"The chance to meet the Roma people, and to be allowed to photograph them, was priceless. Copsamare Guesthouses was very beautiful and picturesque, and the food truly outstanding. Catherine's teaching was of course key, and a highlight of the experience." - Ginny Hench, 2024 participant
INTRODUCTION
I am excited to announce my Photo Workshop in Romania, a country where it can feel like time has stopped. In the countryside, people live close to the land, growing their own produce, and raising their own chickens and pigs. We’ll be both in Szeklerland, which is Hungarian, as well as in the Saxon villages in the Romanian region. This is a land of rolling hills, dramatic landscapes, medieval fortified churches, colorful villages, and stately towns. Romania is profound and soulful, at once raw and graceful. This workshop will be an immersive journey that will take you deep into the heart of Romania.
We have created for you a highly curated thirteen-day photo workshop with hand-picked experiences designed to spend real time with warm and welcoming locals and to experience a Romania that you’d never be able to have on your own. This is not a sightseeing tour of Romania - we are truly off the beaten path most of the time. We will introduce you to villagers who live in deeply traditional ways, as well as inspiring newcomers, who are working hard to save traditions in architecture, artisanal crafts, and organic farming. The heart of this workshop is the people we meet, who will share with us their hearts and homes.
We'll be there in June, one of the most beautiful times of year, when the meadows are green and full of wildflowers, and the days are warm in early summer.
The workshop officially begins the afternoon of June 15, in Brasov, and ends the morning of June 27, an hour from Sibiu. You will fly into Bucharest Airport (OTP) and depart from Sibiu airport (SBZ).
We will start our journey in Brasov, where we will be staying at the new spiffy-cool Radisson. The next day we head to the most luxurious hotel in the region, the magnificent Zabola Estate, owned by Countess Mikes, who lives right on the property.
After three nights in Zabola, we will travel to the village of Miklosvar, with its colorful Saxon houses. There we will stay at the rustic Count Kalnoky Guesthouses. We will end the workshop at the charming Copsamare Guesthouses, owned by Giovanna and Paolo Bassetti. Their welcoming hospitality, excellent taste in decor, and delicious food will make for a marvelous stay.
Food is always an important part of travel. We will be enjoying many homemade meals cooked by local villagers and their families. In this workshop, as in all my workshops, we will be eating healthy and well!
You can expect a seamlessly-run, highly professional trip, with great attention to detail. No drive is over two hours, so time is spent shooting and enjoying, not traveling long distances.
The personal connections we have fostered give our guests deep-rooted local access, which enables us to get uniquely intimate photographs.
Every day will be a photo adventure. As always, there will be real learning both on location and in class and private critiques. You will come home with a set of terrific images and a renewed sense of adventure.
All levels of photographers are welcome. Spouses/partners who have no strong interest in photography are welcome!
This will be a small workshop with a maximum of 8 guests.
