Jeroen is a highly regarded photographer from Belgium who now lives in Iceland. He has won awards for his photography and focuses on capturing the beauty of Iceland’s Central Highlands and volcanic eruptions.

Recently, he gained global recognition for his outstanding work at the Fagradalsfjall volcano and other volcanic eruptions in Iceland.

Jeroen collaborates with other experienced landscape and wildlife photographers to organize exciting photo workshops specifically designed for Iceland photographer.

These workshops provide amazing opportunities for photographers to enhance their skills and create memorable experiences.

Q1. Can you share with us the story of how you first got interested in photography and what inspired you to become a iceland photographer specialising in the Central Highlands , volcanic eruptions & Iceland photography?

Ans. As a young kid, I found an analog Canon SLR (the Canon AV-1) in my parent’s attic. Learning how to use it, caused me to be fascinated by photography.

Complementing that fascination, I was fortunate enough to travel with my parents to unspoiled, and sometimes distant, countries such as South Africa, Canada and Norway.

Those travels, together with the many National Geographic and BBC Earth documentaries I watched, developed my respect and admiration for nature tremendously. While this first began as a hobby, I dreamed of turning this into a full-time career.

Thanks to the attention my work received during the 2021 eruption of Fagradalsfjall in Iceland, I managed to propel that dream into reality.

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Q2. Your work at the Fagradalsfjall volcano has received international attention. Can you tell us about your challenges and unique experiences while capturing moments during volcanic eruptions?

Ans. Creating compelling images of a volcanic eruption is not as easy as you’d think. While it’s fairly straightforward to capture the action of for example the lava fountains, it’s much more difficult to look beyond that.

During that first eruption in 2021, I spent a ridiculous amount of time documenting it. In those six months, I hiked up there 44 times.

Each time, I tried to find a different angle or perspective. My goal was to capture this event in as many different ways, from as many different angles, as I could think of.

To me, this event was so extremely unique that I needed to document all of its facets.

I focused for example on aerial abstracts, trying to find shapes and figures in the lava, or trying to capture scale by using unknowing spectators as silhouettes against the massive lava fountains.

I also attempted to push boundaries by trying to capture the northern lights above an erupting volcano.

Q3. Your photography seems to focus on the natural wonders of Iceland, particularly the Central Highlands. What draws you to this region, and how does it inspire your creative process?

Ans. To me, the Icelandic Highlands are one of the last true, untouched wilderness areas in Europe. This largely unspoilt area houses some of the most surreal and otherworldly landscapes you can find on this planet.

The scenery ranges from the unique swirling braided glacial rivers to large explosion craters and whole steaming mountain ranges. I often feel like I am inside a huge fantasy movie set when traveling through this area.

I’ve spent the last 10 years photographing it and not once did I get bored. There’s always something new and exciting to discover.

I think this is what really draws me to it: the variety and the refreshing feel. Every time I go there I get new ideas about possible shots.

Whether it’s a new angle, different weather conditions I want to see or simply new areas to explore. The highlands offer endless inspiration to me.

Q4. Apart from being a Iceland photographer, Can you highlight some of the critical techniques or approaches you use when photographing landscapes and wildlife in challenging environments like volcanic areas?

Ans. When photographing volcanic eruptions, safety is paramount. During the last five eruptions, I have always kept safety at heart.

Secondly, I try to always look for a different angle. While it’s easy to get carried away by the grandeur and the scale of an eruption, I more often try to look at details, aspect that have not really been seen by people before.

Thanks to, amongst other things, developments with drone technology we can now document elements of volcanoes that were too dangerous to document before.

Q5. Your website showcases various stunning collections of Iceland photography and more. How do you decide on the themes for your photography projects, and what message or emotions do you aim to convey through your work?

Ans. My main goal with my photography is to seek out unique angles and experiences which only few people get to see.

I want to show those moments to my audience who may never get to experience them. By editing those images in a true-to-life way, I want to show them what is out there and what can be seen with their own eyes.

