Not one photo workshop in the Icelandic Highlands is ever the same. While almost all of my photo workshops follow a similar itinerary, each one has its own surprises. Whether it’s a surprise encounter with wildlife, an unexpected gorgeous midnight sun session or unique weather conditions, there is always a twist to it. The first photo workshop in the Icelandic Highlands of this year, which I guided together with Andrea Livieri, was no exception to that. What was unique about it? Let’s find out in this latest photo workshop report!
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From bright skies to brutal sandstorms. This photo workshop threw every possible scenario at us.
Photo Workshop Report
This Iceland photography workshop began on one of the warmest days of the year in Reykjavík. “Don’t get used to it!” is what I told the group. But we had to get used to it. However unusual it was for Iceland, we had multiple days of this warm weather. To my annoyance, it seemed as if blue skies were following us around the first few days. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy some nice weather but for photography, it doesn’t quite work for me. Definitely not in a place such as the Central Highlands of Iceland. That said, it also comes with a benefit. If the warm and clear weather lasts until the night, we get some truly stunning conditions.
That’s exactly how our first night in the Highlands went. We were treated to some of the best midnight sun light I have had since the season began. To get the most out of it, we set out to a great location in a nearby nature reserve where we could get a lot of variety in terms of shots without having to move between locations. While half of the group hiked on top of a nearby mountain top, the other half stayed by the van to fly their drones. Thanks to my newly acquired DJI Power 1000, they could easily charge their depleted drone batteries while continuing flying. The light was absolutely gorgeous and it should be no surprise that everyone had an excellent time. On our way back to the hotel, we even managed to capture a massive cloud inversion which began rolling into the valley we drove through.
The colours during this sunset session were really vibrant and beautiful.
Our group was standing on top of a mountain to get 360 degree views over the whole otherworldly area.
Later during the trip, the weather would change from calm, sunny & bright to windy, sunny & hazy. While that sounds similar, the conditions were absolutely not. The haze was caused by the stronger winds, which created full-blown sandstorms made out of volcanic sand and ash. Conditions were absolutely brutal at times. Some areas had sand building up which made driving our modified 4×4 minibus challenging.
On the last full day, the weather forecast showed a big rainstorm would be rolling on. Visibility was forecasted to be poor and rain heavy. When we rolled up to the mountain road that would take us to the final location of the trip, we had a little group discussion. I laid out the possible scenarios, what I expected to see in the area, and what could be an alternative. As a group, we decided to head into the area anyway and try our luck. And it was a good thing we did! When we got to the area, we discovered the visibility wasn’t poor at all, there was also no rain, or low clouds. Instead, we got a massive sandstorm, unlike any even I had ever seen or experienced. We decided to explore and headed out a few times to photograph the area. Together with one other participant, I ended up sending my drone up. The wind was so strong that even my DJI Mavic 3 Pro could barely make it into the wind at its full capacity. The shots were totally worth it though!
Thanks to Xabier, one of the participants, I have a photo of myself flying my drone in these brutal conditions.
I have never seen anything quite like this. It looks as if it’s raining in this photograph but in fact it’s all sand. The dark cloud is created by the flying sand.
My Five Favourite Images Of This Photo Workshop
For me, the Highlands of Iceland really come into their own right when seen from above. While you can absolutely get by with a regular camera alone, you truly unlock the full potential when using a drone. As you will see, this is reflected in my five favourite images of this photo workshop.
This is easily my favourite shot taken during the workshop. Simply, because I have never seen this place in these conditions, let alone seen photos like this. Conditions were absolutely horrific and I really tested the capabilities of my drone to get this. Even in ‘sport mode’, I barely was able to fly into the wind.
This image was taken using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (https://jvn.photo/go/mavic3pro).
An atmospheric image taken during the very first night of the workshop. The conditions were stunning and I really liked this image of Andrea together with one of the participants on top of the mountain.
This image was taken using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (https://jvn.photo/go/mavic3pro).
The intense and vibrant sunlight you get around midnight makes for very interesting images. Because I’ve shot this location so often, I tried to do something different here and angled it differently from the usual, classic photos.
This image was taken using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (https://jvn.photo/go/mavic3pro).
I flew my drone during the first sandstorm we were in. Thanks to the intense sunlight, you can really see the river stand out while the atmosphere was very hazy due to the sand. The cloud on top really gives it a finishing touch.
This image was taken using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (https://jvn.photo/go/mavic3pro).
After our sunset session, we got treated to some cloud inversions rolling into the area we drove through. I really like these super moody, atmospheric conditions.
This image was taken using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (https://jvn.photo/go/mavic3pro).
Discover Jeroen’s Photo Workshops in Iceland, Greenland & Beyond
Ready to take your photography to the next level? Join me, Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove, on unforgettable photo workshops in Iceland, Greenland, Antarctica and other exciting destinations. Whether your passion is wildlife photography, bird photography, landscape adventures, or mastering drone photography, each workshop is designed to give you hands-on guidance in some of the world’s most spectacular locations.
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
Choosing the right photography workshop is about more than just visiting iconic locations. It’s about experience, safety, timing, and personal guidance. Below you’ll find honest reviews from photographers who have joined me on landscape, wildlife & drone photo workshops in Iceland, Greenland and other locations. These testimonials reflect real experiences in small groups, hands-on instruction in challenging conditions, and the level of care Jeroen aims to bring to every workshop.
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