Paris Photography Workshop 2 - April 11-18, 2027

An Intimate 5-Day Photography Retreat in the City of Light

This is not a photo tour. It is a small-group, hands-on photography workshop in one of the most photogenic cities in the world, designed to genuinely improve how you see, shoot, and edit.

Limited to just 6 photographers, this workshop gives you personal instruction, real-time feedback in the field, and dedicated editing sessions built around the best light Paris has to offer.

This all-inclusive workshop includes:

• Private room in a handpicked 4-star boutique hotel with views of Notre-Dame

• Daily breakfast and dinner

• All transportation within the workshop itinerary

• Entry tickets to all scheduled locations

• Rooftop access to the Arc de Triomphe for sunset and night photography

• Personal instruction in a group of just 6 photographers

• Two pre-trip Zoom sessions covering logistics, gear, and preparation

• One post-workshop Zoom to share your favorite images from the trip

Capture the Timeless Beauty of Paris

From the golden light along the Seine to the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, Paris rewards photographers who know where to go and when to be there. Over five days, you will work through the city's most iconic locations at the right time of day, with guidance at every step.

This workshop is designed for photographers of all levels. You will leave with a strong portfolio, sharper technical skills, and real confidence in how you approach a city with your camera.

Before You Arrive | Pre-Trip Zoom Sessions

Your workshop experience starts well before you land in Paris. After you register, you join two group Zoom calls designed to make sure you arrive confident, prepared, and ready to shoot from day one.

Zoom 1 | 60 Days Before Departure We cover trip logistics, the daily schedule, what to pack, gear recommendations, and how to prepare your camera settings before you arrive. This is also a great time to meet your fellow participants and ask anything on your mind.

Zoom 2 | 7 to 10 Days Before Departure A final check-in before you board your flight. We go over any last-minute questions, confirm meeting point details, and do a quick weather check so you know exactly what to expect when you land.

Both sessions are recorded and shared with all registered participants.

Daily Schedule

Sunrise sessions are planned throughout the week. Participation is optional and weather-dependent, but these early outings often offer the most atmospheric light of the day.

Day 1 | April 12: Welcome and Sunset Along the Seine

Arrive, check in, and settle into your hotel. Take time to rest or explore the neighborhood before we begin.

4:00 PM | Workshop Introduction We meet as a group to outline the week, cover logistics, and answer questions.

Group Dinner A relaxed dinner together before our first shoot. A good chance to get to know each other before we head out with cameras.

Evening Photography | Seine River We start along the Seine, photographing Notre-Dame, Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, and Pont Alexandre III from golden hour through blue hour. This first session sets the tone for the week: working with available light, strong compositions, and precise timing.

Day 2 | April 13: Sunrise, Tuileries, and the Louvre

Sunrise Photography | Trocadéro and Avenue de Camoëns We photograph the Eiffel Tower in the first light of morning before the crowds arrive.

Breakfast and Free Time Recharge at the hotel or explore nearby.

Afternoon | Tuileries Gardens and Palais-Royal Courtyard We photograph the formal geometry of the Tuileries before moving into the elegant symmetry and reflections around the Palais-Royal and Louvre district. The late afternoon light through the garden allées is worth the stop.

Group Dinner

Evening | Louvre Pyramid We close the day at the iconic glass pyramid, where modern lines meet centuries of history in dramatic evening light.

Day 3 | April 14: Montmartre, Luxembourg Gardens, and Place des Vosges

Sunrise Photography | Sacré-Cœur Quiet, golden light over the Montmartre hillside before the city wakes up.

Breakfast and Free Time

Afternoon | Luxembourg Gardens and Place des Vosges Instead of an editing session today, we head out to shoot. Luxembourg Gardens gives you formal French garden geometry, soft diffused light through the chestnut trees, and one of the most peaceful environments in the city for slowing down and working a scene carefully. From there, we move to Place des Vosges in the Marais, the oldest planned square in Paris. The arcaded facades, iron lamp posts, and central fountain create a strong graphic environment that rewards patience and precise framing.

Group Dinner | Montmartre

Evening Photography | Montmartre Streets Wander the cobblestone streets around Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Rue Foyatier, La Maison Rose, and Moulin de la Galette. These locations are ideal for exploring light, perspective, and story.

Day 4 | April 15: Notre-Dame, 13th Arrondissement, and Bir-Hakeim

Early Morning | Notre-Dame We photograph Notre-Dame from multiple viewpoints while the streets are still quiet.

