Kraków & Zakopane Photography Workshop
Mar 17 - 22, 2027 · Kraków & Zakopane, Poland
Kraków & Zakopane
Photography Workshop
Explore Kraków & Zakopane with Bjørn Joachimsen and Terje Svendsen
Discover Kraków’s historic streets, lively markets and contrasting neighbourhoods, then travel south to the timber villages and mountain landscapes of Podhale
6 days / 6 nights
Street photography · Small group · Two instructors
Total trip price: $1,500
Reserve your place with a $300 deposit
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Kraków & Zakopane Photography Workshop
During this six-day workshop, we will explore Kazimierz, Grzegórzki, Nowa Huta, Płaszów, Podgórze and Stare Miasto, with a day trip through Chochołów to Zakopane. We will work with observation, timing, composition, light and visual storytelling while helping you develop a more personal and confident photographic approach.
Two experienced instructors will work with a maximum of five participants, providing close guidance in the field and individual feedback. Hotel Kazimierz is our base for the workshop. Accommodation is booked and paid for separately by each participant.
Quick facts
Dates: Mar 17 - 22, 2027
Duration: Six workshop days; normally six hotel nights, with departure on Mar 23, 2027
Location: Kraków, Poland, with a day trip to Chochołów and Zakopane
Instructors: Bjørn Joachimsen and Terje Svendsen
Group size: Maximum twelve participants
Hands-on coaching: Your instructors photograph alongside you throughout every street session, offering practical advice, personal feedback and support as you shoot.
Photography focus: Street and documentary photography, architecture, industrial heritage, night photography and mountain landscapes
Experience: Guidance adapted to your experience and interests; digital and analogue cameras welcome
Accommodation: Booked and paid for separately
Workshop price: To be confirmed; early-registration fee and deadline also to be confirmed
Language: English and Norwegain
Start and finish: 11:00 am on the first day; 8:00 pm on the final day
Hotel: Hotel Kazimierz, ul. Miodowa 16, 31-055 Kraków
Included: Photographic tuition, individual guidance, feedback and the organised workshop programme.
Not included: Travel, accommodation, meals, drinks, insurance, film processing and personal expenses, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Photography, Image Reviews and Editing
The workshop combines practical photography with regular image reviews and discussions. Across streets, historic sites and mountain landscapes, you will work with changing light, unfolding situations and individual photographic assignments. Feedback is adapted to your experience, interests and approach.
Selecting and evaluating photographs
Understanding why an image works and what could be improved
Strengthening composition, timing and visual structure
Using light, colour, shadow and reflections deliberately
Recognising recurring themes and building coherent photographic stories
Selecting and sequencing images for the final review
Developing an independent and personal photographic vision
A laptop or tablet is optional but strongly recommended for preparing images for feedback. Film photographers may be able to use a local laboratory for 35 mm or medium-format processing, subject to current services and turnaround times. Bring sufficient film; processing and review during the workshop cannot be guaranteed.
Why Photograph Kraków & Zakopane?
Look beyond the familiar sights and discover a city through its streets, people, architecture and changing light. From the courtyards and markets of Kazimierz to the monumental avenues of Nowa Huta, Kraków offers richly varied settings for photographs with atmosphere and a sense of place.
The workshop combines street and documentary photography, architecture, industrial heritage, historic sites, night photography and landscapes. Practical guidance, individual feedback and shared discussions will help you recognise opportunities and make more deliberate photographic decisions—skills you can take wherever you travel next.
The contrast between the city and the highlands adds another dimension. Traditional timber architecture in Chochołów and Zakopane, regional culture and the surrounding Tatra landscape offer opportunities to connect people, buildings and place within a wider photographic story.
The areas we will explore
The programme remains flexible so we can respond to weather, light, opening hours, access and the needs of the group. Our principal locations include the following areas.
Kazimierz and Grzegórzki
Explore historic streets, courtyards, cafés and markets in Kazimierz, including Plac Nowy. Sunday brings the flea market at Hala Targowa in Grzegórzki, with traders, collectors and an abundance of objects and encounters. Jewish heritage locations include the New Jewish Cemetery on Miodowa Street, the Remuh Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Access, religious observance and photography restrictions govern our visits.
