Erin Babnik is known for her expressive style of photography and for her adventurous approach in the field, both of which she developed over years of exploring unique locations in Europe and North America. She has devoted much of her time to the Dolomites, gaining great knowledge of the region’s diverse array of massifs, independently discovering seldom-seen, highly photogenic vantage points above the typical valley destinations. Her photographic expertise, her location knowledge, and her extensive teaching experience combine to provide an expert level of instruction, delivered with great dedication and enthusiasm. In her writing and public speaking engagements, Erin explores topics of both philosophical and instructional value, making her one of the most notable voices among the current generation of landscape photographers. She brings this same joy of discussing ideas to interactions with her workshop participants, offering a unique dimension to the workshop experience.

Chip Phillips rose to international prominence through his development of a distinctively elegant, impactful style of landscape photography. His images are supremely tasteful essays in the use of light, composition, and color. Chip is a highly experienced workshop instructor and shares his ideas and knowledge about photography through articles on the Photo Cascadia blog and through his popular video tutorials. His photographs have been published in a variety of photography magazines, and he can count prestigious photography prizes among his many accolades.

Erin and Chip are both team members of the illustrious nature photography team Photo Cascadia.

We will begin and end our trip in the charming mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the province of Belluno. Cortina lies in the heart of the eastern Dolomites and is famous for its traditional architecture and dramatic mountain views in every direction. The workshop will begin on July 10 with an orientation at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Concordia Parc Hotel in the center of town. From there we will embark upon our adventure, traveling in chauffeured vans between trailheads and chairlift stations. Because we want to make the most of the conditions, exact destinations will be determined accordingly as late as possible. All will be spectacular locations: the right places at the right times!

Seven of our eight nights will be spent in mountain huts that will allow the experience of backpacking without the need to carry much more than your camera gear (see the Lodging section of this brochure for more information). Two of those days will be spent in the Drei Zinnen Nature Park, in order to dedicate quality time to the region’s most famous massif, the imposing Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the spectacular peaks and lakes of the many massifs that surround it. We will spend our eighth and final night in a four-star hotel in the scenic mountain town of Misurina, where we will devote a day to image processing in the hotel conference room and will have the opportunity to photograph the Sorapis massif from the shore of Lake Misurina. Transportation back to Cortina d’Ampezzo will be provided after breakfast on July 18.

OPTIONAL EXTREME EXPERIENCE EXTENSION PACKAGE:

Particpants who opt in to the extension package will then journey back out with us for an additional two nights of wilderness adventure, returning to Cortina d’Ampezzo after breakfast on July 20.

AIRPORTS:

The nearest major airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). Milan–Malpensa Airport (MPX) is also convenient, as is Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (TRS). Many options are on offer for traveling from these airports to the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. A comprehensive guide is provided by the Dolomites visitor’s bureau.

BUS FROM VENICE AIRPORT:

If you are flying into Italy and plan to head directly to Cortina d’Ampezzo, we recommend that you choose Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and take the convenient Cortina Express or ATVO buses from the airport to Cortina. There are typcially four buses per day from the airport to Cortina, leaving as early as 8:20am and as late as 5:15pm, although these times are subject to change each summer (final schedules are usually available by late June). The trip takes about two hours. A round-trip ticket costs 50 EUR (as of 2016) and must be purchased online in advance. We will be happy to provide you with more detailed information upon request.

PRIVATE TRANSFER:

Please contact Erin for arrangement of a private transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo from any airport  or city of your choice. A private car from Venice Marco Polo Airport typically costs about €230 for up to 4 passengers each way.

Please see the PDF brochure for a detailed list of suggested and necessary gear, clothing, and personal items.

MAIN WORKSHOP:

Hiking on this workshop will rarely exceed distances of three miles or elevation gains of 500 meters (about 1,600 feet) in any one hike. Our typical destination hikes will entail following fairly level contours for about two hours of hiking, but scouting for compositions can increase total hiking requirements on any given day. Some trails do have steep sections, and due to the porous nature of limestone, the trails can be rough in places. Having a head for heights will be important in some areas where we may traverse sections of trail that cut across scree slopes or that hug the edges of cliffs. Although these types of traverses tend to be short, they are common in the Dolomites and allow access to locations that are impossible to reach otherwise. The locations that we will reach will not exceed 9,000 feet (~ 2,700 meters) in elevation, which is very comfortable for most people.