Breakfast and Free Time

Afternoon | 13th Arrondissement Street Art This is the session that surprises most people. The 13th is home to one of the largest open-air street art collections in Europe, with large-scale murals by internationally recognized artists covering entire building facades along Rue Jeanne d'Arc, Avenue de Choisy, and the streets around the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. Afternoon light hits the east-facing walls cleanly and gives you strong color and contrast. We will work on framing large murals, finding foreground elements, and shooting environmental portraits using the street art as context. This is pure urban photography, and it is a completely different energy from the rest of the week.

Late Afternoon | Eiffel Tower District We work through a variety of perspectives in the Champ de Mars area before dinner.

Evening | Bir-Hakeim Bridge After dinner, we photograph the Eiffel Tower from Bir-Hakeim Bridge, known for its symmetry, elevated sightlines, and long-exposure potential. This session also includes individual portrait opportunities for each participant.

Day 5 | April 16: Eiffel Tower, Jules Verne, and Montparnasse

Sunrise | Louvre Area An early session capturing reflections, symmetry, and soft morning light around the Louvre.

Breakfast and Free Time

Midday | Eiffel Tower and Lunch at Jules Verne We photograph the tower from street level before heading up for a 7-course lunch at Le Jules Verne, the two-Michelin-star restaurant on the second floor. After lunch, we photograph Paris from this elevated vantage point.

Evening Photography | Seine River We start along the Seine, photographing Notre-Dame, Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, and Pont Alexandre III from golden hour through blue hour. This first session sets the tone for the week: working with available light, strong compositions, and precise timing.

Closing Note These five days are designed around light, timing, and location. You leave with a strong portfolio and, more importantly, a clearer eye for how to photograph a city with intention.

Day 6 | Departure

Enjoy breakfast at your own pace before heading home with new skills, new images, and, hopefully, a few new friendships.

After the Workshop | Post-Trip Zoom

About two to three weeks after we get home, we reconvene on Zoom for one last session together. Everyone shares their favorite images from the trip. No critiques, no pressure. Just a group of photographers who spent five days shooting Paris together, showing each other what they came away with. It is always one of the best parts of the whole experience.

Meet Your Instructor

Vito L. Tanzi is an internationally published travel and wildlife photographer, author, and educator based in Washington, DC. He has photographed across more than 75 countries and taught photography workshops and photo walks for students ranging from beginners to working professionals. His work has appeared in Condé Nast and CNN, among others. Vito teaches with a focus on practical, real-world technique, and his goal is simple: help you leave better than you arrived. He is also fluent in French, Italian, and speaks Spanish and Arabic.

Joining Vito on this workshop is his wife, Dr. Zena Hammoud, a board-certified Infectious Disease Physician and Internal Medicine Doctor. Dr. Hammoud will be on hand throughout the workshop and is happy to assist if any participant has health questions or concerns during the trip.

What You Will Learn

• How to read and use natural light in urban environments

• Camera settings for golden hour, blue hour, and low-light shooting

• Composition techniques for cityscape and architectural photography

• Long exposure techniques for motion and light effects

• Practical editing in Lightroom and Photoshop

• How to develop your own visual style with personalized feedback

Instruction is tailored to your experience level. Questions are always encouraged.

What You Will Learn

• How to read and use natural light in urban environments

• Camera settings for golden hour, blue hour, and low-light shooting

• Composition techniques for cityscape and architectural photography

• Long exposure techniques for motion and light effects

• Practical editing in Lightroom and Photoshop

• How to develop your own visual style with personalized feedback

Instruction is tailored to your experience level. Questions are always encouraged.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the workshop cost? $5,450 USD. This covers the full workshop fee, five nights of hotel accommodations in a private room, daily breakfast and dinner, all transportation within the workshop, entry tickets to all scheduled locations, and the gourmet lunch at Le Jules Verne.

What is the activity level? We shoot every day, starting at dawn and wrapping up after sunset. You should be comfortable walking short distances with a camera bag and standing for extended periods. Participants range from their 20s to their 80s. If you have specific mobility concerns, contact us before registering.

Where are we staying? A centrally located 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of Paris with views of Notre-Dame. Most likely we will be at the Dames Des Arts in the 6th Arrondisement. All participants receive a private room. Full hotel details are provided after registration. Reach out if you have specific questions or preferences.

What should I wear? Paris in late April and early May typically runs between 50°F and 68°F (10°C to 20°C) with a mix of sun and spring showers. Pack comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, a light jacket, and a rain jacket or small umbrella. Dress is casual but practical for long days outdoors.

