Gdańsk & Pomerania Photography Workshop
June 21–27, 2027 · Gdańsk & Pomerania, Poland
Gdańsk & Pomerania Photography Workshop
Explore Kraków & Zakopane with Bjørn Joachimsen and Terje Svendsen
Discover northern Poland through historic streets, lively markets, Gothic architecture, working harbours and the dunes and beaches of the Baltic coast.
7 days / 6 nights
Street, documentary and landscape photography · Small group · Two instructors
Total trip price: $1,500
Reserve your place with a $300 deposit
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Gdańsk & Pomerania Photography Workshop
Spend seven days exploring Gdańsk, Malbork and the Pomeranian coast with Terje and Bjørn. The route combines the shipyard and old town, local markets and rural heritage, Malbork Castle, Słowiński National Park and the Hel Peninsula. We will photograph people, buildings and landscapes, developing the skills to connect individual moments into stories about a place.
Both instructors will provide guidance as you photograph, with room for individual questions and different approaches. Our planned bases are Hotel Stary Malbork for the first two nights and Qubus Hotel Gdańsk for the following four nights. Accommodation rates and booking arrangements remain to be confirmed.
Quick facts
Workshop price: $1,500 per person.
Dates: June 21–27, 2027.
Duration: Seven workshop days and six planned hotel nights.
Location: Gdańsk, Malbork, Żuławy, Słowiński National Park and the Baltic coast.
Instructors: Bjørn Joachimsen and Terje Svendsen.
Group size: Maximum twelve participants
Hands-on coaching: Guidance from both instructors during photography sessions.
Photography focus: Street, documentary, architecture, industrial heritage, coastal landscapes and evening photography.
Experience: Guidance suited to your interests and experience; digital and analogue cameras welcome.
Accommodation: Hotel rates and booking arrangements to be confirmed.
Language: English and Norwegian.
Start and finish: Monday morning at Gdańsk Airport, with the meeting time to be confirmed; Sunday at approximately 18:00 in Gdańsk.
Hotels: Two nights at Hotel Stary Malbork and four nights at Qubus Hotel Gdańsk, as currently planned.
Included: Seven days of photographic tuition, guidance from two instructors and the organised photography programme.
Not included: Accommodation, meals, flights, insurance and personal expenses should be budgeted separately. Final transport and admission inclusions will be confirmed before booking.
Photography, Image Reviews and Editing
The variety of locations gives us opportunities to discuss both how a photograph is made and how it is selected afterwards. We will look at your choices in the field — framing, exposure, position and timing — and discuss which images communicate your intention most clearly.
Compare different photographs of the same subject and identify the strongest approach.
Use feedback to improve framing, light and the placement of people.
Recognise connections between portraits, details and wider scenes.
Explore how colour and tone affect the atmosphere of an image.
Choose photographs that work together as a short visual story.
Refine your selection without losing your personal approach.
Bring a laptop or tablet if you would like to prepare photographs for discussion. The detailed review and editing timetable will be arranged around the travel programme. Analogue photographers are welcome; bring sufficient film, as processing during the week has not been arranged.
Why Photograph Gdańsk & Pomerania?
Few subjects stay the same from one stop to the next. Gdańsk offers street life, waterfront reflections and industrial forms. Malbork invites a slower study of brickwork, passageways and Gothic architecture. In Żuławy, rural life, old houses and quiet historical sites reveal another side of the region.
Along the Baltic coast, harbours, beaches and dunes change our sense of space and scale. This variety makes the week an opportunity to stretch your photography: notice a gesture in a busy market, simplify a dune landscape or find a composition in the lines of a shipyard.
The areas we will explore
Colourful façades, waterfront reflections, narrow streets and the rhythm of everyday life provide a rich setting for street and architectural photography. We will explore the relationship between people and place, returning in the evening to work with changing light and atmosphere.
Local markets and rural life
The markets in Malbork and Gdańsk offer opportunities to observe gestures, exchanges and small details that reveal daily life. In Zielonki, the programme includes photographing beekeepers at work. We will practise building documentary stories and approaching people with consideration.
Żuławy — traces of a distinctive landscape
The church ruin at Steblewo, the Mennonite cemetery in Stogi Malborskie and the arcaded houses of Żuławy offer a quieter photographic experience. Weathered surfaces, architecture and the surrounding countryside invite careful observation. The route also includes the old brickworks near Sztutowo and the historic narrow-gauge station at Stegna Gdańska.
