Iceland Highlands & South Coast Photography Workshop - Aug 2026

7 Days of Unforgettable Adventure
26th August – 1st September 2026 • £3,250 per person • Maximum of 3 guests

Join multi-award winning photographer Dem Oral on an exclusive 7-day adventure into Iceland’s wild Highlands, the Golden Circle and South Coast. With only 3 places available, this workshop is designed for discerning photographers who want to capture portfolio-defining images in one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.

This is not just another Iceland photo tour. It’s a rare chance to experience the country’s most dramatic and remote environments in comfort and safety, guided by an expert who knows these landscapes intimately.

The Wild Highlands & South Coast

Having visited Iceland over 10 times in recent years, with many weeks spent in the wild and untouched Highlands, I’ve come to know its secrets intimately. This workshop isn’t about ticking off tourist spots—it’s about venturing deep into Iceland’s raw interior, immersing ourselves in places few ever reach.

We will spend extensive time in two major Highland regions, photographing landscapes of black deserts, moss-cloaked mountains, geothermal valleys, multi-coloured rhyolite ridges, and glacial rivers twisting like veins across the earth. We’ll also stand before waterfalls thundering into canyons where the only sound is the roar of water. Hours can pass here without another soul in sight. Imagine a land so elemental and otherworldly it feels closer to myth than to memory—this is the reality you’ll experience with me in Iceland.

Beyond the Highlands, we will explore Iceland’s storied South Coast and Golden Circle, where iconic landscapes reveal themselves in full force. Waterfalls plunge from cliffs, black-sand beaches stretch to the horizon, jagged sea stacks rise defiantly from the Atlantic, and geothermal fields bubble and erupt. These are the images that first stirred the world’s imagination of Iceland—yet approached with patience and vision, they become far more than postcard scenes. Together we’ll seek out shifting light, fleeting weather, and unique angles that transform even the most familiar places into something personal and unforgettable.

Small Group Setting

With a maximum of just 3 guests, this workshop ensures a truly personal and immersive experience. You’ll receive dedicated one-on-one guidance in the field and tailored feedback throughout, so your creative growth and photographic voice take centre stage. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all tour—it’s an experience shaped around your style, your pace, and your ambitions.

The Perfect Season

This workshop is timed for what I regard as the optimum week of Iceland’s short Highland season. By late summer, the weather begins to shift, bringing mood, atmosphere, and drama—rain showers breaking into shafts of light, sculpted clouds filling the skies, and far more dynamic conditions than the clear blue days of early summer. Sunrise and sunset fall at more workable hours, giving us balanced days in the field while still allowing restorative rest. And with the return of darkness, there’s the rare and unforgettable possibility of photographing the northern lights from deep inside the Highlands should a strong display occur.

What Sets This Workshop Apart

Unlike larger tours of 8, 10, or even 12 participants, our group’s intimacy gives us unmatched agility and freedom. We can adapt the itinerary daily—whether to chase unique light, explore a newly revealed track, or spend longer where inspiration strikes. There is no conveyor-belt schedule here. Instead, we move fluidly, covering more ground without ever feeling rushed, working at a rhythm that matches our group’s creative flow.

Access Others Can’t Offer

In the Highlands, everything comes down to the size and capability of your vehicle. Many of the most spectacular regions lie beyond deep river crossings and rugged F-roads that simply stop minibuses and people-carriers in their tracks. This is why so many larger tours only skim the edges.

With our large, purpose-built 4×4, we go further. We cross the rivers they can’t, tackle the volcanic terrain they avoid, and access hidden valleys, craters, and black-sand deserts that remain off-limits to the majority. Combined with the agility of a very small group, it means we’re not just visiting Iceland—we’re experiencing its raw, remote, and inspiring heart in a way few photographers ever can.

Unique & Original Photography Potential

Here’s the best part—I will take you to some of the most rewarding locations I’ve discovered through my own work, many of which I’ve never seen photographed elsewhere. These hidden spots remain off the radar for most Iceland workshops, and you’ll have the chance to experience them first-hand.

If the group desires, we’ll also dedicate time to pure exploration, seeking out new ground and fresh perspectives that no one has captured before. This includes both aerial opportunities using drones and traditional tripod-based photography on the ground—something often challenging in the vast Highland interior. Together, we’ll create images that are not only beautiful but genuinely original.

