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.

Itinerary:

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 9 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!

Five of our six 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. We will spend our sixth 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 15.

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Planning Considerations:

Most people decide to combine their Dolomites 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. You should plan on spending the night before the workshop begins (the night of July 8) at the hotel of your choice in Cortina. Excellent options include Hotel Ancora, Hotel Victoria, and Concordia Parc Hotel.

How to Get to Cortina d’Ampezzo:

It’s easy! The nearest major airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). If you are flying into Italy, I recommend that you land in Venice and take the convenient and comfortable Cortina Express bus from the airport to Cortina. There are typcially four buses per day from the airport to Cortina. The trip takes about two hours. A round-trip ticket costs 50 EUR (as of 2016) and can be purchased online in advance. I will be happy to provide you with more detailed information upon request, and all workshop participants will have access to a special information page on Erin’s website.

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, I 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 can 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.

Click here to see a list.

Our typical destination hikes will entail following fairly level contours for 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 is a seasoned backcountry travelers and 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.

MOUNTAIN HUTS:

The cost of the workshop includes six nights of lodging. In order to position ourselves with optimal proximity to our mountain destinations, we will spend five of our six 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:

• Six nights of lodging (five in alpine huts and one in a 4-Star spa hotel).
• Transportation between workshop locations, beginning and ending in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
• Two 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.
• Third meal per day (usually lunch), if desired.
• 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.

COST:

The cost of the workshop is $3000 per person and includes everything listed in the “What’s Included” tab.

PAYMENT:

A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required to reserve the dates this private workshop. The final balance of $2000 is due no later than 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. Payment can be made using the sign-up button of this web page using a credit card or via PayPal.

INDEMNITY WAIVER:

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

CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellations are very disruptive to my schedule and planned income, so my policy is that there will be no refunds of the final payment after the 45-day deadline. The workshop deposit is non-refundable.

Use the payment in the sidebar of this page to place a deposit with a Credit Card or via PayPal.