
Under the Midnight Sun
North Iceland Summer Photography Workshop
July 2026
Dates: 4th - 11th July 2026
Duration: 7 nights / 7 days
Participant Places: 6 places
Workshop Price: £3295.00
Deposit: £395.00
Introduction
North Iceland, during the midnight sun season from late May to mid July, transforms into a photographer’s dream, offering an incredible blend of dramatic landscapes, golden light & long, tranquil hours.
The midnight sun phenomenon occurs because of Iceland’s geographical location just south of the Arctic Circle, where the sun does not dip below the horizon for several weeks during the summer months.
On clear evenings, this creates a magical opportunity for photographers to capture the unique beauty of the region in ways that are simply not possible during other times of the year.
What makes the midnight sun season in North Iceland special for landscape photography?
Soft, Warm Light
Unlike the harsh midday sun, the midnight sun offers long periods of soft, golden light during favourable weather conditions, which can provide the perfect conditions for capturing landscapes, as the shadows are long & the light creates textures & contrasts that add depth to your images.
Unique Time of Day
Because the sun never truly sets, the so-called "golden hour" can last for hours in good conditions, allowing you to experiment with light at different angles & intensities. On clear evenings, this extended period of twilight creates an ethereal, almost surreal atmosphere in the landscape.
Vivid Colors
The sunlight during the midnight sun has a warm, rich quality that enhances the colors of the landscape, making the greens of the grass, the blues of the lakes & the reds of the volcanic rock pop like never before.
Description
Experience the magic of photographing North Iceland under the enchanting glow of the midnight sun - weather permitting!
This unique photography workshop is designed for photographers whom are eager to explore & capture the stunning variety of Icelandic scenery—fuelled by the extended golden hours of the midnight sun.
Over the course of this workshop, you will immerse yourself in the dramatic & diverse landscapes, seascapes & wildlife of Iceland’s north - perfect for photographers of all levels.
Led by professional landscape photographers, Dave Nelson & Dori Jonsson - this hands-on photography workshop takes you through the landscapes of one of Iceland’s most beautiful regions.
North Iceland is a land of contrasts, where jagged volcanic mountains meet lush valleys & volcanic craters rise from serene lakes. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph: -
Sweeping volcanic landscapes with geothermal activity.
Incredible waterfalls bathed in soft golden light.
Mystical canyons with towering cliffs & rich greenery.
Diverse coastal landscapes offering striking views of dramatic cliffs, serene fjords & the endless horizon where the sun lingers without setting.
On the evenings where the midnight sun’s extended hours provide perfect conditions, there will be opportunities to capture some of the region’s wildlife, which includes varied migratory birds, puffins & Icelandic horses - all within their natural habitats.
Photography night shoots under the midnight sun offer a sense of stillness & serenity - locations are often unusually quiet, with fewer people around & calmer winds. The atmosphere feels almost suspended in time, allowing for uninterrupted long exposures & a contemplative approach to your photography.
With no real “darkness” at this time of the year & where weather permits, we will find ourselves shooting through the night, driven by the excitement of experiencing the constant, evolving beauty of this region.
For this workshop, we will be based in Iceland’s second largest city, Akureyri, where we are ideally positioned to reach all of the best locations easily. This photography workshop will involve 7 days of photography with locations visited fthrough the night - from the early evening through to the early hours of the morning - to allow us capture the soft light of the midnight sun.
As a result of this, this workshop will not have a fixed itinerary - instead we will go to our photography locations based & suited to the weather & conditions. This approach will allow us to shoot in the best light & weather to capture great images.
Where photography night shoots are planned, clients will be given free time during the day to catch up on sleep & explore the city of Akureyri.
This workshop will empower you to build a stunning portfolio whilst developing new skills & confidence for wherever your camera takes you next.
Dave & Dori’s warm & approachable teaching style ensures you’ll feel supported as you explore creative techniques - learning how to capture the unique beauty of this incredible region in Iceland.
In this relaxed, enjoyable, & fun environment, you’ll have the chance to connect with fellow photographers, share experiences & receive personalised feedback from both Dave & Dori.
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned photographer, this workshop will help you develop new skills whilst enjoying the beauty of North Iceland under the midnight sun. You will leave with incredible images, cherished memories, new photography skills & friendships which will last a lifetime.
All are welcome to attend this workshop regardless of your photography level & experience.
We hope you can join us on this photography adventure!
Workshop Photography Locations
Throughout the workshop, we’ll visit some of the most photogenic locations in the North Iceland region including: -
Hvitserkur Sea Stack
Kolugljúfur Canyon & Waterfall
Grafarkirkja (The Oldest Church in Iceland)
Godafoss Waterfall
Dettifoss Waterfall
Selfoss Waterfall
Asbyrgi Canyon
Arctic Henge
Husavik
Olafsfjordur
Akureyri
Myvatn
Námafjall Geothermal Area
And Many More!
Workshop Accommodation
Akureyri Hotel
For this workshop, we will be staying & based at Hotel Akureyri whilst exploring North Iceland for 6 nights.
This stunning hotel is centrally located on Akureyri’s main street, Hafnarstraeti, with views across the Eyjafjörður fjord.
The hotel has an a-la-carte restaurant along with an urban farm located inside the hotel enabling them to serve their own produce which is grown using renewable energy.
All clients will stay in en-suite double guest rooms with no single occupancy All rooms feature: -
40 inch flat screen TV.
Minibar.
Free Wi-Fi.
Breakfast is included for all clients on each morning of our stay at Hotel Akureyri.
