The Ring Road Revelations: How Iceland Awakened a Sleeping Giant
Date: July 22, 2025 | Location: Back in Colorado, Processing More Than Just Photos
Sitting here in my Denver studio, culling through thousands of photographs from Iceland, I keep coming back to one realization that has nothing to do with f-stops or composition: This trip didn't just make me a better photographer—it awakened a wanderlust that's been lying dormant in my system for far too long.
Seven days. 3,305 photos. 1,332 miles around Þjóðvegur 1, the Ring Road. A journey that proved I can handle professional travel photography while revealing something even more profound: given the opportunity, feasibility, and logistical solutions for maintaining my relationships, I'd choose this life every single day.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Iceland exceeded every expectation I had and completely shattered the framework I was using to measure success. This trip achieved everything I hoped for: portfolio-worthy shots, genuine artistic growth, and proof that I can execute professional travel photography. But it also revealed something I didn't expect: the sheer amount of wanderlust that has been waiting for permission to take the wheel.
Looking at my pre-Iceland work versus what I created there, the difference is undeniable. From compositions to subject selection to confident use of exposure bracketing and that 1000ND filter—I am unquestionably a stronger photographer than I was just over a week ago.
The Moment Everything Shifted
Around Day 2 or 3, once I'd found my footing in international travel and Iceland's rhythm, something clicked. Even while in constant awe and curiosity, I remembered I had a job to do—and more importantly, a passion to pursue. I had impressive professional gear (and in Iceland, where a quarter of people seemed to carry serious cameras, that meant something), but more than that, I remembered: I am a professional.
That's when I started chasing the unexpected, the novel, the unique shots. All while capturing the journey and enjoying travels with my partners. It felt incredible to recognize this as the first step toward my new lifelong career. I didn't have to be perfect; I just had to try my best, grow as much as possible, and maybe, if I got lucky, capture my next big shot.
The transformation felt like crossing a threshold into something bigger than just a trip.
What Iceland Taught Me About Photography
When Plans Crumble, Art Emerges
Day 4's flat tire disaster became the trip's most transformative experience. Being forced to drive 75 km/h through the Eastern Fjords revealed details I would have missed at highway speeds: fishing villages with distinct personalities, endless ship photography opportunities, fairy-tale landscapes unfolding slowly enough to truly see them.
The lesson was profound: the best travel photography happens when you stop fighting circumstances and start dancing with them.
The Power of Taking Your Time
The shots that really stuck with me were moments where I took my time, had the right gear, saw the shot clearly, tried multiple techniques, and executed my vision to the best of my ability. Iceland became the place where all my Colorado practice, effort, and learning paid off in the form of a new and improved version of my art.
It's the next step, as it were.
Solitude Reveals Your True Voice
After days of navigating crowds at Instagram-famous spots, the midnight hike at Héðinsfjörður on Day 6 reminded me why I fell in love with photography. Completely alone with an unnamed waterfall, the midnight sun, and my camera, I finally had space to apply everything I'd learned without distraction.
Finding your perspective in heavily photographed places requires patience, but finding untouched places requires courage to venture off the beaten path.
The Unexpected Challenge: Balancing Professional and Personal
The biggest challenge I didn't anticipate? Managing the balance between the professional and personal sides of the trip. Traveling with my partners while attending a wedding created a unique version of a professional assignment.
I was definitely working; finding shots, lining up compositions, researching locations that will fill out my business offerings. But doing it all while maintaining relationships with three others during intense travel can test patience, compassion, communication, and compromise. Though there's no one I'd rather travel the world with than my boys.
Other notable challenges included choosing between seeing everything versus digging deep into where you are, plus the building exhaustion of endless sun pushing you to physical limits on little sleep. But I came out on top, and I have the portfolio-building photos to prove it.
Cultural Connections That Changed My Perspective
As someone who's been learning German for two years, I was excited to experience Icelandic culture, language, and people. A simple "Halló, Góðan daginn" or "takk fyrir" made Icelanders even more receptive and welcoming, their body language lighting up at our efforts to connect.
Surprisingly, many Icelanders speak German. Having conversations auf Deutsch transformed us from "American tourists" into "well-rounded world travelers" in their eyes. These connections were really special.
