

Valentin R.Arctic Foxes in Hornstrandir Photo Workshop (June 2025)

I highly recommend Jeroen for anyone seeking a top-tier workshop or private photography tour experience. His organizational skills are exceptional—he carefully plans every detail, from tailored itineraries to seamless logistics, ensuring that each session runs smoothly and meets the unique interests of his clients. His deep knowledge of photography, local culture, and hidden locations provides participants with both technical growth and memorable adventures.
Beyond his expertise, his warm personality, sense of humor, and excellent communication skills make every workshop engaging and enjoyable. He listens to participants’ needs, remains patient and positive, and fosters a supportive learning environment. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, personable, and highly organized photographer, you won’t find anyone better than Jeroen.

Tomas A.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2025)

I have just returned from a photography workshop organised by Jeroen on the Isle of Grimsey. I am very impressed by his personality - he is able to provide a great atmosphere in the team and make everyone feel at ease. The workshops are perfectly organized, from the first e-mail contacts to the farewell at the airport. Jeroen has a very individual approach to each participant, he is able to politely point out mistakes and, above all, show how to fix them. Critical sessions are real photography workshops, I learned a lot from them and all this in a very nice and friendly atmosphere. The entire week-long stay on Grimsey Island was prepared very professionally, including the optimal weather. I highly recommend workshops with Jeroen, especially if someone is looking for a great teacher, guide or friend in one person.

Ewa S.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2025)

I am delighted to recommend Jeroen for his exceptional leadership and expertise in conducting photography workshops.
I recently had the privilege of participating in a photo workshop in Greenland lead by Jeroen, and I can say without reservations that he has a rare blend of photographic talent and organizational prowess. Jeroen is a master photographer, and generously shares this knowledge with workshop participants. Whether it's mastering the technical aspects of photography or exploring creative compositions, Jeroen provides invaluable insights that elevate the skills of all the participants. His meticulous planning and organizational skills are unmatched; the workshop was flawlessly executed, with every detail thoughtfully considered. He fostered a collaborative environment where participants felt free to ask questions, experiment, and learn from one another; always providing positive feedback and encouragement. I wholeheartedly recommend Jeroen for any photography workshop or related endeavor. His passion for photography, attention to detail, and outgoing personality, make him an outstanding leader.

Tomas A.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2024)

Jeroen’s and Mads’ West Greenland Workshop was simply the best photo workshop I’ve ever attended. The days were full from dawn to dusk and even later for nioghtime photography. Jeroen and Mads made themselves available during any free time for coaching, editing and general questions. They focused on hands on coaching for each of us in the field. Workshop logistics were seamless, transport via coaches and boats were in good condition with competent crews and were ready when scheduled, accommodations were very good. I look forward to joining Jeroen and Mads again in the future.

Kelly E.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2024)

I had the pleasure of being part of a Highlands workshop in August with Jeroen and Mads Peter Iversen as photo guides and professionals. I had already met them both on a workshop in Antarctica. The small group was perfect for guidance and attention. It is now sinking in how much I learned on this trip and how breathtaking Iceland is. We encountered some strong winds, rain and fog. Nevertheless, Jeroen found alternatives and safety was always paramount. He’s a conscientious guy and can be seriously funny too. Not only did our group gain knowledge, we had a lot of fun. Thanks for a memorable week to everyone on this workshop. I’d recommend Jeroen without hesitation.

Cindy B.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

I was recently on an Iceland Highlands photo tour, my first trip with Jeroen. It will not be my last! It exceeded my expectations to the point that I've now booked a trip next year with Jeroen. My priority was to learn how to fly my new drone (Mavic 3 Classic) for quality stills photography. I started the trip with 'drone anxiety' and ended with confidence and a new set of skills in aerial photography. Jeroen's drone flying skills are impressive. But, importantly, he puts his clients first. He gives full support, both in terms of the essential skills needed to fly a drone safely, and also the skills needed to produce quality images. Jeroen's knowledge of Iceland and its hidden beauties, his organisational skills and photography expertise is second to none. I'm certainly looking forward to travelling with him again.

Milt I.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

... Jeroen really really knows his stuff, not only about Iceland in general and the specific photo locations but he is also an absolute master with a drone. We were a pretty unexperienced group, regarding drone flying and drone photography and Jeroen helped and pushed us a lot, to really get the best out of our skills, equipment and the locations. I damaged my drone propellers on the third day, forgot the spare and there was no way to organize a replacement. I was really worried i was now missing out, but Jeroens expertise and support gave me confidence to use my drone during the rest of the workshop and there were no issues at all. Additionally his personality and his humor really made this trip and the group special. I highly recommend this workshop!

NicoHighlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

I highly recommend taking one of Jeroen's workshops. You can just tell that he has a great passion for leading them. He lives in Iceland and brought a wealth of knowledge and useful facts about the area, and had an answer for just about everything we asked him. He also has a great sense of humor so he made it entertaining as well. Thank you, Jeroen, for a great experience in the Highlands.

Chris G.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

Really great trip - I learned a lot and we certainly got to photograph many places that would otherwise be very difficult for me to access. Jeroen and Mads always had answers/suggestions for my questions, and both were instrumental in forming compositions. Many times when we stopped I could not see the principal subject, but a drone would be launched and after watching one of their screens, something amazing would appear. I had never flown a drone before the trip, but Jeroen got me up and running in minutes; he made it very easy and relaxed. Also, my drone had a strange issue on one flight (it would not descend) but Jeroen got it back - flying it for over 2 minutes on no battery. He got it down just before all power was lost. It was wobbly on the way down, but it came down safely. Highly recommend these guys and their trips.

Paul K.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

Going to the Icelandic Highlands means you have to know what you’re doing, and you have to be flexible with the ever changing weather. I was so fortunate to attend a workshop with Jeroen, as his expertise and knowledge of the numerous highland locations was critical to knowing where we could go based on the weather, road conditions, and time it would take to get everywhere. Our trip was filled with incredible locations I’ve only dreamed of going to, and many others that I had no idea existed. I’d highly recommend going on a workshop or even a private tour with Jeroen!

Mark S.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

The trip I took with Jeroen to the Icelandic Highlands is the most memorable trip I’ve taken since I became serious about photography. It was incredible! Jeroen took us to the places I only dreamed about and never expected to see with my own eyes. Everything was well planned and executed – all we needed to do was concentrating on our photography. Thank you, Jeroen, for such a treat and good luck on all your endeavors!

Svetlana G.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (July 2024)

I had a wonderful time at the workshop with Jeroen. Jeroen is a wonderful, very inspiring photographer, an excellent teacher, very sensitive to the beauty of Nature and empathetic, with a refined sense of humor. I felt very taken care of during the workshops and I will definitely come back next year

Doris M.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2024)

I took a 3 day photography workshop with Jeroen to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and had a wonderful experience. Jeroen has an infectious enthusiasm for photography and it really shows in his love of these Icelandic locations and the way he provides instruction on the best perspectives and techniques to get the shots. I appreciate that Jeroen is fully licensed to guide these workshop. This gives me peace of mind knowing that he’s prepared to handle most scenarios that may occur out in the field. Time to save up for my next workshop with Jeroen! Thanks so much, Jeroen!

Jarrick L.Private Workshop in October 2023

Well organised workshop with multiple stunning locations providing plenty of opportunities to capture great photos. When the opportunity arose to capture the Northern Lights, Jeroen’s knowledge made sure we were in the right locations to capture the lights at their best. Jeroen was always willing to help and pass on his knowledge to be able to have the best possible composition to capture stunning photos. I can’t thank Jeroen and Mads enough for a great workshop and creating memories that will last a lifetime. I look forward to doing more workshops in the future with Jeroen and highly recommended anyone interested in a photography workshop to do it and learn from the best.

Jordan G.Iceland in Winter Workshop in November 2023

Worked with Jeroen during a photo tour of Iceland and had a fantastic experience. Jeroen is a great photographer, a great instructor, an organized and conscientious tour guide, and is a lot of fun to spend time with. I very much appreciate his love of Iceland and its geology and nature. Highly recommended.

Art J.Iceland in Winter Photo Workshop (March 2025)

I had the privilege of going on the Puffins in the midnight sun workshop which was an amazing experience. Anja and Jeroen were both absolutely amazing hosts and the workshop exceeded my expectations. Both were very approachable with any questions and provided the appropriate level of advice, allowing me to improve my photography.

