I have just published episode 147 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I discuss tripods, gimbals, skimmer pods and fluid heads, and when you should ditch them all and go handheld. This topic covers the equipment I am currently using, when I use it, when I prefer to ditch it and what I recommend for polar environments.
At the conclusion of my second 2026 Arctic fox workshop (Read the trip Report) to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the far northwest of Iceland, I ran a private landscape extension workshop in the southwest and southeast regions. Both are locations I am intimately familiar with, having spent well over a year leading trips in Iceland over the last decade. Originally, my plan for this extension was to head east from Isafjordur, around the top of Iceland (through Myvatn), and then back down the east coast to the south before returning to Keflavik. Late winter weather, however, had something else to say about this plan, and snowstorms closed this route. So I decided to head directly south and we adjusted plans accordingly.
We began our workshop in the small town of Isafjordur (where we concluded our Arctic Fox workshop) in the north with a drive of around six and a half hours to the Snaefellsness region, which would be our base for the next couple of days. This region of Iceland is renowned for its basalt cliff formations and dramatic coastline. The Arnastapi area, in particular, is a superb location to explore on foot with a camera and a tripod. Each small bay offers a different perspective and different opportunities, from intimate landscapes to vast ocean vistas. Perhaps best known for its impressive basalt arch, this area also offers fantastic opportunities to photograph both Iceland gulls and Fulmars as they nest on the precipitous cliffs. In short, there is something here for both the landscape and wildlife photographer. Northern lights are always a possibility at this time of year, but activity was low during our week in the field, and frequent cloud cover meant we were able to get a good night’s sleep throughout the trip.
From Snaefellsness, we travelled east to the gorgeous seaside town of Vik, where we were fortunate to encounter incredible storm seas upon arrival, unmatched in my experience. Gale-force offshore winds had whipped the sea state into a chaotic, frenetic maelstrom, creating incredibly dramatic (and scary) conditions. We stood mesmerised from the safe vantage point of the breakwater, photographing this powerful display of Nature’s fury. I had specifically chosen this breakwater as our vantage point, away from the main town, as I knew this was where the seas were at their most violent. Despite being out of town, it did not take long for us to be surrounded by a dozen passing tourists, all keen to join us as we photographed the wrath of Mother Nature.
We also photographed the iconic sea stacks, which this area is known for. From Vik, we continued east to Jokulsarlon (the glacial lagoon), where we photographed ice on the black-sand beach and icebergs in the lagoon. We also visited nearby Fjallsárlón, which I always prefer for its glacial landscape. Crowds are usually much less at the smaller lagoon, and there are often icebergs frozen in place at this time of the year.
For our last evening, we travelled to Vestrahorn, where we photographed the stunning mountains of Stokksnes and reflections at sunset. This is an iconic location on Iceland’s southeastern coast, not to be missed. Mercifully, we had some of the best locations to ourselves and enjoyed several hours of photography up to sunset. Much has changed in Iceland over the last ten years, with the explosion in tourism and social-media Instagram locations making it virtually impossible to have locations such as this to yourself. One can still get lucky on occasion. Sunrise in particular offers the best chance for the lowest number of people at a given location.
The following day, we wrapped up our extension with a return drive to Keflavik for international flights home the following day. Iceland never fails to deliver, and all came away with exceptional images from this trip. My sincere thanks, as always, to those who participated in this extension and made it such a success.
Private workshops with my company Wild Nature Photo Travel are available by request. Please get in touch to discuss your needs, and we can tailor a trip to suit your requirements.
I have just published episode 146 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I discuss whether we should be collectors of camera equipment or collectors of photographs. Should you be worried about exposing your expensive equipment to the elements as a Nature Photographer? Or should you be more worried about getting the shot?
I have just published episode 145 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I offer a strong opinion about why the ‘People’s Choice Award’ is a bad idea in photographic competitions. Such categories are never won by the ‘best’ photograph in class but are invariably taken out by whoever can scream the loudest on social media, ‘Vote for Me!’ This approach is the exact antithesis of why anyone should be entering a photographic competition, and such categories do little to foster the promotion of quality photography. Entering photography competitions should (if we enter for the right reasons) be about improving our work, growing as photographers through the feedback of our professional peers and competing against ourselves, and not worrying about social media popularity.
