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The Photo Adventure of a Lifetime

The world’s most creative and inspiring photo tours and cultural adventures, may all who come as guests… leave as friends ®.

We offer over 100 carefully curated small-group photo tours in over 40 countries. Our authentic adventures offer you a chance to combine a spectacular vacation with a wonderful creative learning experience. We blend travel, culture, photography, cuisine, and more. Our casual format provides a unique blend of hands-on learning techniques and skills mastered over many years, including our exclusive “The Art of Seeing” approach. Whether you are a beginner, an enthusiast, or a professional, we invite you to join us on a truly amazing photographic and cultural adventure of a lifetime.

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Destinations.

24 HOURS OF LE MANS

AMSTERDAM & HOLLAND

BANFF & LAKE LOUISE

BARCELONA “SOUL OF THE STREETS”

BUENOS AIRES

CALIFORNIA COAST

CINQUE TERRE

CUBA | EASTERN CUBA

CUBA | HAVANA

CUBA | PRIVATE

CUBA | VANISHING CUBA

DOLOMITES & LAKE COMO

DOLOMITES + MILKY WAY

GRAND TETON

GUATEMALA SEMANA SANTA

HISTORIC ROUTE 66

INDIA | HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS

INDIA | KERALA

INDIA | KERALA THEYYAM FESTIVAL

INDIA | LOST TRIBES OF GUJARAT

INDIA | RAJASTHAN

INDIA | THE SOUL OF THE STREETS

INDIA | VARANASI

KENYA | MAASAI MARA SAFARI

LONDON “SOUL OF THE STREETS”

MOROCCO | SAHARA DESERT

NAPLES & THE AMALFI COAST

NEW YORK “SOUL OF THE STREETS”

NORWAY | LOFOTEN ISLANDS

OAXACA | DAY OF THE DEAD

PETRA & WADI RUM

PROVENCE & COTE D’AZUR

SWITZERLAND

THREE AMIGOS SPAIN

TURKEY & ISTANBUL

VENICE CARNEVALE

VIETNAM | CENTRAL VIETNAM

VIETNAM | NORTHERN VIETNAM

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South & Central America

Southeast Asia

Middle East

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PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS - CAPTURE THE ATLAS

Just like the Vikings, we love nothing better than going on travel adventures, exploring, and capturing the world! And that’s what you will experience by joining our photography workshops.

Designed by photographers for photography enthusiasts of all skill levels, our small-group workshops are guided by some of the most talented and experienced photographers in the business. They are passionate about sharing their technical knowledge and creative skills – and will take you off the beaten path to places they intimately know and love to shoot.

Not only will you explore and capture incredible images of some of the most stunning locations around the world – we will make sure you have a fun experience and unforgettable adventure.

2024 Photography Workshops

Ultimate Iceland Winter Ring Road Adventure

14 Days February & March 2024

The Enchanting Landscapes of Death Valley

5 Days March 2024

Into the Badlands

Tuscan Dreams

7 Days – 2 Spots Left!  May 2024

Midnight Sun in Iceland

7 Days June 2024

Drone & Discover: Iceland

10 Days – SOLD OUT! 2025 has availiability. June 2024

Iceland Summer: South Coast & Highlands

10 Days July 2024

All-Inclusive Raw Africa Photography Safari

10 Days August 2024

Red Sails of Greenland

6 Days August & September 2024

Iceland Winter Wonderland

10 Days October & November 2024

2025 Photography Workshops

Lofoten Dreams

7 Days May 2025 Book now to get 2024 prices.

10 Days June 2025

10 Days October & November 2025 Contact us for details

Previous Photography Workshops

A selection of our recent photography workshops.

If you are interested in attending any of these in the future, would like more information, or want us to notify you when we release new dates, please contact us at [email protected].

Death Valley by Night

Colorado Gold

6 Days September

Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Adventure

14 Days July

Enchanted Cypress Swamps

5 Days November

© 2024 Viking International Phototours, LLC. All rights reserved.

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

• Photography tours & Workshops 2024

Photo World Tours

Spain Photo Tours  

  Iceland Photo Tours   

  Japan Photo Tours   

Photography tours & workshops.

Photo World Tours offers you the best photo tours and workshops to capture the best locations with your camera. Whether you are an amateur or professional photographer, our workshops are thought to enjoy the passion of photographing the most amazing spots on Earth. Photo adventures all around the world to photograph landscapes, architecture, wildlife, and cultures. With a complete logistic plan to make you enjoy it.

We do not offer just our travel photography workshops , also we share with you our blog tips for photo travelers. From the moment you start to like photography, you start to dream about traveling to your favorite spot. Our mission’s that you enjoy the trips since the first moment to your back home. Then you may look back in your memory and see that dreams come true.

Great accommodations, comfortable transports & all safety measures to make the trip a complete experience. Travel with professionals and experienced leaders and come back home with dreamy photos. Together with our award-winning photographers and as official tourist tour operators, you can trust us to enjoy a complete trip focused on photographers like you .

Create special memories during our photo tours

Whether you join our trips or photo workshops, we will help you to improve your photography skills during your holidays. We will teach you from composition to techniques in the field. Our selection of the best photography tours in the world is your opportunity to learn & travel.

Also in our online photography classes, we can help you before and after the trip. In our online private lessons of post-production, we will teach you even when we are not traveling. Learn the professional techniques to process your pics. We are near you before, during, and after the trips!

World class locations and cultural spots

In conclusion, choosing from our  photo workshops will be your best choice to learn photography while you travel. Whether you travel alone or with friends, our photo tours will make you feel like to be always a family. Reserve your trip now and bring your photos to the next level!

Choose between your favorite photo workshop in Europe or Asia, South America or North America, the Pacific or Antartic, Asia Central or a Photo Safari in Africa. We have the most complete offer of professional photography workshops!

Photography Tours 2024

Iceland Highlands  

Namibia  

Faroe Islands  

Iceland South Coast  

Northern Spain  

Scotland  

Dolomites  

Swiss & French Alps  

Iceland Ring Road  

Japan Autumn Nature  

Canadian Rockies  

Lapland  

Hokkaido  

Japanese Alps  

Lofoten Islands  

Sakura Road Trip  

Difference between a photo tour & workshops.

There is a typical question to understand what are the differences between both types. All our trips are focus to teach all participants , but as you can see in our list of trips, you can find different kinds of trips.

For us, teach & travel is essential on all trips. But we differentiate the tour according to the conditions we can find. Basically, a Photo Workshop is more focused to teach you than showing you a place , so the itinerary can change according to great opportunities that can appear through the trip.  A Photo Tour is focused to follow the itinerary and visit all places always that weather doesn’t make us change plans.

Coming soon Travel Photographic Trips

New York City  

Vietnam  

Dubai  

Mongolia  

Slovenia & Croatia  

Myanmar  

Budapest, Vienna & Prague  

New Zealand  

Group discounts in our travel photography workshops.

Are you thinking to travel with family or friends ? Looking for a cheap trip ? We offer a 3% discount on our travels for your next photography holidays! Simply choose 4 or more persons on any of our trips, and the discount will be applied. Simple, easy, and fast. 

• Safe payment: Bank transfer, Credit card or PayPal
• Return money guarantee if the photography workshop is not done
• 100% refund if travel ban
• Small Groups
• Group discounts
• Legal Travel Agency
• Basic travel insurance
• Personal assistance, before & at the workshops

Find a photo travel of your style

Night Photography

Northern Lights

Street Photography

Private Trips

Choose the place.

You can choose any of our ready photo tours or upcoming, but also you can tell us where do you want to go. We are experts travelers & photographers, this way we have already prepared trips all around the world. We will study your dreams, to plan the tour in better conditions to take incredible photos.

Choose the data

Tell us which dates adjust better to your schedule. We will help you to choose the best days for your trip, according to the photograph conditions in the destiny you want to visit. Northern lights, for example, can be viewed in several months, festivals in India have exact dates or Sakura & autumn colors if you want a trip in Japan according to the season, but also the weeks according to the place you want to visit. Together we will choose the best possible data, so your private group enjoy the destiny to come back home with the best photos.

Improve your trip

We prepare tours according to the best relationship price-quality: hotels, transports, duration… but we can improve the services including in the tours to give to your group a luxury service. Extra activities as balloon or helicopter excursions or ice caves, are possible to add according to your budget. Also if you look for economical tours, we can reduce the costs taking out services of our tours or looking for shared rooms that will make your group fill comfortable and enjoy the photographic tour.

Contact us and tell about your plans

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DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

Workshop, Tour, or Photo Walk – Which is Right for You?

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: May 15, 2019

It has recently come to my attention that there is some confusion between photography workshops, photography tours, and photo walks. So in this article, I’ll outline exactly what is the difference between them and help you decide which is right for you at this time.

Photo Walks

A photo walk is a social event where several photographers gather and join together to literally take a walk together. They are usually short, a couple hours is standard, and are done entirely on foot.

The goal of a photo walk is to just get out, take some photos, and hang out with other photography enthusiasts for an afternoon.

You can find photo walks that are organized by camera clubs, Facebook or Flickr groups, on Meetup.com, or the official Scott Kelby annual Worldwide Photowalk  which takes places in hundreds of cities simultaneously and sponsors provide prizes.

