Iceland WINTER EXPEDITIONS
photography focused experiences
winter begins & DEEP WINTER
After more than a decade of exploring the Icelandic landscape to find the best photography opportunities, Siggi Bjarni and Benjamin Hardman have teamed up to create tailor-made expeditions that allow you to join us in the field as we adventure through the unique highlands of Iceland. The Deep Winter expeditions will take you to the remote central highland region to experience and capture images of otherworldly mountains and frozen glacial landscapes.
We will be guiding you through a series of field shoots and one-on-one photography and outdoor mentoring, all with the goal of helping you to increase your skills in outdoor techniques, photographic story-telling, post-processing and building a creative business. In addition to all of the learning materials, you will have the opportunity to perfect your shooting techniques and mountain skills each day as we immerse ourselves in some of the most stunning and otherworldly landscapes on Earth.
Dates for 2024 & 2025 :
3 DAY Mission (mountain hut)
Feb 6-8 2025Price: $3,250 USD Per person all inclusive5 DAY extended MISSION
dec 5-9 2024 (single share lodging at hrauneyjar & storm mountain hut)Price: $4,950 USD Per person all inclusivemarch 6-10 2025 (twin share lodging at highland base (upgrade available) & storm mountain hut)Price: $5,750 USD Per person all inclusiveBooking form at the bottom of the page
Our Mission
The focus of these workshops is first and foremost to have an epic time together in the mountains of Iceland. To create naturally unfolding lifelong memories as we drive the Jeeps through this otherworldly landscape. With decades of combined experience, we will follow the weather and navigate based on the conditions, enabling us to have many back up plans and alternatives on hand if the weather throws something unexpected.
Along the way, we will be there to mentor you through building outdoor skills and refining your photographic style. We've kept this to a small group and want to attract a different kind of traveller than you might normally expect on a tour – creative adventure seekers who are totally focused on creating incredible imagery and good memories as a group. We will be doing whatever it takes to capture the best images, whether it means hiking out in the snow and staying out late in nature until to catch the Northern Lights or midnight sun, we're up for it if you are.
We will be travelling in Benjamin and Siggi’s modified mountain vehicles that are equipped with enough space to comfortably fit our team of 8 photographers while we adventure into the mountains. Keeping our group limited to 8 people allows us to ensure everyone has enough individual time with mentors, as well as time to collaborate extensively with other members of the group.
This is a rare chance to get hands on training, as well as expert photography, mountaineering and social media advice from two creatives with vastly different backgrounds.
SIGGI BJARNI
Siggi is a professional mountain guide from Iceland.
Growing up in the south of Iceland, Siggi has spent is life exploring the Icelandic highlands and has gained extensive knowledge of traversing highland landscape in all seasons. He is an accomplished mountaineer, with successful summits including Mt. Everest in 2021.
He will be guiding us on our missions into the mountains in a specialised 4x4 vehicle equipped for traversing snow.
BENJAMIN HARDMAN
Benjamin is an Australian landscape photographer and natural history cinematographer based in Iceland.
After 10 years working as a photographer on polar expeditions and as a natural history cinematographer on productions for companies such as Netflix and the BBC, Benjamin has developed a strong passion for documenting the lands of Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard and Antarctica, all with a focus on creating minimalistic and abstract fine-art imagery.
COVERAGE
WHAT'S COVERED
Guiding, photography mentoring and travel based out of two modified 4x4s
Accommodation in a mountain hut (plus 2 nights at a lodge on the 5 day trip)
Transport costs
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
WHAT'S NOT COVERED
Flights (you will need to make your own way to Reykjavík at least one day before we depart)
Snacks on the road
Expedition Video REEL
Daily schedule
3 day itinerary
Day 1: Expedition Kick-off and Highland ArrivalBegin the day with an 8:30 meet up, including a hotel pickup to transfer you to our HQ. Here, the team engages in an expedition briefing, discussing weather, conditions, and group expectations. Following the meeting, embark on a drive southward into the highlands. The day is dedicated to becoming acquainted with equipment and team members, with the goal of reaching Landmannalaugar for an evening photography session. Late at night, arrive at Siggi's Cabin in central Iceland for a group dinner. Participants share responsibilities to prepare the cabin, offering a taste of highland living.
Day 2: Central Highlands AdventureDay two starts with a leisurely breakfast at Siggi's cabin. We’ll pack our camera gear and head out to explore the central highlands of Iceland, utilising our modified 4x4 vehicles for mobility while ensuring ample time is spent immersing in the surroundings. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a group cooking session, engaging in photography talks, editing sessions by the fireplace, and scouting for the northern lights. The hut is a prime location for stargazing.
Day 3: Homeward BoundThe final day begins with a relaxed morning and a hearty breakfast. Late morning involves packing up and assessing weather conditions for the descent from the central highlands. Depending on the group's mood and weather, the journey back may include additional stops or an earlier start. The day concludes with a return to Reykjavik or a preferred drop-off location in the evening, marking the end of the expedition.
