Breathtaking Iceland Lupines Adventure Maternity Session
Table of Contents:
- Isabelle & Jairus’ Iceland Lupines Maternity Session
- An Afternoon Exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Stunning Iceland Elopement Locations
- Fast Facts About the Iconic Iceland Lupines
- Iceland Maternity Photographer
- Iceland Elopement Photographer
- More Elopement Resources You May Enjoy
Isabelle & Jairus — soon to be first time parents on their babymoon in Iceland. It was beyond a treat to meet these two in this magical corner of the world. We spent an afternoon exploring Iceland’s stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula, stopping at iconic spots like the Bjarnarfoss Waterfall and the “Black Church”. Truly, I could’ve stayed here forever. I hope you enjoy looking through these breathtaking Iceland lupines maternity photos, because I know I’ll be re-living this day forever!
Isabelle & Jairus’ Iceland Lupines Maternity Session
How we connected
It’s amazing to me how the universe never fails to connect you to just the right people at just the right time. I was counting down the days until my summer trip to Europe, where I would be visiting France, the Dolomites, and Greece for a friend’s wedding. At the last minute, I decided I wanted to do two days in Iceland – and really wanted to do a shoot there if I could set one up in such a short time.
Luckily, it worked out that I was able to connect with another photographer who’s based out of Colorado, and just so happened to be on her babymoon in Iceland with her love! (Check out her photography page on Instagram here – she’s uber talented and such a lovely human being.)
Maternity photos in Iceland? Yes, please!
Isabelle was 7 months pregnant when I met up with her and Jairus on the western peninsula of Iceland, where we hopped around to different stunning locations and got to see some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. I could’ve only DREAMED of getting the huge honor of documenting maternity photos in a location as breathtaking as Iceland, especially for a really wonderful fellow photographer during such an exciting season of life.
We stopped at some jaw-dropping waterfalls, found the iconic “Black Church,” and, of course, had to end our session in a beautiful patch of Iceland’s bright purple lupines, super close to the Airbnb they were staying in. More on those specific locations a little further down in this blog!
Despite really windy weather and cloudy skies, Isabelle & Jairus made the absolute best of our afternoon together, and this time with them truly gave me one of the most incredible career highlights that I’ll remember forever. Iceland far surpassed any & every expectation I had going into my trip and absolutely lived up to the hype, especially since I got to experience it by documenting one of the most special moments in a couple’s life for these two wonderful humans.
If your jaw is on the floor simply looking at photos of these locations, trust me when I say it would absolutely fall off your face if you saw them in person. Keep reading to find out more about each of the spots we visited, and how you can visit them yourselves if you take your own trip to Iceland!
An Afternoon Exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Stunning Iceland Elopement Locations
A scenic drive along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
When I say I had to pull over every 5 seconds to snap photos when I drove along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, I mean every 5 seconds. The western peninsula of Iceland was absolutely unbelievable, boasting the most spectacular lush, green views everywhere I looked. It’s situated to the west of Borgarfjörður, and is one of the most diverse locations in all of Iceland, filled with waterfalls, vibrant greenery, lupines, vast cliffs, mountains, lighthouses, glaciers, & more.
Fun fact – many scenes from the Secret Life of Walter Mitty (the classic Ben Stiller movie) were actually filmed in a village on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula!
FAQ’s About the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
How long does it take to drive the Snaefellsnes Peninsula?
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is 90 kilometers (about 56 miles) long, so if you were to drive straight through the peninsula without stopping, it would only take you around 2 hours. But I can promise you that you won’t be driving nonstop – if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to pull over every 5 minutes to take in the phenomenal scenery 😉 Plus, I highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time not only to make roadside stops, but to explore all of the stunning spots with waterfalls, cliffs, etc.
Is the Snaefellsnes Peninsula worth it?
Yes, absolutely, 10000% yes. If you visit Iceland and go nowhere else, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is an incredible place to go thanks to its diversity and huge variety of breathtaking landscapes!
Where should I watch sunrise & sunset on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula?
This is a great question, especially if you’re thinking about sunrise & sunset on the peninsula as far as taking photos goes. I’ve heard that Kirkjufell (a film location for Game of Thrones!) is one of the most extraordinary places to watch both sunrise & sunset on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, especially for photographers!
