Photography, environment and Aurora hunting in Iceland
Reykjavik 9 projects from September to December
Volunteer project: In this project, participants can learn more about and share their passion for global and local environmental issues, as well as photography. If you are interested in topics such as climate change, waste management and sustainability, and you also love taking photos, then this project is for you!
While developing artistic and technical photography skills, you will be focusing on environmental and sustainability issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visits facilitated by the project coordinators. One of our aims is to help create more environmentally aware consumers and travellers!
You will visit local projects focused on the environment and conservation. These may include hands-on activities or guided visits such as outdoor cleanup tasks, a local fauna and/or flora exhibition or an Icelandic culture museum. Some of these activities are dependent on weather conditions and the availability of our partners.
You will also have time to put the theory about photography into practice while exploring the city. At the end of the project, the best photographs from each participant are selected for an online exhibition. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.
The program combines learning, sharing and hands-on activities. On top of that you get to know Iceland and its culture while having fun, exploring the city, its attractions and stunning nature, which you can experience in possible excursions. Participants should prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and should be ready to spend time outdoors walking medium distances (up to 1.5 hours) during activities and sightseeing.
Please note that this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a standard workcamp. This project has a smaller volunteer work part and puts a bigger emphasis on the personal learning process than on the community impact.
In this project, we will organize a Night photography and Aurora hunting (Northern lights) workshop in the city or in the vicinity of Reykjavík. The Northern lights are a natural phenomenon depending on solar activity and meteorological conditions, so we cannot guarantee you will see the Northern lights, but the night photography workshop will be organised anyway.
Language: English
Leisure time: Some excursions (e.g. to the Golden Circle, Hot River hike and/or South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares.
Accommodation: The group will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with an equipped kitchen, dining and living room, bathrooms, showers and a washing machine. Participants sleep in shared rooms with up to 6 people, so everyone is expected to behave considerately. Please note, the food provided is vegetarian.
Location: Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.
During the September 21-30 project, the annual Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) will take place. The main goal is to present dramas and non-fiction films by filmmakers from over 40 countries. Festival passes are not provided but participants can attend free off-venue events and screenings.
During the October 1-10 project, the Imagine Peace Tower, located on Viðey Island, will be lit and will illuminate the night sky of Reykjavík. The tower is a memorial to John Lennon by his wife, Yoko Ono, and it is lit every year from October 9 to December 31.
Iceland Airwaves, an annual music festival hosted in Reykjavik, will take place during the October 31-November 9 project. There are performances from established and new artists in a host of different venues around the city. Passes for the festival are not provided; there are however a lot of free events all around town to attend.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 450 Euro
The fee includes transportation from the meeting point to the project site (on the first day) and the Night photography workshop.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project. It can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival.
All available dates for this project:
September 21 - September 30, 2026
October 1 - October 10, 2026
October 11 - October 20, 2026
October 21 - October 30, 2026
October 31 - November 9, 2026
November 16 - November 24, 2026
November 25 - December 3, 2026
December 4 - December 13, 2026
December 14 - December 23, 2026