Ivar Eythorsson was born and raised in one of the most dramatic countries in the world. Yet, it was photography what really allowed him to understand how beautiful Iceland really is.
Surrounded by untouched nature since his childhood, it was only four years ago when Ivar started to explore seriously the wide extremes and contrasts of his home country. What once was just a hobby, now has become a career path. But, above all, a way of living life.
Landscape photography has become really special to Ivar because it allows him to connect with nature. In order to master photography and enjoy of his passion at its best, Ivar recently enrolled in the Photography School of Reykjavík.
On his way to achieve his dream (becoming a professional photographer), Ivar has collected already breathtaking moments as well as true friendships. As you are about to discover through this interview, his talent for photography is remarkable. This is just one of the many reasons why welcoming Ivar to our Talent Pool is so exiting!
Welcome Ivar! You decided not that long ago to pursue a career as a landscape photographer! Can you summarize for us your journey so far?
I would say that my journey has been quite unconventional. It all started back in 2015, when I bought a drone for fun.
In the summer of 2015 one of my friends came to visit me in Iceland. He came with his most recent purchase, a DJI drone! I have to be honest, I was stoked about the drone. Having one powerful eye in the sky was so surreal to me. After a couple of fun sessions with my friend, I decided that I also wanted to have my own drone. This was before I even had a DSLR camera!
So, when it comes to photography, my journey actually began with a drone, which I bought just to have fun basically. I wasn’t thinking about producing any content with it in the beginning. I just thought that flying it would be such a nice and different experience.
Buying the drone motivated me to travel around Iceland so I could see the full potential of this aerial tool. One day, driving around Reykjavík I found a group of people on jet skies and speed boats sailing around the harbour downtown. I decided to stop and put my drone up, record them and create a short video just for fun.
Suddenly the owner contacted me saying that he wanted to purchase the video to use it in his website and social media. That was a big surprise to me! This was my first video so I didn’t expect such a nice reaction to be honest. But then I asked to myself: If the owner of a boat club enjoys my work, perhaps more businesses could find value in my work as well?
After this experience I bought my first camera. Although I took photos quite regularly with my phone camera, having a DSLR camera in my hands was certainly something different. I really enjoyed it, so I started practicing taking photos at home with my family and friends.
Of course, that was enough to learn the basics, but I really wanted to see what a DSLR camera was capable off. I decided to shoot more often outdoors in order to keep improving my skills. The photos I was taking then were a lot better and I started to be a lot more creative. Later on I purchased a new lens, which was a complete game-changer.
I started posting my photos on Instagram just for fun and I got some likes coming in and just a few followers each week. I was around 3.000 followers when I started. Then I began to take photos of the northern lights and those posts were doing a lot better.
My family took notice in my fast growing interest in photography and suggested that I could study it professionally. My history with school isn’t the best. I had no interest in the subjects so that led to me dropping out. I’ve tried four different collages with four subjects but nothing really got my attention. So, the idea for me to go study photography wasn’t gonna happen. To me it was just a hobby and I wasn’t thinking about it as a career choice in any way.
But, it’s true. I was investing a lot of time going outside exploring and capturing moments on the camera, that for me was really special. I was creating something.
In early 2017 I got a job at a drone company called Dronefly.is. This company is a DJI distributer in Iceland and also does professional aerial photography and videography. They are the number one company when it comes to videography in Iceland. It was really inspiring to see them in action.
At that point, I did more and more trips in Iceland. When I was around 9.000 followers I joined a Facebook group called The Visuals Collective. I used to share my work there and also to see and be inspired by other photographers. At one point I wrote a post on that group that said; if there were any photographers coming to Iceland, they could reach out to me and we could do something together.
A few days later a photographer named Tyler White contacted me. He told me that he saw my post and was really looking to travel to Iceland, so, we decided to do a trip together.
He came to Iceland later that summer and we did a three day trip on the South Coast. We explored some waterfalls, cliffs and even drove into the highlands on my tiny Volkswagen Polo where we stayed at the most incredible campsite over night.
Then I really got the “experience”, the feeling of how this life could be. This was the first trip with someone else that really enjoys what I love to do.
At that point I decided to take Instagram a lot more seriously.
Later that year Tyler came again with his friend Jay and another guy named Jack Harding. Jack was this huge Instagramer which I had been following for a while. We went on a Whale Safari to try to see some humpbacks but unfortunately we didn’t see any. After the safari we met up with another Instagramer called Karl Shakur and then we headed onto the next adventure.
