Thai Culture Travel Photography Workshops

A Unique 5 Day Photography Experience

Thai Culture Travel Photography Workshops

A Unique 5 Day Photography Experience

5 Day Travel Photography Workshops with a Difference

Maximized for a Full Immersion Cultural  Photography Experience

We have designed our 5 day travel photography workshops to immerse you in photography and northern Thai culture. Intrepid photographers can experience an inspiring blend of the craft of photography and unique opportunities.  The environment is friendly, encouraging and designed for amateur photographers at any level.

Kevin Landwer-Johan is the travel photography workshops leader. He will build your confidence in your camera skills. He’ll also guide you in shaping and sharpening your creative intent.

Bring your curiosity along and discover the joys of photographing everything from exotic costumed models to humble rural markets and breathtaking landscapes. Travel photography is often focused on the obvious. Beyond what every other tourist sees this workshop will take you off the well beaten paths. 

Unique Travel Photography Workshops

During the workshop Kevin’s focus is on helping you develop the photography skills you most want to improve. He will also guide you as you explore your creative intent and continue to develop your photographic style.

Groups are small, with a maximum of four people. Kevin has over 30 years professional photography experience and he’s very capable of conveying his experience in a meaninglyful, easy to understand manner.

Locations are varied and diverse in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand. You will learn and/or reinforce photography techniques with on-site tutoring. Or you are free to photograph and enjoy the sessions without teaching.

During our travel photography workshops, photography related questions are always welcome. As time allows there will also be optional image reviews. These will focus on how you can improve both technically and creatively.

hill tribe photogrpahy in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thai Culture Travel Photography Workshops Outline

Our five-day travel photography workshops are spread over 6 days (4 full days and two part days.) We will meet Chiang Mai, Thailand on the afternoon of the first day for introductions and orientation.
 
Our travel photography workshops itinerary includes four sessions with beautiful Thai models in traditional costumes. We will work with you and interact with the models, set up the lighting and find the best backgrounds. One session with a model we will also be working with an elephant. Other locations may include temples, a waterfall, tropical forest, etc.
 
We also visit one of our favorite locations for photography, Baan Thong Luang. This is an “eco-agricultural hill tribes village”. Pansa and I have been visiting here for many years with our photography workshops. We have built up some lovely relationships with the people there. This village provides the best opportunity to photograph northern Thai ethnic minority people. Here they wear traditional clothing and live in customary homes. Our relationship with them means they are relaxed, so you will get better portraits of them. If you are not sure about visiting this type of location, please take a look at this article on the subject.
 
Two evening sessions of computer post-processing and image culling are included. There’s also the opportunity to have a traditional Thai massage. We can include this on one or more evenings.
 
All meals are included. We prefer to eat Thai and introduce you to amazing dishes you may not encounter as a tourist. Spicy or not, the choice is yours.
 
Our Thai Cultural Travel Photography Workshops are limited to four participants. (Please contact us if you have a non-photographer partner who would like to join you.)

Testimony

“Kevin taught me to tell stories with my photographs

I recently returned from a 5 day photo workshop/retreat with the amazing Kevin LJ. I had taken a few courses in the past but honestly none of it really stuck with me. This time was different. Kevin is an amazingly patient teacher and his passion for photography (and teaching) shines through and is contagious.

I believe that the information stuck this time because by staying in their lovely guesthouse I was immersed in photography all day and into the evening. It was intense (at my request) as I had a lot to learn but being able to sit out on their lovely balcony overlooking rice fields, fruit trees and a Chedi in the evening was rejuvenating. I took several pictures of the landscape trying to capture the beauty that I was seeing but the photos did not do it justice. It wasn’t until I took a video and captured not only what I saw but also the symphony of frogs, crickets, occasional birds, and running water from a small stream into the rice patty that I was able to capture the magic of Suan Sook Homestay.

In addition to all that I have to say that I was spoiled with fantastic Thai food created by the very sweet Pansa – Kevin’s wife. The only thing that I regret was letting the price delay my decision to take the course. Yes the cost is high but I can honestly say that you get what you pay for – absolutely top quality instruction and overall experience.”

Laura, Retired.

5-Day Travel Photography Workshops Dates

Workshop Dates:

We run our 5 day workshops during the cool, dry season in Chiang Mai four times per year in November, December, January and February near the beginning of each month.

2020 Dates

November: 3rd – 8th

December: 1st – 6th

2021 Dates

January: 5th – 10th

February: 2nd – 7th

Travel Photography Workshops Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary and may be subject to some minor changes.