Look for photo walks in your area that you can join if you feel like shooting with some new friends, or create your own.

Here are some images from a photo walk I did with James Maher in NYC in 2016:

We enjoyed that walk so much, we did it all again in 2017!

The theme for the year – love. I had just come from a camp with 400 people where the mood and energy were all about love and I kept seeing it everywhere. So I photographed it!

 Create your own photo walk

You don’t have to be a professional or a photography teacher to create and lead a photo walk, you just need to know the area and a few other photographers.

Plan a short route for walking in an area that will have some interesting things to shoot. I recommend no longer than about 1km (0.75 miles) as photographers are easily distracted and your 5km route may take 6 hours to complete!

Make a Facebook event or send out invitations by email to other photographers you know. You can put a cap on how many attendees you have if you want, I recommend 20 for your first one. Make a map with a starting and end point and hand them out to people on the walk.

You can even book a table at a cafe or restaurant near the ending point to meet up afterward and share images.

It’s fun to see how everyone looks at the same subjects along the way but takes entirely different images. It’s a great way to interact with each other, get some creative ideas, and have some fun.

Make your own prizes

Something fun I did with photo walks that I hosted a few years ago was that we made our own prizes.

How you do that is collect $10 from everyone that shows up and put it all into a pool. Create a Facebook group for your photo walk and have everyone upload their best three images. Everyone gets 3 votes (cannot vote for their own images) by “liking” their favorites. The one with the most votes after a predetermined time wins the pool of money.

Photography Workshops

The main focus of a photography workshop is for you to learn something.

A workshop is often based on a particular topic or theme such as street photography, camera settings for beginners, or using Lightroom or post-processing in general, night photography, etc.

Workshops are generally a few days long (3-7 days is a common length), and are held in one central location.

Workshops often involve some or all of the following:

• They are aimed at amateur photographers who are at a  beginner to intermediate (or advanced) level with their skillset.
• Workshops usually include some classroom or lesson time.
• You may get practice exercises to do on site, for the instructor to evaluate your images during the classroom sessions.
• Different shooting locations (usually near the central location, less than an hour drive).
• Image review time so you can get feedback on your images.
• Post-processing demonstrations and tips.
• Q&A sessions.
• One or more photography instructors (there are NO tour guides for workshops).
• Some workshops may also include one-on-one time with the instructor.
• Usually a small group with sizes ranging from 5-10 people – do your research before you select a workshop. You will get more individual help in a smaller group but you will also usually pay more for those workshops. We limit our workshops to 8 participants when there is one instructor and 12 if there are two. Some specialized workshops may be less (5-6 max).
• Accommodation may or may not be included. (We include it in our workshops).
• Meals may or may not be included. (We include most meals with our workshops).

Photography workshop or class?

A workshop is usually more intensive than taking a class, the latter of which involves more lecture/classroom time and may or may not include shooting time. Look for workshops that have a good balance of both on location shooting and classroom or instructional time. Also, ask if the instructor is available between scheduled shoots for questions and help.

Our workshops

Currently, we offer two photography workshops – one 4-day weekend workshop in Drumheller (southern Alberta, Canada) in the spring and fall, and one in the fall in the Okanagan Valley (Penticton, BC, Canada) for 5 days of photography and wine ! Get more information on our photography workshops here .

Photography Tours

The main goal of a photography tour is for you to have an experience of the place you’re visiting, and come home with great photos.

You’ll see interesting things, and have the opportunity to photograph locations at the best times of the day (early morning and later afternoon).

Tours are generally a bit longer than workshops (7-15 days or even longer is common), and you move around the country or area where the tour is taking place.

Photography tours usually involve the following:

• Travel to a new place, sometimes outside your home country.
• Appropriate for both amateur and professional photographers to attend (even on the same tour).
• Moving around the country to a variety of different spots, and transportation is usually arranged for you (plane, train, bus, etc.).
• There is often NO formal classroom or lesson time on tours.
• Specially arranged photo shoots with locals and unique places you may not be able to access on your own.
• A tour leader and a local guide to tell you about the country or place you’re visiting.
• Usually include a small to medium sized group of 8-16 people (again do your research, not all tours are equal). With our tours, we limit the group size to a maximum of 10 people with one photography tour leader and 12-14 with two leaders.
• Most or all of your meals and accommodations are arranged for and included in the price (again look at the details of the tour carefully, see if there are any hidden costs, meals not included so you can factor that into the overall cost).
• Photography tours usually have a pretty packed itinerary which is designed to show you the best that location has to offer, in the best light, with a professional photography teacher as your mentor to help you get better photos along the way.
• May or may not include image reviews (time and space permitting with our tours).
• Your photo tour leader is there to answer questions, give you tips, and help you if you are having difficulty. They have usually visited the place before and have planned the itinerary to take you to the best spots for photography.

Benefits of photo tours

Some of the other benefits of photo tours are more subtle.

You could find a travel buddy (if perhaps your spouse doesn’t like to travel or isn’t patient while you take photos), or get paired with a roommate and make a new friend. We’ve had some of our past tour attendees visit each other, and become quite good friends. We’ve also had many repeat tour members who’ve joined us on multiple tours so we’ve really gotten to know each other as well!

Secondly, there is safety in numbers. So traveling to places you may not want to venture yourself is easier and safer. 

Lastly, most of the logistics are handled for you (other than your international flight) so you just have to get there then sit back and enjoy the ride!

Our photography tours

Currently, we offer tours to several exotic places including Nicaragua, Morocco, and India with more destinations being added annually (Vietnam coming soon). Get more information on our photography tours here .

We have had quite a few repeat customers join us on our photography tours – but none more often than Ann (she was on our first Cuba tour, first Nicaragua tour, second Cuba tour, first to Morocco and will be first in India). We’ve even been roommates in Morocco and will be buddying up again in November in India. She is not just a client and tour member – she’s become a friend, as have many of our other guests.

So which do you pick?

Knowing whether to go on a photo walk, attend a workshop, or go on a photography tour all depends on you, your budget, how much time you have, and what you want to get out of it.

Photo walk: If you haven’t got a lot of time or a large budget and your goal is to shoot more often – then a photo walk is likely the best choice for you.

Photography workshop: Choose a workshop if your main goal is learning something new. If you want to add a particular skill, such as night photography, find a workshop that covers that topic. Expect to pay more for a workshop than a photo walk or a class, but you will also get more value and practice shooting as well.

Photography tour: Get your passport ready and book a photography tour if a little adventure and a change of scenery are what you’re seeking. Going with a small group photo tour with a custom itinerary is a very different experience than a large bus of 40 people with a standard tour (trust me I know – that is why I decided to make my own tours in 2011!). You’ll see amazing places and meet interesting people and come home with great images and memories.

Here are a few of the things we’ve done and experienced together:

We’ve had MANY great photo opps of unique and interesting things and people on our tours!

Some of the other things we’ve done include:

• A boat tour in an estuary. – Nicaragua
• Some people tried their hand-rolling their own cigar, which they smoked later. – Nicaragua
• We made chocolate at a local farm (best ever!) – Nicaragua
• We painted a school. – Nicaragua
• Had a private photo shoot with models in an ancient palace. – Morocco
• Drank mint tea in a 100s of years old Kasbah. – Morocco
• Took salsa dance lessons. – Cuba
• Had a private show and photo shoot with a dance group. – Cuba
• Visited artisans working, making their craft. – Nicaragua, Cuba, and Morocco

I hope that helps clear up some of the confusion you may have had between photo tours, photography workshops (and classes), and photo walks.

Whichever you choose, have a great time taking photos and learning new things. Perhaps you will join us for a workshop or tour one day soon – I’d love to see you.

About Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through her articles here on Digital Photo Mentor, her beginner photography course , and private tutoring lessons . To help you at whatever level you're at she has two email mini-courses. Sign up for her free beginner OR portrait photography email mini-course . Or get both, no charge!

Learn Photography Basics

Yes, you can learn to take better photos! It’s my passion to help you learn the photography basics and take better pictures. It’s also the same reason I teach workshops, do photo travel tours, and have online photography courses available.

Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course , also free.

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North America Photo Tours

From the High Arctic of Canada to the southern tip of Mexico, North America is a continent of great diversity and photographic opportunity. Our  North America Photo Tours  tap into both the diversity and opportunity with trips to photograph wildlife, rain forests, colonial towns, vibrant fall colors, spectacular mountain ranges, and so much more. Our schedule of trips in North America is an ever-evolving and revolving lineup of the very best photography locations throughout the US, Canada and Mexico.

We’re here to answer your questions about any of the trips that interest you, so don’t hesitate to  Contact Us !

One Space Available!

Arctic Birds and Musk Oxen of Nome, Alaska

Photograph the summer arrival of shorebirds, waterfowl and northern songbirds in Alaska’s arctic. Create images of grazing musk oxen, caribou, moose and red foxes on barren tundra hillsides and verdant valleys—all under the summer’s long hours of daylight.

Two Spaces Available!

Olympic National Park, Washington

Alpine scenery with wildflower meadows and dramatic vistas, plus a rugged coastline, sea stacks, waterfalls and verdant moss-draped rain forest set the stage for a quintessential Pacific Northwest photographic adventure.

