Florence & Cinque Terre

Photography Workshop

May 19– 25, 2026 (7 Days / 6 Nights)

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

From the Renaissance streets of Florence to the dramatic cliffside villages of Cinque Terre, this workshop blends architectural beauty, lively street life, and sweeping coastal landscapes. You’ll photograph iconic landmarks at sunrise, wander local markets and artisan quarters with your camera, and capture postcard-worthy scenes along the Ligurian Sea.

We’ll balance sunrise and sunset shoots with hands-on street photography walks, ensuring you return home with a rich and varied portfolio. With personal coaching and feedback throughout the week — plus two online follow-up sessions — you’ll deepen your technical skills, strengthen your visual storytelling, and develop greater creative confidence.

After the trip, we’ll reconnect online for two post-processing sessions to help polish your strongest images.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN AT THE WORKSHOP

  • Building strong, intentional cityscape compositions

  • Developing timing and confidence in street photography

  • Working with morning, evening, and available light

  • Approaching scenes with a clear visual strategy

  • Capturing both iconic Venice landmarks and quieter, unexpected moments

  • Creating a cohesive set of images with guidance from two instructors

  • Using long exposures for evening and blue-hour shots

Day 1 (May 19):

Arrival & Sunset Over Florence

First impressions — Renaissance skylines and golden light over the Arno

  • Arrival in Florence, hotel check-in, and welcome meeting. The workshop starts at 3 PM

  • Orientation walk through historic streets

  • Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo — sweeping views of the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and the Arno glowing in evening light

  • Group dinner at a classic Florentine trattoria

Night view of Florence, Italy, featuring the prominent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its large red dome, surrounded by city buildings and distant hills.
Sunset over Florence, Italy, with historic buildings, the Florence Cathedral with its dome, and the cityscape along the river, with mountains in the background.
Sunrise in Forence towards Ponte Vecchio. Buildings on both sides of a river, featuring a bridge in the center and partly cloudy sky.

Day 2 (May 20):

Florence Sunrise & Street Photography

Iconic landmarks at dawn — and lively street life in the markets

  • Sunrise at the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, capturing Florence in soft morning light

  • Late morning street photography session in artisan quarters and the bustling San Lorenzo Market

  • Afternoon rest or independent exploration

  • Sunset from the Arno bridges, photographing warm reflections and silhouettes

Black and white photo of Florence Cathedral, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its detailed gothic architecture, dome, and bell tower, at night.
Black and white photo of a rainy city sidewalk beside a river, with street lamps, buildings, and a bridge in the background, people riding bikes and walking.
The historic Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Italy, with colorful buildings and a cloudy sky in the background.

Day 3 (May 21):

Hidden Florence & Night Scenes

Quiet courtyards, artisan workshops, and Florence glowing after dark

  • Sunrise at Piazza della Signoria, where early light catches statues, arches, and long shadows

  • Daytime street photography in Oltrarno — local cafés, workshops, and authentic neighborhoods

  • Evening: optional night photography — the Duomo, Arno reflections, and Ponte Vecchio illuminated

View through an arched stone gateway in Florence toward yellow buildings, a tall cypress tree, and a hot air balloon in the sky.
Black and white photo of a large ancient Greek marble sculpture of two muscular men, one standing and holding a club, and the other kneeling underneath, both with bearded faces. The sculpture is displayed in a courtyard between two historical buildings.
A man looking at Michelangelo's David statue outside the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. The marble sculpture depicts a standing nude male figure.
Two men sit at an outdoor cafe table in Florence, engaging in conversation, with empty chairs around them and a grocery store in the background.

Day 4 (may 22):

Travel to Cinque Terre & Vernazza Sunset

From Renaissance streets to dramatic coastlines

  • Morning transfer from Florence to La Spezia

  • Afternoon orientation and train to Vernazza

  • Sunset from above Vernazza, capturing colorful houses stacked against rugged cliffs and golden sea light

  • Dinner in La Spezia

Vernazza in Cinque Terre at dusk with buildings on a hillside overlooking a harbor and the open ocean.
Colorful boats docked along a waterfront in Vernazza in Cinque Terre with pastel buildings and a hillside background.
People sitting on rocks and benches along a waterfront with small boats anchored in the water, and buildings with arched windows and textured walls in the background.

