Beautiful Kashmir is often called “Heaven on Earth.”

The lively, ancient town of Srinagar, where we will be based, is known not only for its breathtaking beauty, but also for its rich culture, exquisite handicrafts, and wonderfully welcoming people.

We’ll be staying on a historic houseboat on Lake Dal and taking daily excursions on the lake, in the old city and up into the mountains.

We will be a group of max eight guests. All levels of photographers are welcome, including i-Phone/smartphone-only users.

Along with myself, we have a wonderful producer and terrific photographer himself, Abhi Hajela, as well as our knowledgeable guide, Shaneel Wangnoo. We may also have an extra guide-translator on some days.

We will be traveling by boat and in comfortable SUVs.

Upon arrival in Delhi on April 20, guests will be provided transportation from the airport to The Claridges hotel.

(We strongly encourage guests to arrive a day or two early, to get over jet lag and rest up a bit. Early arrival nights at The Claridges can be arranged.)

Our group departure from Delhi to Srinagar is scheduled for April 21, when we will check into our historic houseboat on Lake Dal.

On April 30, guests will depart as a group from Srinagar to Delhi and check into the Novotel airport hotel for departure later on that evening. Most international departures will be after midnight, hence on May 1.

EXPERIENCES MAY INCLUDE

• Shooting a many-generations, ancient craft called "crewel", a Kashmir embroidery, at the home of an artisan family, with a chance to buy their gorgeous work.

• Photographing the Old City of Srinagar, filled with spice markets, ancient trades, a centuries-old mosque, beautiful old architecture, and lunch at a classic Indian restaurant that has been there since the '40s.

• An early morning shoot on Lake Dal with two brothers whose two boats are filled with flowers, as we go across the lake to their home, photographing them picking flowers, arranging their boats with flowers, and capturing their family life.

• A day at a gypsy village in the mountains, at the foot of the Himalayas, with families who live in super colorful houses, observing all sorts of countryside activities with cows, horses, and sheep, hay, corn, inside by the hearth, children, and so on. We'll have a picnic lunch on rugs (which we bring with us) by the river.

• Dawn photography at a floating vegetable market; as well as a lively street market on the lake, surrounded by the snow-covered mountains.

• A day with a papier-mâché family learning how they create their art, brought from Persia centuries ago. We’ll enjoy a magnificent "Wazwan" lunch prepared by a local chef, whose techniques we can watch as he prepares and cooks. This place is also a great place to shop! (I bought an entire duffel bag of papier-mâché boxes and items!)

• A morning at the pigeon market (a fascinating sport) and then tea with a gracious and hospitable "modern" family.

• Late afternoon at a Mughal garden, with its fountains, view of the lake, and all sorts of people enjoying the peace and flowers of the garden.

And of course, as always, there will be great photography learning on location, in group projections, and in private critiques!

WHAT IS INCLUDED


A 10-day workshop with with National Geographic photographer Catherine Karnow

Maximum number of guests set to 8

Delhi-based producer and local guides

One night at The Claridge’s hotel in Delhi upon arrival (April 20)

One night at the Novotel, or similar, upon departures (April 30)

All airport transfers

Round-trip Delhi - Srinagar flights

Comfortable on-the-ground transportation

Nine nights on a historic houseboat on Lake Dal

All meals

All admissions

Group projections

Private critiques

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

International Airfare

Visa to India

Tips and Gratuities

Alcohol

COST

$10,560 per person

Only single rooms available.

Limited Availability: We encourage you to let us know of your interest at your earliest convenience.


If the Kashmir Photo Workshop dates don't work for you, consider joining us in our South India Photo Workshop, Jan 18 - Feb 2, 2025.