What is a Barkadventure?
This is the next evolution of the Barka experience, which was the industry's first all-inclusive luxury international workshop. Every Barka is an opportunity to not only photograph dogs in out-of-this-world locations, but now also a chance to truly explore a location with people that are YOUR people.
Essentially, if a Barkadventure was a mixed-breed dog - it’s parents would be one part dog-photography workshop and one part luxury adventure travel tour. Check out the tentative schedule below - each day will consist of a photoshoot and an activity while we travel as a group back and forth along the southern coast of Iceland.
Our Schedule
Get ready for an incredible week of photography, adventure, culinary delights, and new friendship. Details and schedule are subject to change - but this is our current itinerary. ALL food and activities are included in your registration! Breakfast is not listed, but included at the hotels.
➡️ Arrive in Reykjavík and rest or relax - you can check into your room as soon as it's available.
➡️ Periodic shuttles from the airport to the hotel in Reykjavík will be available.
➡️ Embark on a culinary adventure through a food tour of Icelandic cuisine in the evening.
➡️ Spend the night at a luxury property in Reykjavík.
➡️ Photograph at the Hallgrímskirkja church and in downtown Reykjavík
➡️ Enjoy a delicious brunch as a group.
➡️ Soak your stress away at the Sky Lagoon for the afternoon.
➡️ Indulge in a delectable feast for dinner in Reykjavík.
➡️ Spend the night at a luxury property in Reykjavík.
➡️ Pack up and head out of the city to the strikingly beautiful southern coast.
➡️ Photograph Icelandic horses in epic Icelandic surroundings.
➡️ Speed your way on an ATV through epic scenery or relax for a spa day at the hotel.
➡️ Enjoy a delicious dinner and rest your head at Skálakot Manor Hotel.
➡️ Photograph dogs on the basalt columns and black sand beaches near Vik.
➡️ Enjoy a horse ride through epic Icelandic landscape or relax for some spa time.
➡️ Savor more scrumptious meals together at both lunch and dinner.
➡️ Spend your second night at Skálakot Manor Hotel.
➡️ Explore the epic scenery of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Svartifoss on our travels to our next home base.
➡️ Photograph dogs in the supernatural beauty of Diamond Beach - where chunks of ice lay against black sand.
➡️ Share more gastronomic joys together at lunch and dinner.
➡️ Stay the night at Hali Country House near the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
➡️ Explore the adorable antics of a puffin colony on a photo tour in the morning.
➡️ Enjoy lunch in the seaside village of Höfn.
➡️ Photograph dogs at Stokksness - one of the most epic landscapes ever created.
➡️ Enjoy another flavorful feast together for dinner.
➡️ Stay your second night at the Hali Country House.
➡️ Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon on a zodiac raft tour.
➡️ Head back to Reykjavik with a surprise activity or two along the way.
➡️ Celebrate new friendships over an incredible gastronomical delight for our last dinner together in Reykjavík.
➡️ Spend the night in a luxury hotel in Reykjavík.
➡️ Head home or extend your stay in Iceland for your own experiences.
➡️ We will be running a few shuttles to the airport throughout the day.
ONCE BACK HOME:
The image shares from the photography sessions continue to be one of the most valuable pieces of the Barka experience - however we will likely be unable to properly host image shares during the event so we will host a virtual image share party after the workshop! These images will be epic so we will need to collectively ohh and ahh over everyone’s images together!
Who is
hosting this Barkadventure?
Barkjavik will be hosted by your fearless Barka leaders - Kaylee Greer from Dog Breath Photography, Charlotte Reeves from Charlotte Reeves Photography and Unleashed Education, Nicole Begley from Nicole Begley Photography and Hair of the Dog Academy. Craig Turner-Bullock from Furtography and Unleashed Education will also be a guest instructor for Barkjavik! We have been leading incredible photography retreats all around the world since 2016 and have a combined 60+ years of pet photography experience.
Kaylee Greer
Dog Breath Photography
Charlotte Reeves
Charlotte Reeves Photography
& Unleashed Education
Nicole Begley
Nicole Begley Photography
& Hair of the Dog Academy
How is this different than previous Barka experiences?
Our classic Barka experience is 5 days and 6 nights at a single (epic) location and we spend our days splitting time between the classroom, photographing, and eating. Two of those three will still be very prevalent in the Barkadventure - photographing and eating. Our lawyers recommended that we add this disclaimer. *We, the Barka organizers, bear no responsibility for the extra weight that can happen during ALL Barka experiences.*. 🤣
The biggest difference is that instead of classroom time, we will spend our time enjoying the location by connecting and exploring. We will also be moving to different accommodations throughout our journey - and that journey will be a little bit longer than a classic Barka.
This doesn’t mean that you won’t grow or learn during the experience - as you certainly will! It just means that the learning will not be through "presentations". The learning will take place through conversations in an Icelandic hot spring or ideas that pop-up while ATV-ing on a black sand beach.
The photography sessions will remain similar to our classic Barka experiences with a maximum of 4 students shooting with one instructor and a 2 photographers to one dog ratio with the instructor available to guide you during your sessions.
Who are Barkadventures for?
Barkadventures are best suited for intermediate to experienced pet photographers. These are photographers that are comfortable photographing dogs in a variety of settings and have a strong knowledge of camera settings. Looking for a workshop that includes more instruction and is more suited to helping you get started on your pet photography journey? Check out the Houndvision workshops held in North America, or the Unleashed Workshops held in Oceania.
Will the original Barka experience return?
Most likely yes! The Barka workshops are the ORIGINAL luxury pet photography retreats - hosting throughout the world since 2016.
We don’t have exact dates or locations at the moment, but we will likely host another classic Barka experience in 2025. If you add your name to our waitlist, we will send any updates for all of our upcoming workshops directly to your inbox!
How much will this cost?
Get ready for an extraordinary Barkadventure that goes beyond all expectations! The total investment per person for this 7-night, 8-day extravaganza is $9,600 USD.
What does that cover, you ask? Just about everything! From comfy shared accommodation (with a roomie) to delectable meals, ground transportation, numerous guided photography sessions led by our expert instructors, and all planned activities. The only things you'll need to cover are your flight to Iceland and any alcoholic beverages you may fancy.
The best part? We're even providing airport transfers, as long as your flights coincide with our half-day arrival window. This one-of-a-kind experience is exclusively open to 12 students, making it an intimate affair.
Craving a bit more privacy? We offer an upgrade to a private room for an additional $2,800.
Ready to lock in your spot? We have 8 shared rooms, 2 private rooms, and 2 additional rooms that can either be private or guest rooms. Don't miss this chance to be part of the very first Barkadventure!
Can I bring a guest?
Yes! A guest package is available for an additional $4,800, which includes a private room plus all food, transportation, and activities for your plus-one. Guests will also be able to attend the shoots, but as an assistant (or cheerleader) without shooting.