Day 5 (May 23):

Riomaggiore Sunrise & Manarola Sunset

Fishing harbors at dawn — and Italy’s most iconic coastal village at dusk

  • Sunrise in Riomaggiore’s harbor, fishing boats and pastel facades glowing in early light

  • Late morning street photography in narrow alleys and small harbors

  • Free afternoon for rest or exploration

  • Sunset in Manarola, photographing the world-famous viewpoint overlooking cliffs and vibrant houses

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre. Colorful houses built on a hillside overlooking the sea at sunset.
Manarola, Cinque Terre. View that overlook the colorful village built on cliff above the sea at sunset, with pink and purple sky and calm water
A black and white photo of a woman with a child sitting on a bench by the seaside. There is a large sign for Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre. The background shows the sea and sky, with railings along the edge. There are also warning signs in Italian and English at the train platform.

Day 6 (May 24):

Coastal Exploration & Showcase Session

Hiking views, seascapes, and your best work of the week

  • Sunrise in Corniglia or Monterosso, choosing locations based on the best light

  • Optional coastal hike (Vernazza → Monterosso) — spectacular views and photo stops along the way

  • Afternoon group showcase session with personal feedback and portfolio guidance

  • Farewell dinner overlooking the Ligurian Sea

Colorful houses in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre lining a hillside above a small harbor with boats docked.
Colorful hillside apartment buildings in Cinque Terre.
A black-and-white photo of a narrow outdoor pedestrian street in Manarola, with multi-story buildings on either side, balconies with laundry hanging, boats parked along the sidewalk, and a few people walking in the distance.

Day 7 (May 25):

Final Sunrise & Departure

Last light on the Ligurian coast

  • Optional sunrise in Manarola, with boats, cliffs, and pastel houses glowing in soft morning light

  • Breakfast, closing reflections, and train back to Florence

  • The workshop ends in Florence 3:00 PM

Colorful houses built on a hillside overlooking the ocean at sunset in Manarola, Cinque Terre.

Ambitions & Goals

This workshop is about your growth and your images. Many photo tours emphasize being at the right location at the right time — but then the instructors often focus on taking their own shots. Our philosophy is different. We’re there to guide you personally, whether that means:

  • fine-tuning your composition on the spot,

  • helping you master camera settings in tricky light, or

  • offering constructive feedback as you work.

    With a small-group format (maximum six participants per instructor), you’ll receive close personal attention and one-to-one coaching every day. The aim is for every participant to return home with portfolio-worthy photographs and new confidence in their skills.

    Equally important is the community: the workshop is a shared learning and inspiration experience. You’ll not only improve your photography, but also enjoy the camaraderie of shooting and dining together in one of the world’s most photogenic cities

Florence & Cinque Terre Workshop

May 19 – 25, 2026

Tickets: $ 2,700 per person

  • Start: 19 May at 3:00 PM

  • End: 25 May at 3:00 PM

  • Seven days and six nights of on-location training

  • Two instructors working closely with the group each day

  • Maximum 12 participants for a personal, hands-on experience

  • Balanced focus on cityscape and street photography

  • Structured daily plan with sunrise, sunset, and street sessions

  • Two follow-up online sessions to refine your images

  • Access to a private WhatsApp group months in advance for travel tips, gear advice, and sharing work

  • Train travel from Florence to La Spezia and all local Cinque Terre train tickets

Payment plan:

  • $300 deposit is paid at registration

  • The remaining balance will be invoiced about one month before the workshop begins.

Accommodation:

For this workshop, we’ll stay in two well-located hotels that make it easy to reach key shooting locations and move efficiently between sessions.

Florence — Hotel Palazzo Benci

  • In Florence, you’ll stay at Hotel Palazzo Benci, a comfortable and charming hotel just steps from the city’s main attractions. The Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, San Lorenzo Market, and the artisan quarters are all within walking distance, making it an ideal base for our sunrise, sunset, and street photography sessions.

