Equine Photography Retreat
Tour features
Date
June 22–28, 2026
Highlights
Riding instructions & optional riding. Daily photo sessions and coaching. Excursions to Krauma Geothermal Spa. Hestaland Guesthouse. Full board meals.
Professional photographer Carolin Giese, who is well-known for her stunning equine photos and the owner of Lina Images, will guide participants on this weeklong, all-inclusive, skill-building journey. She will cover the entire creative process, guiding you through the basics of creating successful horse photography and sharing tips, tricks, and instruction on location. Whether you’re shooting with a mirrorless, DSLR, or iPhone, you will develop as a photographer, exchange knowledge, and create powerful images of the Icelandic horse in its stunning native environment.
The week will feature your perfect blend of riding and scenic photography sessions curated and coached by Lina. We will typically spend mornings around the farm, either riding, shooting, or editing, while our afternoons will be filled with photography adventures. This workshop is ideal for both photography enthusiasts and advanced photographers aiming to develop their portfolio and skills.
This workshop will take place at Hestaland Horse Farm in West Iceland, where we have stunning scenery in every direction.
The farm we are located on is called Stadarhus; it’s about 1 hour from Reykjavik. We will be traveling from the farm to shoot on location, trailering horses with us to serve as our muses amid beautiful landscapes (check out the sample itinerary below!).
Limited to 12 guests. Email info@hestaland.net to place a 50% deposit and reserve your spot!
Professional photographer Carolin Giese, who is well-known for her stunning equine photos and the owner of Lina Images, will guide participants on this weeklong, all-inclusive, skill-building journey. She will cover the entire creative process, guiding you through the basics of creating successful horse photography and sharing tips, tricks, and instruction on location. Whether you’re shooting with a mirrorless, DSLR, or iPhone, you will develop as a photographer, exchange knowledge, and create powerful images of the Icelandic horse in its stunning native environment.
The week will feature your perfect blend of riding and scenic photography sessions curated and coached by Lina. We will typically spend mornings around the farm, either riding, shooting, or editing, while our afternoons will be filled with photography adventures. This workshop is ideal for both photography enthusiasts and advanced photographers aiming to develop their portfolio and skills.
This workshop will take place at Hestaland Horse Farm in West Iceland, where we have stunning scenery in every direction.
The farm we are located on is called Stadarhus; it’s about 1 hour from Reykjavik. We will be traveling from the farm to shoot on location, trailering horses with us to serve as our muses amid beautiful landscapes (check out the sample itinerary below!).
Limited to 14 guests. Email info@hestaland.net to place a 50% deposit and reserve your spot!
All-Inclusive stay at Hestaland
- Ground transportation in Iceland, including pick-up and drop-off at BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik
- Daily photo sessions curated and coached by professional photographer Lina of LinaImages
- Optional horseback rides on very well-trained horses and via high-quality tack
- Accommodation based on double occupancy in our cozy countryside guesthouse
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (wine and beer is included)
- Trip to Krauma Spa
- Expert guides
- Well-trained horses
- High-quality track
Sample Itinerary
(Subject to change due to weather & other contingencies. Remember, “Þetta reddast!” (It will all work out.)
Day 1
- 10:30 Pickup at BSI bus terminal in Reykjavík
- 1:00 Lunch at Hestaland
- 2:00 After lunch we’ll take some time to get to know each other, learn everyone’s goals, and get everyone up to speed on the week’s exciting itinerary.
- 3:00 Intro to Photographing the Icelandic horse, stable visit to meet our muses
- 6:00 Dinner
Day 2
- 7:00-9:00 Breakfast buffet
- 9:00-12:00 Trail riding/Shooting on and around the farm (barn, lessons, fields, etc.)
- 12:00 Lunch
- 2:00-4:00 Photoshoot (“herd in its natural environment”)
- 4:00-6:00 Intro to Photo Editing
- 6:00 Dinner
Day 3
- 7:00-9:00 Breakfast buffet
- 9:00-12:00 Trail riding/photoshoot on the farm/photo editing
- 12:00 Lunch
- 1:30-3:30 Photoshoot (“herd in motion” featuring large herd of horses running — share tips and tricks for photographing horses in action)
- 4:00-6:30 Trip to Krauma Geothermal Baths
- 6:30 Dinner
Day 4
- 7:00-9:00 Breakfast Buffet
- 9:00-5:00 Full-day excursion to Snæfellsness peninsula to capture images of very unique and colorful herds
- 6:00 Dinner
Day 5
- 7:00-9:00 Breakfast buffet
- 9:00-12:00 Trail riding/photoshoot on the farm/photo editing
- 12:00-2:00 Lunch
- 2:00-6:00 Photoshoot at off-farm location (we will trailer horses to a beautiful location featuring waterfalls, mountains, etc. (Hraunsfossar, Glymur, Husafell, etc.)
- 6:00 Dinner
Day 6
- 7:00-9:00 Breakfast buffet
- 9:00-12:00 Trail riding/photoshoot on the farm/photo editing
- 12:00-2:00 Lunch
- 2:00-4:00 Photoshoot (“horses being ridden” — explain how to identify the ideal moment/position of the horse/rider in still shots)
- 4:00-6:00 Wrap up (photo editing)
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner
Day 7
- 7:00-9:00 Breakfast buffet
- 10:30 Depart Hestaland for BSI bus station in Reykjavik
Retreat takes place from June 22-28 2026
Limited to 6 guests. Email info@hestaland.net to place a 50% deposit and reserve your spot!
Transportation
Pick-up and drop-off
Ground transportation in Iceland, including pick-up and drop-off at BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik
Accomodation
Hestaland Guesthouse
Accommodation at Hestaland Guesthouse based on double occupancy with private bathrooms and hot tub access
Location
West Iceland Countryside
Hestaland is located in West Iceland where you will be riding in the beautiful countryside in the Borgarfjordur area.









