Paris Photography Workshop 2 - April 12-18, 2027

An Intimate 5-Day Photography Retreat

Come join me in Paris for 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 offers personal instruction and real-time feedback in the field. We will photograph many of Paris’s most iconic locations, along with hidden gems and quieter corners that reveal a different side of the city.

But this workshop is also about experiencing Paris itself. We will make time for French cuisine, neighborhood cafés, local culture, and those moments between shoots that are every bit as much a part of Paris as the photographs we create.

This all-inclusive workshop includes:

• Airport Pick-up Upon Arrival

• 6 nights in a handpicked 4-star boutique hotel (Dames Des Arts). I have reserved the Signature Rooms

• Daily breakfast and welcome 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 can 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 any questions you have.

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.

A Note About the Schedule: This is our planned itinerary, but one of the advantages of a small group is the ability to stay flexible. Our schedule may change based on weather, light, local conditions, special events, or other factors. If better photographic opportunities arise, we may adjust locations or timing to make the most of our time in Paris.

Arrival Day | April 12: Welcome to Paris & Arc de Triomphe

Arrive, check in, and settle into Hôtel Dame des Arts. 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, discuss our approach to photographing Paris, and answer questions.

Group Dinner: A relaxed dinner together before our first shoot. This gives everyone a chance to get to know one another before we head out with our cameras.

Evening Photography | Arc de Triomphe & Champs Élysées: We will begin at the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées, photographing one of Paris’s most iconic areas 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 1 | April 13: Eiffel Tower, Opéra District, Tuileries & Louvre

Sunrise Photography | Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Avenue de Camoëns & Bir Hakeim: We will photograph the Eiffel Tower at first light, before the crowds arrive, working with several very different perspectives of Paris’s most recognizable landmark.

Breakfast and Free Time: Return to the hotel, recharge, download images, or enjoy the neighborhood.

After Breakfast | Musée Gustave Moreau, Palais Garnier & Galeries Lafayette: We will head to the Musée Gustave Moreau, followed by Palais Garnier and Galeries Lafayette. This part of the day gives us a mix of intimate interiors, grand architecture, details, and elevated city views, with plenty of opportunities to work on composition and photographing indoors.

Afternoon Break: Return to Hôtel Dame des Arts for some downtime, image review, battery charging, or simply a little rest.

Group Dinner

Evening Photography | Louvre Pyramids & Tuileries Garden: In the evening, we will photograph the Louvre Pyramids and Tuileries Garden, working from golden hour into blue hour. This session is ideal for practicing architectural composition, reflections, symmetry, and long exposures as the city lights begin to come on.

Day 2 | April 14: Pont des Arts, Palais Royal, Rodin & Pont Alexandre III

Sunrise Photography | Pont des Arts, Louvre & Seine Riverbank: We will begin the morning at Pont des Arts, then work our way toward the Louvre and along the Seine Riverbank. This session focuses on soft morning light, reflections, leading lines, and finding strong compositions before the city gets busy.

Breakfast and Free Time

After Breakfast | Palais Royal, Colonnes de Buren, Galerie Vivienne & Musée Rodin: We will photograph Palais Royal and the Colonnes de Buren, then continue to the elegant Galerie Vivienne before heading to the Musée Rodin and its gardens. This session gives us a great mix of architecture, symmetry, interior details, sculpture, and garden photography.

Afternoon Break: Time at the hotel to rest, review images, or work on photographs from the first two days.

Group Dinner

Evening Photography | Pont Alexandre III & Invalides: In the evening, we will photograph Pont Alexandre III and the Invalides area from golden hour into blue hour. This session gives us excellent opportunities to work with symmetry, leading lines, reflections, city lights, and long exposures along the Seine.

Workshop Day 3 | April 15: Montmartre & Paris Street Art

Early Morning Photography | Montmartre: We will begin in Montmartre before the neighborhood gets busy, photographing Rue de l'Abreuvoir, La Maison Rose, Le Consulat, the Montmartre stairways, and the Lamarck area. Along the way, we will also spend time on street photography, using the quieter morning streets to work on composition, layers, people, and the character of the neighborhood.

