Photographer turns pandemic setback into international award-winning career in Iceland

Photographer Bettina Vass has turned a challenging start into a thriving international career, specializing in capturing weddings in Iceland's dramatic landscapes.

Vass, originally from Denmark, came to Iceland to work as an au pair and met her Icelandic husband, Baldur Tryggvason. After the birth of their son, Matthías Tryggvi, she launched her own photography business in late 2019. The timing seemed auspicious, with orders flooding in for 2020.

However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 brought her burgeoning business to a halt. "All orders had to be refunded," she explained, as international couples were unable to travel to Iceland. Despite the disappointment, Vass used the downtime to invest in online photography courses, determined to improve her skills.

The year 2022 marked a significant turning point. "It was like a wave hit me with full force; it was absolutely crazy!" Vass recalled, as requests poured in for the summer season. She dedicated herself to her craft, admitting, "I cried some days because I wanted to be so good at the profession."

Her hard work has paid off. Vass's company is now flourishing, with her main work occurring between May and October, though she maintains a busy schedule with computer work and bookings during other months. She has received six international awards, including International Wedding Photographer of the Year 2024, and her work has been published in prestigious magazines. She is also frequently invited to judge international photography competitions. Notably, one of her award-winning photos, taken in an ice cave, was captured during a moment of shared illness with the bride, who was suffering from severe car sickness. Vass herself vomited six times during the shoot, while the bride vomited eight times, a testament to the dedication and unusual circumstances that can accompany her work.