Iceland Eclipse Photo Workshop

Aug 1-13, 2026 - 13 Days

Join us for a thrilling 13-day Iceland Eclipse Photo Workshop and experience the rugged highlands and stunning coastlines. Our adventure culminates on Aug 12th with the total solar eclipse on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. During our time together, you'll capture fields of vibrant lupine, adorable puffins, raging waterfalls, geothermal pools, and verdant canyons.  With specialized vehicles, we’ll tackle the rough roads and river crossings as we explore the otherworldly highlands. Your tuition covers transportation, lodging, and daily hotel breakfasts. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph Iceland's wild beauty and witness a celestial spectacle!

Tuition

  • $11,500
  • Lodging Included

Max Group Size

  • 5 Students per Instructor
  • Max 10 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Ryan McGinty
  • 2nd TBA
Iceland Highlands Photography Workshop Eclipse

Highlights

  • Photograph the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on August 12th.
  • Explore the surreal beauty of Icelandic Highlands, featuring ancient volcanoes, steaming hot springs, dramatic canyons, jewel-toned lakes, and majestic waterfalls.
  • Capture vibrant fields of lupine wildflowers and charming puffins with their beaks full of fish.
  • Build a diverse portfolio with an action-packed 13-day itinerary, including stunning aerial shots if you bring a drone.
  • Enhance your skills and post-processing know-how with instruction from pro photographers.
  • Venture off the beaten path in specialized 4x4 vehicles, perfect for navigating rough terrain and river crossings.
  • Enjoy a seamless experience with all transportation, lodging, and hotel breakfasts included.

Itinerary

The itinerary is subject to change due to the unpredictability of Icelandic weather and conditions. However, we will make every effort to optimize our photographic opportunities no matter what the weather throws at us.

  • Day 1 (Aug 1): Arrival in Reykjavik. We meet at 7PM for dinner at a local restaurant where we will get to know each other and go over details for the days to come. Note: lunches and dinners are not included in the workshop fee.
  • Day 2 (Aug 2): We hit the road early and start the adventurous drive out to the highlands.  We'll traverse lush green landscapes and volcanic sections devoid of life. Some of the rivers we cross seem impossibly deep!  Once there, we’ll hike up into the hills for amazing views of the valleys and braided rivers.
  • Day 3 (Aug 3): We are up early to photograph sunrise at a beautiful waterfall. After breakfast, we pack up and check into our next hotel. We spend the rest of the day photographing the coast and watching the charming puffins as they build nests and return with fish.
  • Day 4 (Aug 4): It's an early morning for sunrise on the coast.  After breakfast, we make our way deep into the highlands as we explore lush canyons, braided river valleys, and photogenic volcanos.
  • Day 5 (Aug 5): We photograph a couple waterfalls for sunrise and then relocate to a hotel in the highlands. This will be our home for the next 3 nights. While here, our itinerary will be flexible so we get to the best spots based on the weather and current conditions.  At sunset, we do some moderate level hikes to some beautiful colored sections of the highlands.
  • Day 6 (Aug 6): With rain in the forecast, we decide to catch up on some much needed sleep this morning.  After breakfast we head back into the Highlands, passing towering volcanos and hiking to some impressive waterfalls.  We photograph several jeweled crater lakes with ominous clouds cruising overhead. We explore several more areas before finishing with a sunset shot at an impressive viewpoint.
iceland highlands photo workshop
Iceland Highlands Geothermal Pool Photography Workshop

Itinerary Cont.

  • Day 7 (Aug 7): With overcast skies today, we concentrate on shooting several different waterfall locations. Some are quite dramatic with huge canyons and big terrain. We go on a few short hikes and take advantage of the warm evening light.
  • Day 8 (Aug 8): We photograph sunrise over an  impressive gorge and then check out to head to our next hotel. We enjoy lunch, check into our accommodations, and spend the afternoon and evening hiking through a steamy, colorful geothermal area with endless photo ops.
  • Day 9 (Aug 9): We get one last chance to photograph the geothermal pools in the morning before we check out and resume our journey to the north. There will be several impressive stops along the way as we drive the rough roads.  After lunch we check into our next hotel which will be our base for the next 2 nights. While here we have a large variety of subjects to shoot!
  • Day 10 (Aug 10): We spend our time photographing various locations along the Northern Coast. We'll decide where to go based on the weather and group interest.  If time permits, we'll hold a post-processing session at the hotel.
  • Day 11 (Aug 11): After an early sunrise shoot, we check out and drive towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where we'll stay for our final 2 nights. Lodging has long been sold out here in anticipation of the eclipse.  We'll shoot a variety of subjects before retiring for the night.
  • Day 12 (Aug 12): It's the moment we've all been waiting for - the day of the total solar eclipse.  We'll make sure we're in the perfect location for you to capture that amazing moment.  Once the eclipse is over, we'll stay out to photograph sunset.
  • Day 13 (Aug 13):  After breakfast, we pack up and make our way back to Reykjavik.  The workshop will conclude by noon and you can plan your return travel after that point or extend your stay in Iceland.
Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Midnight Sun