Whales, Wildlife and Wilderness—Alaska

Experience the breathtaking excitement of humpback whale photography in the pristine waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage during the prime summer season. Whales breach, tail-slap, and bubble-net and lunge feed amidst snowcapped mountain backdrops on this luxurious photo cruise.

Now Booking for 2025!

Brown Bears of Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

A cozy private fly-in lodge is our base for a week of amazing brown bear photography amidst verdant marshes and tidal flats with serrate mountain backdrops. We encounter the bears—close up, on foot and at their eye level—as they forage, often with cubs in tow, in this vast unspoiled wilderness.

One Male Share Available!

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Glacier Bay is among the world’s most active tidewater glacial areas. The deep ice-jammed waters support a variety of photogenic wildlife, both in these frigid waters and onshore. Whales, bears and seabirds abound. Cruise the bay and its glaciers by luxurious private yacht with special park permit.

Colorado Fall Colors

Photograph the blazing yellow aspen forests that punctuate the rugged Colorado Rocky Mountains topography—jagged summits and deep breathtaking valleys under blue sky. Improve your photography skills while learning about light, color and graphic design on location with our leader in his home state.

Acadia National Park and Coastal Maine in Autumn

Rugged, rocky headlands, a lighthouse carved into a granite ledge, a quiet harbor on a dreamy foggy morning, tide pools and crashing waves, or a hillside of flaming maples and birches—all these exciting photographic possibilities describe our classic Acadia National Park photo tour in October.

Yosemite in Autumn

The towering rock walls that form the bones of Yosemite’s spectacular valley are at their finest in the warm low-angled light of fall. The Merced River flows at a gentler pace and autumn-hued foliage and granite peaks are framed in mirror-like waters. Yosemite in autumn is a never-ending source of inspiration.

Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou, Texas in Autumn

Autumn brings a blaze of color to the bald cypress trees of Caddo Lake and the Big Cypress Bayou in Texas.  Explore quiet backwaters by boat and photograph the graphic quality of these stately trees as ethereal fog drifts amidst the gnarled trunks as the sun rises and sets.

Yellowstone in Winter

Capture images of the very best of Yellowstone’s snowy interior—unique geothermal features, snow-encrusted landscapes, and iconic wildlife—with an expert leader who knows the park intimately. Flexible itinerary with five snow coach days and short walks to explore geothermal areas and landscapes.

Snowy Owls of the Canadian Prairies, Alberta

Photograph snowy owls, the extraordinary “Arctic Ghosts,” in Alberta’s snowy prairie habitats. Three shooting days provide great opportunities to capture portrait images, birds in flight and owls as part of the winter landscape.

Bald Eagles, Sea Otters & Coastal Wildlife of Kachemak Bay, Alaska

A spectacular wildlife shoot amidst Alaska’s most photogenic settings. Five full days of photography from a chartered boat along the Kenai Peninsula to capture dynamic in-flight and perched eagle images, endearing close-ups of sea otters, and wildlife in rugged winter landscapes.

Gray Whales of Mexico's Baja Peninsula

Experience the thrill of photographing at one of Earth's prime locations for marine photography! Photograph Pacific gray whales within touching distance. Capture images of blue and humpback whales, dolphins, Baja's desert landscapes, unique Boojum “trees” and timeless Mexican colonial architecture.

Florida Birds

Florida’s East Coast has become a great new focal point for nature photographers from all over the world. Shoot several exciting wading bird colonies at close range including wood storks, spoonbills, herons and egrets plus the world’s highest density of nesting ospreys—by boat and on shore.

Great Gray Owls of the North Woods, Alberta

Photograph these magnificent birds of prey, the “Phantoms of the Forest,” in the remote forests of central Alberta. Three full shooting days provide many opportunities to capture intimate photos of the great gray owls during the snowiest month of the year.

Whales, Wildlife and Wilderness, Alaska

Experience the breathtaking excitement of humpback whale photography in the pristine waters of the Alaska’s Inside Passage during the prime summer season. Whales breach, tail-slap, and bubble-net and lunge feed amidst snowcapped mountain backdrops on this luxurious photo cruise.

New Trip for 2025!

Women's Series: Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou

The breathtaking Caddo Lake in East Texas serves as an ideal setting for the next addition to our well-received Women in Nature Photography tour series—trips open exclusively to women of all photographic skills. This trip is designed with the same attention to detail found in all other Van Os Photo Safaris but with an added…

Photography Workshops and Photo Tours Designed With You in Mind

In Upcoming Workshops by Matt Shetzer May 26, 2022

Alaskan Grizzly Bear Photography Tour

July 14 - July 20, 2024 (ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!)

July 19 - July 25, 2024 (ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT!)

July 24 - July 30, 2024 (SOLD OUT) Get on the waitlist.

July 4 - July 10, 2025 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

July 9 - July 15, 2025 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

Important Details

Fee: $7,695 USD PP. Single supplement option of $750.

Limit: 9 photographers

Duration: 7 days/6 nights

During the grizzly bear photo tour, you will capture stunning images of grizzly bears in their natural habitat and perfect your wildlife photography skills while enjoying the picturesque setting of the Alaskan wilderness. Guests on the grizzly bear photo tour will be immersed in the region’s spectacular scenic beauty, photographing coastal brown bears while enjoying home-cooked meals and staying in an exclusive and strategically located lodge, where bears can often be seen just outside the deck.

Shetzer’s grizzly bear photo tour specializes in one-on-one instruction for photographers of all levels in a small group setting, to ensure maximum field time while catering to each person’s skills and interests. Grizzly bear photo tour leaders are assisted by a Lake Clark bear guide who knows the animal’s behavior and habitat and will take you to the prime destinations to capture magnificent images of grizzly bears.

Lake Clark National Park is a photographer’s paradise. The wildlife preserve is the best destination to capture photos of grizzly bears because these bears have never been hunted. They aren’t threatened by human presence and are not aggressive. This gives photographers on the grizzly bear photo tour the rare opportunity to closely observe bears in their natural habitat.

Shetzer’s grizzly bear photo tour maintains a focus on small groups, allowing photographers to move around easily and efficiently to get the best shots possible – capturing the best light, backgrounds, and compositions throughout your wildlife safari – while maintaining respect for the animals. By doing that, we end up with really natural shots. On a recent grizzly bear photo tour, we had a sow and her twin cubs walk within 6 feet of us without any signs of stress. She was very aware that we were there but just walked right by us. It was an incredible experience our guests will never forget.

Costa Rica Photography Workshop : Highlands

February 28 - March 11, 2025 (ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!)

Locations: Best hummingbird and wildlife locations in the Costa Rican highlands.

Fee: $6,995 USD PP. Single supplement of $650

Limit: 4 photographers. 2 photographers per light setup

Duration: 12 days/11 nights

During the Costa Rica photography workshop, we will share our techniques for creating hummingbird images with flash photography setups and natural lighting to ensure you go home with your perfect image.

Learn how to freeze the hummingbirds’ wings and display all their feather detail. We will show you how to use 6-8 flashes per multi-flash setup controlled by radio triggers to produce an effective shutter speed of 1/10,000 of a second.

During the photo workshop, we will travel to 4 of the best hummingbird and bird lodges in Costa Rica to see a variety of species, and a local family who has turned their farm acreage into breeding grounds for the colorful Costa Rican frogs and an area that offers opportunities to photograph the amazing Resplendent Quetzal.

For those photographers looking to explore more of Costa Rica, consider attending the Costa Rica Tropical Lowlands Photography Workshop , and save $500 when you register for both trips.  

Costa Rica Photo Tour : Lowlands

February 17 - 27, 2025 (1 SPACE AVAILABLE)

Locations: Tropical Lowlands of Costa Rica

Limit: 6 photographers

During the photo workshop, we will visit Tortuguero National Park and have custom photography boat trips to explore the fresh water canals that are full of diverse wildlife, and explore Northern Costa Rica’s rainforest as we focus on the wildlife that calls this area home.

We will also visit family farms and reserves that specialize in frogs, monkeys, colorful macaws, and the other birds that live in the forest of these properties.

During the Costa Rica Tropical Lowlands photography workshop, we will share our photographic techniques for creating images of nectar-feeding bats at night with flash photography setups. Learn how to freeze the bats’ wings and capture tack-sharp detail as they visit our flowers during their late-night feedings.

We will show you how to use flashes controlled by radio triggers to produce an effective shutter speed of 1/5,000 of a second producing amazing detail.

For those photographers looking to explore more of Costa Rica, consider attending the Costa Rica Photography Workshop with a hummingbird focus, and save $500 when you register for both trips.

Hummingbird Photo Tour : Ecuadorian Cloud Forest

April 27 - May 3, 2024 (SOLD OUT) Get on the waitlist.

May 10 - May 16, 2025 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

Locations: Best Hummingbird lodges in Ecuador and Quito, Ecuador

Fee: $4,995 USD PP. Single Supplement of $500.

Over the course of the hummingbird photo tour, we will journey over mountain passes and across the equator into lush rainforests to three different bird lodges. Each destination we stop at is home to unique species of hummingbirds and a diversity of flowers, giving you the opportunity to create your own exclusive portfolio of exotic hummingbird images.

