I’d always dreamed of travelling to Iceland as a photographer. The dramatic landscapes, the sense of isolation, the clash of ice and fire. it had been pulling me in for as long as I could remember. So, for my girlfriend’s birthday September 2024, and maybe for myself 😉

I finally booked it!!

Planning took me ages, and honestly, I made a few mistakes along the way, I definitely would do some things differently next time, But I also added in some extras we couldn’t resist — like snowmobiling across Vatnajökull glacier, which turned out to be unforgettable! And the tour guide was fantastic.

We spent seven days in Iceland not enough :(, and every single moment was amazing! The long drives never felt tiring because around every corner the views were simply spectacular. But as a photographer, I actually struggled. I didn’t take as many photos as I had planned. At the time, I was experimenting with video and had no idea what I was doing. I did make a YouTube video from the trip, and while it’s far from perfect, I’m proud of it. It shares our story and the little moments we created along the way, and that to me was the most important. My only regret is not slowing down and taking more photos. We were so eager to see everything that we rushed from one location to the next.

The one moment I did capture properly was on my girlfriend’s birthday. We arrived late in the night at our ‘afternoon cottage’ in Hella, unpacked, had some food, and went outside, I’d chosen that spot for one reason, the Northern Lights. For weeks beforehand, I worried — what if it rained, or the skies stayed cloudy? But just after midnight, on her 30th birthday, the sky began to glow. At first it was faint, a pale green shimmer, then it thickened and stretched, turning into a breathtaking display, almost dancing with our excitement.

We couldn’t hide how amazed we were, she was running around like a little whirlwind, pointing out everything she wanted me to capture. “Look over there! Point your camera here!” “Look at that wow! Once we both calmed down a little, we lay in the freezing grass together, watching the sky put on an incredible display. It was a moment I’ll cherish forever, and I’m so glad I managed to capture a few photos of us in it.

Looking back, I regret not taking more pictures, but the truth is we gained something better: a memory of a lifetime. Even now, with two beautiful children, we often talk about that trip and are already planning our return.