HIGHLANDS OF ICELAND

SMALL-GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

DATES

July 10 - July 17, 2027

INVESTMENT

€ 8950

GROUP SIZE

3 PHOTOGRAPHERS

Andrea Liveiri wearing a black hat and a red T-shirt with 'The North Face' logo, sitting in a room with shelves of books behind him.

A note from Andrea

I first visited Iceland 11 years ago, and it’s one of the few places I’ve never stopped wanting to photograph. I can return to a crater lake I’ve photographed many times and still be excited to see what it looks like that day, because the light and weather are never quite the same.

The Highlands fascinate me most: volcanic deserts, braided rivers, crater lakes, waterfalls and mountains stretching in every direction, often with no obvious starting point for a photograph.

With only three photographers, we’ll have time to work through that together—finding order in complex scenes, deciding what matters in the frame, and adapting when the landscape gives us something unexpected.

My goal isn’t simply to take you to extraordinary places. It’s to help you understand how to find your own photographs once we get there.

AN 8-DAY SMALL-GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP DEEP IN THE HIGHLANDS OF ICELAND

Learn to find stronger compositions in vast, unfamiliar landscapes, respond creatively to rapidly changing conditions, and develop a more deliberate way of seeing—with close field mentorship and only three photographers.

This workshop is limited to 3 people and sells out every year. The 2027 edition is now full: join the waiting list below in case a spot opens through a cancellation. The next 2028 edition is being planned; join the priority list to hear before we announce publicly.

A white vehicle crossing a river near a waterfall, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and dark mountainous terrain.

WHY PHOTOGRAPH THE HIGHLANDS OF ICELAND

The Highlands are what kept bringing me back to Iceland.

Away from the more travelled coastal routes, the interior opens into an enormous landscape of volcanic deserts, crater lakes, braided rivers, geothermal mountains, waterfalls and areas that remain inaccessible for much of the year.

Photographically, what fascinates me most is that these landscapes rarely hand you an obvious composition.

Scale can be difficult to read. Familiar visual references disappear. A braided river that looks chaotic from the ground becomes an entirely different photograph from above. A huge volcanic landscape may work better as a small telephoto composition than as a wide view. And weather can hide half the scene before revealing something completely different a few minutes later.

That makes the Highlands an extraordinary place to work on how you see: finding structure in unfamiliar terrain, simplifying complexity, recognizing relationships between shapes and layers, and responding to what the landscape is actually giving you rather than the photograph you expected to make.

July gives us another advantage. The exceptionally long days and extended twilight give us much more flexibility to adapt our photography around the conditions rather than forcing every location into a conventional sunrise-and-sunset schedule.

Even though I had already been to Iceland three times, Andrea and Sabrina took me to places I didn’t know existed and helped me see familiar landscapes in a completely new way. The workshop was exceptionally well organised, and Andrea’s composition and post-processing guidance was invaluable.
— Tomas Abreu, USA (2026 edition)

2026 WORKSHOP FIELD REPORT

Eight Days in the Icelandic Highlands

Wondering what eight days on our Iceland Highlands photography workshop really looked like? This 2026 field report takes you behind the scenes, sharing the changing weather, remote landscapes, photography and editing sessions, memorable moments, and the images we brought home.

eight days in the Icelandic Highlands trip report for the 2026 workshop edition

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WORKSHOP INCLUDES

PRACTICAL DETAILS

HOW WE ADAPT TO ICELAND'S CONDITIONS

Weather in the Highlands can change remarkably quickly. Cloud can move through a mountain range within minutes, rain can give way to clear light, and a location that looked unpromising on arrival can suddenly become the strongest photographic opportunity of the day.

Our accommodations give the journey structure, but the daily shooting plan remains deliberately flexible.

Each day, we’ll assess the weather, road conditions and available light before deciding how to use our options. Sometimes that means changing location. Other times, the better decision is to stay exactly where we are and change how we approach the landscape—switching focal lengths, looking for smaller scenes, working with weather or turning our attention to patterns and details.