Malbork Castle
The monumental Gothic castle offers a day of architectural exploration. We will look for rhythm in its brickwork, depth in its passageways and the interplay of light and shadow. Time at the castle allows you to develop a series rather than rely on a single view.
Stocznia Gdańska — the historic shipyard
Industrial structures, textures and strong graphic lines give the shipyard a distinctive visual character. Its association with the Solidarność movement adds another layer to the setting. We will work with details and wider views to communicate a sense of place.
Zaspa — murals in the urban landscape
Large murals transform the façades of residential blocks in Zaspa. Here, the challenge is to photograph how art, buildings and everyday life fit together. Colour, scale and the placement of people can turn a striking wall painting into a photograph with its own story.
The Baltic coast — Kąty Rybackie and Orłowo
Beaches and coastal scenery offer a change of pace from the city. At Kąty Rybackie and Orłowo, we will explore horizons, textures and the relationship between land and water, adapting our approach to the light and weather.
Torpedownia at Babie Doły
The offshore ruins at Babie Doły create a distinctive focal point for coastal photography. We will explore different viewpoints from the shore, using water, sky and the structure’s silhouette to shape our compositions. The programme includes a return around sunset after our visit to Hel.
Słowiński National Park and Łeba
The sand dunes around Wydma Łącka offer flowing lines, subtle tones and a strong sense of scale. We will work with the changing patterns of sand and light, looking for both wider landscapes and more intimate details. Our planned route uses Melex transport from Rąbka into the park and back, followed by lunch in Łeba.
Jastarnia and Hel
The Hel Peninsula brings together coastal life and traces of military history. We will photograph the bunkers at Jastarnia, the wreck of ORP Wicher (II) where accessible, and the harbour and coastal surroundings in Hel. Boats, equipment and activity on shore offer material for documentary images and visual details.
Zamek Łapalice and the final day
The unfinished castle at Łapalice is planned as the final major location, subject to access being confirmed. Its architecture and surroundings offer opportunities to work with form, atmosphere and scale. Lunch in Kartuzy and a final afternoon photography session complete the week; the exact afternoon locations will be confirmed.
What you will learn
Recognise promising subjects in an unfamiliar location.
Choose a viewpoint that gives a scene clarity and depth.
Anticipate gestures and use timing to strengthen street photographs.
Approach people thoughtfully when photographing markets, work and harbour life.
Control perspective and organise lines in architectural and industrial settings.
Work with reflections and changing light along the waterfront.
Use texture, horizons and scale in dunes and coastal landscapes.
Prepare for evening photography and changing conditions.
Photograph cemeteries and historical sites with respect.
Is This Workshop Right for You?
This workshop is for photographers who want to explore a region in depth and become more confident in unfamiliar situations. You should be comfortable with the basic operation of your camera and willing to experiment. You can work with digital or analogue equipment, and ask for help whenever you need it.
Expect active days with road travel, walking, time on your feet and some late returns. The itinerary includes sandy beaches, dunes and historic sites. Contact us before booking if you have mobility concerns or practical needs so we can discuss the route with you.
A small and supportive group
Terje and Bjørn will guide the group together, giving you access to two photographic perspectives. There will be opportunities to ask questions, try a suggestion and return to a subject with a different idea. The final participant limit will be confirmed in the booking information.
Shared lunches and dinners give us time to talk about the day’s photographs and get to know one another. We encourage independent work as well as discussion, so you have space to develop your own interests.
Day 1 (June 21):
Gdańsk and the road to Malbork
Meet at Gdańsk Airport, then photograph the historic shipyard and street life in Gdańsk’s old town.
Explore the church ruin at Steblewo and the Mennonite cemetery in Stogi Malborskie.
Continue to Malbork, check in at Hotel Stary Malbork and gather for dinner, with time for independent photography.
Day 2 (June 22):
Markets, Żuławy and the Baltic coast
Photograph Malbork’s local market and beekeepers at work in Zielonki.
Explore Żuławy’s arcaded-house heritage, with lunch and photography at Mały Holender.
Visit the old brickworks near Sztutowo, Stegna Gdańska’s narrow-gauge station and the beach at Kąty Rybackie before returning to Malbork.
Day 3 (June 23):
Malbork Castle and Gdańsk at dusk
Spend the morning exploring Malbork Castle with your camera, focusing on architecture, light and detail.
Continue photographing after lunch, then travel towards Gdańsk with a planned stop at a church ruin.