Nowa Huta
A local guide will introduce this planned industrial district and its social history. Broad avenues, monumental residential buildings, geometric repetition, Arka Pana church and the former steelworks entrance provide opportunities for architectural and documentary photography.
Płaszów, Podgórze and the Wisła
Work respectfully with memory and absence at the former Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp and the Empty Chairs Memorial at Plac Bohaterów Getta. The old locomotive depot offers railway heritage, weathered surfaces and industrial forms, subject to access. Riverside photography along the Wisła opens up views of bridges, reflections and people within the wider cityscape. A visit to Zakrzówek is optional, depending on time and conditions.
Stare Miasto and Wawel
Photograph the Old Town in early light and after dark, including Rynek Główny, the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Basilica and Floriańska Street. The university quarter and Wawel Royal Castle offer further opportunities to explore historic architecture, details and daily life.
Chochołów and Zakopane
Travel through Podhale to photograph Chochołów’s traditional timber houses, followed by Zakopane’s wooden architecture, highland culture and Tatra landscapes. Planned subjects include the chapel in Jaszczurówka, the Old Church and historic cemetery. A visit to Bacówka – Oscypki Maria Zych Ptoś depends on opening and access. Active oscypek production is not guaranteed in March; any environmental portraits require permission.
What you will learn
Throughout the workshop, we will explore:
How to observe a scene and recognise a developing photographic situation
How to position yourself and anticipate a moment
How to organise people, movement and architecture within the frame
How to approach strangers respectfully for environmental portraits
How to create visual layers using reflections, light and shadow
How to use perspective, symmetry and repetition in architectural photography
How to photograph successfully after dark
How to respond to mountain scenery and changing weather
How to photograph religious and memorial sites with care
Is This Workshop Right for You?
You are welcome to bring a digital or analogue camera. The emphasis is on learning to observe more carefully, making deliberate photographic decisions and developing your own visual approach. Guidance is adapted to your experience and interests.
Come ready to take an active part in the programme, work independently when appropriate and ask for help whenever you need it. We will explore on foot as well as by transport, so bring supportive footwear and tell us about practical needs or concerns before the workshop.
A small and supportive group
With two instructors and no more than five participants, there is time for close individual guidance in the field and thoughtful image reviews. Feedback is adapted to your experience, interests and visual approach. Bring a digital or analogue camera and use the equipment you feel comfortable working with.
We encourage you to experiment, work independently and ask for guidance. Alongside the photography, group lunches and evening dinners offer time to exchange ideas and enjoy Polish food and culture. Meals and drinks are paid for individually.
Day 1 (March 17)
Welcome and Kazimierz after dark
Meet at Hotel Kazimierz at 11:00 am for introductions and an overview of the programme.
After lunch, begin photographing the streets and courtyards of Kazimierz and the activity around Plac Nowy.
Continue into blue hour and night photography, then gather for dinne
Day 2 (March 18):
Nowa Huta and the Old Town
Explore Nowa Huta with a local guide, working with monumental architecture, residential life, Arka Pana and industrial environments.
After lunch and further photography, return to the hotel for a break.
Spend the evening photographing Rynek Główny, the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Basilica and Floriańska Street, followed by dinner and informal image discussion.
Day 3 (March 19):
History, memory and industrial heritage
Begin at the former Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp, then continue to Stara Lokomotywownia, the old locomotive depot.
After lunch, explore Podgórze, the Empty Chairs Memorial and surviving traces of the former ghetto. Visit Zakrzówek if time and conditions allow, and finish the photographic day beside the Wisła.
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 five 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 five 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, and knows Naples well from previous workshops there. His work is showcased through exhibitions and available as fine art prints.
Portfolio: terjephotography.com
FAQs
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Six days and five nights of on-location photography training in Paris with both instructors
Accommodation included for the full workshop stay
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 Naples
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 $500 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 / 5 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→