Have you always wanted to know how to photograph hummingbirds? We have perfected our hummingbird photo tour setup by using a series of seven to eight flashes synchronized by wireless radio transmitters. The multi-flash technique creates a strobe effect and freezes hummingbird wings (which can beat up to 80 times per second) in their tracks.

Guests who attend the hummingbird photo tour will capture superb images of dozens of colorful hummingbird species feeding on beautiful native flowers. Hummingbird photo tour participants who arrive in Quito early can also enjoy adventure attractions such as rafting, mountain biking, swimming in waterfalls, climbing snow-capped volcanoes and cruising around the Galapagos Islands. There are also opportunities to see Quito’s modern side before or after the hummingbird photo tour by taking scenic tours, shopping at South America’s largest market, and enjoying cultural fare.

Why do we go to Ecuador? It has the best photography opportunities with the most diverse species of hummingbirds of any country in the world.

Hummingbird Photography Workshop : Mindo & Beyond

April 20 - 27, 2024 (SOLD OUT) Get on the waitlist.

April 16 - 23, 2025 (ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!)

Fee: $5,495 USD PP. Single Supplement of $500.

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Mindo and Beyond is our second itinerary specializing in hummingbird photography in the beautiful South American country of Ecuador.

Over the course of this Hummingbird Photography Workshop you will learn specialized techniques to create stunning images of hummingbirds as they feast on native flowers. In pursuit of this goal, we will journey over mountain passes and across the equator into Ecuador’s famous cloud forests.

Though hummingbirds are our primary focus, we will take advantage of our location and photograph stunning birds such as the Cock-of-the-Rock, the colorful Plate-billed mountain toucans, and vibrant tanagers.

During the week we will visit five (5) of Ecuador’s finest locations for hummingbirds and photograph diverse species of hummingbirds and many native flowers, providing the opportunity to create your own exclusive portfolio of exotic hummingbird images.

Galapagos Photo Tour : East Route

May 1 - 9, 2025 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

Locations: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador and Quito, Ecuador

Fee: $7,995 USD PP. Single supplement (private cabin) option of $2,995.

Limit: 14 guests with 2 photo guides

Duration: 9 days/8 nights. 8 day/7 night Galápagos cruise

Trip Discount: Save $500.00. Can’t decide on our Galápagos East or West Itinerary? Do both together at a savings on our Two-Week Galápagos Photo Workshop .

Trip Discount: Save $500.00 when you book a Galápagos Photo Tour with our Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photo Workshop .

The Galápagos Islands have the most endemic species of any region on Earth. Reptiles like the Galápagos Tortoise, mammals like the Galápagos Sea Lion, and birds like the famous Darwin’s Finches can be found nowhere else.

There are permanent human settlements on only four of the Galápagos Islands. Across most of the archipelago, nature remains wild and free, and the animals are utterly fearless.

You might see three different species of boobies, great frigatebirds that go weeks without touching land, sally lightfoot crabs with their rainbow-colored shells, or land iguanas lazing in the sun on rocky beaches.

The landscapes of the Galápagos are entrancing, with towers of volcanic rock, mangrove bays teeming with fish, and the constellations of both hemispheres overhead when the nights are clear.

Our Galápagos Photography Workshop will teach you how to photograph these majestic islands in a way that does them justice.

With instruction from veteran photographer Matt Shetzer , and a luxury yacht with a local crew and professional chef, you will be in shape to snap some of the best photographs you have ever taken. There is plenty here to thrill you even if you are not a photographer, with snorkeling, hiking, wildlife-watching, and exploring in totally unique landscapes.

We will use the 104′ luxury catamarans low-impact zodiac pangas to reach narrow inlets and beaches. At each landfall, Matt Shetzer will be on hand to give you personal instruction, while our Galápagos naturalist will teach you about the geology, ecology, and history of nature’s paradise.

Galápagos Photo Tour – East Route

Every night, after a delicious dinner, we will gather to learn about cameras, lighting, composition, and other photography techniques in the yacht’s salon. At each stop along the way, we will be following best practices to preserve the Galápagos ecosystem for future generations.

If you have been looking for a chance to reach new heights as a photographer, or to be inspired by a landscape like no other, our Galápagos Photography Workshop is the trip for you.

Galapagos Photo Workshop : West Route

April 24-May 2, 2025 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

The Galápagos Islands, a small archipelago of islands, have been preserved to the highest standards and are a pristine environment where wildlife flourishes.

The Galápagos are unlike any other location in the world, where the wildlife has little fear of humans or other predators, providing nature photographers with up close and personal opportunities with the species that call the Galápagos their home.

The incredible diversity of wildlife and flora species in the exotic ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands will amaze you, with many species only found in the Galápagos.

The Galápagos Photography workshop will spend the majority of the workshop (8-days/ 7-nights) on our private chartered yacht. As the only clients on the yacht, photography is our priority as we schedule our shoots for the best light and conditions to get you those award-winning images. In additional to photography, we will be planning many other activities such as hikes and snorkeling to interested parties.

During the days, we will take the yachts’ two zodiacs (pangas) to land at multiple island locations that have the best wildlife opportunities. These efficient boats will get us to the locations quick, thus maximizing our time ashore.

We will visit many different locations during the week to photograph a wide range of wildlife, such as the Galápagos penguin (the only penguins found in Northern Hemisphere), and the beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes. While out in the field, you will have hands-on photography instruction and assistance to obtaining your best wildlife and landscape images.

Once the sun sets, we will spend our evenings in a photography workshop discussing techniques for wildlife and landscape photography. Our instructional classes will be focused on the subjects of the Galápagos islands. We will discuss camera settings, composition ideas and different techniques to create those once in a lifetime stunning images.

Galápagos Photography Workshop – West Route

As the week progresses, we will then turn our attention to image post-processing techniques to bring the most out of your images. In addition, our Galápagos Naturalist on the yacht will share information on the islands and the wildlife we are photographing. When we have clear skies at night, enjoy the Equatorial sky as you see the Northern and Southern hemisphere skies overhead.

Post Processing Workshop : One-On-One Training

When: To your schedule. We typically do 2-3 hour blocks of time.

How: Via Zoom. Work on your Images as we setup your computer to work more efficiently and develop your style. Record the tutoring session so you can watch it again and reference it in the future.

Fee: $100 per hour

Skill Level: Beginner to Pro

Instructor: Matt Shetzer

Do you want to make the most of your favorite images?

Join Matt Shetzer remotely via Zoom from your home as he conducts private, one-on-one, post processing tutoring geared for photographers, taught by a photographer.

Learn on your computer at your pace, getting comfortable with the tools and techniques that enhance images and bring out their full potential.

Learn a workflow that uses both Photoshop and Lightroom in tandem to get the most out of your images as you develop a custom process that works for you and achieves the style of images you wish to create.

Each private session is geared towards you!

Whether you want some help working up some of your favorite images from a recent workshop, creating that big print to hang in your home, or learn new techniques like HDR, luminosity masks, managing your photographic library, or just needing some help getting your brain around what a Photoshop Layer is.

We customize each session to meet your needs at your pace, and record the tutoring session to your computer so you can watch it again and reference it in the future.

We have an enormous amount of material to make you a post-processing master.

BEFORE AND AFTER By understanding the capabilities of post processing you will capture better images in the field as you are confident of what you can produce. Here the Northern Lights over Iceland produce a very high dynamic range photo that all the details can be brought out if captured correctly.

We cover many software products and plug-ins and break apart the complexities of post processing into manageable topics and ensure a non-destructive process.

Iceland Photography Workshop

September 28 - October 5, 2024 (SOLD OUT)

Locations: Iceland (South, West and Snæfellsjökull peninsula)

Fee: $7,549 USD PP Single Supplement of $750

Limit: 4 photographers

September is a great month to be in Iceland. The start of fall offers nice temperatures and perfect opportunities to photograph the stunning Aurora Borealis over interesting foreground objects. We will still have over 12 hours of daylight each day to explore and capture the natural beauty of Iceland.

Over the week we will be traveling from the Reykjavik region down the southern coast and back up to the Snæfellsjökull peninsula to see the best Iceland has to offer with its dramatic landscapes, glacial lagoons, massive glaciers and enormous waterfalls.

Each, night we will keep an eye on the weather and monitor the conditions for Northern Lights photography. If the skies are clear, we will head out in the hope of capturing images of the infamous Aurora Borealis. The aurora is always occurring and will appear in different strengths due to solar storms.

Iceland’s waterfalls are perhaps the most impressive of any country. We will be photographing the most photogenic of the waterfalls including the iconic waterfalls of Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Kirkjufoss. Icelandic waterfalls are often wrapped by basalt cliffs making them a dramatic waterfall photo.

Bald Eagle Photography Workshop: Immersive Alaskan Wildlife Photography Tours

• $6,995 per person
• Optional single supplement (private room): $500

Deposit: $1,000

Limit: 5 photographers

Our small-group workshop offers a front-row seat to awe-inspiring encounters with these iconic birds of prey in their natural habitat. It’s an exceptional experience every wildlife photographer dreams of.

Seize this rare chance to observe and photograph more bald eagles than most people will ever see in a lifetime!

