TUSCANY IN SPRING
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
6-Day Workshop in Tuscany
Join Andrea and Sabrina in their native country of Italy exploring landscape photography, visual storytelling photographing the stunning Val d’Orcia in Tuscany.
In-Person Training
The focus of our trips is not just photography but the experience itself. Andrea and Sabrina 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
26 April - 1 May 2024
INVESTMENT
€ 3850
GROUP SIZE
MIN. 4 - MAX. 6
TUSCANY IN SPRING WORKSHOP
Only 6 spots available - Join us and improve your photography and storytelling
WHAT WILL YOU DISCOVER
We created this 6-day Photography Workshop to guide you through the process of how to create compelling landscape images and visual stories that reflect your unique vision.
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. Big vistas, details, people.
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.
Photo editing and Photo apps. How to transform your raw files straight out of the camera to finished images ready to be shared.
Tell stories visually, learning how to create a cohesive sequence of photos. Combining different moments and scenes.
Master how to analyze a collection of images for a better understanding of when an image works in a story context or doesn’t.
During the workshop, we will spend our days exploring and photographing some of the most iconic landscapes and villages of Val d’Orcia like the lovely Pienza, Pitigliano, Sorano, Crete Senesi, and other surrounding breathtaking views.
But the 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.
WHAT'S ON THE ITINERARY?
DAY 1 - Friday, April 26th
Arrive at the Podere late afternoon and check in to your room
Get comfortable in the space and get to know everyone in a casual, laid-back environment enjoying coffee, tea, orange juice, and some snacks.
Kickstart the evening with a presentation of the workshop and a sunset session in the field
Dinner at Podere
DAY 2 - Saturday, April 27th
Sunrise session in the field
Breakfast, and free time and relax at Podere Trafonti
Special lunch at Podere
After lunch photo session documenting a honeybee safari and honey tasting
Heading out for the photography session at the sunset
Dinner in a typical farmhouse
DAY 3 - Sunday, April 28th
Breakfast, and free time and relax at Podere Trafonti
Classroom lesson
Green lunch at Podere
Photo session exploring two beautiful local towns
Sunrise session to capture the last light of the day in a picturesque town
Dinner in a local restaurant
DAY 4 - Monday, April 29th
Kick out the day off with a morning yoga session under the guidance of an expert teacher
Breakfast at Podere
Classroom lesson
Lunch at Podere Trafonti
Hit the ground running with a field session shoot, utilizing learnings from the previous days
Visit to a local farmhouse with wine tasting
Wood oven pizza party
DAY 5 - Thursday, April 30th
Sunrise session in the field to capture the misty rolling hills
Breakfast, and free time and relax at Podere Trafonti
Group critique of your images from the trip, and favorite portfolio shots
Light lunch at Podere
Heading toward a lovely nearby town for an afternoon photo session
Sunset photo session in some lovely locations
Dinner in a typical farmhouse
DAY 6 - Wednesday, May 1st
Enjoy breakfast at the Podere before checking out of your room
Farewells and onto the next adventure
* Times and activities are subject to change due to scheduling considerations or weather conditions.
+ THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES
All teaching sessions
Photo editing session
Local transportation to and from the locations
5 nights shared room
Welcome drink
Full board accommodation starting from dinner on the first day, ending with breakfast on the last day
Wine tasting in a typical farmhouse
Wood oven pizza party
Honeybee safari and honey tasting
A safe and healthy environment will be ensured
- NOT INCLUDED
Travel costs to and from Podere Trafonti
Alcoholic beverage (available but not included in the price)
Tourist tax of €1 day/person (to be paid in cash at check out)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Tips, extras, and any personal activities or adventures you choose to partake in outside of the itinerary
Anything else not mentioned in the “What is included” section
WHO IS IT FOR?
Whether you’re an amateur or a photo enthusiast, this photography experience is equally valuable for you.
We’re excited to take you on this journey, and we hope that you’ll join us in discovering how to use photography to create compelling landscape photos and impactful narratives around themes and concepts 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 landscape photography 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 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 Tuscany, the 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens is the most needed lens for your shooting. We’ll often find ourselves shooting distant landscapes or abstracts, which a telephoto is ideal for. In Tuscany, photography is more about capturing a specific part of the surrounding landscape and less about capturing the whole landscape.
There will certainly be the occasion when a mid-range zoom in the 24-70mm (18-55mm on a crop sensor) or a wide-angle zoom in the 16-45mm is perfect to capture a wider-panoramic view and Tuscany towns.
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To be shooting in low light (sunrise & sunset) 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. Anyway, since we usually don’t have awful weather conditions in Tuscany, you don’t need a huge and heavy tripod.
