LAGAZUOI WINTER WORKSHOP 2025
The Dolomites are among the most beautiful mountains in the world and during winter this beauty only increases as the majestic peaks take on a different life covered in snow.
This 3-Day Lagazuoi Workshop will take you to one of the most stunning places in the region, where we will guide you through the process of how to create compelling landscape images and visual stories by photographing from the top of 2752m Lagazuoi some of the most amazing peaks in the entire Dolomites area.
3-Day Workshop atop Mt. Lagazuoi
Join Andrea and Sabrina in their native country of Italy exploring landscape photography and visual storytelling in the Dolomites.
In-Person Training
The focus of our trips is not just photography but the experience itself. Andrea will teach different aspects of landscape photography and storytelling.
Like-Minded Connections
Experiencing the entire workshop in a small group will allow for highly personal, individual, and peer-to-peer feedback.
DATES
6 - 8 February 2025
INVESTMENT
€940
GROUP SIZE
MIN. 4 - MAX. 6
LAGAZUOI WORKSHOP - PHOTOGRAPHING THE DOLOMITES IN WINTER
Only 6 spots available - Join us and improve your photography and storytelling
WHAT WILL YOU DISCOVER
We created this 3-Day Lagazuoi Workshop to guide you through the process of how to create compelling landscape images and visual stories.
Landscape photography isn’t an immediate social experience the way portrait, street, or wedding photography is. The joy of sharing comes later when you show your images to friends, family, or through social media. And your work should be shared: when you spread the wonder of nature, you encourage others to explore it for themselves.
Many aspects characterize landscape photography. A landscape photographer needs to understand how the landscape is affected by the weather, the seasons, and the light falling upon it. One aspect of landscape photography that I find endlessly fascinating is the way the light changes throughout the day and affects the mood of an image.
The Lagazuoi workshop will be an intense three-day photography experience. We’ll start with the basics, going through the entire process, all the way from the concept to shooting, to equipment, editing, and image selection. Together, we will expose the essence of a great photograph. Then, we’ll examine the craft of storytelling, as it applies to photography, and how to put together a compelling narrative.
Composition and how to frame a scene in order to balance and arrange visual elements effectively.
The camera & lenses as a medium for storytelling. With a different focal length, you can manipulate how the viewer perceives space and thus the relationship between objects.
Outdoor sessions on learning how you can capture the essence of a place. Panorama vistas, details, people.
Setting the exposure and how it will affect your outcome. Creative suggestions for playing with color and contrast.
Different shooting techniques to adopt in different light scenarios.
Work with light. Understand how different types of light can affect the mood and the essence of an image. You’ll discover how to recognize a distinctive quality of light and work with it.
Step by step on how to set up your camera. All the important aspects you need to master so you don’t waste time fiddling with menus, buttons, and controls on your own camera during a photo session.
Tell stories visually, learning how to create a cohesive sequence of photos. Combining different moments and scenes. A few good images will always be more satisfying than scores of mediocre ones.
Photo editing. How to transform your raw files straight out of the camera to finished images ready to be shared.
During the workshop, we will spend our days exploring and photographing the area trying to interpret and capture some of the most iconic peaks and other surrounding breathtaking views. Landscape photography involves certain sacrifices. Being out and about before dawn is one of those sacrifices. Fortunately, the reward of a spectacular sunrise generally makes the effort worthwhile.
But the Lagazuoi workshop experience goes beyond this with some unique extra activities tailored to work on growing your sensibility and aptitude for storytelling. Experiencing the entire workshop in a small group will allow for highly personal, individual, and peer-to-peer feedback.
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN THE DOLOMITES
The focus of this trip will be the experience itself!
We will spend 3 days at the wonderful Rifugio Lagazuoi located at 2752 meters at the top of one of the peaks that dominate the surrounding area. Rifugio Lagazuoi is the highest of all the Dolomite rifugios. It looms over Passo Falzarego, about halfway between Val Badia and the main adventure center of the region, Cortina D’Ampezzo.