Jeff M.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Workshop in June 2023

Somehow five stars doesn’t seem sufficient! What an amazing week with Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove and Mads Peter Iversen in one of the most photogenic locations I have ever visited. Nothing challenges an organiser’s ability like a cancelled flight, but even though we were delayed by a day in Reykjavik, Jeroen managed to pack in all the planned activities in to the remaining 5 days, starting with a six hour sunset boat trip through the magnificent bergs of the ice fjord. And that was just the start, every day there were new adventures and new locations. With so much to photograph, we all called on the expert guidance by Jeroen and Mads - from finding pleasing compositions in the chaos of the ice or life in the tiny settlements, to aerial HDR panoramas with the drones - the boys were always on hand to offer advice and suggestions (and to rescue my drone as I tried to land it where our boat had been 20 minutes earlier)!

Adrian V.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2024)

Absolutely top notch workshop. The thought and effort that went into the schedule and the accommodations made the trip, the shots and the experience simply amazing. Jeroen and Mads were great Pro Guides, sharing their expertise and offering guidance whenever asked making sure that we had the best opportunity to capture great photographs. They were fun, personable, and such great teammates, it made for such a wonderful week. Highly recommend!

Denise B.Winter in Iceland Photo Workshop (December 2024)

Value & Safety. If you are wanting to tour Iceland, Jeroen is your guy! Knowledgeable, capable, and kind, this guy has your best experience in mind. I spent a week visiting some EPIC locations under his guidance and it is well worth the money!

Robert W.Winter in Iceland Photo Workshop (December 2024)

I recommend this wonderful photography workshop. In just a few days I understood how to improve my skills and where to point the lens. Jaroen is an excellent, patient and attentive teacher who shares his knowledge, adapting it to each participant individually.

Elzbieta G.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2025)

In July 2023 I decided to book a 5 days private tour with Jeroen to the highlands. This was a complete different experience. We visited remote and amazing locations, I could not find this locations without Jeroens guidance. Jeroen has a incredible local knowledge, a great enthusiasm, a perfect planning and also very important, a lot of patience. I enjoyed the 5 days with Jeroen very much, he is a very accommodating person with agreat sense of humor. During our tour we had a lot of fun and with his assistance I made my best Iceland shots ever, most of them with my Mavic 3 Pro drone. Thank you very much Jeroen for this unique experience, I hope we will plan the next tour in 2024 together.

Wolfgang S.Private Highlands Workshop in July 2023

I really enjoyed guided hike with Jeroen. He knows a lot about the volcanos so you won't have only amazing experience but you can also learn a lot from him. Perfect and easy communication. Thank you again for this "stillcantbelievethatitwasreal" experience!

Veronika S.Private Eruption Hike in August 2023

… The itinerary was well thought out, but allowed for flexibility of weather conditions and the eruption of Meradalir! Jeroen is knowledgeable, helpful, thoughtful & has a great sense of humour. He regularly checked-in with us to all make sure we were happy and offered assistance in our photography, especially for drones. I felt safe, entertained & learned so much during the workshop. The accommodation & food during the trip were also amazing. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or attend another workshop.

Rhiannon L.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

Greenland 2023 was an incredible experience, in a truly epic location with an amazing group of people. Andy and Jeroen are true professionals in every sense, with a passion for photography that is infectious to the group. I felt challenged to explore styles of photography that pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, and having their guidance as well as the group to share ideas with helped me grow as a photographer. Andy seems to have a knack for creating an inclusive environment around him that brings the group together, inspires, builds friendships, and elevates the experience to an enjoyable and unforgettable one. Jeroen is very knowledgeable, easy going, and talented photographer and it was a pleasure spending the week with him. I truly cannot recommend highly enough.

Chris D.Greenland Photo Workshop in March 2023

… It was one of the most wonderful trips of adventure, exhilaration mixed with wonder and awe of the surrounding beauty. None of that would have been possible without the expert guidance, local knowledge, sense of enthusiasm and detailed planning by Jeroen. We were lucky to him as an expert driver while we wondered over terrain that is unfamiliar to most people, but Jeroen made us feel confidant that we were in safe hands. Moreover his love for photography, landscape and culture of Iceland is contagious and made the trip all the more special. Whether you call him the “Volcano man” or the “drone man” his photography is extraordinary. I would go back in a heartbeat to spend time exploring more of Iceland with him.

Sarfraz D.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

… Everything about it was excellent – it is clear that Jeroen puts huge effort into ensuring he provides a first class experience for his participants – the itinerary was thorough, but flexible to get the best out of the weather and volcanic eruption conditions. Jeroen ensures that everybody is safe (important in such an environment) as well as maintaining a pace that works for all. On top of this, his knowledge about Iceland is broad and deep making him an excellent tour guide as well as an accomplished photographer. I can highly recommend a workshop or tour with Jeroen and I do hope that I get to enjoy another workshop with him in the future.

