ABOUT MY WORKSHOPS
sophisticated, intelligent, profound, fun
I create and plan my workshops almost entirely on my own, with the help of my long time producer, Ngan Do in Asia and other top-notch assistants in Europe. I find all the locations and design the entire trip, to the highest standards.
I bring my guests into highly photogenic locations where we gather together with locals of all kinds - from aristocracy, farmers, shepherds, fishermen, artists, and monks, landmine survivors to subcultures like vintage car clubs. We spend the entire afternoon together, learning from the people, sharing a meal, in an atmosphere of camaraderie, joy and togetherness.
I give workshops, not tours, meaning that we are not tourists on the outside looking in. We go inside - inside homes, and private places, and into people’s hearts around the world. We have group projections, private critiques, go deep into photography, and guests get from me some serious learning, if they wish.
My workshops are not about photographing people who routinely pose for photo tours. You will not see “fishermen” posing in Myanmar; eagle hunters in Mongolia or cigar-smoking women in Cuba.
Deeply important to me is philanthropy. My favorite day is the one we spend with landmine survivors in Cambodia. After deep discussion, guests give directly to the families what they really need in their lives: a high school education, a new roof, breast cancer care, to name a few gifts. What we do makes a very big difference. I call it people-to-people philanthropy.
We create long-lasting relationships. When we leave it was a beautiful experience for everyone involved. Kindness, joy, and good memories are essential. Everyone looks forward to the next visit.
I always share the photographs that we take, by giving prints, and sometimes large framed photographs, as well as digital copies to the people we photograph.
The mission of my curated, boutique photography workshops is for every workshop day to be sensational, in every way, for my guests. Their joy and happiness is paramount. On a workshop, there is nothing I love more than to teach, to inspire, to bring joy, learning and laughter into every day.
What else my workshops are about.
small group sizes - maximum 8
access to all sorts of hidden gems, private places and inspiring people
traveling in comfort and style
minimum moving from hotel to hotel - sometimes staying put the whole time in one place
luxury hotels, and/or places with charm, character and in good taste
healthy, delicious food
close attention to the specific needs of each guest, such as food restrictions, hotel room preferences, mobility issues
experiences are designed to allow guests to spread out and photograph with space and freedom
the gift of time on location, to really dig deep and get immersed, and spend quality time with all kinds of people
guests learn very carefully exactly how approach a shooting situation, which is about much more than camera settings and lenses; I teach how I compose images, and how to get that perfect shot.
carefully and intelligently planned out schedules - clear communication
wide range of immersive emotional experiences: profound and meaningful, fun and whimsical, elegant, simple, meditative, thrilling.
intellectual stimulation: learning about history, culture, food, art from books, hand-outs, presentations from both experts and the subjects themselves.
all levels of photographers are welcome, even those with no strong interest in photography. Smartphones are fine.
with our guidance, guests advance at their own level - no competition, no judgment
much more than just a photography workshop in so many ways