Traveling with such experienced photographers was so inspiring. The way they worked their cameras and how they positioned themselves blew my mind.
We talked a lot about Instagram. We spent some time speaking about the algorithm, hashtags, what has to be done to be successful at that particular social media and I am forever grateful for the tips they gave me.
When this trip got to an end I headed back home to start my new job. I got a job at a social media marketing agency called Sahara as a photographer. I got the opportunity to shoot different types of products and events. Everything you can imagine. As such, my portfolio and experience expanded incredibly. I was there for approximately 6 months.
After that, I really went for it! But, I realised that I needed to study to become a professional, to become something more than just an Instagramer. In my opinion studying photography really makes the difference. So, I applied to the Photography School of Iceland (Ljósmyndaskólinn)
Of course you can study by yourself and you can learn from tutorials on Youtube and things like that, but at the end of the day, it is different when you attend a school which was created specifically for photography. You can see how professionals work and they will take you step by step through everything. That is something you can’t get easily otherwise.
Why is photography so special to you? Can you describe the feeling?
I am born and raised in Iceland. I have been surrounded by nature for 23 years now. Perhaps, because I got used to the landscapes, I really took nature for granted. It wasn’t until I started taking pictures when I realised how beautiful the nature around me really is.
Also, I think that I lost the opportunity to enjoy Iceland at its best. The last 5-6 years, tourism has grown quite significantly, changing the old dynamic of the country. I really hate looking back when I was younger where I was driving some magnificent place and my mom calling me in the back seat saying “look out the windows, this is so beautiful” and I just continued staring at my phone, instead of looking up and enjoy the view, cause I know, I am never going to see it the way it was before.
So I can for sure say that being outdoors was absolutely not an interest of mine a few years ago. Now I just feel the urge of being outside exploring, taking pictures and making memories. So I can honestly say that photography was the only reason for this change, of this rediscovered passion for the unknown and wild path.
You are currently following an “unconventional path”. Becoming a landscape photographer and social media influencer nowadays can be quite difficult, specially considering that competition is high. But, essentially you are following your passion, right?
Yes, indeed! Discovering photography has had a significant impact in my life. For me it is really important to enjoy the journey though. So, although I am investing quite some time on social media for instance, my goal nowadays is to learn and enjoy of photography as much as I possibly can.
I am aware of all the difficulties that this path may bring. However, I consider myself really lucky because I am based in Iceland! That makes things easier, finding ideal locations to create something new!
You are based in one of the most dramatic countries in the world. Do you also believe that your home country has something special?
I have not traveled a lot to be honest. I have only been to 7 countries in Europe but from that experience, there is nothing like Iceland. I bet there are a lot of beautiful countries on the planet which I can’t wait to visit but the rough landscapes of Iceland are so unique.
The island has a lot of different landscapes to offer. It has an incredible coastline with cliffs and black sand beaches, fields with green moss as long as the eye can see, rough rocky mountains and beautiful and tall white glaciers. You could probably explore Iceland 365 days of the year.
For all those travelers visiting Iceland really soon, what three places should they definitely check out?
This is a very difficult question actually. I really have to be honest with you, I don’t want to attract tourists to the remote places I love because, like, I mentioned before, I really enjoy being alone in my favourite spots. Only me, my camera, and nature! That is why I would not recommend “my personal favourite spots”. However, among the best known sites in Iceland, I can suggest three must visit destinations:
Reykjanes Peninsula: The Reykjanes Peninsula is a region in southwest Iceland. The peninsula is marked by active volcanism under its surface, and large lava fields, allowing little vegetation. There are numerous hot springs and sulphur springs in the southern half of the peninsula, around the Kleifarvatn lake and the Krýsuvík geothermal area.
Hallormsstadir: this is Iceland’s largest forest. Although there are not many, here you can get a gist of it. The forest covers an area of 740 hectares most of which is native birch. Overall this is a really nice place to hike as well and it has an arboretum with over 80 tree species.
Stokksnes: this peninsula in Southeast Iceland is quite impressive as well. Here you will find one of the country’s most breathtaking mountains. Most likely you would have seen a photo of this area on Instagram, no one can scape its beauty! But this spot is not all about the mountains, the black sand beaches all around it a one of a kind!
Among your works, do you have any picture that you really like? Which is your favourite photo?
