Derek had already been to Iceland once before for an ultramarathon, which means his first impression of the country was mostly pain, questionable life choices, and whatever his feet still technically qualified as by the finish line. Naturally, he came back.
This time with Desiree. Significantly better itinerary.
This was day one in Reykjavik, before we left the city for the kind of scenery that usually gets all the attention. So we kept it small: walking, coffee, bookshops, harbour air — easing them in before Iceland started doing its full Iceland routine.
Reykjavik First
Reykjavik does not need much help. The streets are tidy, the buildings are doing their job, and even the cold feels better organised than most people I know.
That made day one almost embarrassingly easy.
We walked, stopped where it made sense, and ran the whole thing more like an afternoon out than a session. No choreography. No one pretending to laugh at something that was never said. Which, if you've seen engagement photography in the last decade, remains one of the most persistent genres of posing.
By the time we got to the more recognisable Reykjavik spots, they were already settled in. No awkward startup phase. No hands negotiating a ceasefire. Just two people looking very pleased to be back here, this time under slightly kinder conditions than ultramarathon blister management.
Coffee and Other Correct Choices
A lot of shoots improve the moment people are allowed to do something ordinary. Sit down. Drink coffee. Browse a shelf. Stop performing the concept of romance for an imaginary campaign they did not audition for.
Reykjavik was good for that too.
There was a café stop, some quiet wandering, and a bookshop find that was almost embarrassingly helpful: 50 Crazy Romantic Things to Do in Iceland. Nice when a country starts handing out its own briefing notes.
Then came the frozen pond. They started dancing on the ice, which felt romantic for them and mildly promising for me. I was quietly hoping for just enough cracking to give the photos a bit more urgency. Not enough for real danger. Just enough panic for some viral photos.
Sadly, the pond stayed professional.
That part of the day said most of what needed saying. They’re easy together. Relaxed. Funny without working at it. The chemistry was already there, which is convenient, because fake chemistry tends to read, in photos, as two people being held hostage by a mood board.
Before the Landscape Started Showing Off
Later came the harbour, the water, and Sun Voyager, which is already dramatic enough on its own and does not, under any circumstances, require a staged forehead touch or a meaningful stare into the distance.
That was day one: Reykjavik doing exactly what it should, which is playing the warm-up act before the country clears its throat and gets on with the scenery it’s actually famous for.
Part 1 was coffee, clean air, bright streets, and Derek getting to experience Iceland in a context that did not involve medical tape.
Part 2 gets less civilised.
If you’re planning an engagement session in Iceland, or anywhere else that deserves something better than the safe version, get in touch. You can also see more couples sessions on the Lovers portfolio.