In March of 2026, I ran my annual Winter workshop to Kviar in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in far northwestern Iceland to find and photograph Arctic foxes. This is a workshop I pioneered and have been running for more than ten years now. This year, our workshop was scheduled to run from the 7th of March until the 12th of March. However, the weather in early March this year in Iceland was erratic and wildly variable, and we ended up being delayed a day in Isafjord due to strong winds that made the boat crossing and landing at the beach at the cabin impossible. This one-day delay did not dampen our spirits, and early the following morning, we were safely on our way to our cabin in the Nature Reserve. As it turned out, the one-day delay would really pay off in terms of the conditions we would have for the duration of the trip.
With strong winds creating a large shore break that made landing at the cabin difficult, we decided to land a little down the coast at a small sheltered spit area, which necessitated a roughly 1km hike to our cabin. Thankfully, we were able to land our luggage at the cabin so it was only ourselves and camera gear that we had to carry. This is only the 2nd time in over a decade of travelling to this location that I have been unable to land directly at the cabin. The strong winds the day before had whipped the ocean waves up, and the breakers on the beach meant it was unsafe to land a zodiac with people. On arrival at the cabin, the foxes that live in the area were already curious and could be seen and photographed close to the house.
Our workshop accommodation was a cozy but rugged haven where we enjoyed a great atmosphere after a day out in the cold, photographing Arctic Foxes. The house was originally built in 1921. In 1948 (just 27 years later), the last inhabitants left this isolated arctic peninsula for a better life. The cabin was abandoned for many years and has recently been restored. Although no one lives here permanently, the cabin was a great getaway and the perfect place to accommodate us whilst we searched for and photographed wild Arctic Foxes. Curious Arctic Foxes frequently stopped past the cabin to investigate. We often photographed them from right outside the cabin.
Thank you to Jerry Weimar, who participated in this year’s trip, for the landscape photograph above. The cabin includes a bathroom, toilet, and hot shower. Bunk-bed accommodation with duvets provided, a full kitchen (chef to prepare meals and clean), and Hydronic and log-fire heating. There is power for laptop battery charging (generator provided) and an outdoor sauna.
Over the course of the workshop, we photographed four different blue-morph foxes, including three first-year cubs that I had photographed last year, a few days after they came out of the den (Read the Trip Report). This was one of the few opportunities I have had over the years to photograph multiple foxes together, and although the fight looks serious, it’s mostly play between siblings and no harm, no foul.
The weather on our second trip also continued its wild variation. We began with good snow cover on our first day, which melted during warm-front rain in the evening, only to be replaced the following day with non-stop snow that continued right up until our departure. This non-stop snow made for absolutely superb, albeit challenging conditions to photograph the Arctic Foxes.
Days three and four, we had continual, intensified snowfall and strong winds, making for incredibly dramatic photography. These are my absolute favourite conditions in which to photograph wildlife in this part of Iceland. The flying snow can make photography a little more difficult, but the results are absolutely worth the effort, and everyone made incredible photographs over the course of the trip.
On our scheduled day of departure, Iceland threw another of its winter weather curveballs at us, stranding us an extra day out at our cabin. This turned out to be a blessing, making up for our lost day at the beginning and providing us with more wonderful photographs in the dramatic winter snow conditions. Although it would have been possible to land at the beach on our scheduled departure day, the wind in the channel would have made the crossing impossible.
The Hornstrandir Nature reserve continues to serve up both an incredible experience and a continual opportunity to create powerful, evocative photographs of the Arctic fox. In my many years as a specialist polar photographer, I have yet to find or encounter a location that offers more reliable and better encounters in a winter setting.
We are returning again in February next year, 2027, to photograph these amazing Arctic survivors and will take a small group of just five photographers with us. To reach this unique location, you will first fly to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland, followed by an internal flight to Isafjordur, the official starting point of the workshop. From here, we will take a privately chartered boat to Hornstrandir. This trip also offers a unique perspective of the dramatic coastline, characterised by towering cliffs, deep fjords, and pristine natural beauty. If you would like to join us, please get in touch as places are extremely limited. Reserve your spot on this expedition and return with a portfolio of extraordinary images that few have had the privilege of capturing.
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