That flexibility isn’t only how we manage the itinerary. It’s part of what we’ll work on together as photographers: learning to stop waiting for the conditions we imagined and recognize the photographs that are actually possible.

If you’d like to see what this looks like in practice, you can read the complete field report from our 2026 Highlands workshop.

WHERE WE’LL PHOTOGRAPH

This workshop is designed as a photographic journey, moving from vast volcanic interiors to geothermal mountains and finally toward the northern coast, where waterfalls, ocean light, and wildlife add a completely new dimension.

DAY 1 - 3 // THE SOUTHERN CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

SOUTHERN CENTRAL HIGHLANDS | 3 NIGHTS

We start our journey in the raw volcanic landscapes of the Southern Highlands, where vast spaces and dramatic terrain challenge you to simplify compositions and learn to read the landscape differently.

All participants should arrive in Reykjavík one day before the tour begins, or earlier if preferred. It's also a great opportunity to explore the city center and capture some images of the capital.

We’ll meet with the group in Reykjavík on July 10th at the meeting point specified in the welcome document you received upon registering for the workshop, and then make our way to the Highlands of Iceland.

Our first destination will be the heart of the Southern Central Highlands, where we’ll settle into our base for the workshop's first phase. This area gives us access to some of the most diverse landscapes in the Highlands, from waterfalls and volcanic craters to colorful mountains and remote lakes.

Over the course of these first days together, we’ll work with a variety of incredible landscapes that challenge different photographic skills:

  • One of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, Háifoss

  • Rauðaskál, a stunning crater covered with red volcanic soil

  • Sigöldugljúfur Canyon with its wall of waterfalls

  • The lava fields in the Landmannalaugar area

  • The colorful mountains Bláhnjúkur and Brennisteinsalda

  • Ljótipollur and Hnausapollur crater lakes

  • Braided rivers

  • The remote Langisjór lake and its beautiful panoramas

© Malcolm Levinkind, participant in the 2025 edition.

This entire area is a photographer’s paradise, a landscape that constantly changes, where volcanic deserts, colorful mountains, and geothermal areas exist side by side. While accessing some of these locations is more challenging with some big river crossings, our modified 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with 35” tires will be able to get us wherever we need to go.

And that’s just a glimpse. There are plenty more hidden treasures we can’t wait to share with you. Iceland is full of beautiful places to photograph, but this part of the country is truly something special.

We’ll spend three nights here, giving us the flexibility to slow down, adapt to the light and weather, and fully immerse ourselves in the landscape before moving deeper into the Central Highlands.

DAY 4 // THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS | 1 NIGHT

As we move deeper into the Highlands, the atmosphere becomes more intimate.

After breakfast, we’ll check out and continue our journey further into the Highlands toward Kerlingarfjöll, a stunning mountain range surrounded by an expansive geothermal area. The colorful rhyolite hills, often veiled in swirling mist and steam, create a surreal and ever-changing backdrop for your photography.

Most visitors pass through this area quickly, but we stay overnight so we can experience it properly and photograph it without rushing. That’s why we’ve chosen a base located right in the heart of the Central Highlands, just a short 10-minute drive from our main shooting area. This means less time on the road and more time focusing on photography.

We selected this location not only for its convenience, but also to offer you a more relaxed and immersive Icelandic experience.

After a full day outdoors, you’ll have the chance to unwind in natural geothermal baths, free to use and surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the landscape. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a local tradition and recharge for the next day’s adventure.

© Christopher Guess, participant in the 2025 edition.

DAY 5 - 6 // THE NORTHERN HIGHLANDS

NORTHERN HIGHLANDS | 2 NIGHTS

After days immersed in the Southern and Central Highlands, we continue into the Northern Highlands, where waterfalls and a different landscape bring a new dimension to the experience. This part of the journey often encourages a slightly different way of working with composition, timing, and light.

