Drew & Anouska – Iceland elopement photographer – Iceland vow renewal photographer
It was a long shot, she thought, but Anoushka decided to give it a try and email me when she was looking for an Iceland vow renewal photographer. We were both in a different corner of the world, she found me online. Asking if I would photograph their Iceland vow renewal never hurt anyone. Of course I was enthusiastic immediately.
Iceland is a magical place.
Everything you heard and read about Iceland is true. The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. The people and the horses friendly. The air is fresh and you get all four seasons in a day – at least five times. The memories made adventuring to several locations made Andrew and Anoushka’s vow renewal even more meaningful.
If you are looking for an Iceland elopement photographer or an Iceland vow renewal photographer, look no further.
My husband Erik and I have captured precious moments for several couples in Iceland. We did quite a bit of location scouting on previous trips. This was Drew and Anoushka’s first time in Iceland. They did see a bit of it on screen as Anouska is a huge fan of the Game of Thrones series. She read the books and saw the TV series. And she knew there are quite a few Game of Thrones Film Locations in Iceland.
Now, please do not spoil GoT for me! Some friends watched a few episodes with us but there is so much of the series we haven’t seen yet! I am waiting for the right moment to binge watch all episodes of all seasons so, hush! Þórufoss Waterfall and Hengilssvæðið in Thingvellir National Park were off our route, just like some locations in the West and North of Iceland, like Kirkjufell, but the area around Vik has been used for some “beyond the wall” footage. We understand why Iceland’s pretty landscape was chosen by the Game of Thrones producers.
Iceland Southern Coast Region
We picked our new friends up at their apartment when they had just arrived from Keflavik International Airport. Jet lagged and tired they could relax in our spacious 4WD car. Erik was happy driving the route we plotted beforehand. For their photo session we took two days to visit several magical locations on the South Coast Region in Iceland.
Memories over stuff
“We prefer memories over stuff,” Drew told me. “Sadly, when we grow older, our memories may fail us. That’s why we are having our pictures taken when we travel. So when we look back at them later, they will help us remember these adventures.”
That’s right. It does not only matter now. It matters even more later. And that, my friends, is one of the most incredible things of creating for someone. To be able to give them something that matters more and will be more valuable over time.
Now, let’s go on a journey in the land of fire and ice.
Day 1 – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and Diamond beach
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is, as the name says, a lagoon where large pieces of glacial ice are floating towards the sea. The glacier is melting, which is of course very sad. The sight when it first pops up when you get to it though….. Our first stop was in fact Diamond Beach, the beach where the sea spits giant chunks of ice back onto the black sand. Our intention was to take dark and moody photos. But Drew and Anoushka must have carried the good weather with them – we got sun and pastel skies in Iceland!
At Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
there were considerably less ice chunks in the clear blue water than in summer when we were there with Danielle & Matthijs. I do love how this spot doen’t look the same even on two days. This too was a great spot to visit, to be in awe of the beautiful Icelandic landscape and of course for photos.
After spending some time admiring the glacial lagoon and the wild Ocean at diamond beach, we set out for a different location. We took some lefts and rights along the way that brought us some gem of a location. I have no clue what it’s called and maybe that is the magic.
More Iceland magic was ahead of us. On a previous trip with Erik I had been to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
The little river Fjaðrá makes its way through the gorge. It has Lord of the Rings vibes – and yes I am aware that was filmed in New Zealand, not Iceland. We were taking advantage of the last light – Arctic Winters mean only 4 hours of light so for photographers, planning is key. We did quite a bit of driving on day one, and we were just in time to create a photograph of Drew and Anoushka in the gorge, with the river Fjaðrá flowing at their feet. Ever lasting love in this magnificent landscape, what more could we ask for?
The last light in Vik.
With wild and angry waves in the sea and a hint of apricot in the sky. It sounds like poetry and it looked like it too. We hopped onto the Vik black sand beach after a much needed bathroom break and putting more gas in the car. The Reynisdrangar rock formations stood stoically, the setting sun illuminating the spray of the waves crashing around them.
After a meal at the Noodle Station in Selfoss we dropped the Working Wanderers, as they call themselves on Instagram (do hop over and check out their cute pug puppies) at their accommodation and day one was a wrap.
Day 2 – Vow Renewal Iceland Southern Region
We were pretty happy going through the pictures after day one, and we feared we would be rained on walking to the crashed plane site. It’s one of the instagrammable places in Iceland if you want to call it that way but we did not photograph someone standing on the plane with their back to the camera. Drew and Anoushka were up for the hike and we brought ponchos (they look like giant sandwich bags to me) so there we went. We walked for an hour in the dark. Icelandic winters are dark, guys, so little light. Kudos to Anoushka for doing so in a dress and then poof! There was our plane. It was relatively quiet, we were very lucky for that.
The desolate landscape inspired Drew And Anoushka to change their plans. They had planned on renewing their vows at Skogafoss Waterfall later in the day but they said: let’s do it here. Anouska chose a blood red wedding dress (see what I did here, ghehe) and a black velvet cape for the occasion. No dragons swooping over the scene, only that warm fuzzy feeling called love.
Vow Renewal Photos Vik Black Beach
After a coffee we basked in the sunlight at Vik black beach. It was bloody freezing but our lovely couple braved the cold. The tide was high and we could not get into the cave – it was flooded – and we were keen to watch the waves. We could not climb the basalt formations. The warning signs are there for a reason: one wave can sweep you off your feet and drag you into the sea. We preferred being swept off our feet by love.
We actually thought we’d be shooting dark and moody images in Iceland. Well, Iceland said: “Hold my (very expensive) beer, here you have sunshine and rainbows and pastel colored skies!” I would like to thank Erik for driving through a flooded road. It was no problem with our big ass Iceland rental car so these images could be captured.
Thank you Drew and Anoushka for trusting us to capture your memories. We only got to know you a little and you are lovely people! (Photographer friends: for real I could show these two heavily underexposed pictures on the back of the camera (expose for the highlights y’all) and they would not bat an eyelid.) Thank you also for freezing your limbs off, for getting soaked at Skogafoss Waterfall which was the final stop on day two of our adventure, and for making a real effort in the clothing / nails / eye lash department. Not that you need it, but it gives your pictures that extra bit of oomph!
Iceland Elopement Adventure Sessions
For anyone who can’t get enough of these Iceland vow renewal photos: we have more! Check out Lauren and Brayden at their Vik black beach vow renewal, or Danielle and Matthijs’ Iceland after wedding session. If you’re looking for a photographer for your Iceland elopement, an Iceland Wedding photographer or you want your very own Iceland Adventure Photoshoot, contact us! It is also a pretty awesome place for a proposal. We’d love to hang out with you for a few days and take you to the best spots in Iceland