Check in at Qubus Hotel Gdańsk, enjoy dinner together and photograph the old town in the evening..
Day 4 (March 20):
Chochołów and Zakopane
Leave Kraków early for a full day in Podhale. Photograph Chochołów’s wooden houses and, subject to access, visit the bacówka.
Continue to Zakopane for lunch, the chapel in Jaszczurówka, the Old Church, historic cemetery, street life and mountain scenery. Return to Kraków in the evening.
Day 5 (March 21):
Sunday markets and Jewish heritage
Follow a varied route from Hala Targowa to the New Jewish Cemetery on Miodowa Street, then the Remuh Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery.
Continue to Plac Nowy and the Vistula Boulevards before returning to Plac Nowy to observe how the light and activity have changed.
All religious and memorial sites will be photographed quietly and respectfully, where permitted.
Day 6 (March 22):
Old Town, Wawel and final reviews
Begin with early-morning photography in the Old Town, continuing through Floriańska Street, the university quarter and Wawel.
Work on individual assignments and join a final editing and image-review session focused on selection, sequencing and storytelling.
Finish with blue-hour photography and a farewell dinner. The workshop concludes at 8:00 pm.
Ambitions & Goals
This workshop is about developing your photography through the streets, history and everyday life of Kraków and the cultural landscapes of Podhale.
We will help you slow down, observe and make more deliberate decisions: choosing a stronger position, simplifying a complex scene, waiting for a gesture or responding to the way light changes a place. We encourage you to experiment and develop your own way of seeing.
Learning continues through image reviews, discussion and thoughtful selection. With two instructors and a small group, you will receive personal guidance as you explore how individual photographs can work together. Our aim is that you return home with greater confidence, stronger images and practical skills you can use wherever you photograph next..
Kraków & Zakopane Photography Workshop
March 17 – 22, 2027
Summary
Kraków & Zakopane Workshop
March 17 to 22, 2027
Workshop price: $1,500 per person
Deposit: $300 to reserve your place
Spend six days exploring Kraków’s streets, markets, architecture and historic sites, with a day trip to Chochołów and Zakopane. Two instructors and a maximum of twelve participants allow time for personal guidance, practical assignments and feedback on composition, light and visual storytelling.
Included in the workshop
Six days of the organised photography workshop programme
Two instructors working closely with a maximum of twelve participants
Photographic tuition and personal guidance in the field
Street, architectural, documentary, night and landscape photography within the programme
Regular image reviews, individual feedback and shared discussions
Guidance on image selection, sequencing and visual storytelling
A final image review and editing session
Not included
Travel to and from Kraków
Accommodation, including any additional nights
Meals and drinks
Travel insurance
Film processing
Personal expenses
Shared airport transport is planned for the official arrival day. Transfer details and any transport or entrance charges not expressly included will need confirmation before booking.
Booking information
Your place is confirmed once your deposit has been paid. After booking, you will receive practical information about the workshop, travel planning, recommended gear, and the next steps before departure.
Not sure if the workshop is right for you? You are welcome to send us a question before booking.
Meet the Instructors
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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
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Terje is a full-time Norwegian photographer specializing in landscapes and cityscapes. He leads workshops in Paris, Italy, and the Dolomites. His work is showcased through exhibitions and available as fine art prints.
Portfolio: terjephotography.com
FAQs
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Six days of on-location photography trainingwith both instructors
A small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants
A balanced program combining cityscape photography, street photography, sunrise and sunset sessions, and guided daily shooting sessions
Two instructors working closely with the group and offering personal guidance in the field throughout the workshop
Two online follow-up sessions after the workshop to help you review and refine your images
Access to a private WhatsApp group before departure for practical updates, travel planning, gear discussions, and sharing work
Ongoing support with planning, local recommendations, and general guidance before and during the workshop
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Flights to/from Krakow
Accomodation
Meals and drinks
Local transport
Personal travel insurance
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We start in central Naples on Day 1 and finish in central Naples on the last day.
After you register, you’ll receive a practical info sheet with:
exact meeting point and time
suggested arrival time
daily meeting times and key locations
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A typical day combines street photography in Naples with dedicated time for image reviews and editing:
08:00–09:00: Breakfast and morning briefing
09:00–13:00: Guided street photography in selected neighbourhoods
13:00–14:30: Lunch and return to the hotel
14:30–17:30: Image review, individual feedback and Lightroom/Photoshop tuition
17:30–19:00: Break or individual work
Evening: Optional photography, group dinner or personal editing
The afternoon sessions are a central part of the workshop, helping you select stronger images, refine your editing and develop your photographic approach.