EXTREME EXPERIENCE EXTENSION PACKAGE:

Participants opting into the extension package should be prepared for more demanding hikes, including steep ascents that require the use of hands to grip onto steel cables of assisted climbing sections. Exposure on these sections of trail will be greater than what we will see during the main workshop, so it is essential that anyone opting in to the extension be comfortable with more rugged terrain, which could require the use of a helmet and personal harness (which we will provide, if necessary).

While adventure and great photos are our main goals, your safety is a priority along with treating the land that we travel on with respect, practicing “leave no trace” ethics. Erin and Chip are seasoned backcountry travelers, and Erin is certified by Wilderness Medical Associates as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). In order for participants to have a comfortable experience where they can concentrate on the photography, it is highly advised that you have proper attire consisting of non-cotton outdoor dedicated clothing, including an assortment of layers to keep you warm down to the occasional temperatures of slightly below freezing.

MOUNTAIN HUTS:

The cost of the main workshop includes eight nights of lodging. In order to position ourselves with optimal proximity to our mountain destinations, we will spend seven of our eight nights together in charming mountain huts. Called “rifugios,” these huts allow hikers to spend the night at wilderness locations in relative comfort and without the necessity to carry typical backpacking gear (such as tents, stoves, heavy sleeping bags, etc.). The huts are more like hostels than wilderness shelters, providing an unusual level of comfort for wilderness dwelling. Even though we will be in the wilderness, we will sleep in actual beds with mattresses, blankets, and pillows.

We will enjoy prepared meals and will have access to lavatories with flush toilets and running water. While staying in huts, participants should expect to bunk in dormitory-style rooms with anywhere from two to twelve total occupants, although most rooms sleep no more than six people. Most locations have token-operated showers available (tokens must be purchased separately as desired), but occasionally extreme conditions render them inoperable. All of the huts have bars that serve snacks and an array of beverages, including juices, soft drinks, teas, coffee, beer, wine, and liqueurs (available at an extra charge). Some of the huts even have WiFi available, which is typically free when offered to guests.

HOTEL:

The final night of the workshop will be spent in a four-star hotel with spa facilities available.

INCLUDED:

• Eight nights of lodging (seven in alpine huts and one in a 4-Star spa hotel) + 2 more nights in alpine huts for participants in the extension program.
• Transportation between workshop locations.
• Three meals per day (some are picnic meals in order to maximize our time out in nature).
  Guidance to unique photography locations.
• In-field instruction on capture technique (composition, compensating for high dynamic range, focus stacking, shooting for advanced blending techniques, etc.).
• A substantial post-processing instruction session.
• Awesome adventure!

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights.
• Travel and cancellation insurance.
• Snacks, beverages, and other personal purchases. Please note that drinking water is a beverage that must be purchased at most of the mountain huts as bottled water, even at meals.
• Shower tokens.
• Gratuities.

COST:

The cost of the workshop is $3600 ($4500 with the optional extension package) and includes everything listed in the “What’s Included” tab.

PAYMENT:

A non-refundable deposit of $1000 ($1200 with the optional extension package) is required to reserve a space on this workshop. The final balance of $2600 ($3300 with the optional extension package) is due and payable 45 days before the workshop begins. Full payment is due at this time, and there will be no refunds on the full amount owed if you cancel after final payment. However, If we find another client to fill your space, you will receive a full refund, minus your non-refundable deposit. Payment can be made using the sign-up button of this web page using a credit card or via PayPal. If you would like to pay by another method, use the contact form on this page to ask Erin about options for sending a personal check or bank transfer.

INDEMNITY WAIVER:

All participants are required to sign a standard workshop indemnity waiver: here.

CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellations require us to re-open enrollment and/or to engage in additional promotional efforts to fill the workshop on short notice, so our policy is that there will be no refunds after the 45-day deadline, with one exception: if we find another participant to fill your space and the workshop is ultimately full when it begins, then you will receive a refund, minus your non-refundable deposit. All refunds are subject to a 4% processing fee. We highly recommend that you obtain travel/cancellation insurance for all workshops.

Use the sign-up button on this page to place a deposit with a Credit Card or via PayPal. If you would like to pay by another method, use the contact form on this page to ask Erin about options for sending a personal check or bank transfer.