Illegal Photo Tours in Iceland

Over the past year, The Icelandic Professional Photographers Association has worked systematically to raise awareness of activities that, in some cases, appear not to comply with Icelandic legal and licensing requirements. This work has been prompted by developments in recent years, during which the number of foreign operators offering photography tours in Iceland has increased significantly.

In many respects, this development is a positive one, reflecting the strong interest Iceland continues to inspire among photographers and travelers alike. At the same time, however, it has become clear that not all operators organizing such tours are fully aware of the legal obligations that apply in Iceland, nor have all taken sufficient steps to ensure compliance.

This is particularly relevant in cases where organizers personally drive paying participants around the country in connection with photography tours, workshops, or similar educational trips. In such cases, Icelandic law sets out clear requirements regarding the operator's rights, licenses, and the registration of the activity.

Legal requirements for this type of activity

Operators intending to conduct this type of activity in Iceland must, among other things, meet the following requirements:

• Hold valid driving credentials that satisfy the legal requirements for transporting paying passengers.

• Hold an operating license issued by the Icelandic Transport Authority.

• Use a vehicle that is properly registered and licensed for paid passenger transport.

• Ensure that the activity as a whole is conducted in accordance with Icelandic laws, regulations, and safety requirements.

Where these conditions are not met, the activity may be considered unlawful. This is not merely a technical matter. It raises important issues relating to passenger safety, liability, insurance coverage, fairness in business operations, and fair competition with those who operate lawfully in the Icelandic market.

Actions taken by the Board

In response to this situation, the Board of the Icelandic Professional Photographers Association has sent around one hundred notices to foreign organizers of photography tours and workshops in Iceland. These notices have highlighted the legal requirements that apply in Iceland, particularly in cases involving the transportation of paying participants.

The purpose of this outreach has not been to obstruct legitimate business activity or to discourage people from organizing photography tours in Iceland. On the contrary, the emphasis has been on education, transparency, and encouraging such activities to be conducted in a lawful, safe, and professional manner.

We regard this as an important part of safeguarding professionalism within the industry, protecting the interests of those who operate legally, and ensuring that participants in photography tours receive the level of safety and oversight they are entitled to expect.

Results of the initiative

This work has already produced tangible results. Many of the tours brought to our attention were subsequently removed from the internet or were no longer advertised in the same manner as before.

In other cases, organizers responded positively, thanked us for the information, and acknowledged that they had not been fully aware of the rules that apply in Iceland. This suggests that, in some instances, the issue is not intentional misconduct but rather a lack of information or familiarity with the Icelandic regulatory framework.

There have also been many cases in which foreign operators subsequently sought cooperation with Icelandic tourism companies or other local partners who meet the relevant legal requirements. In this way, it has often been possible to bring an operation into a lawful and safe framework, allowing tours to proceed on proper terms and with greater protection for everyone involved.

It is particularly encouraging to see that targeted information-sharing and professional follow-up can lead to this kind of outcome. In this sense, the work is not only helping to prevent unlawful activity, but also guiding operators toward a lawful and responsible path.

Why this matters

Photography tours are an important part of the work of many photographers and are also closely connected to Icelandic tourism. It is therefore essential that this sector operate on clear ground rules that everyone respects.

When operators work without the required licenses, it creates an unfair situation for the companies and individuals who bear the cost and responsibility of operating lawfully. At the same time, it can create uncertainty regarding safety, insurance, and liability if something goes wrong during a tour.

It is in the shared interest of industry professionals, as well as tour participants, that these activities be transparent, lawful, and safe.

Continuing work

The Board of the Icelandic Professional Photographers Association will continue to monitor developments in these matters and to advocate for an industry built on professionalism, responsibility, and respect for the laws and regulations that apply in Iceland.

We believe it is important to continue informing both foreign and domestic operators of these obligations and, in doing so, to support a healthy business environment, increased safety, and fair competition within Iceland's photography and tourism sectors.

Confidential reporting

The Icelandic Professional Photographers Association encourages anyone with information or concerns regarding tours or workshops that may be operating without the required licenses to contact the Association. The Board will review these matters and refer them through the appropriate channels. Suggestions can be sent to the board by email at stjorn@ljosmyndarafelag.is or by filling in the form below. All information will be treated as confidential, and the source will not be disclosed.