We keep the schedule flexible to make the most of the light, weather and activity in the city, while considering the group’s pace.
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Most people join solo. We keep a friendly, supportive atmosphere, and you’ll quickly feel part of the group.
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We explore Naples mainly on foot, spending several hours in the streets each day. The pace is relaxed, with stops to photograph and take breaks. Expect:
Several kilometres of walking on most days
Uneven paving, narrow streets and occasional stairs
Some slopes and steeper streets, particularly around the Spanish Quarter and Montecalvario
We return to the hotel for afternoon image reviews and editing sessions. You should be comfortable walking while carrying your camera equipment. Comfortable shoes and a lightweight camera bag make a big difference.
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Rain and moody weather can create excellent opportunities for street photography in Naples. Wet streets, reflections, umbrellas and changing light offer a different atmosphere and new ways to capture everyday life.
We adapt the programme with:
Street photography that makes use of rain, reflections and dramatic light
Sheltered locations and covered spaces where practical
Flexible timing to make the most of breaks in the weather
Image reviews and editing sessions at the hotel when conditions make outdoor photography difficult
Bring a waterproof jacket and rain protection for your camera. We’ll make the most of the conditions while keeping the group’s comfort and safety in mind.
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Street photography offers something for every level, and this workshop welcomes enthusiastic beginners through to advanced photographers. No previous street photography experience is needed.
You should understand the basic operation of your camera, but you don’t need to be an expert. We adapt our guidance to your experience, whether you’re learning to capture everyday moments or refining your timing, compositions and visual storytelling.
With two instructors and a small group, you’ll receive personal support both in the streets and during image reviews and editing sessions.
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Absolutely. Trying street photography can help you grow as a photographer, even if you’ve never done it before. It encourages you to observe more closely, anticipate moments and work with light, backgrounds and composition—skills you can use in many other types of photography.
We’ll guide you with practical tips on:
Working a scene calmly and building confidence
Choosing lenses and camera settings
Recognising interesting light, gestures and everyday moments
Improving composition and timing
Photographing people respectfully
You can work in a subtle, relaxed way—there’s no need to get close to strangers or photograph confrontationally. We’ll help you find an approach that feels comfortable while giving you room to experiment and develop
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When you register, a $300 deposit will be charged to secure your spot.
The remaining balance will be invoiced about two months before the workshop begins.
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After the workshop, we’ll meet online for two sessions focused on:
selecting your strongest images
practical editing workflow and refinement
getting the most out of your Paris shots
Details and dates will be shared with participants during the workshop.
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Yes — you’re welcome to bring a partner or spouse.
Partners are welcome to join the outdoor photo sessions as an observer and enjoy the locations with the group. However, coaching and tutoring are for registered participants only, and we’ll prioritize instruction time for the photographers on the workshop.
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For street photography in Naples, a lightweight, comfortable setup works best. Bring:
Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera you’re comfortable using
Versatile lens: A zoom such as a 24–105mm or equivalent is a practical choice, covering wider street scenes, everyday moments and tighter details. A small 35mm or 50mm prime is also a good option if you prefer travelling light
Extra batteries and memory cards
Laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop installed: Strongly recommended for our daily image reviews and editing sessions
Card reader and external storage or another backup solution
Small, comfortable camera bag
Comfortable walking shoes
Clothing for variable spring weather: Layers, a waterproof jacket and rain protection for your camera
Phone, charger and power bank: Useful for maps and staying in touch with the group
You don’t need a tripod, ND filters or a remote release. Bring equipment you know well and can comfortably carry for several hours.
If you’re unsure what to bring, contact us before departure—we’ll help you pack for the workshop.
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If you have more questions regarding the workshop don’t hesitate to contact us at: terje@terjephotography.com
Kraków & Zakopane Photography Workshop
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Kraków & Zakopane Photography Workshop *
Kraków & Zakopane Photography Workshop
March 17 – 22, 2027 (6 Days / 6 Nights)
Tickets: $ 1,500 per person
To join the workshop, reserve your place through the booking link and pay the $500 deposit.
The remaining balance will be invoiced later.
Not quite ready to book? Schedule a short, informal call with Terje or Bjørn to discuss the workshop, travel plans, photography level or any questions you may have.
Schedule a 15-Minute Call→