Accommodation

Our base for the week will be a modern, purpose-built Icelandic cabin, perfectly situated on the fringes of the Highlands. Spacious and comfortable, it offers the ideal balance of convenience and seclusion—close enough to reach every location on our itinerary, yet set against the wild backdrop of Iceland’s landscapes.

Each guest will enjoy their own private bedroom, with shared modern bathroom and shower facilities. We’ll gather in the open-plan living area—complete with a fully equipped kitchen and dining space—where we can share meals, review images, and discuss our next day’s adventures. The cabin is also conveniently close to a number of excellent restaurants and cafés with grocery stores en route, giving us the flexibility to dine out or self-cater.

The greatest advantage? We remain in one comfortable base for the entire workshop. No packing, unpacking, or wasted hours shifting between hotels. Instead, we maximise our time in the field while enjoying the peace and comfort of a true home-from-home.

Comprehensive Tuition

The Highlands can feel overwhelming at first—vast, rugged, and seemingly inhospitable. But within that scale lies extraordinary photographic potential. I’ll show you how to harness the raw forms, textures, and colours of the landscape without relying solely on golden light. Here, the contours of ridges, the sweep of volcanic deserts, and the veins of glacial rivers often provide all the drama you need. We’ll explore everything from bold minimalist frames to more abstract interpretations that capture the surreal essence of this place.

For those bringing drones, Iceland opens up into one of the world’s greatest aerial canvases. From above, braided rivers and volcanic plains reveal exhilarating patterns and forms. I’ll guide you through flying safely in Iceland’s unpredictable winds, managing battery time, and seeing compositions from the air that elevate your work into something entirely new. Whether shooting from the ground or sky, you’ll leave not just with striking images, but with skills and confidence to keep pushing further.

Outline Itinerary

Every day is designed to maximise your time in the field while giving us the flexibility to adapt to weather, light, and group energy.

Day 1 – Arrival and Settling In
All guests will be collected from Keflavík International Airport at 2pm on 26^th August. Please arrange flights to arrive in good time—or, if preferred, fly in the day before and spend an additional night nearby. From the airport we’ll make our way toward our highland cabin base, stopping to pick up groceries and supplies along the way. If timing and weather allow, we’ll begin our photographic journey immediately, with an afternoon session at Öxarárfoss followed by a sunset shoot at the uniquely beautiful Brúarfoss—an inspiring way to start our adventure.

Days 2 to 6 – The Workshop Proper
These are our full workshop days, where the breadth and diversity of Iceland’s landscapes truly come alive. From the wild volcanic interior of the Highlands to the iconic waterfalls and seascapes of the South Coast, every day will bring new opportunities and new perspectives. With a small group and a flexible approach, we’ll be able to adjust plans to light, weather, and group preference, ensuring we make the very most of every moment.

The Highlands (F-Road Access Only)
Our purpose-built 4×4 vehicle will allow us to penetrate deep into the Highlands, where the raw heart of Iceland lies.

• Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Area – Multi-coloured rhyolite ridges, steaming geothermal valleys, and sites such as the Hveradalir geothermal area, the red slopes of Austurfjöll, and panoramic ridgelines overlooking the surrounding glaciers.
• Hveravellir – A highland oasis of bubbling hot springs and steaming fumaroles, including Öskurhóll (the “hissing hill”), Eyvindarhver hot spring, and pools framed by endless lava fields.
• Háifoss & Gjáin – Háifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest and most dramatic waterfalls plunging into a deep canyon, and the nearby Gjáin valley, a hidden gem of cascades, basalt formations, and delicate vegetation.
• Sigöldufoss – A striking turquoise waterfall emerging from the hydro channels of Sigöldugljúfur canyon.
• Fjallabak Volcanic Black Sand Plains – Expansive desert-like plains where mossy mountains rise from endless volcanic ash—perfect for minimalist compositions.
• Highland Lakes and Volcanoes – Hnausapollur, Ljótipollur and Blautaver craters, the outflow of Frostastaðavatn lake, and the perfectly formed cone of Stútur volcano.
• Braided rivers and glacial meltwaters from the Langjökull Glacier – spectacular patterns from above, perfect for drone photography.

Landmannalaugar Region
One of the crown jewels of the Highlands, Landmannalaugar offers endless opportunities for creative photography:

• The Laugahraun lava field, a twisted expanse of cooled black lava.
• Bláhnúkur (the Blue Mountain), its deep blue-green slopes contrasting against the ochre rhyolite hills.
• The famed Rainbow Mountain ridges and multi-coloured rhyolite valleys.
• Geothermal springs steaming against painted hillsides.
• The lesser-visited Skalli area and Landmannalaugar backwaters, including the lush green spine often called the “green backbone.”

