2023/2024 Iceland Photographers Workshops
Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis

2024 Workshop openings**

SPRING 2024

Fall 2024

SOUTHERN COAST OF ICELAND
capture auroras / WATERFALLS / GOLDEN CIRCLE /
DIAMOND BEACH / GLACIER LAGOON
learn LANDSCAPE / AURORA / ASTRO / 
PANORAMA PHOTOGRAPHY

** - A “Opening” is a Camper Van. A Camper Van can carry a single photographer
or a couple (1 or 2 photographers). Each Photographer/Couple rents their own Van. There are different size $$$ vans, so you reserve the van you want. https://happycampers.is/campers

Itinerary: The entire South Coast of Iceland

We will spend our time filming across the entire southern coast - West to East along Hwy 1 - from Kirkjufellsfoss (West Coast) to Vattarnes (East Coast)
including the Golden Circle

Our Locations include:

JÖKULSÁRLÓN / GLACIER LAGOON / DIAMOND BEACH

WATERFALLS
KIRKJUFELLSFOSS, SELJALANDSFOSS, SVARTIFOSS, 
SKÓGAFOSS, ÖXARÁRFOSS AND OTHERS

Beginners / Intermediate / Advanced  
includes Lightroom Classic training

Instructor: Casey Kiernan

JOURNEY THRU ICELAND
WITH AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER / PHOTOGRAPHER
& founder OF THE 'TIMELAPSE FILM FESTIVAL'

 When is the best time to go to Iceland?

I prefer Spring and Fall because Iceland is less crowded during these times and prices are greatly reduced. Most services are still open during the Spring and Fall seasons.

• WINTER? (Nov-Feb) No. Few chances to see auroras due to brutal weather and winds. Locals only!

• SPRING? (Mar-April) Yes! Ice covered landscapes, auroras visible thru changing weather. Few visitors. Hwy 1 open (around Iceland), but many interior roads require 4WD.

• SUMMER? (June-Sept) No! Crowded tourist season w/green foliage, full price. Auroras not visible because the sun never fully sets below the horizon.

• FALL? (Sept-Oct) BEST! Auroras visible thru changing weather, few visitors, reduced rates. Most interior roads are open.

Workshop Information

This is a Traveling Workshop

• We chase the Auroras for the entire week!

• No Hotels. No Fixed Schedule.

• Workshop is limited to 6 photographers or 4 Camper Vans
  (A Camper Van can carry 1 or 2 photographers).

• 100% Immersion at each World-Class Location.

• We will spend as much time as needed at each location.

  • No '30 minutes' per location.

• Do you know the correct time to shoot at Diamond Beach?

  • Do you you know what to bring? What to wear? I'll show you.

HOW IT WORKS

This workshop is focused on maximizing your time "on the ground" photographing the beauty of Iceland. Instead of hotels, we will be renting individual (or couples) "Camper Vans". This gives us the flexibility to follow the weather and Auroras in Iceland. For our main meals, we will make our own, as well as visit the great home-style restaurants in Iceland. Most nights will will stay at a campground - which provides showers and restrooms - and typically wi-fi and a small cafe. 

We will be using Happy Campers of Iceland. You can check out the different campers on their website. We are traveling during their 'off' Season, so prices are reduced! (And there will be less tourists!). Note: Happy Campers (preferred) only provides manual transmissions. You can also use Camp Easy if you prefer an Automatic Transmission.

workshop fees

• $3000 per Photographer + Airfare / Happy Camper / Meals

• Non-Photographer Companion Fee - Only $500 - Non-Photographers share vehicle (Happy Camper) with "Photographer" and are responsible for their own airfare and meal expenses. Companions can take pictures at all locations - but they cannot use a tripod (i.e. for Northern Lights, Astro-Photogrpahy, Timelapse,…).

• See below for what is included in the workshop and what additional costs are required by attendees.

WHAT THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES

• Expert Guide takes you to many magical locations in Iceland (see HOW IT WORKS)

• Photograph Waterfalls, Glacier, Lakes, Diamond Beach, Auroras and more...

• Learn Landscape Photography Techniques

• Learn Aurora Photography Techniques

• Learn Post-Processing Techniques (Lightroom Classic)

• Wake up in some of the most amazing landscapes on the planet!

• Note: We cannot control the weather in Iceland - It changes frequently. Fall is a great time in Iceland to capture great scenery and Auroras - but there are no guarantees.

what additional costs WORKSHOP ATTENDEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Air Transportation to/from Iceland. (KEF - Keflavík International Airport in Iceland)

  • Iceland Air recommended. Use 'Google Flights'

• Transportation within Iceland.

  • Pre-arrange directly with Happy Campers immediately upon registering for the workshop. Note: Happy Campers (preferred) only provides manual transmissions. You can also use Camp Easy if you prefer an Automatic Transmission.

• Gas, meals, snacks and other local fees.

why choose my workshops?

• I’m an expert guide - in Iceland, Joshua Tree and Death Valley. I’ve been to Iceland over 10 times.

• My workshops are designed for photographers. We are there to get the best images - 24/7. If you want the best shots, this is the workshop for you.

• Camper vans are the least expensive way to tour Iceland (They are less expensive than hotels - and you are mobile!). My workshops cost much less than all-inclusive tours - and we get better shots! Especially for couples!

• You need to be mobile in Iceland to get the best shots. If you are staying at hotels - you will NEVER be in the correct spot for Auroras. Yes, we are roughing it for a week - but we are there to get the shots - that’s what matters when you return home!

• You need an Expert Guide in Iceland. I know where to go (and not go), I know the correct time of day for each location, where/how to find/capture the auroras, how to avoid the crowds, how to avoid danger (The storms are savage in Iceland!)

• Would you go to Africa without a guide? No.

EQUIPMENT and clothing RECOMMENDATIONS

To get the most of  your trip to Iceland, bring a DLSR (or Mirrorless) camera(s) which allow for manual settings of Aperture, Exposure duration and ISO. The camera should support interchangeable lenses - FAST (F2.8 or faster (F1.4)) and WIDE (20MM or wider, 14MM is preferable) are best for nighttime/Aurora photography (lenses can be rented on-line). You should also bring a tripod and an Intervalometer. Bring a laptop for storing your images and Lightroom Classic training. Full preparation instructions are provided upon registration. 

See my Gear Guides for more information

requirements and physical fitness

• A Valid Drivers License is required (from your country of origin).

• Driving - You are responsible for driving your own vehicle. You must be able to drive your vehicle - Day/Night - Rain/Shine/Snow

• We are not expecting to be driving on snow/ice - we will be on/near the main roads - which are well serviced.

• Happy Campers Preferred (Manual and Automatic Transmissions)

• Physical Fitness - You must be able to walk 1 mile with camera packs - at night - in the cold. If you have physical limitiations preventing you from this level of activity, then this is not the workshop for you. This is a group activity, so it puts the group at risk if any participant cannot keep up the pace. There are many other workshops with less physical requirements.

• If you have physical ailments or limitiations, you must inform us before purchasing a reservation. Failure to do so may result in the cancallation of your reservation. Please contact us if you are unsure of these requirements.

• Age Requirement - All participants must be at least 18 years old - Photographers or Campanions.

• Medium level Hikes - Most photography locations are within 1/2 of the vehicles and will requiring walking - with equipment - in the cold.

• Meals - We will generally eat two meals a day, with snacks in between. We will cook some meals in the vans - and other times we will eat at a local restaurant.

• Showers - We will be on the road, but our goal is to camp at a campground every night with services - Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchen, Wi-fi,… Not all campsites have showers.