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.

Erin is a team member of the illustrious nature photography team Photo Cascadia.

Alexandre Deschaumes has gained massive international acclaim for his development of a highly evocative style of photography characterized by visually arresting and dreamy images that beautifully exude Alexandre’s personal connection with nature. His portfolio is a testament to his incredible range and to his ability to translate scenes into compelling works of art even in the most challenging conditions. Alexandre is the subject of the documentary film “The Quest For Inspiration”, directed by Mathieu Le Lay, which has won several awards and has aired on numerous television networks. As a visionary photographer, intrepid adventurer, and dedicated teacher, Alexandre brings a wealth of insights and ideas to the workshop experience.

A Note about Our Locations

Because we want to make the most of the year’s snowmelt conditions (which effects water levels and wildflower progress), exact locations for our photography will be determined accordingly as late as possible. At least two of our days in huts 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.

– PART ONE –

The Beginning of the Workshop (August 1):

We will begin our trip at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) on August 1 with a 2pm rendezvous. From there, you will travel to a four-star hotel for an orientation, an introductory seminar on composition and creativity, and a welcome dinner. We will spend our first night at the hotel, all in single-occupancy rooms.

Our First Adventure (August 2–6):

After breakfast we will pack our backpacks for our first four nights out, store our extra luggage, and embark upon the first segment of our adventure. We will travel in chauffeured vans between trailheads and chairlift stations, hiking from those points to reach the alpine huts where we will sleep. Staying in these charming mountain huts will allow the experience of backpacking with a high level of comfort, getting us out into the wilderness without the need to carry much more than camera gear while hiking (see the Lodging section of this brochure for more information about the hut experience).

First Post-Processing Session (August 6):

After our first four nights out, we will return to our hotel for an afternoon session of post-processing instruction in the comfort of the hotel’s conference room. We will spend the night of August 6 in the hotel, all in single-occupancy rooms.

– PART TWO –

Our Second Adventure (August 7–10):

Following breakfast on August 7, we will put our extra luggage back into storage and head out for another three nights in alpine huts.

Second Post-Processing Session and Farewell Dinner (August 10):

We will spend our final night in a hotel (all in single-occupancy rooms) and will devote the last afternoon of the workshop to the second half of our image processing program, once again in the comfort of the hotel conference room. We will end that evening with a farewell dinner party at the hotel.

The Conclusion of the Workshop (August 11):

Transportation back to Venice Marco Polo Airport will be provided after breakfast on August 11. We will return to the Venice airport by 11:00am on August 11. Sometimes summer storms cause road closures in the mountains, so there is always a possibility that transport back to the airport could be delayed if a longer alternate route to the airport is necessary. Please try to plan your flight out to be as late as possible.

Planning Considerations

Most people decide to combine this workshop with a stay in Venice or elsewhere in Italy. If you are flying in from a very different time zone, you might consider staying a couple of nights in Venice to get over jetlag and to enjoy the sites there.

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

Our typical destination hikes will entail an hour or two of hiking, but scouting for compositions can increase total hiking requirements on any given day. Some trails have steep sections, but our elevation gain on any one hike will usually be less than 400 meters. The locations that we will reach will not exceed 2,700 meters in altitude, which is very comfortable for most people.

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 Alexandre 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.

In order to position ourselves with optimal proximity to our mountain destinations, we will spend seven of our ten nights together in charming mountain huts. Called “rifugios,” these huts allow hikers to spend the night at wilderness locations without requiring anyone to carry typical backpacking gear such as tents, stoves, and heavy sleeping bags.

The huts are similar to hostels, 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 ten total occupants. 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.

The other three nights of the trip will be spent in four-star hotels with each person in a single-occupancy room.

INCLUDED:

• Tuition

• Ten nights of lodging: seven in alpine huts and three in 4-Star hotels (single-occupancy in the hotels).

• Airport transfer beginning and ending in Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).

• 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.

• Introductory Seminar on Composition and Creativity.

• In-field instruction (composition, compensating for high dynamic range, focus stacking, shooting for advanced blending techniques, etc.). Click here for more information.

• A substantial post-processing instruction program in two parts, each session held in the comfort of a hotel conference room.

• Storage of extra luggage (please note that we are not responsible for lost or stolen items).

• Awesome adventure!

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights.

• Travel and cancellation insurance.

• Snacks, beverages, and other personal purchases. (Please note that drinking water is a bottled beverage that must be purchased at most of the mountain huts, even at meals.)

• Shower tokens at huts.

• Gratuities (rarely expected in Italy).

COST:

$4895 ($1650 deposit)

PAYMENT:

The final balance of $3245 is due by Monday, June 18, 2018. Deposits are non-refundable. 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 June 18, 2018, 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.

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 June 18, 2018, 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.