We’ll get here by a short cable car ride and settle into the cozy rooms, each of which offers an amazing view of the surrounding peaks. It really does feel as though you’re up amongst the clouds here and from the expansive terrace, or from your own balcony, you can enjoy the sight of dozens of peaks, including Antelao, Tofane, Odle, Pelmo, Cinque Torri, Croda da Lago, and of course, wonderfully reflective Marmolada.
+ THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES
Landscape photography and shooting in an unforgettable winter mountain location
All teaching sessions about gear, technique, composition, light, and visual storytelling
Photo editing session in Lightroom / Capture One / Photoshop, with screen recording which the participants can keep
Photo review
2 nights in twin shared room with balcony and a fabulous view
Accommodation with half-board, starting from the dinner of the first day, ending with the breakfast of the last day
- NOT INCLUDED
Transfer to and from Rifugio Lagazuoi (price on request)
Cable car used to reach the Rifugio
Lunches, beverages, and snacks
Alcoholic beverage (available but not included in the price)
Tourist tax of €1,5 day/person (to be paid in cash at check out)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Tips, extras, sauna, and anything else not mentioned in “The Workshop Includes” section
WHAT'S ON THE ITINERARY?
DAY 1 - Thursday, February 6th
Meeting at the cable car station in Passo Falzarego after lunch at 1 p.m.
Check into your room and get comfortable in the space and get to know everyone in a mountaineering environment enjoying coffee, tea, orange juice, and some snacks
Classroom lesson about photography gear and technique
Kickstart the evening with the first sunset session of the workshop from the deck
After the photo session a tasty dinner in the rifugio, which usually comprises three courses of really satisfying mountain food
DAY 2 - Friday, February 7th
We’ll head out onto the deck for a sunrise session. Watching the horizon light up and then illuminate the snow-covered mountains that surround us
Breakfast together inside the rifugio and then some free time to relax
Lesson about photo editing to look at some of the images captured during the two photo sessions and look at different processing techniques to get the best out of the images
Lunch in the rifugio and some free time to relax
Evening photo session to capture the sunset
Dinner in the Rifugio
Shooting stars and night photography (depending on the weather conditions)
DAY 3 - Saturday, February 8th
We’ll head back onto the deck for the last sunrise session at this special place
Enjoy breakfast in the rifugio before checking out of your room
Group critique of your images from the trip, and favorite portfolio shots
Farewells and onto the next adventure
WHO IS IT FOR?
Whether you’re an amateur or a photo enthusiast, this workshop experience is equally valuable for you.
We’re excited to take you on this journey, and we hope to give you a fresh, creative, and alternative look at winter photography without neglecting traditional approaches. Our desire is to help you thaw out your own creative juices and learn to have a lot of fun with your camera when it’s cold outside. Winter photography really does offer a new, cold world of possibilities – and we want to help you recognize them and make the most of them, no matter where you live or how unphotogenic your stomping grounds may seem during the winter months.
We hope you’ll join us in discovering how to use photography to create impactful narratives and images that are meaningful to you.
THE VALUE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Improve your creativity and motivation for photography
Exploring a variety of photographic aspects that come into play in shooting landscapes and storytelling
Class lessons on composition and photo editing to shape your vision
Novel ways of thinking and seeing, stimulating new ideas, new ways of doing things, meeting new people with the same interests and the same enthusiasm that you do
Create connections and friendships
Being inspired and having fun while learning
Acquire new skills
An opportunity to thoroughly understand, ask questions and get answers
WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS SAY…
POST PROCESSING AND PHOTO REVIEW
1-TO-1 EDITING SESSIONS AND GROUP PHOTO REVIEW
This adaptability also extends to the post-processing sessions. We believe that editing is an integral part of getting the absolute best out of an image but we understand that the range of participants’ skill levels and familiarity with post-processing techniques varies greatly. Because of this, we make the most of having small groups to provide 1-to-1 editing sessions in the morning that are tailored to each participant’s skill levels, and which can potentially range from the basics of editing a RAW file in programs like Lightroom to more complex techniques like using layers and luminosity masks in Photoshop.
