# Autumn in West/North Iceland 2026 (with Mads) Photo Workshop

URL: https://jvn.photo/photo-workshops/autumn-in-west-north-iceland-2026-with-mads/
Last updated: 2026-10-14

## Autumn in West/North Iceland 2026 (with Mads Peter Iversen) Photo Workshop

**WAITLIST**

Join [Mads Peter Iversen](https://www.mpiphoto.dk/About-me) & [Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove](https://jvn.photo/about/) on an **epic autumn adventure to the western and northern regions of Iceland**. On this trip you will get to see why Iceland is captivating so many photographers around the world. During this workshop we will visit the Snæfellsnes peninsula with all its famous highlights and continue from there towards the picturesque northern region around Lake Mývatn. The most colorful slow-changing sunsets & sunrises, a whole line-up of the most epic waterfalls, iconic mountains, secret hotspot areas and a new and unique canyon are just some of the few highlights we get a chance to experience during the day. All covered in beautiful autumn colors. While at night, if we’re lucky, we will see the sky fill up with intense northern lights dancing overhead. **Experiencing Iceland in autumn is a must for any landscape photographer!****30/09/2026 - 08/10/2026 | 9 days/8 nights | 6950 Euro per person | 0 out of 10 spots available | Any experience level**

*The organising, fully licensed, travel agency behind this photography workshop is [Iceland Travel](https://www.icelandtravel.is/). The applicable terms & conditions can be found on [a separate page](https://www.icelandtravel.is/terms-and-conditions-jvn-photo-workshops-and-private-tours/).* **

## Highlights Of This Photo Workshop

- Limited to** just 10 spots** (with 2 workshop leaders)

- Accommodation in **single rooms** included (8 nights)

- Meet on the evening of September 30th at the hotel & fly home on October 8th

**Want to read about previous photo workshops?** Check out the detailed [photo workshop reports](https://jvn.photo/category/workshops/) on Jeroen’s blog![divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”400px”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”500px”]

## Itinerary

Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change depending on the weather conditions we are faced with.

### Day 1 (30/09/2026) – Arrival in Reykjavík

The workshop begins when we meet at the hotel on the evening of September 30th. To break the ice, we will go out for a welcome dinner so we can get to know each other a bit better.

### Day 2-3 (01-02/10/2026) – Exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

We leave Reykjavík behind us and set out to explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula. In the first two days, we will explore and photograph some of the highlights of “mini-iceland” as the Snaefellsnes peninsula is called. Kirkjufell mountain, the black church of Búðir, Lóndrangar sea stacks and the coastline along Arnarstapi are just some of the highlights of this area.

### Day 4-6 (03-05/10/2026) – Exploring the North

On day four we will make the drive towards the picturesque lake Mývatn. Here we will visit some of Iceland’s most incredible waterfalls like Dettifoss, Selfoss, Góðafoss and Aldeyjarfoss along with other locations like Hverfjall, the characteristic Stuðlagil canyon and a secret hotspot area. There’s plenty more to be photographed but we won’t spoil it all!

Our goal throughout the workshop is to optimally use the weather conditions. This means we have a list of locations we want to visit, but the itinerary is not set in stone and we will optimize along the way.

### Day 7 (06/10/2026) – Returning West

On day seven we start making our way back west spending one night halfway towards Reykjavik. Here we will visit a waterfall and the iconic Hvítserkur sea stack, also known as the drinking dragon.

### Day 8 (07/10/2026) – Return to Reykjavík

On this final full day, we will make our way back to Reykjavík by driving along the ring road and visiting one final waterfall. In the evening, we will have a tasty goodbye dinner.

### Day 9 (08/10/2026) – Heading Home

On this final morning, it’s time to part ways. After breakfast at the hotel, everyone heads back home.[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”500px”]

## What’s Included?

- 8 nights accommodation in single rooms (day 1-8)

- Breakfast (day 2-9)

- Welcome dinner on the first night (September 30th)

- Goodbye dinner on the last night (October 7th)

- Transportation to locations (based on conditions) in minibus

- Drone permits (where possible) that cover each participant in all relevant areas

- Professional photographic tuition and guidance from [Mads](https://www.mpiphoto.dk/About-me) and [Jeroen](https://jvn.photo/about/)

## What’s Not Included?

- Flights to/from Iceland

- Transportation between Keflavík International Airport & Reykjavík

- Lunch & dinner (unless otherwise specified)

- Drinks & alcohol

- Travel & personal insurance

- Any other services & goods not mentioned in “What’s Included”

