The call of Iceland. MADNESS OR GENIUS?

Led by belief and an obsession to create the world's finest gin, Martin Miller went all the way to Iceland in search of the purest water to make his dream come true.

What was a mad idea in others' eyes ended up turning into genius.

But Martin Miller wasn't the only risk taker to go to Iceland to fulfill their ambitions.

Dani Guindo, a professional Spanish photographer also had the "mad" idea to change the warm and sunny south of Spain for the dark and freezing climate of Iceland.

And just like Martin Miller, he also had to listen to people telling him how crazy his plan was.

It's no surprise, therefore that our paths crossed.

Want to know more about him? Then carry on reading.

1. Who is Dani Guindo? When and why did you decide to become a photographer?

I'm a freelancer photographer from the South of Spain, but I've been living in Iceland for over 4 years now. I did not want to become a photographer, or at least it wasn't my plan, but it happened naturally over time.

2. What is your dream?

To travel the world as much as I can, finding the most strange and beautiful landscapes and documenting everything with my camera.

3. Why did you decide to go to Iceland? What motivated you to leave Spain and go there?

I visited Iceland for the first time 5 years ago and I felt so overwhelmed by the beauty of this place. This experience inspired me to become a professional photographer and to share with people how complex and calm nature can be here. I would say that the mountains and the unique glacier rivers here can teach us about harmony and patient and that everything flows naturally and we don't have to force it.

4. How many people told you that you were "mad" and tried to convince you that you were wrong when you wanted to follow your dreams?

I've been lucky enough to have really supportive people around me. But, at times, I was "that person". Starting something new far away from everything you know is not easy and it can be really stressful as it carries many risks. Sometimes your mind tries to sabotage you so you don't leave your comfort zone but, at the end of the day, if you don't try, you'll need to live with the "what if?

5. What would you say to them now? And what are they now saying to you? Do they still think you´re crazy, or do they see you as a genius?

Many great ideas seem crazy at the beginning, especially because they usually involve risks and stepping out of your comfort zone and it's there where the good things happen, so as soon as you reach this point people stop thinking that you were crazy and that, maybe, your idea was good!

6. Martin Miller's dream took him to Iceland in search of the purest water to make the best gin. Your dream has taken you to Iceland in search of ... (What?)

Calm and inspiration. The style of life here is completely different to what I knew. Here you really learn how to be present in nature and appreciate the small things like the sunny days (since we don't have many) or the calm days without wind. In general Iceland and its nature helped me with no overthinking about the future and just live right now.

7. What else do you think you have in common with Martin Miller?

I would say that we share the search of perfection in our craft.

8. What's the most "madness" you've ever put into getting a good photo?

A few moments come to mind.
When shooting the Martin Miller's Gin bottles, I was laying down on the sand of the famous Diamond Beach, I was so focused on getting the right angle that I didn't realize an unusual big wave was coming so at the end I ended totally soaked and I needed to go to find the bottle to the shore in between waves.
I also often fly in small planes to get an aerial view of the landscape and the turbulence during windy days can be quite extreme and scary, but I'm so excited about seeing all these landscapes from a different perspective that I don't really feel scared.

9. And in your life?

Well, moving to a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and 3.000 kms away from home was pretty crazy at the time!

Thanks, Dani, for being so professional and passionate about your job, you’re a source of inspiration to us.