Venice, Italy: March 8 – 15, 2015

From the first rays of rising sun which strike the bell tower on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to the sunset shadows in St. Mark’s Square, Venice is light itself and a photographers dream.

Join us!

This is a limited opportunity to join a group of like-minded, passionate photographers who will learn from world-renowned photographer and teacher, David Simchock.

With time for expert critique during the workshop, your time in Venice will inspire you and expand your creative comfort zone. The texture of earth, colors of sky and stone combined with time in one of the most beautiful cities and regions in the world are waiting for you.

Each and every day during the workshop your group will have the additional resources of a bi-lingual guide who will ensure that the group is supported in the most professional way possible. If any additional services are needed at any time throughout your workshop, this tour resource will ensure all of your needs and requirements are met.

Our workshops provide unique opportunities for participants to get away from the “cliché” scenes of Venice to practice their craft in some of the best-kept secrets of the city and region. We avoid the crowds, choosing the lesser-known nooks and crannies over the tourist hoarded sights. We also ensure that resources are available during the workshops for professional critiques of each day’s work.

We ensure that the group transfers to all of the photo venues with ease. With the full time support of a bi-lingual group leader, who handles all the details, you can relax and learn in an environment unlike any other photography workshops available.

LOGISTICS

Participation for this workshop is limited to a maximum of only eight (8) photographers.

The price includes:

• Meet and greet at your centrally located Venice hotel. Hotel accommodations provide private bathrooms for participants. (Please note in the Q&A below information about your arrival/departure arrangements in Venice.)
• Professional daily leadership of world famous photographer David Simchock. Our small group size assures you of the best possible attention throughout the workshop.
• Bilingual resource assistance throughout the workshop to provide whatever support is required.
• Assistance of professional travel agent and travel insurance company in support of the workshop to assist with travel (air) arrangements and travel insurance (if requested).
• Itinerary supports for those who may arrive a few days before, or who wish to stay after, the workshop to visit other sites and cities across Italy (provided at no cost to workshop participants). Please contact us for further details.

ITINERARY

Please note this itinerary indicates a typical tour with us. Some dates and destinations are subject to change to support the highest quality tour possible.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

• Workshop participants arrive Venice Marco Polo Airport or the Santa Lucia Train station.
• Participants take the water bus from the airport (or water bus from the train station) to a centrally located hotel in the city of Venice
• Meet and greet by David Simchock and your bilingual staff leader
• Short afternoon orientation and initial working session with David Simchock
• Group dinner this evening in Venice.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Early morning is open today for participants to have breakfast before meeting with David and the tour resource to review the workshop, review logistics, discuss the schedule in detail, answer questions and learn more about David’s approach to photography. There will also be a vaporetto trip to familiarize participants with the city as well as a sunset / twilight shoot at St. Mark’s Square.
Full day of photography on both islands

Tuesday March 10, 2015

Early shoot at St. Mark’s Square followed by breakfast and a break before further work in the city. Afternoon will include a walking shoot of the Accademia area and an evening/twilight shoot before returning to the hotel.

Wednesday March 11, 2015

No early shoot this morning. Following breakfast, participants will visit the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, across from St. Mark’s Square where they will work with David. Before time for lunch, there will be a photo shoot at a Squero, a Gondola Workshop. The Rialto Bridge will be the location of this evening’s sunset/twilight shoot. Following dinner, David will work with individuals on street photography.

Thursday March 12, 2015

After an early morning shoot at the Rialto Fish and Vegetable Market, the group will have an open afternoon for individual client photo critiques with David.

Friday March 13,  2015

Today is a full day of work on the colorful island of Burano. The group will depart for the island at 7:15AM and will return to the hotel around 5:30PM for a break. Following dinner, the group will work with David, again, on street photography. March 20, 2014

Saturday March 14, 2015

During this final full day of the workshop, David will work with clients for their individual photo critiques. Following lunch the group will visit and work in the Canareggio sestieri (neighborhood) before group late afternoon ‘cruise’ on the Grand Canal. At the conclusion of the ‘cruise’ the group will disembark at one of the best local restaurants in Venice for a farewell dinner.

Sunday March 15, 2015

Client departures. Please see information in the Q&A section below regarding departure transportation arrangements to Marco Polo Airport for return flights.

Q&A

May my spouse or partner, a person not involved with the workshop, accompany me during the workshop? 

We welcome those travelers who may accompany you in Italy. There is a single supplement for those not participating in the workshop. The supplement for the additional person is $550.00 for the week.

May I have a private/single room during the workshop? 

Yes. There is a single supplement for those participating the workshop of $500.00 for the week to cover the additional cost of a double room for single use during the workshop.

Will David Simchock be with us every day? 

Yes, David will be with the participants every minute of the day during the photo shoots. Critiques of individual participant’s work will be provided by David during the workshop.

Will we be able to see other photographer’s work at the conclusion of the workshop?

No. David will conduct individual photo critique sessions twice during the workshop to assist participants in gaining the most from their time with him in Venice.

How are arrival and departure arrangements handled for participants?

A pre-departure letter will be sent to participants at least three weeks before departure. Included in the letter, covering a lot of the logistics of the workshop, will be specific and detailed instructions for participants in making your way from the Marco Polo Airport, or Santa Lucia Station, to the hotel. Please note that arrival and departure travel is the responsibility of the participants. The large water bus which operates to/from Marco Polo Airport on a frequent basis (Alilaguna) offers service, each way, for Euro 15.00 per person.

Are any meals included with the workshop?

Yes. Breakfast each day at the hotel, a welcome dinner on the first evening and a farewell dinner on the final evening are all included. During the working day, lunch is ‘on your own’ as are dinners otherwise noted.

What makes this workshop different and a better use of my time and money from other such workshops? 

• Small group, limited to a maximum of eight participants. This ensures the most attentive support possible during your workshop in Venice and the Veneto region. Most photography workshops include up to twenty-five participants, limiting time with the professional workshop instructor.
• Bilingual tour support throughout the workshop to assist participants in any way needed.
  Itinerary planning assistance in advance of the workshop, to include recommendations for air travel to/from the United States, itinerary support for time before and/or after the workshop for additional travel is participants are interested in such services.
• A full and challenging schedule. There will be some open time during the workshop, but the majority of each day will be spent with the workshop leader in capturing Venice and the Veneto region in unique and unforgettable ways.

PRICING/DEPOSITS

Price

The Venice and Veneto Photography workshop is $3500.00 per person, land only

Single Supplement: For those participants wishing to have a private room / private bath during the workshop, there is a single supplement of $500.00

Non-participant: For those who are traveling with a participant in the workshop, but are not participating in the daily schedule, there is a non-participant supplement of $500.00

Deposits

A deposit of $1000.00 secures your space for the workshop. The balance is due 70 days before US Departure. All final payments are due for the 2015 Venice Photography Workshop seventy (70) days prior to the departure date: January 9, 20145

For reservations made after January 9, 2015, full payment is due at time of booking

Refunds

Please note that refunds of any funds paid are reimbursed within thirty (30) days of notification by participants.

Cancellations

If cancellation is received after deposit is paid and prior to December 14, 2014, 100% of the total paid to date is refunded

If cancellation is made between December 14, 2014 and January 9, 2015, 50% of the total paid to date is refunded

For cancellations received after January 9, 2015 there is no refund

Travel Insurance

We strongly encourage participants to get travel insurance for this workshop. There are many resources available for this type of insurance. Our past participants and clients have been very pleased with the support provided by Insure My Trip, www.insuremytrip.com.