## What Photography Gear & Clothing Should You Bring?

### Photography Gear

- A DSLR or mirrorless camera

- A drone with several spare batteries

- A wide-angle lens in the 16-35mm range

- A mid-range zoom in the 24-70mm range

- A zoom lens in the 70-200mm range or more

- A fast wide-angle prime lens for northern lights photography. (Suggestions: 14mm f/1.8, 20mm f/1.8, or 16-35mm f/2.8)

- Tripod

- Laptop or tablet with editing software if you want to edit your photos on the go. In case we’re unable to fill out the time in the field, we’ll do some editing at our accommodation. **While we aim to include at least one editing session, we will always prioritise shooting out in the field!**

### Recommended Clothing

- A variety of different layers (The weather in Iceland changes a lot)

- Good waterproof boots

- A hat and winter gloves (wearing gloves with a pair of liners is a great idea)

- Warm clothes and wool underwear (look for smart wool or merino wool)

- Wind-/rainproof jacket and pants

**Need a more detailed idea of what outdoor apparel & photography gear to bring?** Make sure to read [this detailed article](https://jvn.photo/outdoor-apparel-photography-gear-photo-workshop/)![divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”500px”]

## What Are The Physical Requirements?

**It’s important to note that there will be some hikes on this trip. **A few examples include:

- The walk to Dettifoss and Selfoss is around a 2,5 km round-trip with elevation gain.

- The walk to Stuðlagil canyon is a 5 km round-trip with elevation gain.

- The walk to Aldeyjarfoss is a small 500m round-trip but with elevation gain.

The trails can be uneven and slippery with some small elevation gains. For this reason those with medical issues that prohibit hikes, might have a difficult time with this workshop.

## What Photography Experience Level Should I Have?

**We welcome all experience levels**, going from beginners to experienced photographers. A good mix of experience levels means we can also learn from each other.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What Does Having Two Workshop Leaders Actually Mean?

Ten photographers, Mads Peter Iversen and Jeroen. In practice somebody is always free: one of us stays with whoever is wrestling with a filter while the other walks the group on to the next composition, so nobody spends the blue hour queuing for help. You also get two very different ways of reading a landscape, and that’s the part people mention afterwards.

### Why West And North Instead Of The South Coast?

Different ground. The south coast is where most Iceland workshops go, Jeroen’s own included, and it is worth every bit of its reputation. This one goes the other way. Snæfellsnes gets called mini-Iceland for a reason: Kirkjufell, the black church at Búðir, the Lóndrangar sea stacks and the coastline at Arnarstapi are all within about an hour of each other. Then north for Mývatn, Dettifoss, Góðafoss and Aldeyjarfoss, with Stuðlagil and Hvítserkur on the way back west. Nine days is enough to do that properly instead of at a run.

### Will The Autumn Colours Actually Be Out?

Late September into early October is the window, and it’s why the dates are what they are. Iceland has almost no forest, so the colour here is birch scrub, moss and grassland going rust and gold across whole hillsides. How far along it is depends on the summer that came before it, and nobody can book that in advance.

### Will We See The Northern Lights?

Right time of year, good chance, no promises. The nights are properly dark again by then and we’re well away from Reykjavík. Bring a fast wide prime if you own one, something like a 14mm f/1.8, a 20mm f/1.8 or a 16-35mm f/2.8, and read Jeroen’s guide to [chasing & photographing the northern lights](https://jvn.photo/ultimate-guide-to-chasing-photographing-northern-southern-lights/) before you come.

### Is The Itinerary Fixed?

No, deliberately. We have a list of places we want to reach, not a timetable we’re hostage to, and we optimise along the way. If the forecast says Snæfellsnes is clearing and the north isn’t, we go west. The one thing we won’t do is drive ten people to a famous location in flat grey light so it can be ticked off a list.

### How Much Walking Is There?

Several short hikes. Dettifoss and Selfoss is around 2.5 kilometres round trip, Stuðlagil about 5 kilometres round trip, Aldeyjarfoss a 500 metre round trip, all with some elevation gain. The trails are uneven and can be slippery. None of it is mountaineering, but if hikes that size are a problem for you, say so before you book.

### What Is Stuðlagil?

A canyon with walls of basalt columns and a river running green at the bottom of it. One of the few places in Iceland that got famous recently instead of a century ago. It’s a 5 kilometre round trip on foot and it’s worth every metre of it.

### This Workshop Is Full. What Are My Options?

Join the waitlist below and you’ll hear first if a spot opens or new dates go up. The [Iceland workshops page](https://jvn.photo/photo-workshops/iceland/) has everything else that’s running meanwhile, and Jeroen writes [a report after every workshop](https://jvn.photo/category/workshops/), weather and all.

## What Previous Participants Had To Say…