Bald Eagle Tour Highlights

Imagine standing in the pristine wilderness of Alaska, witnessing the majestic American Bald Eagle soaring freely above.

• South of Homer, where these iconic birds gather in great numbers, we have a rare chance to revel in nature’s grandeur against the breathtaking backdrop of Kachemak Bay and the iconic Homer Spit—a long, narrow strip of land extending into the bay.
• Our tours take us to scenic areas like China Poot Bay, Sadie Cove, Tutka Bay, and numerous small islands, accessible only by our state-of-the-art 33′ Coast Guard-certified landing craft.
• Each day brings new encounters with eagles congregating along the sandbars, perching majestically against the sky or roosting in dense branches, offering the thrill of capturing these moments against the serene beauty of snow-capped mountains and jagged cliffs.
• We’ll guide you to the perfect spots for photographing these iconic birds in their natural habitat. Expect a blend of adventure, learning, and unforgettable moments as you immerse yourself in the beauty of Alaska’s wilderness, capturing the spirit of the American Bald Eagle through your lens.

Do we have a workshop that you are interested in, but can’t make the dates? See our Custom Photography Workshops and Tours and just tell us what dates work for you and we’ll see what we can do.

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The Best Photography Workshops in 2024

There's no shortage of photography workshops available in 2024. So how does one choose where to go and who to go with? Choosing a good photography workshop can feel overwhelming at times. Simply picking a location can be paralyzing, not to mention picking a good guide. I have been leading photography workshops for the past decade and have shot alongside some of the best photographers in the landscape and wildlife field. I know choosing a workshop can be hard so I went ahead and made a list of some of the best photography workshops in 2024.

Without further ado, here's the list of some of the best photography workshops in the world!

Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Photography Workshop | Jan 26 - 28 (3 days) | Dan Ballard

Capture stunning winter scenes of Rocky Mountain National Park in this 3-day landscape photography workshop with Dan Ballard. Winter is an excellent time of year to visit the park – with significantly less crowds, magnificent snow capped mountains and endless beauty. One sunrise shoot will include a guided snowshoe hike to Dream Lake! In the classroom, participants will receive constructive feedback on their work. They will learn how to create energy and drama in a photograph through advanced composition skills and creative image editing, while always staying true to the reality of a scene. Dan’s editing process is both easy to learn and effective. It’s all about utilizing the tools that allow photographers to be more artistic with their work.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

PRINT SALES MASTERCLASS 2024 | Feb 16 - 18 (3 -days) | Ryan Smith & Robert Park

Taking a photograph is just the first step in a large process. There's nothing better than seeing your print come to life on paper, metal or acrylic. This two part workshop will focus on print making & sales. During the first half of the workshop you'll learn print centric editing techniques, calibration, ICC profiles and more. The second portion will focus on the art of print sales and marketing. After the workshop you'll have the tools you need to confidently make the right decisions when it comes time for print. The workshop is based out of Las Vegas Nevada which makes it easy to fly in and out of.

Kauai Photography Workshop | Feb 28 - Mar 6 (8 days) | Mike Wardynski

Kauai Landscape Photography Workshop - Mike Wardynski Photography

Kauai is one of the most photogenic islands in the world. Located in the Hawaii island chain, Kauai is in a league of it's own. From sandy beaches to the rugged Na Pali coast line, there is no shortage of incredible landscape photography opportunities. During this week long workshop you will have the opportunity to photograph the entire island of Kauai. The workshop is held in the winter to increase the chances of large surf and dramatic skies. You'll most likely see multiple rainbows throughout the trip!

A doors-off helicopter flight is included in the price of admission allowing you to capture the most incredible views of the Na Pali coast and Waimea Canyon. During this truly unique photo workshop you'll learn about aerial photography, long exposures with neutral density filters and much much more. If that wasn't enough, you'll be making incredible photographs in paradise while having the time of your life!

Personal Visions Virtual Workshop | March 2- 3 (2 Days) | Frans Lanting

Virtual photography workshop with Frans Lanting

This virtual weekend workshop is open to participants from anywhere in the world. It is aimed at helping photographers refine a body of existing work via Zoom during one-on-one sessions with Frans Lanting and his team through image reviews and group discussions. The emphasis will be on individual project and portfolio development. The program includes an orientation session before the workshop weekend, and two full-day classroom sessions. All sessions will take place via Zoom between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time.

Tucson Milky Way & Star-trails Photography Workshop | March 8-10 (3-days) Sean Parker

Astrophotography Workshop - Sean Parker

Looking to step up your night photography skills? Embark on a captivating journey into the cosmos with a Night Sky Photography Workshop in Tucson, Arizona. Hosted against the enchanting desert backdrop, this workshop is a unique opportunity for photography enthusiasts to master the art of capturing the celestial wonders above. Participants will delve into the technicalities of night sky photography, learning essential skills such as long exposure techniques, composition strategies, and post-processing workflows.

With the guidance of internationally renowned photographer Sean Parker, attendees will explore the breathtaking beauty of Tucson's night sky, immersing themselves in the magic of stargazing and astrophotography. This workshop promises a blend of education and hands-on experience, creating unforgettable memories under the starlit Arizona sky. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, join us for an illuminating and inspiring night of capturing the cosmos in all its glory.

Arches National Park | March 15 - 17 (3-Days) | Aperture Academy

Located in northern Utah, Arches National Park is unlike anywhere on earth. You have to see it to believe it! Red sandstone rocks align with the La Sal mountain range to create unbelievable photo opportunities that are out of this world. Arches is conveniently located just outside of Moab so drive times are kept to a minimal during most of the workshop.

During this three day photography tour you'll photograph some of the most unique sandstone arches in the world including Delicate Arch, Double Arch and more. You'll have the opportunity to focus on large vistas as well as intimate scenes. Any desert lover will have a blast on this workshop.

The White Horses of Camargue | May 3 - 7 (5 days) | Mike Wardynski

The White Horses of Camargue Photography Workshop

Imagine walking down a sandy beach with gorgeous white horses in the south of France. The Camargue horses are one of the most ancient horse breeds in the world and they also happen to be one of the most photogenic breeds as well. The wild horses of Camargue are an absolute dream to photograph. On this workshop you'll conduct seven shoots with the horses over the course of five days. A local guide and guardian (french cowboy) will help get the horses into the right position for the perfect shot.

To keep things interesting, the locations and number of horses will vary. You have the opportunity to photograph minimal scenes of the horses as they rest as well as iconic shots of the horses running though the ocean and rearing up. While most photography workshop only include two ocean shoots. This workshop includes three to increase your chances of getting truly remarkable shots. All lodging and ground transportation is included.

STORM CHASING IN THE MIDWEST | MAY 26 - JUN. 1 (7 DAYS) STEVE SAVIANO & BRUCE OMORI

storm chasing photography workshop

The late spring and early summer is a period of time when incredibly powerful and beautiful thunderstorms roam the Great Plains of the United States. Atmospheric conditions that develop during this time of year create a favorable environment for storms that can be extremely photogenic. Skyscape Photo Tours specializes in placing their guests safely in a position that is optimal to capture memorable images of these incredible storm systems. During their workshops, guests will have the opportunity to learn about forecasting and storm behavior, in addition to photographic techniques and photo processing.

Beginning and ending in Denver, this 7 day adventure, led by forecaster Steve Saviano and photographer Bruce Omori, will literally take you to where the wind blows, as these sought-after super cells are very dynamic and can form rapidly just about anywhere in the conducive Midwest. Beginning with a detailed analysis of meteorological models each morning, every day is an adventure and holds the potential for witnessing one of the most awe-inspiring displays of the power of nature. These chases also provide clients a chance to experience the culture and cuisine of the Heartland in unique fashion!

Crested Butte Wildflowers | July 10 -13 | Exploring Exposure

Crested Butte Photography Workshop, July 2024

In Colorado, one can find a beautiful and diverse landscape, with the Rocky Mountains standing as the state's crowning glory. Throughout the summer months, the region bursts into vibrant life, especially in the charming mountain town of Crested Butte. Affectionately known as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado," Crested Butte's valleys and hills burst forth with a breathtaking array of colorful blooms, particularly during the month of July.

These picturesque surroundings, framed by majestic mountains, have established the town as a beloved destination for nature and wildflower photography enthusiasts. This photography adventure is dedicated to capturing the allure of the high alpine terrain, placing a special focus on the captivating meadows of wildflowers, waterfalls, and reflections in alpine lakes. Additionally, we will journey to the elevated heights to explore the awe-inspiring mountain vistas and immortalize the vibrant carpet of flowers gracing the hillsides. Drawing from a decade of exploration and photography experience in Crested Butte, David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick are thrilled to impart their knowledge and expertise, offering a unique summer photography experience in the heart of Colorado.

