The Land of Fire and Ice Awaits: My Iceland Photography Adventure Begins Saturday
The camera gear is meticulously packed, my new Nikon Z7II is fully charged, and my excitement is through the roof—this Saturday, I'm heading to Iceland for what might be the most important photography trip of my career so far.
Why Iceland? Why Now?
Iceland has been calling to me as a photographer for years. I love rugged landscapes, sweeping vistas, coastal ice, and world-beloved waterfalls—and Iceland delivers all of this in the most dramatic way possible. But this isn't just about capturing pretty pictures. I want to find my own voice in a place that's been frequently captured and test myself to become the best photographer I can be.
I've traveled and done photography before—locally here in Colorado and on smaller trips—but never on a scale like this, and certainly not with the professional equipment I'm bringing. This 9-day journey around the entire Ring Road represents a major step up in my photography career, a chance to build a serious new collection, and an opportunity to learn what it truly means to be a travel photographer on the international stage.
The Mission: Building My Travel Photography Portfolio
This trip is about pushing myself as an artist and kicking off what I hope will be a long and prosperous career as a travel photographer. I'm planning to create a cohesive new collection that showcases not just Iceland's beauty, but my growth as an artist working with professional-grade equipment in challenging conditions.
The goals are ambitious: build portfolio pieces ready for galleries and festivals, learn the realities of international photography travel, and prepare myself for future markets. I'm going to have to maximize everything I can in just 9 days, capturing incredible photographs on the fly while adapting to unpredictable locations and weather.
The Adventure: 9 Days Around the Ring Road
I'm traveling the entire Ring Road counter-clockwise, which means I'll experience every type of landscape Iceland has to offer:
Scuba diving between tectonic plates at Silfra. Imagine the underwater shots I'll capture where North America and Europe literally meet.
Ice caves and glaciers, where I'll test my skills with dramatic lighting and that new ND filter in some of the most unique environments on Earth.
Highland hiking, where I'll really put that 12-24mm f/4 Sigma Art ultrawide to work capturing those sweeping vistas.
Windblown coastlines, perfect for learning how to protect my gear while still getting the shot.
Famous lighthouses and waterfalls where I'll challenge myself to find fresh perspectives on Iceland's most photographed landmarks.
Plus, I'll be documenting all the food and culture I can find along the way, building those storytelling skills that separate good travel photographers from great ones.
The Gear: Stepping Up My Game
After months of practice, I'm finally ready to take my new Nikon Z7II on its first major international adventure. My kit includes:
28-300mm telephoto for those distant subjects and compressed landscapes
85mm prime for portraits and intimate details
12-24mm f/4 Sigma Art ultrawide for those epic landscape shots
A series of filters, including my new 1000ND filter for those silky water shots
Macro filter for capturing the intricate details in ice formations
This represents the most professional equipment I've ever traveled with, and I'm excited to see how it performs in Iceland's challenging conditions.
What to Expect from This Journey
Over the next 9 days, I'll be sharing:
Daily photography insights and behind-the-scenes content
Real-time challenges of shooting in extreme weather conditions
Gear reviews and practical tips for travel photography
Process shots showing how I approach composition in new environments
Cultural observations and the stories behind the images
Honest updates about what it's really like stepping up to this level of photography travel
Following Along
I'll be posting daily here on ziondesignscolorado.com with longer-form content and detailed photography breakdowns, while my Instagram @ZionDesignsStudio will feature real-time stories, quick shooting tips, and those golden hour shots we all love.
For my fellow photographers, I'm planning to document the real challenges of international photography travel, from protecting gear in harsh conditions to finding unique perspectives in heavily photographed locations.
A Personal Note
This trip represents more than just portfolio building for me. It's about proving to myself that I can handle the demands of professional travel photography and finding my artistic voice in one of the world's most photogenic destinations.
I'm grateful to be at a point in my career where I can invest in this kind of artistic development, and I'm excited to share every moment of this journey with you. There's something about Iceland's raw, untamed landscape that feels like the perfect testing ground for where I want to take my photography next.
While there might be an opportunity to shadow a wedding photographer during my stay, this trip is fundamentally about artistic growth, skill development, and creating the foundation for my future as a travel photographer.
See you from the land of fire and ice!
What destinations are on your photography bucket list? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear about your adventures and what draws you to certain places as a photographer!
Business Disclosure: This trip is focused on professional development, portfolio building, and career advancement in travel photography. All experiences and opinions shared will be authentic and unbiased.
Tags: #Iceland #TravelPhotography #PhotographyCareer #ZionDesigns #LandscapePhotography #ArtisticGrowth #PhotographyTravel #NikonZ7II #PhotographyPortfolio