Jon A.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

I was fortunate to accompany both Andy Mumford and Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove to Ilulissat, Greenland. I've done guided photography tours before, but this was without a doubt the most enjoyable experience. The comradery of the group combined with the positive attitude and humor of both Andy and Jeroen was fabulous. Lodging + food were a step above what I was expecting and were memorable experiences in and of themselves. Zero regrets and while in Greenland, I discussed what other tours I could add my name onto the waitlist for. Recommended without hesitation.

Michael M.Greenland Photo Workshop in March 2023

It became clear that Jeroen is very familiar with the beauty of Iceland, but also with the possible dangers of its natural elements. He took us to the highlights, but also guided us to a number of hidden marvels. And always he knew something interesting to tell about the location. On the creativity side, Jeroen did not intervene at all on location – unless requested for. So we all could explore our own creativity. This definitely tastes for more. And I will definitely call Jeroen again.

Koen D.Private Photography Tour in March 2016

It was a pleasure to have a look behind the scences on how Jeroen works. His photos look so natural as he knows where to be in the right place at the right time. I’ve received a lot of professional advice and feedback on how to create stunning landscape images. You did an amazing job and I can’t thank you enough!

Adında M.Private Photography Tour in November 2017

... Jeroen has great ability as a teacher as well as a photographer. His priority is the participant, not taking his own pictures. Jeroen is good at checking in with the introvert photographer to make sure they are getting the most from the scene, but without looking over your shoulder. Knowing that group dynamics impacts everyone’s experience, he also builds a camaraderie with his humour and manner.

Stewart L.Iceland in Winter Photo Workshop (March 2024)

… Imagine being taken to locations so amazing that the erupting volcano wasn’t even one of the top 5. This was an EPIC adventure through a place traversed by few people. We had the guidance and support needed to capture amazing photos and learn to use our drones effectively, incredible food and accommodations, and access to Jeroen’s incredible wealth of knowledge to keep us safe in face of unstable cliffs, weird weather, and other craziness. I can’t wait to join another tour with Jeroen.

Richard S.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

If you want to explore Iceland with your camera you’re blessed with a guide like Jeroen. He knows and understands the country so well. He really makes an effort to visit every location at the best possible moment of the day. He knows so many beautiful locations so that he’s also able to improvise when the weather conditions are not that great. He will bring you to lots of beautiful places that are less touristic and where you can take the time to fully explore your camera trying to capture this unique landscape.

Stefaan M.Private Photography Tour in March 2016

… And my expectations of his guided tour were indeed the highlight of my short vacation. Not only the sights where breathtaking but also Jeroen’s personal anecdotes and explanation in an easy way over this ever changing landscape building itself was a great surplus to my hiking experience. He is not only passionate about telling you the story behind the views that unfolds before your eyes during the hike, but he lets you also walk at your own pace without looking to his watch as on many other organised larger tours. So folks if you look for an unique guided personal tour, I would really recommend this great guide. From me personally he earns withouth doubt 5* !

John V.Private Guided Eruption Hike in October 2021

Jeroen was a huge part of what made this trip so successful. His local knowledge, adaptability to changing weather conditions (gale force winds and blizzards to warm, springlike days) and relationships with local providers made the trip an absolute pleasure. From the first evening meeting in Reykjavik to the final dinner everything proceeded without a noticeable hitch. The privilege of spending almost five hours exploring ice caves, coming face to face with Arctic Foxes and experiencing an amazing aurora display made the trip one for the record books. Such a smooth operation does not happen without a significant amount of pre-planning and the selection of hotels, shooting locations and restaurant stops showed that all eventualities had been considered. We were so engrossed in shooting that a scheduled critique session had to be postponed to a post trip online meeting - again showing Jeroen's commitment to the satisfaction of his clients. In short - I can highly recommend a workshop with Jeroen and hope to be a part of many future trips.

John M.Iceland in Winter Photo Workshop (March 2025)

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Thank you for considering!

Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove

Jeroen is an award-winning Belgian photographer based in Iceland. The past years, he dedicated his photography to the Central Highlands & volcanic eruptions. Most recently, he received international attention for his work at the Fagradalsfjall volcano.


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