Iceland Photography Tour
7 Days of finding art in stark and moody landscapes.
Unique: Plant-based landscape photography tour in Iceland.
To my knowledge, this is the world’s first landscape photo tour where all meals are vegan. I’ve carefully selected and arranged for accommodations where all our breakfasts and dinners are plant-based. To me, this is the only way going forward as a tour leader.
For the sake of art - We will not go to all those locations.
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. As such we will not go to any famous places at all. There’s no rush, no having to be at any place at a particular time and no sharing a conga line of tripods. Here
Iceland off the beaten path.
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. We like art, and follow a plant-based diet. I have room for 1-3 people in the electric car.
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, dinner, accommodations and transfers to and from the airport. Everything has been arranged for you except the flight or sea fare.
7 days and 6 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/fare 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 like meeting like-minded people.
To me, plant-based eating is about more than health, but I certainly am not an activist. Nor am I interested in politics. I like deep and uplifting conversations about consciousness, space, art, nature, travel and the human condition.
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 ample 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 at the end of it.
If you’re fed up with people photographing the same thing.
Lining up at the same waterfall is not for us.
You Matter to Us
Any personal guidance you need, whether it's camera settings, finding better compositions or a getting help by letting the landscape speak to you: I’m here for you.
This Tour in a Nutshell
Vegan meals included: This is a fully vegan landscape photo tour. The first in the world.
Bookings: ASAP.
Dates: For 7 days (6 nights) from December 2026 to February 2027
Available Seats: 3 seats, single booking. Private Photo Tour
Tour Leader: Daniel Laan
Language: English
Price: 8999 EURO
Registration Deposit: 2000 EURO
Start: Keflavik Airport or Seydisfjordur seaport (fear of or just dislike flying? contact me. You’re welcome to join).
End: Keflavik or Seydisfjordur seaport - the same place as we started.
Included: All tuition by professional landscape photographer. All transportation between workshop locations. Entry fees where applicable. All lodging. Half-board included (breakfast and dinner). All bookings and hassle. Multiple post-processing sessions.
Not Included: Flights to Keflavík Airport or sea fare and associated costs. Private insurances, taxes, duty and visa fees. Lunch 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 either mimic the way I work and I assist wherever the need arises or you take little tips and pointers to further your already well developed vision.
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 at any 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 often (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).
No rush, no time schedule, no hard itinerary.
I like truly getting to know you.
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 5 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?
Iceland in winter. But, your schedule is what counts.
This tour is fully adaptable to your schedule. Let me know your best dates and I’ll arrange everything accordingly.
Here are a few images of what you could expect to see though the viewfinder.
Payment & Reservation
Contact me as soon as possible. Payments are usually made through Wise, due to their low fees. The registration deposit is €2000.
Supply your correct email address.
Which dates do you have in mind? (I recommend around a new moon in case of northern lights).
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
None. You are my top priority and we don’t have to be anywhere other than where the light takes us.
Daniel Laan ~ The Netherlands
Moody, ominous landscape photography is as much my passion as it is my career. For close to 20 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.