For the next two nights, we’ll base ourselves in this area, known for its powerful waterfalls and rugged geological formations, while still remaining fully within the Highlands environment.

From here, we’ll work with a variety of environments that challenge different photographic approaches:

  • Iconic northern waterfalls framed by basalt formations and volcanic terrain

  • Remote viewpoints with wide open perspectives and unique light conditions

As a special addition to this part of the journey, we’ll also head out on the water for a whale-watching experience.

We’ll be on a traditional wooden boat in the late evening, when the light is softer and often more interesting for photography.

Being out on the water gives you a completely different perspective compared to shooting from land. As we slowly move through the bay, we’ll be looking for whales surfacing around the boat, sometimes at a distance, sometimes surprisingly close. You’ll have the chance to photograph wildlife in a real and unpredictable environment, working with movement, changing light, and quick reactions.

Even if wildlife photography isn’t your main focus, the experience itself is memorable: the open sea, the quiet pace of the boat, and the feeling of being surrounded by Iceland’s northern landscape. On the way back to the harbor, after our shooting session, we’ll warm up with a tasty hot chocolate, a simple but welcome moment to relax, chat together, and enjoy the atmosphere before returning to land.

This part of the journey often becomes a highlight not only for the photographs, but for the experience itself; a moment that adds a different layer of storytelling to the workshop.

DAY 7 - 8 // REYKJAVÍK & DEPARTURE

REYKJAVÍK | 1 NIGHT

The trip back to Reykjavik is quite long, so we'll have breakfast at the hotel and check out. We'll pack up our gear and board the 4x4 to drive back to Reykjavik with a stop along the way for lunch.

Depending on where we’ve been on previous days and if we’ve got time we might be able to stop at a couple of locations on our way back.

We'll arrive back in Reykjavik in the late afternoon, where we'll check into our hotel and freshen up. We'll then have a group dinner together to celebrate the end of our photography workshop.

The following morning, we’ll enjoy our last breakfast together before saying our goodbyes.

DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE HIGHLANDS OF ICELAND

EXPANDING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERAS & DRONES

The Icelandic Highlands offer exceptional conditions for aerial photography. With wide-open landscapes, dramatic glacial veins, and volcanic craters, this terrain invites us to explore perspectives that simply aren't possible from the ground.

Whether you’re new to drones or an experienced pilot, this workshop is designed to help you integrate the drone as a powerful compositional tool. We’ll focus on how height, perspective, and movement can help you simplify compositions and discover new ways of seeing the landscape.

EXPERT GUIDANCE IN THE SKY

With over a decade of experience flying drones in Iceland, we’ll guide you through both the technical and creative aspects of aerial storytelling. We approach aerial photography in the same way we approach photography on the ground: looking at shape, relationships, scale, texture and light rather than simply flying higher for a different view.

PERMITS & SAFETY

To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, we take care of all the necessary permits for the areas we visit. We strictly follow local regulations and safety guidelines, so you can focus fully on the experience, knowing everything is handled responsibly and with respect for the environment.

Drones are entirely optional, but they offer a unique way to complement your traditional portfolio with perspectives that few ever get to see.

WHAT WE'LL WORK ON TOGETHER

andrea livieri highlands of iceland landscape photography workshop photo editing session
andrea livieri iceland landscape photography workshop participants in the field with drones

The workshop is built around making photographs, looking at the results and using what we learn in the next session.