Mount Rainer Photography Workshop | Aug 6 - 10 (5 Days) | Mike Wardynski

Mount Rainer is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest. This fantastic National Park is conveniently located just a few hours from Seattle and boy does it have a lot to offer. The park is loaded with lakes, rivers, waterfalls vista and wildflowers. The incredible volcano backdrop is just the icing on the cake. Mount Rainer is a must do destination for anyone who love landscape photography. This five day workshop is based out of Paradise Meadows at the historic Paradise Inn. Rooms at the lodge are hard to come by this workshop allows participant to book their lodging when they sign up for the trip. Reduced workshop rates are available for anyone who does not require lodging in Paradise. During the course of the workshop you'll have the opportunity to photograph Mount Rainer from a variety of angles as well as some of the parks more subtle scenes. Transportation is included too so all you have to do is sit back enjoy the views and focus on your craft! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Grand Teton Photography Workshop | Sept 21 -23 (3 days)| Aperture Academy

Grand Teton Photography Workshop 2024

Grand Teton is one of the most ideal photography location in the United States. The park's proximity to Jackson Hole makes it very assessable and comfortable to shoot. The Teton range creates a stunning backdrop for landscape photography and the abundance of big game makes Grand Teton one of the best locations in the U.S. for wildlife photography. During the workshop you'll have very good odds of photographing moose, elk, pronghorn, black bears, grizzlies coyotes and more.

This 3 day photography workshop offers a good mix of landscape and wildlife opportunities. You'll have the opportunity to focus on landscape photography when the light is at its best and transition to wildlife photography when the light is more conducive for that. Aperture Academy has been leading workshops in the Teton range for many years and has instructors that will work very hard to get you to the right spot at the right time.

Caddo Lake in Autumn | Multiple Nov. Dates | Mike Mezeul II

The swamps of East Texas are a magical place filled with mysterious cypress trees, majestic birds and an eerie fog that keeps you curious around each bend. During the autumn season, this normally lush green environment transforms into a landscape filled with vibrant oranges and fiery reds, only adding to its uniqueness. Not only are they filled with endless visuals, these swamps hold decades of history and folklore.

During this workshop, you will learn how to create captivating imagery that brings your audience into a place that many don’t realize exists. You will learn how to see and visualize a frame within a landscape that at first can seem quite overwhelming. You will learn how to appreciate the smallest of details and largest of scales, while being surprised at times by what nature can show you. And while you’re at it, you’ll also take time to put your camera down and to see the beauty that resides in the swamps.

2025 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Yellowstone in winter photography workshop | exact dates dates coming in spring | mike wardynski photography.

Yellowstone in Winter Photography Workshop with Mike Wardynski

Winter is the most beautiful time of year to photograph Yellowstone National Park. The white blanket of snow creates idyllic landscape scenes that are minimal in nature. The snow also creates a clean backdrop for photographing the wide variety of wildlife that can be found within the park. The bison are the star of the show in winter as they use their powerful neck muscles to dig though feet of snow to graze. Other wildlife opportunities could include coyotes, foxes, wolves, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, bob cats and more.

One this three day photography workshop you will travel though Yellowstone via snow coach. Each workshop participant will get a seat for themselves and a seat for their gear allowing for maximum comfort during the trip. This workshop is one of the most enjoyable photography workshops that you will ever do. 2025 dates to be announced in spring of 2024.

Patagonia Fall Photography Workshop | 2025 Dates Coming Soon | Mike Wardynski Photography

Patagonia is one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world and autumn is most beautiful time to visit when the fall foliage turns vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. On this amazing 12 day photography workshop you'll discover incredible scenes of Mount Fitz Roy in El Chalten, walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glacier National Park and photograph some of the world's most iconic mountains in Torres Del Paine, Chile. All ground transportation and lodging is included in the price of admission. There will be an option add on a puma tracking expedition at the end of the workshop.

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Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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"A CREATIVE AND INSPIRING ADVENTURE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS OF ANY SKILL LEVEL"

Welcome to Photography Workshop Tours. Our tour offers you a chance to combine not only a wonderful creative learning experience but to immerse yourself in a vibrant and warm culture surrounded by stunning landscapes and architecture. We want our clients to experience this blend of photography, travel and culture in a friendly and fun environment. Whether you are a beginner, an enthusiast, or a professional, our team will work with you at your level of experience. Your equipment should not hold you back – be it a smartphone, point and shoot or professional DSLR, we can accommodate. Learning takes place in the field, walking and talking, over meals, all while enjoying and photographing our surroundings. We invite you to join us on a truly amazing photographic and cultural adventure.

• Ethical responsibility in photography and travel. • Practical understanding of specific aspects of travel, landscape, wildlife and documentary photography. • Provides a unique blend of hands-on learning techniques and skills. • Turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image. • A better understanding of how to capture that great image. • Exposure, composition and subject matter. • Discuss editing and post-processing. • Engaging with local people and in local life. • Our tours are limited to 8 people making this an intimate group size allowing for a stimulating dynamic where participants can share their experiences with like-minded people.

Nepal is a photographers dream. A land of magnificent landscapes, diverse cultures, majestic mountains with an intense spirit. The soul of this trip is to introduce you to this unique country and to get those images you will be proud to share on your return home, telling your own unique journey. One of our highlights is the photography flight over Everest and the mountain ranges. This is a special plane with only one row of seats running along each side of the plane so that you can take your images in comfort. We take in some of the more well know places including a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, but pride ourselves on introducing you to the more rural hillside villages where we will meet with the some of the locals and enjoy a meal with them.

• We schedule this trip annually for November as this is the best time for photographers when the air is cool and clear. • The tour appeals to both young and old, the novice or more experienced photographers. • We only use locally owned and run services.

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• 1 day workshop in Dublin. For those outside of Dublin we will have a live video link. This will be run about 6 weeks before the designated tour date, to allow you to organise the essentials for the trip. • Finishing off the day with a dinner at a Nepalese restaurant in Dublin to experience some of the food and culture you will experience on your trip.

• Welcome dinner on arrival at our hotel.

• Half-day workshop on the first day to prepare for our next 9 days in the field, followed by our first outing in Kathmandu.

• Farewell dinner on our last night before departure. Here we will share our favourite images with the tour.  Post Tour:

• Client gallery on the website where everyone can display some of their images and story. • We are in talks to secure a special exhibition where each client will have 2 of their favourite images presented. This will be a unique chance for you to showcase your work.

Our 2023 workshop tour dates are to be confirmed.

1 day workshop in Dublin / Live video link for people outside of Dublin 11 Day Tour Half Day Workshop in Kathmandu Photography Flight over Everest Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara 3 Photography Guides / Teachers English Speaking Guide and Driver 3 Star Hotel / Home Stays Breakfasts Welcome Dinner Farewell Dinner Entry Fees Private Transportation

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• Accompanied by 2 professional Photographers • Small group with personalised attention • Special photography flight over Mount Everest and mountain range’s • Short walking days allowing for plenty of photography time • Daily critique of your photography • Explore and immerse yourself in both the culture and landscapes of Nepal • Meeting and photographing more rural villagers and having a meal with them.

• Insight to aerial/drone photography.

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The black crowes impress as ‘happiness bastards’ tour rocks and rolls on.

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The Black Crowes perform on stage in support of their ninth studio album 'Happiness Bastards,' now ... [+] available via Silver Arrow Records. Friday, April 19, 2024 at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

“Alright!” shouted a clearly excited Chris Robinson last week as the Black Crowes performed on stage in Chicago. “Friday night at the rock and roll show!”

Following last month’s release of their latest studio album Happiness Bastards , their ninth, the Crowes performed Friday night in Chicago at Aragon Ballroom about halfway through the U.S. leg of their current tour, a lengthy jaunt set to take them abroad next month ahead of fall and winter dates in support of Aerosmith’s rescheduled “Peace Out” North American farewell tour.

“When we saw we were coming back to the Aragon, we were very excited,” said Robinson late, noting the group’s first performance in the picturesque room in almost 25 years. “And we’re very excited to have Glyders opening for us. They’re from this town, check them out,” he continued, lauding the work of the Chicago-based, psychedelic garage rock trio (as a cardboard cutout of Chuck Berry looked on from the venue’s balcony).

Glyders perform on stage as the opening act for The Black Crowes. Friday, April 19, 2024 at the ... [+] Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

Over the course of 35 minutes, Glyders offered up a rewarding, lo-fi opening set.

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“Cheers, everyone!” said bassist Eliza Weber early. Singer/guitarist Joshua Condon and drummer Joe Seger would soon find a groove during standout tracks like “Geneva Strangemod” and “High Time,” both from their 2023 full-length debut Maria’s Hunt.

Since we were first introduced in 1990, the Crowes have tallied a pair of platinum albums and three gold records, with Happiness Bastards , the group’s first studio album of original material in nearly 15 years, a worthy addition to their unique brand of southern-fried rock and roll.

Chris Robinson (left), Rich Robinson (right) and Erik Deutsch (back) perform on stage with The Black ... [+] Crowes during their 'Happiness Bastards' tour. Friday, April 19, 2024 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

“There’s a little town about 90 miles south of Atlanta called Macon, Georgia,” Robinson explained Friday night in Chicago, spotlighting the group’s roots. “Little Richard is from Macon. And the Allman Brothers Band,” he began, just one day removed from the death of co-founding Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts. “But there’s another: the greatest soul singer of all time, Otis Redding,” he continued. “Well, we jumped on that song and it goes like this,” said Robinson, setting up a late take on one of the biggest Black Crowes hits in Redding’s “Hard to Handle.”

