July 31 – August 8, 2026
Landscape & Drone Photography in Iceland
with Nikhil Bahl
Waterfalls pour through basalt canyons, braided rivers carve silver paths across moss-covered lava fields, and glaciers feed vast plains that stretch toward the sea. Iceland is a land shaped by movement. Whether viewed from the ground or from the air, it offers endless opportunities for powerful photographic storytelling.
This photo tour is designed to balance aerial and landscape photography, focusing on locations that reward both perspectives. You’ll photograph waterfalls from dramatic cliffside viewpoints and discover how they transform when seen from above; revealing scale, flow, and the surrounding terrain in entirely new ways. Colorful rhyolite mountains, glaciers, volcanic craters, hot springs, and waterfalls await! From the sky, patterns emerge; from the ground, the emotion and atmosphere take hold.
Access defines the experience. Traveling by private 4×4 vehicle allows us to reach remote passes and lesser known locations, placing you in the heart of Iceland’s most striking landscapes. Some scenes call for flight, like wide alluvial plains, river systems, and elevated viewpoints. While others demand patience, a tripod, and careful composition beside thundering water or under shifting skies. Most locations have been selected for both the aerial and ground based photographic potential.
Flexibility is central to the itinerary. Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable, and wind can at times limit drone operations. When flying isn’t possible, we lean fully into landscape photography, working waterfalls, mountains, and subtle details with intention and depth. These moments often produce some of the strongest images, and they reinforce a key skill: adapting your vision to the conditions rather than forcing a plan.
Throughout the tour, instruction blends real-time field coaching with focused practice in composition, exposure, visual flow, and post-processing tips. You’ll learn how to translate Iceland’s textures, tones, and scale into images that feel cohesive and considered, whether captured from a few feet above the ground or hundreds of feet in the air.
This is a journey for photographers who want more than a checklist of locations. It’s about learning when to fly, when to stay grounded, and how to see Iceland as a dynamic, evolving landscape, one that challenges and rewards you at every turn.
This workshop is offered in collaboration with Nikhil Bahl Photography.
There is 1 open spot on the Iceland Bird Photography Tour.
Dates: July 19 – 29, 2026
Fee: $8,595 – double occupancy (single supplement $1,100*)
Deposit: $1,500, balance due February, 2026
Limit: 4 participants
Interested: Send an inquiry
US$ 8,595 / per person
3 persons
Activity Level: Easy. Moderate hiking (usually no more than 2 miles) will be required on sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and forest trails. Participants should be able to walk unassisted during field sessions, carrying their photography gear.
Transportation on Iceland included
Itinerary Includes:
- Lodging throughout (double occupancy) – Single supplement $1,100. *
- All transportation, once in Iceland.
- Professional photography guide.
- Detailed documents will be provided to help you prepare for the tour.
- Entrance fees at applicable locations for all described activities.
- Breakfast (where included with hotels).
Itinerary does not include:
- Airfare to/from Keflavík International Airport (KEF).
- Airport departure tax or fees (if applicable).
- Meals and drinks unless specified. All hotels don’t offer breakfast.
- Gratuities
- Incidentals
Day 1 – Arrival and Orientation
Arrive in Iceland and transfer to our hotel in Keflavík. Settle in, organize gear, review safety considerations, and discuss the flexible, conditions-based approach required for both drone and landscape photography. A short evening shoot may be possible depending on weather and participant energy levels.
Days 2 & 3 – Waterfalls & River Systems
Photograph the raw power of Gullfoss and nearby waterfalls, along with canyon systems and braided rivers shaped by glacial meltwater. These days balance classic ground-based waterfall compositions with aerial perspectives when conditions allow. On Day 3, we continue north to explore a striking geothermal area, adding another visual layer to the landscape.
Day 4-5 – Remote Highlands & Abstract Landscape
Travel into the Icelandic Highlands by super jeep. Focus on braided rivers, moss-covered lava fields, volcanic craters, basalt formations, and wide alluvial plains. Waterfalls spilling over basalt cliffs provide opportunities for both aerial abstraction and grounded compositions, depending on wind and weather.
Day 6-7 – Glaciers, Lagoons & Coastal Plains
Photograph glacier tongues, ice-filled lagoons, braided rivers, waterfalls, and expansive coastal plains. Emphasis is placed on scale, texture, and contrast, working thoughtfully from both drone and tripod perspectives.
Days 8 – Iconic Waterfalls & Landscapes
Focus on some of Iceland’s most celebrated waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss and the surrounding area. Refine waterfall techniques such as long exposures, compositional flow, and contextual framing, with aerial views explored when conditions permit.
Day 9 – Departure
After a morning shoot, return to the hotel to check out. Travel toward Keflavík Airport with a lunch stop along the way. Afternoon fight departures should be after 4:00 PM.