In the evenings, we are free to choose whether to eat at our hotel or arrange to visit a selection of restaurants available in the surrounding area.
The city boasts a vibrant culinary scene that caters to diverse tastes—from fine dining to cozy cafés.
As Iceland's second-largest city, Akureyri offers a rich blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions & modern amenities making it a delightful destination for both visitors.
Forest Lagoon (Vaglaskógur) - Located near Akureyri, this serene outdoor spa offers geothermal baths amidst the tranquil Vaglaskógur Forest. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of Eyjafjörður while immersing in heated pools or lounging in the Finnish sauna.
Akureyri Art Museum - Housed in a Bauhaus-style building, this museum showcases contemporary Icelandic & international art, including works by Erró, Kjarval & Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Akureyri Botanical Garden - As one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, it features around 7,000 plant species, including native Icelandic flora. The garden is open year-round with free entrance & during the summer, visitors can enjoy public toilets & a café offering coffee & light meals.
Keflavik Area Accommodation
On the final night of our workshop, we will return to the Keflavik area so that you are conveniently located close to the international airport in preparation for your return flights home.
Your accommodation, located in Garður, will consist of two 3 bedroom apartments allowing each client to have a private bedroom based on single occupancy.
Garður is situated on the coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula & is only a 10 - 15 minute drive to the airport.
The apartments offer: -
Spacious, bright & modern interiors.
Fully equipped kitchens.
Bathroom with shower.
Comfortable living areas.
Smart TVs with streaming service.
Fast WiFi
The Atlantic coastline is only 100 metres away from the apartments with 2 lighthouses located just a 5-minute walk away.
Delicious meals are available at two nearby restaurants: -
Röstin – A cosy restaurant by the lighthouse with a relaxed atmosphere & a variety of tasty dishes.
EOS Table – A welcoming dining spot offering flavourful meals, including fresh seafood options.
Introducing Your Workshop Leaders
This incredible workshop will be led by landscape photographer’s Dave Nelson & Dori Jonsson: -
Dave Nelson
Dave is a landscape & nature photographer based in Central Scotland.
His passion & love for capturing the landscapes of Iceland has developed over the past 10 years, where he has visited & photographed this amazing country on numerous occasions in various seasons - including the midnight sun season.
Dave met Dori 10 years ago whilst visiting Iceland where they have developed a strong friendship whilst sharing many photography trips & adventures across all regions of this incredible country.
Dori (Halldor) Jonsson
Dori is an Icelandic landscape & nature photographer.
Born & raised in a small fishing village in North Iceland, Dori has extensive knowledge & experience of this incredible region, including somer lesser known locations of the popular tourist routes - some of which we will visit during this workshop.
A selection of his photography work can be viewed on his website here.
What’s included: -
6 nights’ accommodation in a 4 star hotel in downtown Akureyri - each client will stay in an ensuite double room - inclusive of breakfast - with no single supplements applicable.
1 night accommodation in shared apartments with private bedroom - no single supplements apply - within the vicinity of Keflavik International Airport on the final night of the workshop.
All transport throughout the duration of the workshop.
Applicable parking charges during workshop.
Photography tuition throughout workshop from 2 workshop leaders.
Optional image review & post processing throughout the workshop, where time permits.
Pick up at Keflavik International Airport at start of workshop or in the local area with prior arrangement.
Drop off at Keflavik International Airport at end of workshop.
What’s excluded: -
Flights to & from the Iceland.
All meals & drinks except for those detailed within the ‘What’s included’ section above.
Travel & camera insurance.
Check out my Google reviews from previous clients through the link provided below
Additional Information
Bookings
A non-refundable deposit of £395.00 is required at the time of booking to secure your place on the workshop. This may be paid via the website link provided.
The balance of £2900.00 will be payable 10 weeks (25th April 2026) before the start date of the workshop – payable by bank transfer – details will be provided when payment is due.
If you wish to pay in full at time of booking, please get in touch to make the necessary arrangements.
Upon acceptance of your booking, an information request form in relation to this workshop will be emailed to yourself for completion.
Fitness
Moderate fitness level required – some long walks / hikes on flat terrain are planned throughout the duration of this workshop.
Flights to Iceland
The main international airport in Iceland is Keflavik International Airport where most international flights arrive & depart from.
Some airlines offer flights directly to Akureyri in the North - if clients decide to fly directly to Akureyri, arrangements can be made with the hotel to facilitate check-in upon your arrival in Akureyri in advance of the workshop group arrivingl from Keflavik.
Airport Pick Up & Drop Off
Pick up from Keflavik International Airport will be arranged & provided on Saturday 4th July 2026 for those arriving on the start date of the workshop.
Where possible, clients are asked to arrive before 12 noon on Saturday 4th July 2026 to allow us to commence the journey north.
Pick ups will be arranged & available on Saturday 4th July 2026 for any clients whom have chosen to arrive earlier & may be staying in a hotel within the Keflavik / Reykjavik area.
Upon completion of the workshop, airport drop offs can be arranged from the final night’s accommodation in Garður on Saturday 11th July 2026 for those clients returning home.
Client’s flight details and travel arrangements will be requested at the time of workshop balance payment being due.
Miscellaneous
Upon making a booking for this workshop, a client booking information form link will be sent for completion on line.
An information pack will be provided to all clients prior to the start date of the workshop detailing recommended equipment and providing further details on the workshop itinerary & associated arrangements.
For further information or enquiries, please drop me an email at dave@davenelsonphotography.com
Terms & Conditions
All applicable terms & conditions may be viewed here - Terms & Conditions