Iceland: On Location with Joe McNally & Ari Espay

With a multitude of glaciers, snow-peaked mountains and volcanoes that dot the island, the landscape of Iceland is absolutely stunning. About 11% of the country is covered in glaciers and we'll venture south to photograph to the extraordinary blue-tinted ice floes of Jökulsárlón Lagoon. There are the black sand beaches and balsam columns in Vík and miles of moss covered lava fields. Iceland has a never ending beauty.

We'll witness the power of the enormous Gullfoss Waterfall and visit Þingvellir National Park, which sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates. You'll be able to cross the Blue Lagoon off of your bucket list after spending the afternoon relaxing in the thermal water of this world renowned spa. You can have all four seasons in an hour in Iceland and the changing weather makes for incredible photographs. There will be technical classes, edit/critique sessions, and location shoots everyday. With the constantly changing climate, this workshop will be the perfect place for you to expand your photographic skills and build on what you have learned.

Photography Workshop

DATES | 8 DAYS: October 12 - 19, 2025
PRICE: Participant Rate: $6675 per person

Companion Fee: $3495 (staying in the same room)
WHAT'S INCLUDED?: Accommodations for 7 nights in luxury properties

On location classes, demos, and assistance in the field

4 Classes/edit & critique sessions

2 Dinners

All Breakfasts

Internal transportation once the workshop starts

Travel, landscape, architecture, and people photography
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?: Round trip airfare to and from Iceland

Transportation to and from airport

Additional nights before or after the start and finish of the Workshop

Travel Insurance

Additional gratuities
OUR LOCATIONS: The Golden Circle, Þingvellir, Stokkur & Gullfoss

The Blue Lagoon &Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Vik & The Black Sand Volcanic Beaches

Reykjavik

*These locations are tentative and may change depending on weather and spontaneous photographic opportunities.
OUR HOTELS: While in Reykjavik, we will be staying in 5 star luxury at the 101 Hótel, located in the lively downtown neighborhood. 101 Hótel is part of the Design Hotel Collection, a Marriott Brand.

In the South, we will be at the Hotel Rangá and the Foss, which is close the ice floes and the Jökulsárlón Lagoon.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?: Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio

Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures

Photographers interested in working with people and capturing street life

DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users

*Please note this workshop will have a fair amount of walking on icy terrain.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance for your trip. Aside from medical care, travel insurance can protect you in the case of lost or stolen luggage, equipment, and personal effects, trip cancellation, personal liability, funeral expenses (we don't mean to sound morbid, but dying overseas can be very, very expensive), emergency dental treatment and evacuation back to your country of residence. All that being said, please read the policy carefully (especially the exclusions) to make sure that it covers what you will need, especially trip cancellation.
HOW DO I REGISTER?: We provide personalized service and you can sign up for a workshop by emailing us directly at liza@lizapoliti.com

The Team

About Joe McNally

Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in 70 countries. McNally won the first Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Journalistic Impact for a LIFE coverage titled, “The Panorama of War.” He has been honored numerous times by Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, American Photo, POY, and The World Press Photo Foundation. A contributor to National Geographic magazine for more than two decades, Joe has published numerous cover stories, including "The Future of Flying" (December 2003). His assignments have taken him from the heart of India's Diwali celebrations to the deserts of the Middle East to China's Great Wall. He regularly writes a popular, occasionally irreverent blog (joemcnally.com/blog) about the travails, tribulations, oddities and high moments of being a photographer. On social media: @joemcnallyphoto.

About Ari Espay

Award-winning photographer, Ari Espay, has shot documentary pieces, campaigns and editorial essays for magazines in the US and all over South America including; Architectural Digest, Vogue Latin America, Que Pasa, and ED. He has worked for Maybelline, Gillette, Corpbanca and Ferouch and has shot portraits for Presidents, internationally known actors, Emmy Award winning directors, Broadway performers, politicians and high profile business people. Ari has won Chile’s prestigious Fondart Grant, was a finalist in National Geographic’s Photo Competition, “Luces de America” and in 2018, 2021, 2022 he was a ‘CHOSEN Winner’ in Latin American AI-AP. He has received an Honorable Mention in IPA's Deeper Perspective Category in 2023 for his series, "Butterfly Children".

More Info

WEATHER | SUNRISE/SUNSET: October – Temps 45/25 F

Sunrise: 8:15am | Sunset 6:15pm
TRAVEL INFO: *Please note this workshop starts and ends in Reykjavik. Please book flights accordingly.

Airport: Keflavik (KEF)

Transfer time is about 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Our workshop begins at 5pm on the first day and ends at breakfast on the last day.
FUN FACTS: Most Icelanders believe in elves and trolls. This belief dates back to the days of the Vikings. Icelandic folklore is still rich with stories about the Huldufólk, meaning "hidden people", who are said to live in the lava fields. When constructions take place in certain lava fields of the country, there is even a special spokesperson for the elves.

Beer was illegal in Iceland from 1915 to 1989 due to a prohibition. Now, every March 1st, the country celebrates “Bjórdagurinn” or “Beer Day” commemorating the end of a 74-year beer ban.

Iceland is home to the largest glacier in all of Europe, Vatnajökull, which covers 8% of the country's landmass.

Iceland has one of the oldest democracies in the world. Þingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where Icelandic chieftains met in the year 930 CE to create the first parliament, the Alþingi (or 'Althing' to English-speakers). These chiefs and their successors then met at Þingvellir every year until 1798 to discuss issues and create laws. After a period of change, including a 43-year abolition by royal decree in 1800, the Althing was re-established in Reykjavík and assembled again in 1845. It still runs to this day.

MORE INFORMATION & FAQs