While recent tours celebrated their Shake Your Money Maker record, this one makes the case for the new project, with the Black Crowes performing six songs from it over the course of about 95 minutes on stage Friday in Chicago.

As they do on the album too, “Bedside Manners” and “Rats and Clowns,” two of Happiness Bastards ’ more rollicking moments, kicked things off Friday night.

Nico Bereciartua (Left) and Sven Pipien (right) perform on stage with The Black Crowes during the ... [+] 'Happiness Bastards' tour. Friday, April 19, 2024 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

Performing as an 8 piece group, drummer Cully Symington and keyboard player Erik Deutsch were set beside backing vocalists Mackenzie Adams and Lesley Grant atop a unique two-tiered stage built to resemble stacks upon stacks of vintage amplifiers and audio equipment.

Frontman Chris Robinson, who performed in front of a large mirror, was joined on stage by guitarists Rich Robinson and Nico Bereciartua as well as longtime bassist Sven Pipien. Festive lighting strung over, along and behind the stage flanked the group who performed under a massive “Happiness Bastards” banner hanging from the lighting rig over the stage.

“Good to see you all. Welcome to the ‘Happiness Bastards!’” said Chris early in Friday’s set. “We’ve got some new songs and we got some old ones - like this!” he said, shuffling left before pointing right at Rich on the slide guitar, ultimately bunnyhopping in reverse back to center stage as “Twice As Hard” rang out early in Chicago.

Sven Pipien (Left) and Chris Robinson (right) perform on stage with The Black Crowes during their ... [+] 'Happiness Bastards' tour. Friday, April 19, 2024 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

Robinson was in fine form Friday, a rejuvenated frontman shimmying about while delivering a still impressive lead vocal, with the new music cementing a once unthinkable rebirth for the Black Crowes, who’ve continually staked their claim as one of America’s best rock acts since reforming in 2019.

From 1996’s Three Snakes and One Charm , “Nebakanezer” was an early highlight in Chicago. The gnarly dual guitar riffwork of “Horsehead,” from 1999’s By Your Side followed, providing one of Friday’s more rewarding one-two punches.

Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes performs on stage during the 'Happiness Bastards' tour. Friday, ... [+] April 19, 2024 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

While “Oh Josephine” slowed things down momentarily, “Thorn in my Pride” found the group beginning to roll, with Chris on harmonica as the Crowes delivered an all hands, Stones-like jam to close the cut.

“Everyone say hello to Rich Robinson,” said Chris, gesturing toward his younger brother. With a wave of his right hand, Rich greeted the rapturuous Chicago crowd, soon strumming in the familiar opening licks to “She talks to Angels” on acoustic guitar.

Chris Robinson (left) and Rich Robinson (right) of The Black Crowes perform on stage during the ... [+] 'Happiness Bastards' tour. Friday, April 19, 2024 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL

From the new record, “Flesh Wound” followed, quickly proving to be a late high spot. The saccharine-drenched affair was a blast in the live setting, conjuring up the power pop stylings of Cheap Trick as the Black Crowes soared forward in fun fashion.

The brothers Robinson leaned in close, singing into the same mic during “Jealous Again” before closing with “Remedy,” with Chris back on harp as the new “Kindred Friend” wrapped things up in the Windy City.

“What is a band, other than something you dream up?” asked Chris rhetorically on stage in Chicago. “This band started in our mom and dad’s house in the 80s,” he continued, noting the pair’s humble roots. “And that dream will continue on.”

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Ken Carson Announces 2024 World Tour

By Nina Corcoran

Ken Carson has announced the 2024 Chaos World Tour, an extensive run of dates that will bring the Atlanta rapper across North America and Europe. He’s hitting the road in support of his new album, A Great Chaos , which came out last October. Find the complete list of tour dates below.

The 2024 Chaos World Tour begins in Orlando, Florida, on July 8 and keeps Ken Carson on the road until October 5, where he ends the run in Prague, Czech Republic. Along the way, he’ll perform in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Paris, London, Berlin, and Milan, among other locales. News of the tour arrives on the heels of Carson’s new track “ Overseas .”

Read about Carson’s “Lose It” in Pitchfork’s list “ The 42 Best Rap Songs of 2023 .”

All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Ken Carson:

07-08 Orlando, FL - Warehouse at CCF 07-09 Miami Beach, FL - The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater 07-10 St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live 07-12 Houston, TX - 713 Music Hall 07-13 Austin, TX - Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater 07-14 Dallas, TX - The Factory in Deep Ellum 07-16 Phoenix, AZ - Van Buren 07-19 San Diego, CA - SOMA San Diego 07-20 Los Angeles, CA - Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall 07-23 San Francisco, CA - The Warfield 07-26 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater 07-27 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo 07-29 Vancouver, British Columbia - PNE Forum 07-31 Salt Lake City, UT - The Union 08-01 Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom 08-03 Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore Minneapolis 08-04 Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater 08-07 Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre 08-08 Columbus, OH - Kemba Live! 08-10 Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre & Ballroom 08-12 Toronto, Ontario - History 08-14 Montreal, Quebec - M Telus 08-16 Boston, MA - Roadrunner 08-18 Washington, D.C. - The Anthem 08-20 New York, NY - Terminal 5 08-24 Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore Philadelphia 08-26 Atlanta, GA - Coca-Cola Rozy 08-29 Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore 08-30 Raleigh, NC - The Ritz 09-15 Manchester, England - O2 Victoria Warehouse 09-16 Birmingham, England - O2 Academy 09-17 London, England - OVO Arena Wembley 09-20 Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle 09-22 Paris, France - Élysée Montmartre 09-24 Frankfurt, Germany - Zoom 09-25 Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 Poppodium 09-27 Brussels, Belgium - La Madeleine 09-29 Milan, Italy - Fabrique 09-30 Zurich, Switzerland - Komplex 457 10-01 Munich, Germany - Theaterfabrik 10-03 Cologne, Germany - Palladium 10-05 Prague, Czech Republic - Garbe

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By Madison Bloom

By Matthew Strauss

By Jazz Monroe

By Pitchfork

Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour

All aboard .

Get a look into Walt Disney’s love for trains and discover the impact it had on the Disneyland Resort. On this eye-opening, 2-hour tour sure to delight both Disneyland fans and railroad enthusiasts alike, you’ll:

Start with a Treat Enjoy a beverage and a pastry to steam power your journey through Disneyland park.

Step into the Past Walk through the park listening to stories about where the idea behind Walt’s train creations first started. Understand the impact trains had on Walt Disney’s dreams—from animation and film all the way to the theme parks.

Catch a Rare Glimpse of the Disneyland Park Roundhouse This is where “the magic happens” for the historic Disneyland Railroad system and it’s not typically viewed by the public. You’ll learn more about the Imagineers that look after the Disneyland Monorail and trains.

Take a Special Ride During your guided tour, climb aboard Disneyland Railroad’s special Presidential Car, the Lilly Belle. Take the scenic route along the Rivers of America to see landscapes inspired by 4 of America’s majestic rivers: the Mississippi, the Columbia, the Missouri and the Rio Grande. Each are carefully recreated, complete with indigenous rock formations, natural forests, wildlife and 5 picturesque waterfalls.

Riding in the Lilly Belle is dependent on weather and availability.

And Enjoy a Special Keepsake A memento to remember your tour is included.

Know Before You Go

Required Park Reservation and Admission

Reservations

Late arrivals may not be able to join the guided tour. Please be prepared to present your reservation confirmation, photo ID and the credit card provided at the time of booking.

This tour is only available during regular park hours at Disneyland Park.

Cancellations

There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged and forfeited if Guest cancels within one day or is a no-show for the reservation.

Riding in the Lilly Belle

Guests utilizing wheelchairs must be able to transfer from their mobility device to a wheelchair provided at the attraction.

Guests younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older during the entire experience.

Important Details

All prices, experiences, information and offerings are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.

Related Activities

Premium experiences at the disneyland resort, disneyland resort vip tours, walt's main street story tour, safety, accessibility and guest policies.

Kyle Rittenhouse, deadly shooter, college speaker? A campus gun-rights tour sparks outrage

Kyle Rittenhouse is not a typical college campus speaker.

In 2020, at the age of 17, he took an AR-15-style rifle to a Black Lives Matter demonstration and fired it, killing two people and injuring a third. Rittenhouse said he pulled the trigger in self-defense and was acquitted of wrongdoing .

He has since penned a book, “Acquitted,” and has set out on a series of college speaking events dubbed the " Rittenhouse Recap ." He is slated to appear Thursday at Clemson University in South Carolina.

Rittenhouse is selling books, and ostensibly promoting the right to bear arms on campus, but he’s also trying to persuade young people to join the conservative movement. The key group behind the appearances, Turning Point USA, is led by the self-described “youth director” of President Donald Trump’s first campaign and a key ally rallying votes for Trump this year.

The group told USA TODAY that it isn’t a nationally organized tour – that its chapters independently requested Rittenhouse. Student chapter leaders told USA TODAY that Rittenhouse is an important conversation starter. “I think sometimes you have to be kind of polarizing to pull a crowd," said Brady Seymour, president of Turning Point USA's chapter at Kent State University in Ohio.