As an extra bonus, we also do screen recordings of our editing sessions. These recordings are then shared with the group, ensuring you leave with a comprehensive record of all the post-processing techniques we've explored together. It's a resource you can revisit whenever you need, allowing you to refine your skills and make your images truly stand out.
PHOTO REVIEW
We also believe that the learning process should be as diverse as the landscapes we capture. That's why we've introduced a Photo Review in every one of our workshops. This special session, often one of the most enjoyable moments for our participants, offers the opportunity to showcase your work and receive constructive feedback from both the instructor and your fellow photographers. This unique and collaborative experience fosters a sense of community and encourages creative growth. It's a chance to gain fresh perspectives and insights that you might not have discovered on your own.
Receive constructive feedback on your photographs to identify strengths and areas for improvement
Receive personalized guidance from instructors and fellow participants to refine your techniques and elevate your images
Gain knowledge and inspiration from the work of fellow photographers, learning different approaches and styles
Develop a more discerning perspective on your own and others' work, enhancing your ability to critically analyze and improve your photography
Finally, we want to share with you our passion for nature and landscape photography in this incredible place. Traveling in such small groups means we can quickly build a great learning environment where people feel comfortable together and at ease with asking questions and making the absolute most of the trip. We aim to make your experience here in the beautiful landscape of the Dolomites a memorable one and a trip from which, as well as getting some great images from an amazing location, you’ll also go home having had a true adventure with great company in a very special place.
A WORD ABOUT ACCOMMODATION
Rifugio Lagazuoi is a mountain hut where rooms have to be shared with another person in the group and with bathrooms that are shared between the different rooms of the rifugio. The hut is family-run and extremely cozy with a small number of rooms, and four bathrooms that are right across the corridor from the bedrooms. We believe that this is a part of the experience of staying in the mountains – huts like this have long, fascinating histories and are located in some of the most amazing locations in the Dolomites. The restaurant is lovely, with big views from every window, comfortable seating, and nice decorations, not to mention the gorgeous terrace seating, and the food is always hearty and perfect for cold days.
RELAX IN THE LAGAZUOI SAUNA
The Lagazuoi larch wood Finnish sauna is the highest in the Dolomites. Pampered by soothing vapors and the warm fragrance of wood, the tube-shaped sauna accommodates six people.
It’s a perfect way for relaxing and enjoying a simply unique experience immersed in nature with expansive and unforgettable views.
WHAT GEAR SHOULD I PLAN ON BRINGING?
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The criteria for the kind of work we’ll be doing is a camera that can be operated completely manually to ensure we get the best exposure with interchangeable lenses allowing us to cover a range of focal lengths
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In the Dolomites, the 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens is the most needed lens for shooting distant landscapes or abstracts, so a telephoto is ideal. A telephoto also compresses the landscape and is excellent for capturing mountain layering. A range that covers 70-200mm (55-135mm on a crop sensor) is ideal. That said, it’s not the only option that works well. You might also consider bringing a second, wider zoom lens like a 24-70mm or 15-35mm. It really comes down to your style and preferences.
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We’ll often be shooting in low light so a tripod is an absolutely essential piece of equipment. It should be stable enough to not only prevent camera shake but also protect your camera. At 2800m sometimes can be very windy, so a strong, sturdy, and adaptable tripod is a must. I strongly discourage use cheap ultralight tripods.
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A circular polarizer should really be in every winter photographer’s bag. You’ll be able to cut through the glare of the snow which will add detail to your shot.
ND filters are great for capturing moving clouds and long exposures.
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This is an important accessory whose benefits shouldn’t be underestimated. This allows us to trip the camera shutter without touching the camera and significantly reduces the possibility of camera shake.