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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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The morning fields are covered in dew. Casual shoes and jeans get wet quickly. It will be cool in the morning and a fleece jacket might well be useful.
If you dress with light boots, long pants, a T-shirt with a sweater, and a light jacket, you should be fine most of the time; it’ll never be really cold, and when it gets warmer, you can take off some layers.
Rain isn’t uncommon in Tuscany in spring, so make sure your clothes are waterproof.
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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 wet grass 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.
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN TUSCANY
The focus of this trip is also the experience itself!
We will spend 6 days at the exclusive Podere Trafonti, an idyllic Tuscan domain nestled in the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia with stunning views of Montepulciano and the Monte Amiata studded with centenary cypresses and surrounded by olive groves. Podere Trafonti practices sustainable hospitality and agriculture, in harmony with the natural environment, the territory, its inhabitants, and their culture.
We’ll enjoy breathtaking sunsets, the fresh hill air, eat tasty Italian specialties, made with home-grown and seasonal Tuscan products. We’ll also have the opportunity to visit some of our favorite local places for wine, cheese, and local products’ tasting.
Bernard and Antonella bought the decaying farm and 13.5 hectares of agricultural land and forest in 2015 and began to restore it. It took two years of arduous and passionate labor to resurrect it from its rubbles, but they always knew it would shine again with beauty.
They also planted 900 new olive trees to add to the 100 old ones on their property, as well as two dozen fruit trees. They set up a permaculture vegetable garden that produces an abundant crop of vegetables for the kitchen. And they started herbal and flower gardens around the domain’s buildings to attract insects and please the senses. In the spring of 2019, they installed their first beehives which yielded a delicious honey harvest at the end of summer.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY…
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Andrea and Sabrina are motivated by their passion for the craft and are in it with all their heart! While (of course) the storytelling retreat features guided excursions, it is different from a regular photography workshop, instead, it is about the connective tissue in between your hero shots. Andrea & Sabrina introduce the concept and then gradually build upon it throughout the workshop, accommodating both inexperienced and seasoned shooters at the same time with ease. The course material is an important aspect, but it is only half of the equation: Podere Trafonti, the base of operations is a fantastic experience in and of itself - the people, the food, the house, and its beautifully decorated rooms. In a mere few days, it has come to feel like a second home away from home. Combined with carefully planned day trips (including some insider locations off the beaten "Instagram path") it makes for a truly unforgettable experience.
Alex Bartox, Germany
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First, as a background, I am a beginner and it was my first time using a proper SLR to take photos during my first photography workshop in Tuscany, Podere Trafonti !! Andrea and Sabrina with their exceptional professionalism and friendly and compassionate characters have navigated my novice capabilities through an amazing experience and learning process. During this unforgettable 5 days storytelling workshop I was able to learn about my camera, the different setups and adjustments, and techniques of taking shots while understanding composition. In addition, I learned some editing techniques and how to plan and organize the different shots for storytelling. Definitely, I was very lucky to have my first experience and workshop in photography with such great experienced, and fun guys. I am sure it will not be my last but just the start of many to follow if they put up and accept me in their coming ones.
Sherif Barakat, Switzerland
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From the very first moment until the last, you are treated like family. Nothing seemed like too much trouble and both the host and instructors went out of their way to cater for every need. The location is centrally placed for good access to the surrounding photographic sites yet it is tucked away a km from the nearest main road. The place is clean, spacious, and quiet with views out across rolling hills and green wooded countryside. The food is absolutely superb! Clean, fresh, healthy, and delicious. Much of the food is home-grown organically (including the honey) and prepared daily by the resident chef. The program is busy but nicely paced. The photography lessons were very relaxed and informal and presented both theory and practical from two very knowledgeable and experienced instructors. The programme was well structured but flexible to accommodate changing weather conditions. My five days stay on the Tuscany workshop just flew past!
Simon Develin, UK
TUSCANY IN SPRING WORKSHOP
Only 6 spots available - Join us and improve your photography and storytelling
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OUR PARTNERS
We partner with Capture One Software and Vallerret Photography Gloves & Clothing, leaders in their respective fields, and they can offer discounts on their products to attendees of our workshops.
THE TEAM
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.
SABRINA TOSATO
Photographer, Travel Writer, and Content Marketing 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.
OUR HOST
Antonella lives at Podere Trafonti and manages the organic farm and guesthouse since 2018.
This move came after many years of working in social development and humanitarian aid around the world, among others, as chief spokesperson and head of public communication at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
REGISTRATION
To reserve your spot we do require a €1500 deposit. Please complete the form below for more information, or for any other questions you have about the workshop.