The F208 Highland Road
Often described as one of the most adventurous drives in the world, the F208 winds through river crossings, lava fields, and barren wilderness to reach the Langisjór area—a pristine highland lake flanked by dramatic ridges such as Sveinstindur, offering commanding views across the interior.

Other Highland Highlights

• Rauðufossar Waterfall and its striking red-stained rock face, with abstract and close-up compositions in abundance.

Golden Circle & Southern Coast
While the Highlands are our main focus, we’ll also dedicate time to the iconic south and west:

• Geysir and Gullfoss – geothermal eruptions and one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
• Brúarfoss and Öxarárfoss – enchanting cascades with crystalline blue water.
• Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Kvernufoss – three of Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls, each with unique perspectives and access.
• Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck – the haunting remains of a DC-3 aircraft resting on a black-sand plain.
• Dyrhólaey Peninsula – sweeping views of sea cliffs, arches, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
• Black Sand Beaches near Vík – dramatic surf crashing against endless volcanic sand.

The Wild Card – Eruption Photography
And what about erupting volcanoes? While nothing in Iceland is ever guaranteed, we approximately a couple of hours from the active volcanic zones near Grindavík. If an eruption is taking place and conditions are safe, we will have the option to dedicate a full day to photographing this extraordinary spectacle, tailoring logistics as a group. Few experiences rival standing before new lava flows and documenting the raw birth of landscape.

Day 7 – Departure
On our final day we’ll make the return journey to Keflavík International Airport, with the latest drop-off time at 2pm on 1^st September. Depending on flight schedules, there may be time for one last waterfall shoot en route, but please regard this as a travel and departure day rather than part of the core workshop.

The Remote Wild Experience

This is a once-in-a-lifetime journey into some of the most remote and extraordinary terrain on Earth. The Highlands are landscapes shaped by fire and ice—volcanic deserts, steaming valleys, mossy ridges, and canyons carved by glaciers. It is raw, elemental, and untamed, yet every evening we return to the comfort of our cabin: the perfect balance of rugged exploration and restful retreat.

On the Road to the Extraordinary

To experience Iceland at its fullest, some days may involve a number of hours of driving. But this is never wasted time—journeys are broken up with regular breaks and photo stops, and the scenery changes constantly. The drives themselves are part of the adventure: rivers to cross, vast ash plains to traverse, mountains unfolding with every turn. Travelling in a modified 4×4, we move in comfort, space, and safety, with the ability to reach areas inaccessible to most. This mobility is what allows us to cover such a vast section of the Highlands and South Coast. The reward is unparalleled: a true bucket-list destination with infinite opportunities for original, striking imagery in landscapes few ever see.

Included

• Six nights’ accommodation in your own private bedroom within a modern Icelandic cabin
• Five full days of dedicated tuition in the Highlands, Golden Circle, and South Coast, with bonus shooting sessions possible on arrival and departure days
• Evening post-processing sessions to refine and enhance your images
• Airport pick-up from Keflavík at 2pm on Day 1, all workshop transportation in a large modified 4×4, and airport drop-off by 2pm on Day 7

Not Included: Flights, travel and camera insurance, meals, drinks and snacks. The cabin is close to restaurants and cafes, with grocery stores en route giving us flexibility to cook together or dine out as we wish.

Unrivalled Value

At £3,250 per person, this workshop offers exceptional value: six nights in private accommodation, all Highland transport in a purpose-built 4×4, and five full days of personalised tuition. Comparable tours charge significantly more for larger group sizes—here you’ll enjoy an experience tailored to just three photographers, with access and flexibility that bigger groups simply cannot match.

Booking & Payment

Booking is simple:

1. Deposit Option – Secure your place today with a £500 non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance (£2,750) is due by 15th July 2026 (6 weeks before arrival), payable by bank transfer (any other promotional discounts offered will be applied individually to this remaining balance amount).
2. Pay in Full – If you prefer, pay in full now and receive a £100 discount as a thank you for early commitment (total to be paid now £3,150).

⚠️ Only 3 places are available, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Final Thoughts

This workshop is designed to give you more than just images—it’s about skills, confidence, and experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home. With only three photographers in the group, you’ll enjoy the rare chance to explore Iceland’s Highlands and South Coast in comfort and depth, supported every step of the way. If you’re ready to push your photography to the next level, I’d love to welcome you on this unforgettable journey.