Join me and acclaimed landscape photographer Mark Bauer for a winter photography adventure in Iceland! Expect dramatic coastlines, sculpted ice, towering waterfalls, and the chance to witness the northern lights dancing over frozen landscapes. It’s my first time photographing Iceland and, with Mark’s extensive experience, this promises to be a truly unforgettable and creatively inspiring trip. For extra safety and unrivalled knowledge of the area we'll be using a  local Icelandic tour guide with minibus who Mark has used for many years.

We will photograph iconic and dramatic locations that have become legendary among landscape photographers. At Vestrahorn and Stokksnes, jagged mountain peaks rise like shark fins above sweeping black sand dunes, often mirrored in icy tidal pools. Eystrahorn offers equally arresting scenery, with complex textures and rugged shapes that respond beautifully to the soft Arctic light.

We’ll witness nature’s sculpture at its finest along Diamond Beach, where crystal-clear icebergs, broken from the nearby glacier, are strewn across volcanic black sand like gemstones in the dawn light. Nearby, Fjallsárlón and Svínafellsjökull offer up-close encounters with glacial ice, dramatic crevasses, and glistening frozen textures.

On the south coast, we’ll shoot the iconic Skógafoss waterfall, whose powerful cascade is often framed by snow-dusted cliffs and rainbows, and the surreal basalt columns of Reynisfjara Beach, where Atlantic waves crash against striking sea stacks and jet-black sands. From Dyrhólaey, we’ll have elevated views over the coastline, perfect for dramatic wide compositions, especially at sunrise or sunset.

With Iceland’s magical winter light, long golden hours, and the ever-present chance of photographing the aurora borealis dancing overhead, this workshop offers boundless creative possibilities. Whether you're chasing glacial abstracts or composing grand vistas beneath pastel skies, this is a trip that promises inspiration at every turn!

Tuition

Mark Bauer and I will be on hand throughout each day and night to offer tuition, help and advice on all aspects of your landscape photography. This workshop group is limited to just 10 participants so, with 2 tutors, there will be plenty of opportunity for 1-2-1 tuition each day.

Iceland in January (Images © Mark Bauer)

Accommodation

We will be based in three separate locations during our stay. The first two days will find us in the south-eastern corner so we have convenient access to locations such as Vestrahorn, Stokksness and Eystrahorn. The following two days will find us in the south east for access to locations such as Diamond Beach, Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón. Finally, the last two days will find us in Vik giving us access to Skogafoss waterfall, Reynisfjara Beach; and the Dyrhólaey headland.

Itinerary.

A full and detailed itinerary will be provided around 8 weeks prior to the start of the workshop.

Transport

All transport around the Island is provided by an experienced, fully insured local guide.

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Digital SLR or mirrorless camera body and a selection of lenses that ideally cover wide-angle to medium telephoto.
• A fast, wide lens with a focal length of between 12mm & 24mm would be useful for shooting aurora.
• At least two camera batteries and charger (the cold can shorten the usage time of the battery)
• Memory cards
• Sturdy tripod
• Lens cloth
• Camera bag capable of being stored in an overhead locker on a plane.
• Graduated filters (get in touch for recommendations)
• 'Solid' long exposure filters
• Polariser (get in touch for recommendations)
• Head-torch

Clothing

Generally speaking, Iceland in winter isn’t as cold as you might expect - it’s rarely much below zero, but with wind chill, it has the potential to get to -20°C. But if we’re shooting the northern lights, we might be standing outside for several hours in the early hours of the morning, when temperatures are at their lowest. To make sure you’re comfortable, we recommend the following:

• A down jacket from a reputable brand (look for something with 800 fill power (or higher) down)
• A waterproof and windproof shell
• Plenty of insulating layers
• Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
• A pair of ski salopettes would be useful if you own a pair (optional)
• Hat
• Gloves (ideally a pair of liner gloves plus ski-style gloves as outer layers)
• Waterproof, thick padded coat
• Waterproof over-trousers
• Walking boots 
• A light pair of wellingtons - Please refer to this article. 
• Foldable Umbrella
• Microspikes - https://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/
• Sunglasses for reducing glare and wind-blown sand!

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A moderate level of fitness and balance is required for this workshop.  All locations are chosen for their fine views and safety. However, participants must be aware that cold temperatures, wind and the coastline itself come with their own risks. Therefore, all participants must heed safety advice at all times and attend at their own risk.

Getting there

By Plane

There are many direct flights available from international airports around the UK to Keyflavik International Airport near Reykjavik. Skyscanner is a good place to start searching for the best prices!

Payment must be made in full when booking a single day workshop (you will be sent an invoice). For residential workshops, a deposit of £500 is required (unless otherwise stated) and the balance paid 12 weeks before the course commences (20 weeks for overseas workshops).

If you, the client, cancel a booking any money you have paid (including the deposit) is non-refundable unless I can find a replacement to take your place after all other places have been filled. If a replacement is found an admin fee of £100 will be deducted from the refund. If I cancel a booking any payment received will be refunded in full. Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place. It is a term of the contract between us that you will obtain the appropriate travel insurance cover before you set out on the workshop. The insurance must cover the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, the cancellation of the workshop (whether in whole or in part), personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs, loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, flight cancellations and delays as well as your inability to arrive at the workshop destination due to fuel shortages and other such disruptions out of my control.

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, I regret I cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of my obligations under my contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force majeure”. In these booking conditions, “force majeure” means any event which I or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, (whether actual or threatened), war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, epidemics/pandemics, fuel shortages and all similar events outside my control.

Please note, I cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to me by you concerning your booking prior to me accepting it, I could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if I breached the contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by myself where I am responsible for them, my suppliers. Additionally, I cannot accept liability for any business losses.

You will be allocated either a single room or a double/twin room for single occupancy. There is no single occupancy surcharge. Where double or twin rooms are available, they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of check-in.

Mark Banks Photography reserves the right to cancel any workshop. In the event of any cancellation, I will offer either a total refund or a place on an alternative workshop. If the alternative workshop is cheaper, I will refund the difference, and if it is more expensive, you will be required to pay the balance.

All applicants participate at their own risk and Mark Banks Photography accepts no responsibility for injury or damage done to their persons or property. It is recommended that applicants hold their own personal Public Liability Insurance.

The type of workshops I offer require flexibility and must allow for alternatives. For this reason, the outline itinerary and workshop description must be taken as an indication of what may take place on the workshop, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mark Banks Photography.

I do not accept responsibility or liability for death, bodily injury or illness caused to you during the workshop, unless arising from the negligent act and/or omission on my part or on the part of any of my employees (providing they were at the time acting within the course of their employment). Please note that any itinerary noted on the workshop description is subject to change due to weather conditions and/or the capability of participants.

By booking a workshop with Mark Banks Photography you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.