Should I bring medications? Pack any prescription medications you take regularly, along with a small supply of personal essentials. Dr. Zena Hammoud, a board-certified Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine Physician, will be present throughout the workshop and is happy to assist with any health concerns that arise.

What gear should I bring?

Camera and lenses:

• DSLR or mirrorless camera

• Wide-angle to medium telephoto lens (16-35mm or 24-70mm)

• Telephoto lens (70-200mm)

Support and accessories:

• Sturdy tripod

• Wireless remote or cable release

• Extra batteries and memory cards

• Microfiber lens cloth

• Rain cover for your camera

• Camera backpack

Recommended filters:

• Circular polarizer

• 10-stop ND filter (ND1000)

• 3-stop and 6-stop ND filters

Tech essentials:

• Laptop with Lightroom and/or Photoshop

• Battery charger and card reader

• USB cables

• France travel adapter (Type C/E)

What experience level is required? All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced shooters. Instruction is adapted to where you are. No prior workshop experience is necessary.

What is not included?

• Airfare and airport transfers

• Visa fees (if applicable)

• Early check-in or late check-out

• Lunch (except the included Jules Verne lunch)

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal expenses and travel insurance

• City tax

• Tips and gratuities

Can my spouse join? Your spouse is welcome to stay at the hotel (the hotel typically charges a small additional fee for a second guest). They can join you for breakfast, the included gourmet lunch, and dinner on your own time.

To keep the group dynamic and learning environment intact, spouses are not able to join photography sessions or instruction time. Paris offers no shortage of ways to spend a day, and our afternoon breaks give you time together before the evening shoot.

How do I get to the hotel? Most hotels offer an airport shuttle for an additional fee. We will provide specific transfer details and recommendations after you register.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Your workshop registration reserves one of a limited number of spaces and may result in nonrefundable expenses and commitments made by Chasing Hippoz LLC on your behalf. The following cancellation policy therefore applies:

Deposit and Final Payment

A $1,000 deposit is required to reserve your place in the workshop. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the scheduled workshop start date. If you register within 90 days of the workshop, the full workshop fee is due at the time of registration.

The deposit becomes nonrefundable 14 days after registration, except if Chasing Hippoz LLC cancels the workshop. During the first 14 days after registration, you may cancel and receive a refund of the deposit, less any nonrefundable payment processing fees actually incurred.

If the remaining balance is not received by the final payment deadline, Chasing Hippoz LLC may cancel your registration and offer your place to another participant. Any refund of amounts already paid will be governed by the cancellation terms below.

Cancellations more than 30 days before the workshop

If you cancel more than 30 days before the scheduled start date and Chasing Hippoz LLC is able to fill your space with another paying participant, you will receive a refund of all amounts paid, less any nonrefundable payment processing fees actually incurred.

If your space cannot be filled, you will receive a refund of all amounts paid, less a $1,000 cancellation fee and any nonrefundable payment processing fees actually incurred.

For purposes of this policy, a space is considered filled when a replacement participant has completed registration and paid the required workshop fee.

Cancellations 30 days or less before the workshop

No refunds will be provided for cancellations made 30 days or less before the scheduled workshop start date.

Travel Insurance

Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage. Chasing Hippoz LLC is not responsible for losses resulting from illness, injury, flight disruptions, personal emergencies, or other circumstances that prevent a participant from attending the workshop.

Cancellation by Chasing Hippoz LLC

The workshop requires a minimum of four registered participants. If the minimum enrollment is not reached, Chasing Hippoz LLC may cancel the workshop. If Chasing Hippoz LLC cancels the workshop, participants will receive a full refund of all workshop fees paid to Chasing Hippoz LLC, including the deposit.

Chasing Hippoz LLC is not responsible for airfare, hotels, transportation, travel insurance, visa costs, or other expenses incurred by participants in connection with the workshop. Participants should avoid making nonrefundable travel arrangements and are strongly encouraged to purchase appropriate travel insurance.

If circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Chasing Hippoz LLC materially affect the workshop, including severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, government restrictions, transportation disruptions, or similar events, Chasing Hippoz LLC may modify, postpone, relocate, or cancel the workshop. Any refund or credit in such circumstances will take into account amounts that Chasing Hippoz LLC has already paid or committed to third parties and cannot reasonably recover.

Still have questions? Email us at vito@chasinghippoz.com. We are happy to help.