In the field, we’ll work on the decisions that come up as you photograph. During reviews and editing sessions, we can look more closely at what worked, what didn’t and why—then take that understanding back into a different landscape, light or weather condition.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS SAY

“Even though I had already been to Iceland three times, Andrea and Sabrina took me to places I didn’t know existed and helped me see familiar landscapes in a completely new way. The workshop was exceptionally well organised, and Andrea’s composition and post-processing guidance was invaluable.” - ★★★★★

— Tomas Abreu, USA (2026 edition)

“With only three participants, the workshop felt more like an adventure with friends than a formal tour. Andrea and Sabrina were warm, organised, and passionate, leading us to places most visitors never see. I left with some of my best images to date.” - ★★★★★

— Malcolm Levinkind, UK (2025 edition)

“This was my first time in Iceland, and the workshop exceeded my expectations. With constantly changing weather and conditions, Andrea and Sabrina were flexible, reassuring, and inspired complete confidence. Unhurried yet exciting at the same time, it was an experience I know I’ll remember for a long time.” - ★★★★★

— John Brownbridge, UK (2026 edition)

ACCOMMODATIONS DURING THE ICELAND WORKSHOP

Days in the Highlands can be long, with changing weather, time on rough roads and photography sessions that shift with the conditions. That's why having a comfortable private space at the end of the day matters.

You'll have your own room and en-suite bathroom every night of the workshop, across a carefully selected mix of three 4-star hotels and one 3-star hotel. Our bases are chosen not only for comfort, but for how they support the route and keep us well positioned for the landscapes we want to explore.

After returning from the field, you'll have space to rest, back up photographs, recharge equipment and prepare for the following day.

Breakfast is included each morning, and each accommodation has its own restaurant, so we can eat well without adding unnecessary travel at the end of an already full day.

Speaking of meals, one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets is how great the food is. Since I first visited the country more than 10 years ago, the quality and variety of Icelandic cuisine have improved massively, and we’ve found in previous workshops that meals are always a highlight and a memorable part of the trip. There’s nothing better than a great meal after a day spent shooting.

iceland highlands photography workshop landmannalaugar drone view

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

PLANNING AHEAD FOR 2028?

The next edition is being planned for 2028. Join the priority list if you would like early access to future dates, availability and registration details before the workshop is announced publicly.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP LEADERS

  • andrea livieri

    ANDREA LIVIERI

    Photographer and Workshop Leader

    Andrea is a Padua-based, professional photographer, educator, musician, and spirited adventurer. He started exploring the photography medium by capturing images of fellow musicians, their families, and other friends and acquaintances in the music industry. As he continued honing his craft, he merged his love for photography and exploring the outdoors, amassing a body of photographic work featuring exhilarating landscapes and rugged mountain capes from around the globe.

    He leads photography workshops focused on helping photographers understand their decisions, develop a more deliberate process, and strengthen their own way of seeing. His work has been published in Landscape Photography Magazine, Outdoor Photographer, Photo Plus Magazine, Digital Camera, Popular Photography and Fuji X Passion Magazine, among others. He also partners with brands like Capture One, DxO, FLM Tripods, Maven Filtes, Nya-Evo Camera Backpacks and Vallerret Gloves.

  • sabrina tosato

    SABRINA TOSATO

    Photographer, Operations and Content Manager

    Sabrina is a photographer and travel writer based in Padua, Italy. Her average day is a mix of weird combinations and her greatest ambition is to make people dream, inspiring them through words and photographs. She manages a travel blog named The Tomato Soup where she offers advice on travel destinations and wild but high-end hospitality.

    She has 10 years of experience in travel organization, focused on exclusive and tailor-made itineraries but eventually ended up as a digital marketing specialist. Passionate about the intersection of adventure travels, sustainability, and design, with inspiration and creativity at heart, she has a knack for capturing memorable moments of everyday life. Her work has been published via Afar Media, SuitCase Magazine, Inspired by Iceland, and Feel Slovenia.

    www.thetomatosoup.com

TEN YEARS IN THE HIGHLANDS OF ICELAND

I've been photographing Iceland and leading workshops across the Highlands since 2015.
The group has always been deliberately small so I can spend meaningful time with each photographer.

Still deciding? Here's everything I've learned along the way.

Workshop attendees may receive access to special offers on selected photography products and software.