Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice
Photography Adventure
Experience Highlights
- Photograph Iceland’s iconic landscapes, waterfalls and mountains.
- Explore amazing ice-filled beaches and hidden canyons
- Capture the northern lights over Iceland’s vast wilderness (Mother Nature willing).
- Travel beyond-the-beaten path in the Icelandic Highlands, far from the tourist hordes.
At A Glance
Oct 11-21, 2025
Starts/Ends:
Reykjavik, Iceland
$7850 USD Double occupancy
Single Lodging +$1400
Deposit: $1,500
Instructors:
Ken Lee & Leighton Lum
What's Included: Lodging, Transportation & Photography Instruction
What's Not Included: International Airfare to/from Reykjavik, Meals, Tourist Visa/ETA, Travel Insurance, Personal Expenses Gratuities. Anything not specifically listed as included
Iconic Landscapes & Seascapes
Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Fellsfjara (aka Diamond) Beach. You may not be able to pronounce the names, but you’ve likely marveled at photographs of Iceland’s iconic natural attractions, including spectacular waterfalls, ice-filled black sand beaches and active volcanoes.
Join veteran Iceland photo workshop leader Leighton Lum and Art of Seeing Photography Adventures founder Ken Lee on a comprehensive expedition of Iceland’s most breathtaking photography locations.
Aurora Borealis - the Icy sky at Night
Imagine taking in the northern lights, Earth’s best natural light show from the vast Icelandic wilderness! And there is no better time than now because 2025 is the peak of the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle.
Experience this bucket-list natural phenomena and learn the ins and outs of capturing this amazing event from seasoned veterans with years of experience photographing auroras around the world.
Photography Focused Adventure
Every aspect of this trip is designed for passionate photographers by passionate photographers:
Our days start early and end late because that’s when the best light happens and animals are most active. Long before other tour groups begin their breakfast, we’re firing frames in the field.
Moving beyond snapshots requires patience and perseverance. We put in the time necessary to produce portfolio-worthy images.
We choose our lodges for their proximity to the action rather than their amenities. However, we’re confident you will be pleasantly surprised by our accommodations.
Level Up Your Skills and Vision
Ken and Leighton will always be close by to answer questions, provide tips on shooting techniques and offer insights about practical ways to expand your creative vision.
Like most pursuits, good coaching and lots of practice are the keys to improving your landscape photography game. You will get plenty of both on this photography-intensive adventure. Need a little help with camera settings and lens selection? Maybe some advice on ways to move beyond the obvious composition? Or perhaps a few tips on post-processing techniques or workflow might make the biggest difference?
Ready to Join the Adventure?
DAILY ITINERARY
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Ken Lee, the founder Art of Seeing Photography Adventures is as passionate about helping others grow as photographers as he is about creating his own images. Ken’s Whole Brain approach to teaching photography addresses both the Craft (gear, technique, post-processing) and Creative (Composition & the Photographer’s Eye) aspects of image-making – and the completely different approaches needed to master both. Click the links to read more about Ken Lee and The Art of Seeing, what you can expect from an Art of Seeing workshop, or to see examples of Ken’s photography.
Hawaii native Leighton Lum’s jaw-dropping images simply speak for themselves. Led by his creative eye and passion for adventure, Leighton has traveled the globe to destinations like Africa, South America, Iceland, Indonesia, and Antarctica, leading photography workshops and making his own award-winning photographs. Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural world he cherishes. Read more about Leighton and see a selection of his images.
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If you need to cancel your reservation, the following policies apply :
Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferred to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from date of cancellation in accordance with the following schedule:
Regardless of when you cancel, if we fill your spot*, you will receive a refund of all fees paid less your deposit and $150 processing fee. If we cannot fill your spot, the amount of your refund is based upon the cancellation date:
Cancellation 120 days or more from workshop start date: 100% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable up to 24 most.
Cancellation 90 – 120 days from workshop start date: 50% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.
Cancellation less than 90 days from workshop start date: No refunds.
*Canceled spots are filled after the workshop reaches full capacity
All cancellations must be made in writing. Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Click here to read our complete Terms & Conditions
Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy which covers medical evacuation is a requirement for participation in this workshop. Such policies typically cover many other things like lost luggage and reimbursement for non-refundable payments if you need to cancel your trip
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If you've traveled with us before, thank you! You're the reason our passion is our profession, and we are deeply grateful for this blessing.
To express our appreciation, we've launched our Alumni Rewards Program which gives our 'frequent flyers' discounts on future Art of Seeing Photography Adventures. Click here for full details
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Q: How should I book my international flights?
A: Book your inbound flight to arrive at Keflavik International Airport (airport code: KEF) in Reykjavik, Iceland before 1pm on October 11, 2025.
Book your homeward flight to depart KEF after 6pm on October 21, 2025.Additional information to help plan your travels will be provided to registered participants.
Q: What if I want to arrive early or stay after the workshop dates?
A: No problem, let us know your arrival/departure details and we will book the additional hotel nights on your behalf (additional cost).
Q: Where will we stay?
A: We will stay in small hotels in each of our 8 locations. Nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable
Q: Is there an extra fee for a private room?
A: Yes, prices are based on double occupancy. Single lodging is available at extra cost (+$1400).
If you don’t have a travel partner, we will be pair you with a same-gender roommate. If a same-gender roommate is unavailable, you will be charged the single lodging rate.
Q: Are meals included?
A: Meals are not included. Some hotels may provide free breakfast.
Q: What are the physical fitness requirements?
A: This trip is rated Easy overall, but you must be able to walk through sand and some possibly rocky or slippery terrain.
Most of the photo locations are easy to reach for people of average fitness. There are a few short optional hikes the group may do that may require an uphill hike of 1-2 miles.
