Our Story and Mission

Founder’s Mike and Ryan met by complete chance back in 2014 on the other side of the world. In a remote village in Japan, Mike was teaching English at a local school while Ryan happened to be passing through on a walk across the entire country. After Mike noticed a big bearded westerner wandering through the streets, they introduced each other and, as fellow adventurers, instantly became good friends. As fate would have it, three years later Mike would come to Iceland and became a glacier guide, while Ryan, now a professional landscape photographer, would soon follow.

Together these two crazy Americans decided to start the Ice Pic Journeys team as a passion project. Through their previous experience guiding with Icelandic companies, Mike and Ryan knew that they wanted people from all over the world to understand the glaciers and how they are changing. What better way to understand them than to create a personal experience combined with the visual elements of photography.

It is our mission to reveal to the world, ourselves amongst these natural wonders as a first step towards awareness and preserving the only glaciers that we have.  

Our Team

Ryan Newburn

Ryan Newburn

Co-Founder Ice Pic Journeys

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Ryan moved to Iceland in 2018 to become a glacier guide for another company. Over these years, Ryan would develop his skills as a photographer, constantly shooting the landscapes that he was guiding in. 

Eventually he noticed that clients would always be happier when he would bring his camera on the tours while subsequently sending them the photos. Realizing the demand for having a photographer as well as a guide on a tour, he founded Ice Pic Journeys.
Mike Reid

Mike Reid

Co-Founder Ice Pic Journeys

Mike, a 3 time Guinness World Record holder and expedition athlete, has been guiding in the industry for over 8 years and has over 1500 glacier hikes under his belt. He is certified to the highest level for both glacier and alpine trekking guiding in Iceland. He also serves as an instructor to aspirant glacier guides.

He can either be found climbing in the deep blue vertical ice caves or planning his next 9-day Vatnajokull Ice Cap crossing.
Gregory

Gregory

Managing Director

Managing Director Dr. Grégory Cattaneo, a distinguished scholar and university professor specializing in Viking and Medieval Iceland, has curated our Viking Heritage Journeys.

Through his knowledge and passion, these tours offer an unrivaled deep dive into the sagas, folklore, and rich history of Iceland’s past.
Ola

Ola

Head of Photo & Design

Ola applies her creativity to both graphic design and illustration. At Ice Pic Journeys, she is tasked with ensuring that you receive the perfect photos!  

In another life, she’d be a mermaid, as water brings her peace. In her free time, she’s either at the pool or exploring nature for inspiration.
klaudia lead guide

Klaudia

Lead Glacier Guide

Klaudia specializes in glacier hiking, ice climbing, and outdoor adventure experiences in Iceland. Klaudia is known for her strong leadership, safety-focused approach, and ability to create unforgettable experiences for travelers from around the world. She is trained in wilderness first aid and glacier navigation, ensuring every tour is both thrilling and secure.  

Whether leading a hike on Sólheimajökull or climbing the icy walls of Vatnajökull, Klaudia brings energy, expertise, and a love for the outdoors to every journey.
krzysztof

Krzysztof

Guide + Adventure Photographer

 Krzysztof once hitchhiked over 6,000 km across Europe, but Iceland’s dynamic landscapes stole his heart—and he’s been living the dream ever since! Working with Ice Pic Journeys lets him combine his favorite things: photography, Super Jeep driving, long days in nature, and most of all, sharing it all with others.

He’s always ready to wake up at any hour to catch the Northern Lights!
julien

Julien

Guide + Adventure Photographer

Two hours before landing, Julien knew nothing about Iceland—three weeks turned into five years! Now, he knows the country better than most locals.

A volcano chaser, adventure seeker, talented photographer, and licensed ice walker, Julien is a passionate guide who’ll go above and beyond to show you the magic of Iceland—and capture you in it.
Dario

Dario

Guide + Adventure Photographer

Dario discovered photography 25 years ago, sparking a passion for combining it with travel. He later expanded into video shooting and editing, creating travel videos, showreels, and documentaries as ongoing projects.

In 2019, he moved to Iceland to work as a glacier guide, where he fell in love with sharing once-in-a-lifetime places with others.

Discover Our Tours

Glacier
& Zipline Journeys

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Viking
Journeys

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Elopements
& Engagements

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Iceland
Journeys

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Culinary
Journeys

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Northern
Lights Journeys

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Glacier
& Zipline Journeys

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Viking
Journeys

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Elopements
& Engagements

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Iceland
Journeys

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Culinary
Journeys

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Northern
Lights Journeys

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