Day 1

Pick up and Orientation

 
We will pick you up at the airport and get you checked into your hotel room. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner together and our introduction and orientation session. The first night is in Chiang Mai.
Day 2

Elephant, Model and Ethnic Minorities

Pick up is at 7:30 am. We will spend the morning at a boutique elephant camp. Photographing with an elephant and a beautiful model wearing a traditional Thai costume.
 
The afternoon session is at Baan Thong Luang, the hill tribes village. Here we can make portraits of the people and also photograph them producing their arts and crafts.
 
After this we drive to Suan Sook Homestay. Our home.
Day 3

Traditional Thai Models

Our models for the day will be ready for our first session in the morning.  We’ll head to a nearby location for an exotic session of photography that will be truly memorable.
 
We take a relaxed break for lunch to give ourselves and the models a rest. Then we make our way to the second location for our afternoon session.
 
We’ll enjoy dinner at a local Thai restaurant on the river side. Back at Suan Sook we can spend time relaxing.
Day 4

Doi Inthanon National Park

We spend the day up the mountain. Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest peak and a national park. It provides stunning environments for creative photography. In the park we’ll have opportunities to photograph in the forest, along walkways, viewpoints, waterfalls and the Royal Project gardens.
 
Back at Suan Sook in the evening we’ll relax and look at the photos we’ve been making.
Day 5

Weekend Market and Outdoor Studio

After a delicious Thai breakfast we’ll visit a local weekend market. Here you’ll get a real taste of rural northern Thai life. The atmosphere at the busy market is relaxed and friendly. You’ll have lots of opportunities to spontaneous connections with the locals to create wonderful street photos. We might get a few looks from the locals as we’ll be well off the beaten tourist path.
 
We drive up into the hills in the afternoon to a Karen hill tribe village. I’ll set up my outdoor natural light studio for a special portrait session. With some luck we may be able to convince some of the older men to show of their traditional body tattoos.
Day 6

One More Model

Pick up is at 8 am. Our morning session is at Wat Don Quian with another costumed model. This temple has a pillared walkway around three sides, making it a great shooting location.
 
Lunch and goodbyes.

What’s Included

  • All transportation from when we pick you up in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  • Three meals each day as well as snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments.
  • Five nights single occupancy accommodation (we will discount for couples sharing a room)
  • Photographic teaching and guidance from two professionals
  • Photography instruction, editing and post-processing teaching
  • Information about Thai culture and history at the various locations

 

What’s Not Included

 

  • Travel to and from Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  • Entry visa for Thailand.
  • Items of a personal nature.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Tips
  • Anything not specifically listed as included.

All of our standard terms and conditions apply.

We require a minimum of three people to register to enable us to run this workshop. If we do not have three people registered by the cutoff date we will refund 100% of deposits that have already been made.

Workshop Price:

US$2,990 (95,000 Thai Baht) per person (on a single occupancy basis. We will adjust the price accordingly for couples wanting to share a room.)

A $500 deposit is required to secure your place on this workshop. The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to the workshop if we are able to run it. We only require a minimum of only two people to run this workshop. Small group size means you reap the benefits.

Please contact us. Let us know which dates you are interested in taking this workshop.

    Please check you have entered your email address correctly. I always reply to emails so if you don't hear back it may be because your email address was not entered correctly.



    Testimonials

    I cannot say enough good about Kevin. There are a lot of amazing photographers in this world, but not many are truly exceptional teachers. Kevin truly know how to put the art of photography and the technical aspects of the camera into the right light for each one of his students. He certainly did so for me.

    I’ve been traveling for 9 years now and have been a self taught mature photographer for a good majority of that time. I was looking to step my craft up a few notches but just couldn’t seem to get past a certain level… I knew I was grasping all that my camera could do, and the frustration of not being able to capture a shot just the way I wanted it was beginning to kill my creativity. Then, along came Kevin. He was the key to unlocking the magic! Answered so many questions and inspired so many more, then gave me the answers with hands on experience. I’m inspired all over again. Thank you Kevin!!!

    Rebecca Soul Seeking Ninja

    Kevin and Pansa introduced me to the local life in Chiang Mai, which allowed me to feel more comfortable in approaching people in the markets and later with the hill tribes. Along the way I was learning from a well respected professional photographer, who showed excitement for my photography as well as any photo opportunity that came our way. I look forward to my next journey with Kevin and Pansa, where we can create an even more special adventure over a few days.

    I don’t normally write reviews so this was special for me and I am sure it will be just as special for you.

    Jack Retired
    Facebook Instagram Youtube Linkedin