INTRODUCTION

This is not a tour. It is a deeply immersive photography workshop with close mentorship and rare access to spend real time with people.

Join us on a 14-day journey through quiet Tamil Nadu in South India, where beautiful ritual and ancient traditions are everywhere. Over several trips, I have personally designed every element of this workshop.

We’ll photograph in Chennai, Chettinad, Kumbakonam, Pondicherry, and Auroville, with rare opportunities to spend real time with artisans, silk weavers, basket-weaving women, gurus, and visionaries.

We stay in luxury hotels and charming guesthouses and learn from wonderful local experts.

Limited to 6 - 8 guests.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We stay several nights in each hotel, so we are not always packing up and moving to the next place.

Our coach is comfortable, with plenty of room to spread out, and we take only one internal flight.

Guests always know what is going on with a clear schedule.

As with all my workshops, you can expect a seamlessly run, highly professional trip, with great attention to detail.

There will be great learning with on-location guidance, educational classes, group projections, and private critiques.

All photography experiences are designed to allow guests to photograph with space and time.

All levels of photographers are welcome, including those who use smartphones.

Spouses/partners who have no strong interest in photography are welcome.

EXPERIENCES MAY INCLUDE

• Visiting the colorful and important Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, with a sensational guide who knows so much about religion, ritual, and symbolism

• Photographing the "lost palaces" of Chettinad, learning about their history and architecture, and spending time with the people who live in these palaces.

• Immersing ourselves with the women of a basket-weaving community in a charming village. You can see their gorgeous baskets here.

• Visiting a fascinating death rituals temple at dawn, a very moving (and photo-friendly) outdoor temple on the Kaveri River.

• An insider's visit to the Utopian community of Auroville, where we may have the extraordinary opportunity to meditate in the futuristic Matrimandir, meet Auroville's progressive "makers", learn about the intriguing architecture, visit a beautiful paper factory, and chat with Aurovillians about what it means to live in "Utopia".

OUR HOTELS

Voted one of the top four hotels in India, and famous for delicious food and splendid charm, The Bangala in Chettinad

The ultra-peaceful countryside hotel Mantra, in Kumbakonam

Pondicherry’s meticulously restored heritage retreat, Kariappa House, a boutique bungalow set within lush tropical gardens

The comfy Taj Club House in Chennai

COST

Shared accommodation rate

$11,250 per person
Early confirmation (Valid for registrations confirmed by April 30, 2026)
$10,850 per person

Single occupancy supplement 

$1,850

A minimum of 6 participants is required for this workshop. If the minimum is not met, participants will be notified at least 4 months prior to departure, and workshop fees will be fully refunded.