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Q6. As an award-winning Iceland photographer, what role do awards and recognition play in your career, and how do they influence your artistic development?

Ans. Awards and recognition are definitely nice to receive but they are not a driving factor in my photography at all.

I photograph first and foremost for myself. I have never thought of taking an image because I thought it may do well in a contest.

However, awards and recognition can be important from a business perspective to establish credibility.

Q7. You organise photo workshops with other established photographers. How do you structure these workshops, and what do you hope participants gain from the experience?

Ans. I think there are several things that participants should expect to get out of a workshop. First and foremost, they should expect to travel specifically with photography in mind.

The idea is to bring people to highly photographable locations, while also providing sufficient time to properly explore the area they will be shooting.

On-site, we help participants figure out what the ‘classic’ angles and perspectives are, while also helping them achieve those shots.

The best way to learn is to actually shoot and be outside. They also get plenty of time to wait for changing lights or to explore the area more to find alternative perspectives.

The end goal for them is to return home with not only great experiences but also with great images.

Q8. How has living in Iceland influenced your photography style and storytelling? Are there specific aspects of Icelandic culture or nature that consistently appear in your work as Iceland photographer?

Ans. I think over the years my respect for nature and how unpredictable and beautiful it is has only grown – especially after witnessing the raw power and beauty of volcanic eruptions.

But on top of that, I’ve also changed my shooting style in such a way that I tend to pick my moments more, rather than go out and shoot.

I used to travel to Iceland a lot, which meant that I tried to cram as much into that trip as possible. By being here and having all the time in the world, I pick my moments to shoot more and spend more time at fewer locations.

This, to me, has vastly improved my photography.

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Q9. Given the dynamic nature of volcanic eruptions, how do you approach planning and executing a photo shoot in such unpredictable conditions?

Ans. In that regard, I do very little planning photographically but I keep an obsessive tab on the data which tells us how the eruption, or even lead up to an eruption, is going.

I follow the developments in GPS data, seismicity, and more. I also keep an eye on how things are changing, and then hike to the area when things become interesting again.

Because I live in Iceland, it’s easy to go there whenever I feel I need to. I also think of a sort of checklist with shots I am considering trying to take. Each time I go out to shoot, I try to work on that list. 

Q10. Can you discuss the role of technology and equipment in your photography, and are there any specific tools or techniques you find particularly valuable in your field as an Iceland photographer?

Ans. I think technology is useful but, for the most part, irrelevant. People were creating compelling images long before we had the fanciest and most powerful cameras.

However, one real game changer for me has been the use of a drone technology for my drone photography.

Being able to seek out unknown and new vantage points of familiar scenes with my drone is something I am very grateful for.

Q11. In your journey as an Iceland photographer or general photographer, have you noticed any evolving trends or changes in the industry, and how do you adapt to stay relevant and innovative in your work?

Ans. I think the biggest challenge today is standing out of the crowd, particularly with the developments and growing popularity of compositing and AI image generation.

One thing in which I try to stand out is by speaking a lot about the process, stories, and even struggles that go on behind my photographs.

Being in the moment, being outside, the story of all of it, is something that the newer compositing and AI craze do not have.

To me, that’s what photography is about: capturing memories. By sharing those memories and experiences, I try to differentiate myself.

Conclusion

Jeroen, a renowned photographer from Belgium now residing in Iceland, has gained global recognition for his captivating work capturing the beauty of Iceland’s Central Highlands and volcanic eruptions.

His dedication and creativity shine through in his captivating landscape images of volcanic eruptions and the untouched wilderness of Iceland’s Central Highlands. Jeroen embraces technology, using drones to explore and document previously inaccessible elements of volcanoes.

His photography aims to transport viewers to extraordinary places and convey the true beauty he witnesses. Jeroen collaborates with other photographers to organize workshops, providing opportunities for skill enhancement and the capture of exceptional images.

Through his work, Jeroen showcases the incredible beauty of Iceland’s Central Highlands and volcanic eruptions, earning him great respect as an esteemed Iceland photographer.

To check out more about him, click here.