Note: The itinerary is flexible to accommodate changes based on weather conditions and the group's preferences, ensuring an optimal and enjoyable experience.
5 day itinerary
Day 1: Expedition Kick-off and Highland ArrivalBegin the day with an 8:30 meet up, including a hotel pickup to transfer you to our HQ. Here, the team engages in an expedition briefing, discussing weather, conditions, and group expectations.
Day 1-4: wildnerness exploringDecember - Winter Begins: Our first day will be focused on waterfalls, visiting some lesser known landscapes before reaching the majestic Háifoss for a photography mission. We will end the day by settling into our accommodation - the Hrauneyjar Highland Center. We will be based at the hotel for the first two nights.
We will be aiming to reach several areas around Hrauneyjar, with potential landscapes including the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar and the frozen crater lakes of Veiðivötn. This area is our local playground and we will plan based on the weather during the days of the trip.
We’ll aim to scout for braided rivers as they start to freeze over for the season. Often at this time there can be very cold weather and a light dusting of snow. This means the landscape is in a visual transition between the autumn and full winter season, granting unique photographic opportunities.
After two days of exploring around Hrauneyjar, we will head towards Siggi’s mountain hut. Here we will begin a relaxed mountain lifestyle.
March: We’ll begin by heading on a scenic 4x4 drive southwards along the Kjölur to Kerlingarfjöll and Highland Base, a luxury mountain lodge nestled in the central highlands, featuring a geothermal lagoon. We will be based at the lodge for the first two nights.
Using the 4x4’s we will set out to uncover neighbourhood gems in the mountains, exploring the surrounding landscape and potentially venturing to the Hveravellir geothermal area. Enjoy outdoor activities, lunch in nature, jeep activities, and photo opportunities. Return to the hut for lunch, a short walk, editing, and northern lights scouting in the evening.
After two nights, we’ll embark on a significant day as the group attempts the traverse of the highlands, crossing from mountain road Kjölur to Sprengisandur over the river Þjósrá. This route is only feasible in winter when the highlands are completely frozen.
Storm Mountain Hut (both trips)
Arriving at Siggi's mountain hut, we will begin with a night free of obligations. Cook together, engage in creative discussions, and relish the vast beauty and silence of the central highlands. We will spend the following day exploring the area around the hut, a vast polar desert with a feeling similar to the Antarctic mainland. The evenings at the hut will be focused on looking for the Northern Lights outside the hut, a place that we’ve had great luck with the Aurora over the years.
Day 5: Return to ReykjavikTake a slow morning to enjoy cabin vibes and embark on a morning photography mission. In the afternoon, pack up and depart for Reykjavik, anticipating a long journey with potential arrival into the night. Return to your hotel of choice, potentially for a later dinner if our day goes longer than planned due to the amount of fun times!
FAQ
WHAT LEVEL OF PHOTOGRAPHY IS REQUIRED?
This workshop is open to beginners, professionals and everything in between. The only criteria is that you have a passion for photography and have the motivation to be on the go every day and night.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Being well equipped for all kinds of weather including rain and snow is the key to having a comfortable trip during these trips. Warm and waterproof outer layers (Goretex or similar), thermals, and water resistant boots are all highly recommended. Warm gloves and beanies also come in handy. As we will be staying one night in a mountain cabin, you will need to bring a light sleeping bag for the hut, though keep in mind it will be warm and cosy inside so it doesn’t need to be a thick one. We will go over this in more detail once the group has been finalized.
WILL I SEE AURORA or Midnight sun?
There is good chance that we will see both the Northern Lights snow over the highlands on both winter trips. Due to the uncontrollable weather it can be hard to promise these things, but we will plan our route to give us the best chance!
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
We may see sun, rain or snow, so to be on the safe side it is good to be prepared for winter weather and temperatures from -15 to +10 degrees celsius.
WHAT CAMERA GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
At the very least you should have access to your own DSLR/mirror less camera body, a few lenses (both a wide angle and telephoto would make an awesome duo) and a sturdy tripod. We will have group editing sessions each evening, so a laptop will be crucial to getting the most out of the trip.
WILL THERE BE TIME TO DO OTHER ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF THE WORKSHOP?
Certainly. We've planned the itineraries for 4 nights, however you are more than welcome to extend your stay in Iceland on either end (in fact, we recommend it). We can provide advice and recommend operators if you'd like to experience things like the Sky Lagoon, helicopter tours or visit other popular locations that we cannot fit in our timeframe.
WHAT LEVEL OF FITNESS IS REQUIRED?
This trip will only require a light level of fitness. We will be doing a mix of car based missions as well as some short hikes during the highland days. There will be no full day treks, but be prepared to walk up a mountain to get some panoramic views of our surroundings.
Applications are now open.
Click Here to apply for Feb 3 day trip
Click here to apply for 5 day trips (all dates)
We will aim to get back to you within 48 hours.
Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.
storm@stormexped.com