Food became my key to their culture. From cinnamon rolls at Brauð & Co to fish stew in Siglufjörður, every meal revealed something new. The voice of the people through their art, architecture, and human-centric spaces provided insight into their reserved yet welcoming culture.
They're hardy people, facing ice, snow, fire, light, and darkness with the steadfastness of stone and the softness of their sheep.
Technical Victories and Creative Breakthroughs
My equipment choices proved sound. The 85mm prime forced intimacy in Reykjavik. The 12-24mm ultrawide captured epic glacial scales. The telephoto compressed distant subjects into compelling compositions. The ND filters transformed waterfalls into silk and smoke.
But reviewing my work now, the biggest thing I notice is my professional choices. The compositions, subjects, technical skills like exposure bracketing and confident use of that 1000ND filter represent fundamental growth in how I approach photography.
I learned to see my gear as a unified system for creative expression rather than a collection of expensive tools.
The Photographs That Define the Journey
Several images stand out as genuine portfolio pieces:
The long exposure work at Hengifoss waterfall, where technical execution met artistic vision perfectly
Midnight sun photography at Foss á Síðu, proving extraordinary light creates extraordinary possibilities
Atmospheric work in volcanic mist on Day 7, showing challenging conditions often produce the most compelling art
Intimate puffin portraits at Dyrhólaey capturing Iceland's wildlife in their natural element
These photographs capture evidence of artistic evolution happening in real time.
The Awakening: What This Really Means
Here's what I haven't fully shared until now: This trip revealed the sheer amount of wanderlust that's been lying dormant in my system for so long. Iceland will be the catalyst that finally gets me out exploring the world.
My current job pays well, I'm good at it, and I like my team. But this trip made something crystal clear: given the opportunity, feasibility, and logistical solutions for maintaining my relationships, I'd choose travel photography every day.
This goes beyond career change. I'm recognizing what kind of life I actually want to build.
Lessons for Fellow Photographers
If you're considering a similar leap:
The gear matters less than the mindset. Technical skills can be learned, but willingness to adapt, explore, and find beauty in unexpected places separates memorable photography from tourist snapshots.
Plan for balance. The tension between seeing everything versus going deep is real. Future trips need intentional rest days for processing, both digital and emotional.
Embrace the challenges. Every equipment failure, weather disaster, or plan disruption becomes an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and creativity under pressure.
Connect with culture. Language attempts, food exploration, and genuine curiosity about local perspectives will transform both your experience and your photography.
What's Next
The Iceland collection will anchor my first serious travel photography collection and form the foundation of my future business. But more than career advancement, this trip gave me the confidence to book more ambitious projects and the artistic vision to execute them successfully.
I'm already researching return trips—the Eastern and Western Fjords are calling, the puffins beckon, and I want to experience the highlands in different seasons. Iceland feels like a relationship now, not just a destination. To the land of ice and fire; we will meet again.
But first comes the work of transforming thousands of raw files into a cohesive artistic statement. The real work begins now.
The Deeper Truth
Iceland taught me that becoming a serious travel photographer requires developing skills to find extraordinary moments in ordinary circumstances, patience to wait for perfect light, and wisdom to create art when perfect conditions don't materialize.
More than that, it showed me what's possible when you follow genuine passion with professional preparation. Every challenge became proof that I can handle whatever comes next.
This trip captured a vision of who I could become rather than just documenting Iceland.
To Everyone Who Followed Along
Thank you for joining this incredible journey! This series captured daily adventures, but the real story is about growth, courage, and the moment when dormant dreams finally wake up.
For aspiring travel photographers: Start before you feel ready. The convergence of preparation meeting opportunity creates magic you can't plan or predict.
Iceland, you've been the most demanding and rewarding teacher I've ever encountered. You didn't just show me how to be a better photographer—you showed me how to be a more courageous human being.
Until we meet again.
Final Equipment Note: Nikon Z7II with 12-24mm f/4 Sigma Art, 28-300mm telephoto, 85mm f/1.8 prime, various ND filters, and most importantly—the willingness to learn something new every single day.
Final Mood: Grateful, transformed, and plotting the next adventure.
Final Lesson: The best travel photography happens when you stop trying to capture Iceland and start letting Iceland capture you.
What's been your most transformative travel experience? Share your stories in the comments below—I'd love to hear how adventure has changed your perspective on life and art.