Pricing

$11,500 Per Person + Tax

 

Trip Includes

  • 12 nights double occupancy lodging with breakfast included.
  • Single supplement adds $1600.
  • Photography guiding and instruction throughout the trip.
  • Comfortable 4x4 ground transportation during the workshop.
  • Pre-workshop zoom meeting.
  • Park entrance fees and permits.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Travel to and from your home to Iceland.
  • Airport transfers
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks, and beverages.
  • Gratuities for photo instructors.

A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot.  The remaining balance will be charged 120 days prior to the workshop.  Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.

*Note: We cannot offer the 10% Loyalty Discount on this workshop as it involves multiple third party collaborations.

Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Crater Photography
Iceland Highlands Midnight Sun Photo Workshop
Iceland Highlands Photography Workshop Haifoss
iceland highlands photo workshop
Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Dirty Pool
Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Hot Springs
Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Abstract Hot Springs
Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Midnight Sun

Additional Information

  • Moderately strenuous hiking may be required to reach some locations.  Participants should have good balance, mobility, and fitness.
  • It is very likely that we will experience every type of weather. Warm sunshine, gale force winds, and rain are all possible within the same day. Come prepared!  See the gear list further down.
  • We highly recommend travel insurance to cover any non-refundable fees or medical costs. We have partnered with Squaremouth, a website that allows you to compare policies from multiple providers to choose the best one for you.
  • The Highlands are absolutely stunning from the ground, but equally amazing from above. If you own a drone, you are welcome to bring it along but make sure you are proficient in flying it BEFORE you come.
  • The instructors will be available throughout the trip to help you with your images and post-processing.
  • Food is not included in the workshop price except for hotel breakfasts.  We will be stopping at restaurants for meals.  When we will not be close to a restaurant, we will communicate that the day before so you can plan your food needs at the grocery store.
  • Charging ports will be available in the vehicle.  Wifi is available in most places we will be.
  • We recommend flying into Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and taking the FlyBus into the city.
iceland highlands photo workshop

Recommended Camera Gear

  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead
  • Digital Camera Body. Bring a 2nd camera body if you don't want to switch lenses all the time.
  • Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Long telephoto lenses will come in handy for landscape compression. For close-up shots of the eclipse, you will want something longer than 300mm. 500-600mm is ideal.
  • 1.4x Tele-converter if you need more reach on your telephoto lens.
  • Solar filter for your mid-range and telephoto lenses.
  • Circular polarizer filters and ND filters for your lenses.  A 9 or 10-stop ND filter will be useful for creating very long exposures.
  • Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
  • Remote cord for your camera.
  • Cover for your camera/lens to protect against high winds and rain.
  • Camera backpack you can use while hiking.
  • Drone camera for aerial photography with extra batteries (optional).
  • Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or post-process.

Personal Gear List

  • Sturdy waterproof hiking footwear, hiking socks, and quick-dry pants (we don't recommend jeans).
  • A rain jacket with hood along with some warm layers.  Rain-proof pants may also come in handy if we get precipitation.
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Beanie, and Gloves
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder.
  • Hiking poles if you like having them.
Iceland Highlands Photo Workshop Midnight Sun
Ryan McGinty Profile Photo Olympics

Ryan McGinty

Photography Instructor

Ryan McGinty is a seasoned landscape photographer living in the Palouse area of southeastern Washington.  His first-hand experience in this unique agricultural area makes him the perfect instructor to lead people to out-of-the-way places for those once-in-a-lifetime rainbows, sunsets and sunrises in the beautiful rolling hills. He loves chasing the light and diligently checks weather apps to get the latest sun and rain predictions, cloud formations, wind and temperatures for the best locations and light.

His interest in photography started at an early age and continued in college with graduate work at Brooks Institute of Photography.  His experience in portrait, wedding, film, and medium and large format photography give him an extraordinary background for his award-winning landscape photography.

His passion for the Palouse is only exceeded by his passion for photography and his desire to show people his favorite places.  He takes a legitimate interest in his clients and strives hard to ensure they get the best shots. His photographs have been published in books, calendars and travel guides.