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At an altitude of 2752m, it gets very cold before sunrise, and with the strong winds, you should be prepared for temperatures as low as -20°C degrees. You need to protect yourself and your equipment. Outdoor conditions can be very trying and a cold, wet and uncomfortable photographer is unlikely to be at his or her best. We won’t be doing any long hikes, but we’ll certainly be walking over uneven ground and often standing in the snow. Warm, waterproof clothing, hiking boots, and thick, warm socks are essential if you want to be able to handle the landscape and weather. Be prepared for changeable weather and the unexpected so you won’t be surprised.
It’s best to put on several layers: a base layer, a mid-layer, and a fleece on top. On top of that, add an insulated jacket and as a last layer, a waterproof and windproof shell that will keep the worst weather away. Insulated long johns/leggings under windproof hiking pants to keep your lower half warmer.
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It’s essential to keep your head and neck warm, so a good wooly hat below your hood really makes a difference, and a chute or neck-gaiter will protect your neck and the lower half of your face. It’s also easy for your hands to get cold so thick gloves with a pair of glove liners underneath for when you have to remove your gloves to operate your camera. If you’ve got them, mittens that open at the top so you don’t need to remove them are excellent. Finally, gaiters for the bottom of your trousers will keep the snow out of your boots if you find yourself in deep snow.
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When moving your camera gear for any length of time a backpack can really save your back. A good backpack, one with sturdy hip straps, can safely distribute the weight of your gear and really save you from aches, pains, and potential injury. Bear in mind that you’ll often be putting it down in the snow as well so it should be water-resistant.
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We’ll be shooting RAW, and as part of the retreat will be dedicated to post-processing images a good RAW converter like Adobe Lightroom or Camera RAW is essential. Other converters like Capture One are also excellent. Adobe Photoshop is great for more advanced processing as it allows us to be much more subtle and creative in its use of layers.
* If you have any questions about what to bring, don’t hesitate to contact us. A full packing list is provided on enrolling for the workshop.
LAGAZUOI IN WINTER 2025 - LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
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REGISTRATION
Please complete the form below to reserve your spot, for more information, or for any other questions you have about the workshop.
THE TEAM
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ANDREA LIVIERI
Photographer and Workshop Leader
Andrea is a Venice-based, professional photographer, educator, musician, and spirited adventurer. He started exploring the photography medium by capturing images of fellow musicians, their families, and other friends and acquaintances in the music industry. As he continued honing his craft, he merged his love for photography and exploring the outdoors, amassing a body of photographic work featuring exhilarating landscapes and rugged mountain capes from around the globe.
He also leads photography courses, workshops & tours to teach other photographers his method and help them to bring out their own vision. His work has been published in Landscape Photography Magazine, Outdoor Photographer, Photo Plus Magazine, Digital Camera, Popular Photography and Fuji X Passion Magazine, among others. He also partners with brands like Capture One, NiSi Filters, BenQ, Vallerret Gloves, and Sustainable Travel International.
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SABRINA TOSATO
Photographer, Operations and Content Manager
Sabrina is a photographer and travel writer based in Padua, Italy. Her average day is a mix of weird combinations and her greatest ambition is to make people dream, inspiring them through words and photographs. She manages a travel blog named The Tomato Soup where she offers advice on travel destinations and wild but high-end hospitality.
She has 10 years of experience in travel organization, focused on exclusive and tailor-made itineraries but eventually ended up as a digital marketing specialist. Passionate about the intersection of adventure travels, sustainability, and design, with inspiration and creativity at heart, she has a knack for capturing memorable moments of everyday life. Her work has been published via Afar Media, SuitCase Magazine, Inspired by Iceland, and Feel Slovenia.
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OUR PARTNERS
We partner with FLM Tripods and Vallerret Photography Gloves & Clothing, leaders in their respective fields, and they can offer discounts on their products to attendees of our workshops.