Q: Can my non-photographer friend/partner attend?
A: Absolutely, travel partners who may not share your passion for photography are very welcome. Just make sure they can handle being part of a group that wants to do nothing but eat, sleep and talk about photography. Unfortunately, due to limited space, we cannot offer a discount for non-photographer partners.
Q: What is the weather like in Iceland?
A: Weather in Iceland is highly unpredictable and can change suddenly. You must be prepared for everything including rain, snow and strong winds. The saying in Iceland is there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
Additional guidance about appropriate clothing and other items to pack will be provided to registered participants
Q: Can I bring a drone?
A: Yes, you can bring and fly a drone in Iceland but three are regulations including a 120-meter altitude limit and maintaining visual contact. You are responsible for knowing the rules and flying competently and responsibly. There are a few areas where we cannot fly but a lot of other great options!
Q: Will we see active volcanoes and lava?
A: Maybe - Iceland is famous for its active volcanos; we will keep an eye on the activity as we get closer to the trip, and we can plan accordingly if an eruption is happening. Fingers crossed!
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11-Oct | Welcome to Iceland! We will greet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel in the Reykjavik. Relax and recover from your long journey or feel free to explore the city until 4pm when we gather for our Workshop Overview meeting followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. | Reykjavik hotel |
| 2 | 12-Oct | Enjoy a little shut-eye this morning, this is one of the few days our day doesn’t begin pre-dawn. After breakfast, we’ll check out and begin a picturesque drive to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula stopping with several stops to capture beautiful seascapes. We will also visit the famous Black Church at Budir.
In the afternoon, we’ll check in and get settled at our new hotel before heading out for our sunset session to photograph Mount Kirkjufell, a stunning mountain fronted by several waterfalls.
Afterward, we return to our hotel for dinner.
Note1: we will also be on Aurora alert throughout our time in Iceland, meaning a Northern Lights photo session is always a possible addition each day’s itinerary if conditions are suitable. Note 2: Ken and Leighton will be available throughout our journey for guidance with image review, editing and management using Adobe Lightroom in both group and one-on-one settings. We prefer to ‘play it by ear’ as far as scheduling these sessions. |
Old Post Office hotel or similar |
| 3 | 13-Oct | We begin our day with a sunrise photoshoot of Kirkjufell mountain before returning to our hotel for breakfast and checkout.
Today we explore the West Fjords of Iceland, an area not typically on the tourist itinerary, but contains beautiful landscapes and is home to Iceland’s only carnivore, the arctic fox. There is a ferry crossing along the way and we will make multiple photo stops including at Dynjandi, one of the nicest waterfalls in Iceland. |
Hotel Ísafjörður or similar |
| 4 | 14-Oct | We rise early again for a sunrise photo session not far from our hotel before returning for breakfast. Later we explore Hornstrandir Nature Reserve with a local guide in search of the arctic fox. Afterwards, we make our way back to our hotel stopping for a sunset photo session along the way. | Hotel Ísafjörður or similar |
| 5 | 15-Oct | Today we make our way down the West Fjords, stopping at various locations along the way for photography (4-5hr drive).
When we reach our destination in scenic Laugarbakki village, we will check in at our hotel and get settled befoe heading out to the famous sea stacks of Hvítserkur for our sunset photoshoot. |
Hotel Laugarbakki or similar |
| 6 | 16-Oct | Early start, a quick sunrise shoot near our hotel before returning to our hotel for breakfast.
Afterwards, we check out and start the drive to the Golden Circle, a superbly scenic (and popular) area with attractions including Pingvellier national park, Gullfoss waterfall, Hraunfossar waterfall and Geysir geo thermal area. We’ll plan our stops based on weather and crowd conditions at the time. Later, we’ll check in at our new hotel before heading to Bruarfoss waterfall for sunset. |
Hotel Gullfoss or similar |
| 7 | 17-Oct | Wake up early to capture sunrise at Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall and one of its largest.
After breakfast we make our way down the south coast. Along the way we may stop at several scenic spots Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Gljufrabui depending on weather conditions or possibly do a short hike to the Solheimasandur plane wreck. Our plan for sunset is to photograph Reynisfjara Beach or Kirkjufjara, both black sand beaches in Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve. |
Vik cottages or similar |
| 8 | 18-Oct | Sunrise finds us photographing the scenic seafront village of Vik and its beautiful natural surroundings. After breakfast at our hotel, we get back on the road down Iceland’s breathtaking south coast, towards the famous Diamond Beach (aka Ice Beach) where hundreds of icebergs calved from Jokulsarlon glacier come to rest on its black sands. We may also make stops at Fjaorargljufur canyon or Skaftafell glacier along the way. Later, we’ll check in and take a break till our sunset shoot at Diamond Beach or Glacier lagoon. | Hotel Hofn or similar |
| 9 | 19-Oct | Diamond Beach is our sunrise destination where we hope to create dramatic compositions of early morning rays lighting icebergs on this black sand beach. Breakfast is at our hotel as usual. No traveling on our agenda, so enjoy a relaxing day, maybe work on some post processing before we head out for our sunset shoot. The mighty Vestrahorn mountains are the focus of our evening photo session! A can’t miss location! | Hotel Hofn or similar |
| 10 | 20-Oct | We have one more chance to photograph stunning Diamond Beach or Glacier lagoon at sunrise before packing up and making our way back towards Vik. We will stop at any spots we missed on our way up. Sunset will be around the Vik area. | Vik cottages or similar |
| 11 | 21-Oct | Our final sunrise shoot! Or, if you’ve seen enough sunrises, sleep in and enjoy a leisurely morning. After breakfast in Vik will make our way back to Reykjavik airport where we will catch our flights home. End of Service. | - |
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