The provocative choice of backing the Rittenhouse tour is par for the course for Turning Point and its local affiliates, which have hosted controversial figures like Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier . But it has stirred up devastating pain and disdain in a man he almost killed.

"He has used every moment to gloat and to make light of taking life," Paul Prediger said, speaking publicly for the first time about what happened in protest of a Rittenhouse speech last week at Kent State. "As if that were not enough, Kyle has embraced and been embraced by those who peddle hateful rhetoric, who believe in nationalism that excludes those who do not look like or think like them, and who have sought to amplify a troubling desire for violence against supposed political, cultural, and religious enemies."

Rittenhouse's message on his campus tour – that students should be allowed to take up arms, including to fend off "these Hamas, Palestinian terrorists" if they invade dormitories – has sparked protests and raised questions about free speech and just how far it should be allowed to go. A similar question helped lead to the resignations of the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University , who stepped down amid fierce criticism for equivocating when asked if calls for the genocide of Jews would be allowed on campus.

Rittenhouse, in a statement provided by spokesperson Jillian Anderson, said his campus appearances are not part of an official tour or book-selling venture, and he is reminding students of their rights. "Every American has a constitutional right to bear arms," he said, "and it should not be infringed by a college campus."

Experts say context matters. Tom Ginsburg, a law professor at the University of Chicago and faculty director of the forum on free inquiry and expression, told USA TODAY that federal regulations require colleges and universities to ensure their learning environment is not hostile. Within that framework, some incendiary language could be permitted in a general public space but prohibited if directed at an individual or group.

"That's a key distinction," he said. "Is it said in general, as part of a general demonstration, or is it shouted at a particular group of people who might then reasonably perceive it as being a threat of some kind? And if it's the latter, then it could be punished."

Kyle Rittenhouse says students should carry guns on campus

On the evening of Aug. 25, 2020 , Rittenhouse brought a rifle to the site of intense protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man. Amid a scuffle with protesters, Rittenhouse fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounded Prediger.

In a trial that drew national attention in 2021, Rittenhouse said he shot the men in self-defense after Rosenbaum threatened his life and Prediger pointed a gun at him. Prediger said he thought Rittenhouse was an active shooter. Critics said Rittenhouse had no right to fire his weapon and was illegally acting as a vigilante militia. A jury acquitted him of all five charges he faced, including intentional homicide.

Rittenhouse soon took on celebrity status in right-wing circles where the right to bear arms and use them to defend life and property is sacrosanct. The weekend after his trial, he flew to Florida to visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort and to appear on Fox News for an interview with conservative host Tucker Carlson.

At Kent State, Rittenhouse implored students to fight to be allowed to carry guns at school.

"We have these blue boxes that are on the campus – we've all seen them, you push a button, it calls the police, and you get connected to a dispatcher," he said. "How long does it take a cop to show up, though? When somebody is trying to kidnap you or somebody is threatening your life, is that the quickest option to be able to protect yourself?"

He encouraged students to join conservative groups like Turning Point USA and said elected officials don't care about them.

"What makes me really scared, and I get really upset that people, especially young campus students, aren't allowed to carry firearms, just because I'm scared that what happens if these Hamas, Palestinian terrorists come to the U.S. and try to attack us?" Rittenhouse said. "Are we supposed to be left defenseless? Are you supposed to be left defenseless because you're not allowed to have a gun in your dormitory?"

After Prediger – formerly known as Gaige Grosskreutz – criticized his speaking tour, Rittenhouse posted a video clip on X, formerly Twitter. It showed Prediger admitting he pointed a gun in Rittenhouse's direction before being shot. Rittenhouse did not include text in the post.

Students accuse Turning Point of 'hateful actions'

In the days leading up to his arrival at Kent State, demonstrators staged a walkout, organized a vigil, and spray painted "Welcome, killer" on a free-speech landmark. A Change.org petition urging the university and Turning Point USA to cancel Rittenhouse's visit gathered more than 3,700 signatures. The event spurred Prediger to speak out. Hundreds showed up to protest.

"I stand with the students of Kent State University who have had enough," Prediger said.

Students said it was particularly insensitive for the campus to host Rittenhouse and his message about guns on campus given the school's history. On May 4, 1970, four students were gunned down at Kent State when the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd gathered to protest the invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

Aimée Flores, a representative from the university's Spanish and Latine Student Association, said the organization encouraged students "to learn more about Turning Point USA.... their hateful actions on campus and throughout this whole year, why we don't agree with their actions."

Seymour, the school's Turning Point chapter president, said the event was about "creating conversation." It had no relation to the 1970 killing of protestors, he said.

"In his speech, he talked mostly about having the right to carry on campus, considering students aren't allowed to at Kent State," Seymour said.

"These two stories are completely different and 50 years apart," he said.

Protests at every campus on 'Rittenhouse Recap' tour

Other “Rittenhouse Recap” appearances prompted vocal opposition and protest.

At Western Kentucky University , protesters held a sit-in and march last month. His appearance at East Tennessee State University in February also sparked demonstrations – local press reports show one protester wielding a sign accusing Turning Point of empowering "stochastic terrorism" – the incitement of violence through public demonization of a person or group.

In the days leading up to Rittenhouse's appearance at The University of Memphis in March, the school fielded a barrage of complaints from students, faculty, and community members. Protesters held signs with messages like, “Put Rittenhouse behind bars, not a podium.” Rittenhouse abruptly left the stage after about 30 minutes as protesters shouted him down.

Universities said allowing the events – and the protests – upholds key tenets of American democracy and academic tradition: Free speech and freedom of assembly. Turning Point USA’s chapter at The University of Memphis is a registered student organization, the school said.

"We cannot ban speech because it would go against a core value and because of well-established laws governing free speech on public university campuses,” Kent State said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. “Upholding the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all, the university has a long history of allowing peaceful dialogue from all points of view, including those whom some may feel are offering different and/or sometimes controversial opinions."

Turning Point has history of booking controversial speakers

Turning Point USA has a track record of booking controversial and provocative figures, placing it at the center of debates over First Amendment rights on college campuses, where it says it has grown to more than 800 chapters since its founding in 2012.

In late 2016 and early 2017, the group was behind a nationwide campus speaking tour by Milo Yiannopoulos – a former Breitbart writer banned from Twitter for harassment and dropped from the agenda at a Conservative Political Action Conference after videos surfaced of him defending sexual relationships between 13-year-old boys and grown men. Yiannopoulos said he was joking and may have used "imprecise language."

In 2019, Turning Point’s Iowa State University chapter claimed partial responsibility for extending a speaking invitation to Fuentes, a white nationalist who has said he wants a "total Aryan victory" and self-identified as a "sexist man," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Last year, representatives of the group confronted, criticized and assaulted an LGBTQ+ instructor at Arizona State University in Tempe.

Turning Point has taken action against members for promoting hate speech. In 2019, the group expelled a member at the University of Nevada Las Vegas after a video surfaced of the student shouting "white power" and using a white supremacist hand sign.

Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, said the Fuentes event was not sanctioned, and a local chapter official was tricked into arranging the appearance. He said that Turning Points has repeatedly denounced white nationalism . Kolvet said that in general, students should be able to hear from controversial speakers. "We do our best to make sure that there's going to be enriching discussion, that the speaker is going to be, I would say, uplifting, inspiring, productive."

He said Turning Point chapters chose Rittenhouse as a speaker. "There just happened to be schools that asked for Kyle because he came out with a book and he made himself available, essentially."

Turning Point touts itself as a key player in conservative politics , as does its founder and president, Charlie Kirk , who told conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh 's show in 2019 that he “traveled the country for about 70 days straight carrying Donald Trump Jr.’s bags and getting his Diet Cokes.” In addition to becoming Trump Jr.'s "body man," he took on the role of "youth director of the campaign," Kirk said. Speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2020, he called President Trump the "bodyguard of Western civilization."

Kirk also speaks on college campuses, where his fiery rhetoric has sparked controversy. At a speech last fall at Missouri State University , he said all immigration to the U.S. should be halted, called global warming an "academic distraction," and speculated about how many Hamas sleeper cells might be active in the U.S.

Expert says universities grappling with non-academic provocateurs

Ginsburg stressed that colleges and universities must allow free speech. "It’s pretty clear that their obligation is to make sure that event goes forward and to make sure it's not disrupted," he said. "At the same time, peaceful protest also has a long tradition on campus."  

Ginsburg said an added dimension to their challenges is the more recent phenomenon of campus speakers who intentionally draw negative attention.

"What we're now seeing is that people are sometimes getting invited to campus who aren't necessarily academics. They're not articulating a truly academic point of view," Ginsburg said. "In some cases, we have provocateurs, including some people who actually are seeking to be canceled, seeking to be protested."

He said people like Rittenhouse often capitalize on controversy. "He's certainly part of a media ecosystem in which you do have some of those kind of characters where, if you can get canceled, it ups your follower rate and you can portray yourself as a victim," he said.

To the Turning Point leader at Kent State, it's a tactic the group uses to advance conversation.

"That's the sad reality of how people are," Seymour said. "You kind of have to stir up drama or be a polarizing character for people to end up paying attention to you."

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.