I took my most memorable photograph while working with a company called Midgard, they are located on the south coast and are focusing on outdoor activities.
I went on a trip with a guy called Siggi, he’s the owner of this company. We drove into Thorsmork, a place where you can find some of the most intense landscapes in Iceland.
Before visiting this area, I had seen a picture taken by one of my favourite landscape photographers. His name is Max Rive. Max took an incredible photo of the sunset in Thorsmork and to this day, this is the most impressive picture I have ever seen from that location.
So few a hours later into the trip we saw a summit and we decided to hike up there. It was really intense because we were hiking on lava so the ground was quite unstable, the rocks were basically loose. Looking back to that moment I can honestly say that we were risking our lives. But, we made it to the top and then I realised that we were at the exact same spot were Max took that picture.
The work to get to the summit was so intense and the landscape was so unique that I will never forget that experience. Finally, Siggi decided to hike all the way out to the peak and then stood on it. I took the exact same picture that Max took previously!
To me, that was a huge accomplishment.
Imagine yourself at the beginning of your professional career as a photographer. What four pieces of advice would you give to yourself?
I do have one main advice, but I will mention it at the end of this question. There are some basics (which don’t seem that obvious at the beginning) which can really help you improve your photography significantly.
Firstly, do not settle for equipment cause you think it just might do for now. If you are not satisfied with what you buy and you think about selling it again, you are going to loose time and money. If you can, get the most efficient gear for your budget you have. Also, make sure that you have the appropriate gear for the type of photography you are aiming for. It is not the same taking portraits and capturing wildlife for instance. So, clearly define what your goal is with photography!
Secondly, be inspired. Take a look at what other people are doing. In my opinion the best way to learn photography and finding your own style is to copy the style of another photographers and from there you can proceed to apply your own concepts, colours, light, etc. Essentially you want to come up with your own style in the end.. If you are able to replicate different styles, then you will have mastered photography essentially.
Thirdly, invest quite some time in understanding photography. Studying photography is really useful and to do so you can make use of all the available and free resources online. But if you find a good book for instance, pay for it, invest in your education as well, you could even go to photography school, I really recommend it.
Finally, my biggest advice would be to go outside and shoot every single day. First, get to know your camera. Try all the setting cause trust me, you can’t break it. At first you will struggle and you will feel like you are not progressing, but honestly, you are. Then you can starting shooting with other photographers and you can try to help each other. That has been really helpful as well. Shooting with other people is the best way to keep the ball rolling and ensure a constant progression.
So try to push your own boundaries and don’t be afraid of trying different things along the way. And remember to be patient, if you do so, nature eventually will surprise you!
Is there any artist/photographer who has inspired your art? Can you name three?
Of course! There are three names than come straight to my mind, Gunnar Freyr, Daniel Ernst and Benjamin Hardman.
Gunnar Freyr is a Icelandic photographer. I have been following his work since I started photography and I have met him couple of times and the guy is just the sweetest. He has given me some great advice and I do recommend following his work and if you are in Iceland, visit his workspace, The Space, you might bump into him.
I’ve only met Daniel once. He came to Iceland early this year and I spent about 2 days with him and my friend Ása Steinars driving around Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We stayed in this cabin where we managed to talk about literally everything related to Instagram and social media. Not just being an incredible photographer, he as so much experience and is willing to share everything. I feel very lucky to have met him.
And I have been following Benjamin pretty much since I started taking pictures. I have met him a couple of times and wow, he’s a true artist! He has this incredible unique style which is absolutely amazing and I defiantly recommend checking him out!
Any new projects coming up or countries you will be visiting soon?
I recently enrolled in the Photography School of Iceland and this will be the major part of my future plans. Hopefully, I will finish it in the next three years but I have planned to keep on traveling and visit all my new friends next summer.
“Stay curious and motivated. But don’t try to find motivation only in photography looking at other photographers’ work. There are many sources of inspiration such as music or movies for instance.”
“The sun shone and I turned off my emails and shot a lot of analogue work. It was so refreshing to reset and remind myself why I do what I do.”
“My favorite location I’ve traveled to was the Faroe Islands. It’s just a heaven on the Earth! It made my heart beat faster and I even see it in my dreams!”
“I think there is nothing more beautiful than sharing feelings, thoughts, and impressions. It doesn’t matter whether I can share it with my travel partner or later with family and friends viewing my photos.”
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