As fall proceeds apace, ripping off calendar pages, hell bent on winter, I find quiet reverie in the rich memory of Tuscan days, when the cold was not in sight. It was a time of camaraderie, attended by the rich hues of Tuscany, beckoning our cameras, and a time to thoroughly enjoy the magic of the Italian table. In the ancient Villa Pozzolo, we would literally awake to the smells of a gorgeous breakfast, wafting down the rough hewn halls of this historic structure. The tang of breakfast in the air faded to the lovely mix of the aromas of lunch and dinner being prepared. The kitchen literally cooked, magnificently, all day. And the chefs cooked only for us! No other guests. It allowed us the joy of a table together every night and laughter till all hours.
It also allowed myself and my fellow instructor, the intrepid Tamara Lackey, to tee off in critiques in unvarnished, helpful, humorous fashion! We collectively pushed our participants to greater stretches of style and photographic approach, and it was wonderful to see all leave with their photography in a distinctly different place than when they arrived.
Such was our Tuscany workshop this past September. Grateful for a memorable week with my dear friend Tamara, and an incredibly talented group of photographers and wonderful companions. Even though I’ve been to Tuscany multiple times, you always discover something new. Endless culture to explore, beautiful landscapes, and of course, amazing Italian faces.
Per usual, Annie Cahill produced the trip in impeccable fashion, enjoying the deep knowledge and professionalism of Paola Angelini and her company Guided Florence Tours. Paola organized terrific local experiences for us in Florence, orchestrating a private day at one of the oldest Florence theatres which we populated with stage actors and actresses in authentic costumes. She and fellow tour guides were not only remarkable in the depth of their knowledge, but lots of fun and very patient!
Big thanks to our Florence hotel, Hotel Calimala, whose helpful and friendly staff really went the extra mile. Which, speaking of miles, we did not have to trek, given the ideal location of the hotel. It’s right in the middle of the richly historic district of Florence. You literally walk out the door into Florentine splendor.
Sought-after places get more and more crowded each year, so we assay to “own” experiences and shun the madding hordes. A first for me – and a highlight – was a fantastic private photo shoot day thanks to Drive the Vintage providing classic Vespas and Fiats and beautiful Italian models, complete with scarves, sunglasses and a sense of 60’s Italy. Staging was at the picturesque vineyard Fratelli Urbani, with a Fiat converted to an on-location pizza oven! That Fiat had a crowd around it all day.
The romance of Italy awaited as we migrated from bustling magnificence of Florence to the serenely beautiful quietude of the aforementioned Villa Pozzolo, as close to an original Tuscan villa as you’ll find.
And drumroll…which is why we are returning to Italy next October! The workshop this year sold-out fast and had a waitlist, so we opened up 2025 early so folks could get a jump on trip planning.
A twist to next October will be heading west to Pietrasanta after our time in Florence. Instead of a Villa stay, we will have a beautiful, small boutique hotel all to ourselves! Albergo Pietrasanta will host our group and they could not be more warm and welcoming. Lots of things in walking distance to the hotel and it’s a quiet artisans community with lots to do!
photos above by Tamara Lackey
During our scout this summer, we came to realize that this little, out of the way town is a true, modern haven for the traditional arts. For instance, we met this wonderful stone worker seen below, and are orchestrating private photo sessions with different artists. Portraiture always plays a role in our workshops, be it simply done with ambient light and a reflector, or with adding flash or constant light. We always have Profoto lighting, and now we are trekking with simple, lightweight constant light sources. Portrait encounters with fellow artists always open up fascinating doorways in the head and the heart.
Our 2025 Tuscany Workshop will be a complete experience – portraiture, street shooting, gorgeous landscapes, macro work, group critiques, one-on-time with me and Tamara, and of course, great food and wine! Will be counting the days as winter approaches.
More tk…
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The upcoming 2025 workshop in Tuscany sounds promising, and I can’t wait to hear more about the unique experiences you had! Thank you for sharing this delightful glimpse into your Tuscan adventures! I love how you captured the essence of not only the place but also the joy of learning and growing together.
Nice article
What a beautifully written reflection on your Tuscany workshop! The way you describe the atmosphere, from the Tuscan landscapes to the culinary delights, truly brings the experience to life. It’s clear that the combination of artistry, camaraderie, and rich local culture creates a truly transformative experience for your participants. The private photo shoots and unique settings, such as the vintage Vespas and Fiats, add an authentic charm that no doubt enhances the creativity of everyone involved.
Your emphasis on pushing participants to stretch their style and photographic approach is inspiring. It’s not just about taking great photos, but about evolving as a photographer. The way you highlight the intimate, personal connections made through the workshop—whether with fellow photographers or local artists—demonstrates how valuable these experiences are beyond just technical skills.
I’m excited for the upcoming 2025 workshop and can already imagine how the new location and opportunities for portraiture with local artisans will elevate the experience. It sounds like it will be yet another unforgettable chapter in your Tuscany adventure.
It will be! We’ll be doing a whole gamut of genres, from cityscapes to landscapes to portraits and fashion. It will be fun, and it always moves people to different places in their photography. can’t wait!
All best, Thierry! Hoping maybe to see you in Tuscany??