Iceland
In May, my friend and fellow photographer Vincent Verstraete (who made the planning) and I set out on an expedition to Iceland, driven by a shared passion for capturing its untamed landscapes and elusive wildlife. What began as a simple idea soon turned into a full blown adventure, chasing golden light across black sand beaches, hiking through windswept valleys, and standing in awe beneath thundering waterfalls that seemed to shake the earth itself.
We followed winding roads into the highlands, braved sudden Arctic squalls, and waited patiently in the silence for the perfect moment when puffins took flight or wild horses cut through the mist.
Each day felt like stepping into another world glaciers glowing at sunrise, volcanic craters steaming under a brooding sky, and endless horizons that reminded us just how small we are in the face of nature’s raw power.
It wasn’t just a trip; it was a journey into the wild where unpredictability became our guide, the elements tested our resolve, and every frame we captured carried the spirit of adventure.
The first 36 images are taken in May. The following 24 images in January when I returned to photograph specifically in winter.
All selected works are available as fine-art prints on Archival Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 g/m²
Just select the number and message me through the contact page with the desired dimensions (60x33 - 80x45 - 100x56 cm).
ICEL001 - Friend photographer Vincent while setting-up his equipment, the steam and rising vapor clouds make the image mystical
ICEL002 - Hverir Geothermal Area is one of the main attractions around the Lake Mývatn area in North Iceland.
ICEL003 - This surreal landscape with unique geothermal features, an absolute must for photographers
ICEL004 - Sitting in a chariot on the way to the west coast to photograph the puffins a wheel broke of the chariot , this gave me time to photograph the black sand landscape
ICEL005 - A layer of water washing the coast line as it withdraws. image taken with slow shutterspeed
OICEL006 - Detailed image of Godafoss waterfall
ICEL007 - Through the eyes of a nature photographer, Iceland’s moss feels like a living tapestry draped over ancient lava. It spills across the black, hardened rock in soft waves of green, turning a once violent eruption into something almost tender. Every curve and texture catches the light differently glowing gold at sunset, deep emerald under a moody sky a quiet testament to time.
ICEL008 - They also call it Icelands signature, a feast for the photographer and nature lover
ICEL009 - Walking or driving on the moss, is the best way to be called a bad tourist in Iceland.
ICEL010 - Beautiful, yet fragile, a velvet skin stretched over ancient fire. One careless step can leave a scar that lingers for years, a silent reminder that some of nature’s most breathtaking wonders are also the most delicate
ICEL011 - Life resist even the fire: moss slowly softening ancient lava
ICEL012 - Red blueberry grasses on mosses at Pengvillir NP
ICEL013 - Pair of puffins photographed on the West Coastline
ICEL014 - Amazing mountains in cloud formation on the way to Vic
ICEL015 - Rust like land around small rivers are primarily caused by iron rich sediment. This phenomenon is driven by geothermal activity, volcanic minerals, and groundwater interacting with wetlands
ICEL016 - On our way to Egilsstadir and Höfn we had a short encounter with reindeer be it from a far distance
ICEL017 - A second encounter on our way to Jökulsárlón and Egilsstadir. the background differs from the first image
ICEL018 - Where glaciers shatter into diamonds and the ocean keeps the secrets Iceland’s Diamond Beach, a wonder that is unique on Earth.
ICEL019 - Icebergs get carved by the waves for a long and take on a transparent shape like that of crystals or diamonds.located near the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. photographed at around 10,3 pm
ICEL020 - Sky's can be amazing during the long spring hours
ICEL021 - Icelandic horses, once exported no return is possible to the island
ICEL022 - Always a pleasure observing these resilient animals
ICEL023 - A rare glimpse of the arctic fox. the only one we saw during our trip; happy with the image
ICEL024 - Iceland’s most common duck: the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), thriving year round along the coast, especially in the Westfjords
ICEL025 - Blending into purple erica , the Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta), or rjúpa, calls Iceland’s rugged highlands home all year long
ICEL026 - Sometimes you could see several a day , but often they are nearby but invisible
ICLE027 - The Pacific Golden Plover , makes a perfect blending in with the environment
ICEL028 - The black-tailed godwit is a migratory bird, the Icelandic population spends their winters in Great Britain, France and on the Iberian peninsula
ICEL029 - Pair of Whooper Swans
ICEL030 - Iceland’s famous sheep roam freely across the vast, open landscapes of Iceland. Hardy and independent, they have shaped the island’s rural soul for centuries.
ICEL031 - Reindeer thrived in East Iceland, an area with plenty of a key type of lichen (Cetraria islandica)
ICEL032 - Many of Iceland’s reindeer now spend much time in spring foraging in the highlands near Mount Snæfel
ICEL033 - Seagulls sitting on top of a melting iceberg at jokullsarlon
ICEL034 - A pair of greylag goose, they are easy to find in the lowlands of iceland
ICEL035 - The Barnacle Goose starts breeding in Iceland. The main breeding area is in Southeast Iceland. Now they are quite common in some areas such as the Glacier Lagoon.
ICEL036 - Common eider male in action pumping himself up to impress
ICEL037 - For this trip It was my target to photograph arctic foxes (unfortunately not seen any ) reindeer , Iceland horses, sheep and the unique landscapes .
ICEL038 - Strength meets strength
ICEL039 - Passage in the snow
ICEL040 - The Arctic experience is perfect for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to discover Iceland’s raw landscapes and spot reindeer up close.
ICEL041 - The first ray's of light
ICEL042 - Blended in this amazing landscape
ICEL043 - With a bit of luck, even on icy winter roads, reindeer appear
ICEL044 - Sunrise at the famous glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón
ICEL045 - Visitors at the Crystal Ice Cave in Iceland
ICEL046 - Play of light and colors reflected in the ice caves.
ICEL047 - This image symbolizes the contrast of the landscape in Iceland
ICEL048 - Flocks of common eider ducks are found along the coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula, particularly around the shores of Hafnir and Ósar
ICEL049 - image taken with diafragma 22
ICEL050 - The super horns of the Iceland sheep
ICEL051 - Penetrating eyes from a black sheep male
ICEL052 - Iceland horses in the valley
ICEL053 - Isolated and in heavy cold strong winter winds
ICEL054 - On the run coming from behind a hill
ICEL055 - Downhill during heavy snowfall
ICEL056 - Close to the horses, the cold disappears, leaving only the thrill of photographing a blur of color in motion
ICEL057 - As snow falls, Icelandic horses turn to the trees for shelter
ICEL058 - Whooper swans near the coast
ICEL059 - Coastal areas, such as the windy Stórhöfði peninsula
ICEL060 - The last morning of my trip, sunrise on the wild west coast of Iceland. The wind swept relentlessly across the shoreline, tugging at my jacket and rattling the tripod, while the rising sun spilled a golden glow over the restless sea. Waves, once steel-blue in the dawn, turned yellowish in the early light. Through the lens, it felt like a farewell gift from the island, raw, luminous, and impossible to hold onto for more than a heartbeat.