  • Its central location allows us to reach the historic streets quickly, explore hidden courtyards, and take advantage of changing light throughout the day.

Cinque Terre — Hotel Firenze e Continentale (La Spezia)

  • For the Cinque Terre portion of the workshop, we’ll stay at Hotel Firenze e Continentale in La Spezia. This elegant, central hotel offers easy access to the train station, which is the most efficient way to reach all five villages — Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Monterosso.

  • Staying in La Spezia ensures smooth logistics, fast travel times, and the flexibility to reach each village for sunrise, sunset, and street photography in varying conditions.

Both hotels offer comfort, convenience, and a perfect starting point for exploring these two very photogenic regions with your camera.

Accommodation can be pre-booked with us for $2,300 for the full workshop stay or you can book it directly with the hotels.

Early reservation is recommended since the group is intentionally limited.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW
Black and white photograph of the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) in Florence, Italy, with rain-wet street in the foreground and clouds over the cathedral.
Colorful buildings in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre with boats docked in a small harbor area.
A smiling man with glasses, medium-length brown hair, and a light beard, wearing a striped shirt and a light-colored jacket, in front of a plain background.

Meet the Instructors

  • Bjørn is a versatile photographer with over 20 years of professional experience across genres including people, nature, and architecture. He is one of Norway’s most active photography instructors, teaching nationwide and internationally. His collaborations include Sandra Bartocha, Anna Ulmestrand, Otto von Münchow, and David Beckstead (USA).

    Portfolio: joachimsenphotography.com

A young man wearing sunglasses and a black New York Yankees cap is sitting in a convertible car parked near the coast, with a view of the ocean and a wooden fence in the background.

  • Terje is a full-time Norwegian photographer specializing in landscapes and cityscapes. He leads workshops in Paris, Italy, and the Dolomites, and knows Paris particularly well from previous workshops there. His work is showcased through exhibitions and available as fine art prints.

    Portfolio: terjephotography.com

 FAQs

  • When you register, a $300 deposit will be charged to secure your spot.

    The remaining balance will be invoiced about one month before the workshop begins.

    • Seven days and six nights of on-location photography training with both instructors

    • A small, focused group of like-minded photographers exploring Paris together (maximum 12 participants)

    • A balanced program covering cityscape photography, street photography, sunrise/sunset shoots, and structured daily sessions

    • Two instructors working closely with the group, offering one-to-one guidance in the field

    • Post-workshop online review sessions to help you refine your best images

    • Access to a private WhatsApp group (opens months in advance) for travel tips, shooting advice, gear discussions, and sharing work

    • Support with planning, local insights, recommendations, and general guidance throughout the trip

    • Train travel from Florence to La Spezia and all local Cinque Terre train tickets

  • Accommodation, meals, local transport, and attraction tickets are not included in the workshop fee.

    If you prefer not to arrange your own stay, you can choose an optional accommodation package for $2,500 during registration. We’ll recommend suitable hotels and handle the booking on your behalf.

    If you want to arrive early or stay longer in Florence, we’re also happy to help arrange additional nights.

    • Camera gear (DSLR or mirrorless)

    • Wide-angle lens (24 mm or wider) and telephoto lens (70–200 mm recommended)

    • Sturdy tripod

    • Wireless remote or cable release

    • ND filters (10-stop, plus 3–6 stop optional)

    • Extra batteries and memory cards

    • Laptop/tablet for editing (optional but recommended)

    • Comfortable walking shoes

    • Clothing for varied spring weather (light layers, rain protection)

    If you’re unsure about equipment, contact us before departure for guidance.

  • We accept all level of experience in photography, but just make sure you have the gear needed; otherwise it will be no fun for you. If you are missing a lens or a ND filter don’t worry about it!

  • If you have more questions regarding the workshop don’t hesitate to contact us at: terje@terjephotography.com

Colorful buildings on a hillside overlooking the ocean during sunset in Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre, Italy.

Florence & Cinque Terre Photography Workshop

May 19 – 25, 2026 (7 Days / 6 Nights)

Tickets: $ 2,700 per person

RESERVE MY SPOT NOW