Iceland Location Scouting FAQ

Iceland can look completely different depending on season, weather, access and time of day. This FAQ answers common scouting questions for film, photography and commercial productions planning to shoot in Iceland.

What is the best time of year to shoot in Iceland?

It depends on the look you need.

Summer gives you long days, open roads, green landscapes, easier access and late-night light. This is usually the most flexible season for productions that need to move fast between locations.

Winter gives you snow, low sun, darker skies, ice, rougher weather and a more dramatic atmosphere. It can be visually stronger, but it also needs more planning because daylight is short and conditions can change quickly.

Spring and autumn are often very useful for productions because the light is strong, the landscape is changing, and some locations are less crowded.

What is the best time of day to shoot in Iceland?

For landscape, car, fashion and commercial work, the strongest light is usually early or late in the day.

In summer, that can mean shooting very late at night or very early in the morning. Around midsummer, Iceland has extremely long daylight and the low sun can last for hours.

In winter, the shooting window is much shorter, but the sun stays low for most of the day. That can be useful if you want a colder, more cinematic look.

Can you help find locations based on a moodboard or reference images?

Yes. I can work from moodboards, scripts, sketches, campaign boards or loose visual references.

The process usually starts with the look you need: scale, texture, color, access, mood, weather, season and practical production limits. From there I suggest locations that match the visual direction while still making sense for the shoot.

Do you already have location photos from around Iceland?

Yes. My scouting work is supported by a large GPS-based archive of Iceland location photos built over years of traveling, scouting and photographing the country.

The archive includes roads, coastlines, glaciers, lava fields, moss, waterfalls, rivers, towns, industrial areas, remote landscapes and less obvious places that are often missed in standard location searches.

Many locations have also been photographed in different seasons, weather and light, which makes it easier to judge how a place may work before spending time and money getting there.

Can you scout locations remotely before a production arrives?

Yes. A lot of early scouting can be done remotely.

I can suggest locations, provide reference photos, check access, compare options and help narrow down what is worth seeing in person. This is useful when a production needs to make early decisions before sending crew to Iceland.

Can you help with practical production planning?

Yes, especially for smaller crews, photography productions, commercials and early-stage location research.

I can help with practical advice on access, terrain, timing, weather, light, driving distances and whether a location makes sense for the size and pace of the shoot.

Are all Iceland locations easy to access?

No. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning shoots in Iceland.

Some places look simple on a map but can involve rough roads, long drives, river crossings, seasonal closures, private land, fragile terrain or weather exposure. The visual location is only one part of the decision. Access and timing matter just as much.

When are the Icelandic Highlands accessible?

Usually in summer, but exact timing changes every year.

Many highland roads are closed through winter and spring, and they open when conditions allow. Some areas may open earlier than others. For productions, highland access should always be checked close to the shoot date, not assumed months in advance.

Can you help find less obvious Iceland locations?

Yes. Iceland has many familiar locations, but there are also plenty of useful places outside the standard search results.

For many productions, the better option is not always the most famous waterfall, beach or mountain. It may be a road, a lava field, a coastline, an industrial area, a small structure, a texture, or a landscape that gives the right feeling without the same visual baggage.

Can you help with drone or aerial references?

Yes. I can provide aerial references where useful and where flying is allowed.

Drone use in Iceland depends on location, weather, restrictions, safety and permissions. It should always be checked case by case.

How much lead time is needed for location scouting in Iceland?

The more time, the better.

Simple location suggestions can often be done quickly if the brief is clear. More detailed scouting, remote areas, seasonal looks, highland access or multiple options across the country need more time.

For productions working with tight schedules, early scouting helps avoid wasting shoot days on places that are wrong, inaccessible or too risky for the plan.

What do you need from a client to start scouting?

The most useful starting point is a clear visual direction.

That can include moodboards, scripts, references, campaign layouts, shot lists, preferred season, crew size, vehicle needs, dates, budget level and any restrictions. Even rough information helps narrow the search.

The goal is not just to find beautiful places. The goal is to find locations that work visually and practically for the production.

Need help finding locations in Iceland? Get in Touch