The phenomenal Bjarnarfoss Waterfall
The waterfall you see in Isabelle & Jairus’ photos is the stunning Bjarnarfoss Waterfall, located on the south of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It’s a super easily-accessible waterfall, requiring just a short walk up a pathway from a parking lot, and is even visible from road 54 if you’d just like to take a scenic drive by it! With two tiers of falling water, the narrow waterfall is a breathtaking sight to see, surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic basalt columns. I cannot recommend this waterfall enough – but I’m sure you don’t need any convincing after seeing Isabelle & Jairus’ beautiful photos here!
The Iconic “Black Church at Budir:” the Búðakirkja
Ever heard of (or seen photos of) Iceland’s “Black Church?” It’s actually called the Búðakirkja, or the “Black Church at Budir.” Located on the southern side of the peninsula, the famous destination features a unique, dramatic black church built all the way back in 1703, and later rebuilt in 1848. It’s not hard to find, as you can see it from afar as you’re driving along road 54, before taking road 578 toward Hellnar & Arnarstarpi.
The tiny black church is one of only two buildings in a small village, accompanied only by Hotel Búðir, an elegant hotel smack dab in the middle of the stunning landscape. This hotel is the perfect place for you to stay the night after eloping at the Black Church at Budir and adventuring along the peninsula. It offers a relaxing lounge, bar, delicious meals, rooms with amazing views, and even plenty of fun outdoor activities such as hiking, ice-climbing, and cave exploring!
Fast Facts About the Iconic Iceland Lupines
Are the lupines invasive in Iceland?
Yes, the iconic purple lupines of Iceland are an invasive species! Although unfortunate for the local plant life it threatens, it does mean that it’s okay to frolick through them while you’re taking photos 😉 Usually, trampling on wildflowers is NOT something I encourage during shoot, as it can destroy the vegetation underneath you! However, Iceland’s lupines sprawl over the highways and pretty much everywhere you look during certain times of the year.
Are lupines native to Iceland?
Nope, Iceland’s famous lupines are actually native to North America (Alaska, specifically). They were introduced to Iceland back in the 1940’s with the intention of stopping topsoil loss & combating soil erosion, but now are an invasive species that unfortunately threaten the local plant life. The lupines cover 0.4% of Iceland’s entire land surface, and has the potential to grow pretty much everywhere except for Iceland’s glaciers.
This article in Hakai Magazine provides a fantastic look into how lupines became such an iconic yet invasive part of Iceland’s landscape, if you’d like to learn more!
When is the best time to see lupines in Iceland?
Lupines typically bloom for about 2 months in the summer in Iceland, with late June-early August being the best times to see them sprawling everywhere.
Where can I see lupines in Iceland?
Although the lupines have now spread to most areas of Iceland, the southern coast of Iceland is the best place to see the beautiful lupines in full bloom – even more of a reason to spend time exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula! 😉
Iceland Maternity Photographer
Ever since photographing Isabelle & Jairus’ Iceland lupines maternity session, my soul has been craving more time in Iceland so badly. I’d absolutely love to take another trip back to the stunning peninsula to explore the lupines, waterfalls, & lush landscapes with you and your partner to document your maternity photos! Or if you’d like to adventure around a different part of the country instead, you know I’m 100% in.
If you’re searching for the perfect Iceland maternity photographer and feel like we’d be a good fit, take a look at what I offer here, and reach out to me via my contact form! I can’t wait to plan the Iceland maternity session of your dreams to capture this super special time of your lives.
Iceland Elopement Photographer
Not only do I photograph couples on the journey to parenthood – my main gig is as an adventure elopement photographer! I photograph couples around the world who are looking to plan a thoughtful, meaningful, and intentional elopement, with the focus on them & their love for each other.
I’d love to be your Iceland elopement photographer and help craft a bespoke experience for you, created with intentionality, research, and using my expertise in all things outdoor destination elopements. Say hello to me via my contact form or message me on Instagram, and let’s start planning your one-of-a-kind elopement celebration!
More Elopement Resources You May Enjoy
How to Elope in Europe: Legalities, Locations, & More
10 Meaningful Ways to Include Family in Your Elopement
How to Create Your Elopement Timeline
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[…] know I’m a big fan of pulling off to see stunning landscapes whenever I get the chance (hello, Iceland!) – so I recommend you take the opportunity to do the same during your time in […]