Iceland Photography Tour
6 Days of finding art in mundane, but stark and moody landscapes.
For the sake of art.
More and more, Iceland is being overrun with tourism. The areas around places like natural landmarks like Skógafoss and Kirkjufell are downtrodden to the point of permanent scarring of the landscape.
Iceland is a place where creative minds get switched on. But what makes this workshop so special is that we’ll frequently create images that could have been photographed anywhere. This is Iceland like you’ve probably not seen before - a resistance to the ordinary. To give nature a reprieve. To see the landscape as abstract, timeless paintings on a wall decorating high-end hotels, homes and places for wellness.
2 excursions to an ice cave included with a local guide and appropriate gear.
Hotel with a hot tub included on at least one night on this tour.
We’ll hang around the south coast mostly.
Small group of like-minded people.
Drones are more than welcome on this trip. I’ll show you locations where you can fly. We’ll point the gimbal down most of the time.
Includes thorough post-processing sessions, with all the latest trends explained.
Includes breakfast, accommodation and transfer to and from the airport.
6 days and 5 nights stay in hotels, cottages and guesthouses; the last night is spent at the airport/seaport hotel, so if you need to catch an early flight back, you can at your convenience.
If (and that’s a big if) there’s safe volcanic activity that’s reachable on foot or by drone, we’ll include that as well.
What do we photograph on this tour?
Here’s a good idea of what to expect.
*notice the distinct lack of recognizable landmarks.
Why Choose this Tour?
If you’re fed up with people photographing the same thing.
Lining up at the same waterfall is not for us.
If you’re an introvert like me.
In my 15 years as a professional photographer and teacher, I’ve noticed similar traits and interests in those who are like-minded. We value deep conversation. We converse with nature through image making. We dedicate our free time to doing less instead of doing more. We love stillness, quiet and zoning out while working. We are social beings, although we need to recharge by being by ourselves.
This is why the group size is only 4; including the workshop leader (me).
This is why we skip places that are too busy.
This is why there’s time for yourself.
This tour is like a mindfulness retreat. And there’s a hotel with nice hot spring or hot tub waiting for you.
You Matter to Us
Any personal guidance you need, whether it's camera settings or finding better compositions: I’m here for you.
This Tour in a Nutshell
Bookings: You’re on time. This tour is still in the works. More info below.
Dates: From September to December 2026
Available Seats: 3 out of max 3
Tour Leader: Daniel Laan
Language: English
Price: 4999 EURO
Excursions included: Not one, but two ice cave expeditions. Volcano visit if there’s any activity that’s reasonably safe.
Single Room Supplement: 1200 EURO
Registration Deposit: 1000 EURO
Start: Keflavik or Akureyri Airport or Seydisfjordur seaport (fear of flying? contact me. You’re welcome to join).
End: Keflavik or Akureyri Airport or Seydisfjordur seaport - the same place as we started).
Included: All tuition by professional landscape photographer. All Transportation between Keflavík international airport (KEF) and workshop locations. Entry fees where applicable. All lodging. Breakfast. Multiple post-processing sessions.
Not Included: Flights to Keflavík Airport and associated costs. Private insurances, taxes, duty and visa fees. Lunch or dinner and any personal items including (alcoholic) beverages, snacks, souvenirs and travel insurance.
Why Choose a Workshop with Daniel?
I teach like this:
1. You watch me work.
2. You mimic the way I work and I assist wherever the need arises.
3. You then freely choose compositions in the workshop location, to let the landscape speak to you. I’ll do the same, not pressuring you all the time.
4. Whenever I see a new photo-opportunity, I’ll come get you and we’ll repeat steps 1-3 until you’re satisfied.
I’m open to your approach to photography, but know that:
I’m doing lots of digital composites.
I point the camera down more often these days (intimate & abstract).
I value unique locations more than the ones that have been visited lots of times.
I’m easy going:
No drama (other participants have pointed this out, which I find bizarre that this apparently happens elsewhere).
I like deep conversation.
If you want to see another location, I’ll do my best to accommodate you.
Most participants are return customers for these reasons.
I’ve won 4 major awards just the last 4 years:
#1 World’s Top Landscape Photographer (One Eyeland 2021)
Black and White Photograph of the Year (ILPOTY 2022)
#2 World’s Top Landscape Photographer (One Eyeland 2023)
#2 World’s Top Landscape Photographer (One Eyeland 2024)
Where are we going? And when?
To be announced. Sometime between September and December 2026.
I wanted to let you know that I’m planning this very special workshop more than a year in advance. It’s the workshop I’ve always wanted to create. For those like-minded souls with a unique perspective on landscape photography.
Payment & Reservation
This tour is still being created. Contact me to be put on the wait list here.
Supply your correct email address and I’ll contact you (check your spam!) for the details once I have them.
Cancellation and refunds
For tours and workshops, we understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible. To make it all fit on our end, we have a strict cancellation policy for workshops in place:
🔹 The full amount of any workshop is due 90 days in advance.
🔹 Full refund for cancellations made 90 days or more before the workshop starts, minus a €200 service charge.
🔹 50% refund for cancellations made 31 - 89 days before the workshop.
🔹 No refund for cancellations made within 30 days of the workshop or for no-shows.
In the event of severe weather or unforeseen circumstances, we may need to reschedule or cancel the workshop. If this happens and it’s on our end, you will be offered a full refund.
Physical requirements
Some locations are reached by demanding hikes. You don’t have to be a marathon runner (I’m certainly not!), but we do ask that you are in reasonable physical condition to be able to keep up with the group.
Please do not come on this trip when you are in poor physical condition. This will hinder our ability to show you everything we have in store, but more importantly, it will jeopardize the positive experience of your fellow participants.
Daniel Laan ~ The Netherlands
Moody, ominous landscape photography is as much my passion as it is my career. For 15 years now, I've had the mindset of developing a specific dark and moody style of photography that shows a part of myself through my images. I have a deep appreciation for the landscape, the weather and find something of beauty in trivial subjects. You could say that I have an instinct for inbound northern lights, as I photograph the Aurora Borealis pretty frequently as far south as the Netherlands too.
With a degree in design and visual communication and over 25 years of experience in Photoshop, it's my goal to train you to look at the landscape differently. I’m known for venturing into digital art, don’t shy away from doing composites and don’t really care what others may think of my art.
I’ll explain everything from pre-visualizing to exporting for the web or for print The most important aspect is not to bag the best locations, but to appreciate your surroundings; to become aware of things that others walk straight by and develop an artistic vision that transcends landscape photography.