Equipment failure and forgetting clothing essentials are invariably top of the list. Forget your waterproof overtrousers while in the UK, for example, and chances are that a nearby town, or village, will have something to tide you over. Forget them while in Iceland, and you're asking for trouble if you think you can do without! As a result, although there are numerous outdoor shops throughout Iceland, you may find that a trip to Reykjavik's in order to be sure that somewhere will be both open and that also stocks what you're after which, of course, not only impacts on the trip but your bank balance! Yes, Iceland's not cheap!
I always have a checklist and around 3 months before the photography tour to Iceland, send my clients a comprehensive one, too. I go through it, meticulously, and tick each item as I go. Don't rush. If possible, pack 2 days before departure. This then leaves the day before to relax and do final checks, and you're far less likely to forget something.
Needless to say, the weather in Iceland, in winter, can be particularly wild. You could have wind, rain and blizzards all in the space of a few minutes. To me, it makes the experience all the more exciting, especially when, as I do, you use a professional driver. Those of us who reside in the UK are just not used to driving in the snow and for the last 15 years, I've teamed up with a friend who lives in Finnish Lapland and who is well used to harsh, snowy conditions. I do the logistics and tuition and he does the driving and making sure that everyone's safe and comfortable. It works very well; I wouldn't do it any other way.
Back to those essential items! You'll probably snigger and think I'm overreacting but if there is one piece of advice I give my groups and that is to pack a spare set of socks (both liner and boot) and place in a ziplock bag along with a microfibre towel - and two bread-bags! Photographers are renowned for getting too close to the 'action' and losing sight of the occasional sneaker-wave which, invariably, results in a boot-full of seawater and you returning to the minibus, squelching! Without spare socks and a towel, it's a miserable, cold existence; to be able to dry your feet, put on warm socks and then to place them into bread-bags and into your boots makes all the difference.
