In the Land of Fire and Ice

In the Land of Fire and Ice: Horses of Iceland is photographer and explorer Guadalupe Laiz’s second book celebrating her love for Iceland, its people, and its horses. In this follow up to Horses of Iceland (2019), Laiz widens her lens to not only capture the undeniable beauty of the horses in their natural habitat, but to showcase the rugged, harsh, and unpredictable environment that has shaped their character. Her intimate colour and black-and-white images of the majestic Icelandic horses are pure poetry in motion.

Undertaking a more ambitious production, Laiz collaborated with local horse breeders and with Icelandic photographer, filmmaker, and artist Thrainn Kolbeinsson to capture the magnificent animals in iconic and breathtaking locations—from the famous Skógafoss blanketed with snow to the active Fagradalsfjall volcano; and galloping across beaches, frolicking amid glaciers, and with waterfalls, tundra, and fierce ocean backdrops. Kolbeinsson’s powerful drone photography featured throughout the book showcases the aerial perspective of these epic landscapes that have shaped the horses of Iceland.

Laiz’s photographs are testament to her passion for the Icelandic horse and wildlife photography. She shares this collection to reveal the beauty and importance of the remote corners of our planet and the unique animals that call it home.

Born and raised in Argentina, Guadalupe Laiz is an international artist, photographer, and explorer. She moved to the United States when she was 20 years old, attending art school in Colorado and graduating with a degree in photography. For the past ten years, Laiz has created an extensive body of work that captures the beauty and uniqueness of the indigenous horses in Iceland. Her photographs of these extraordinary horses have been exhibited around the world. Laiz’s first book, Horses of Iceland (2019), has been reprinted by The Images Publishing Group, which also published her second book, Among the Living, Where You Belong (2023). It showcases Laiz’s magnificent wildlife photographs taken in Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Rwanda, and Uganda over the course of six years. She is also photographing polar bears and sled dogs near the North Pole for her next book, The Lonely Wanderer. Thrainn Kolbeinsson is an Icelandic photographer, filmmaker, and artist specialising in outdoor adventures, landscapes, and visual storytelling. He produces visually rich narratives that explore the interaction between people and nature, highlighting real-life stories and often physical challenges. In addition to his production work with various international brands, Kolbeinsson collaborates with local businesses and tourism boards to showcase Iceland’s unique landscapes and beauty. He also runs his own print store, featuring his limited edition prints of the raw Arctic landscapes.