Breakfast and Free Time

After Breakfast | 13th Arrondissement Street Art: We will head to the 13th Arrondissement to photograph some of Paris’s most impressive large-scale street art and murals. This session will focus on color, graphic composition, scale, storytelling, and how to photograph urban art in a way that incorporates the surrounding environment rather than simply documenting a mural.

Afternoon Break: Return to the hotel for some downtime and image review.

Group Dinner

Evening Photography | Flexible Location: We will keep this evening flexible so we can respond to the weather, light, and the group’s energy. Depending on conditions, we may return to the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, or another location that offers the best photographic opportunities that evening.

I like keeping this one flexible. By Day 3, you will know which locations deserve another look and where the weather may have worked against you earlier in the week.

Workshop Day 4 | April 16: Notre Dame, Île Saint Louis, Pont Neuf, Latin Quarter & Luxembourg Gardens

Sunrise Photography | Notre Dame & Île Saint Louis: We will begin the morning photographing Notre Dame and the Seine before crossing onto Île Saint Louis. This session will focus on soft morning light, reflections, quiet streets, architectural details, and finding strong compositions before this part of Paris gets busy.

Breakfast and Free Time

After Breakfast | Notre Dame Interior, Sainte Chapelle, Place Dauphine, Latin Quarter & Luxembourg Gardens: We will explore the interior of Notre Dame before continuing to Sainte Chapelle, Place Dauphine, the Latin Quarter, and Luxembourg Gardens. This session gives us a mix of dramatic interiors, historic architecture, quiet squares, gardens, and street photography, with plenty of opportunities to work on light, detail, composition, and storytelling.

Afternoon Break: Return to Hôtel Dame des Arts to rest and prepare for the evening session.

Group Dinner

Evening Photography | Pont Alexandre III, Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars: In the evening, we will photograph Pont Alexandre III before continuing toward the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. This session will focus on golden hour, blue hour, city lights, reflections, and long exposure techniques, while giving us another chance to photograph some of Paris’s most iconic views under changing evening light.

Workshop Day 5 | April 17: Louvre, Le Marais & Final Night in Paris

Sunrise Photography | Louvre Pyramids & Seine Riverbank: We will return to the Louvre early in the morning when the area feels completely different from our evening session earlier in the week. We will photograph the pyramids, surrounding architecture, and Seine Riverbank while working with soft morning light, symmetry, reflections, and cleaner compositions before the crowds arrive.

Breakfast and Free Time

Late Morning | Le Marais, Hôtel de Sully & Place des Vosges: We will spend the late morning exploring one of Paris’s most photogenic neighborhoods. Rather than moving from monument to monument, this session will focus on finding photographs in everyday Paris, historic streets, architecture, cafés, storefronts, people, details, and the quieter moments that give a neighborhood its personality.

Lunch & French Culture: We will slow things down over lunch and enjoy the food and atmosphere that make Paris such a special place to experience and photograph.

Afternoon Break: Back at the hotel, we will spend dedicated time working through images from the week. We will discuss selections, composition, editing choices, Lightroom techniques, and how to take a strong image from capture through the final edit.

Final Group Dinner: Our last dinner together and a chance to look back at the week.

Final Evening Photography | Photographer’s Choice: We will use our final evening to respond to the weather conditions and what we have learned throughout the week. We may return to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Pont Alexandre III, the Seine, or another favorite location.

Rather than forcing one predetermined location, this final session can also give participants an opportunity to revisit a subject they want to photograph differently after everything they have learned during the workshop.

Departure Day | April 18

Enjoy breakfast at your own pace before checking out of Hôtel Dame des Arts and heading home.

There is no formal photography session scheduled for departure morning. Anyone who wants one final walk with a camera can certainly head out, but I would keep this morning relaxed.

Participants leave Paris with new photographs, stronger photography skills, a better understanding of editing and composition, 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 and Italian, and speaks Spanish and Arabic.

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? $6,800 USD. This covers the full workshop fee, six nights of hotel accommodations in a private room, airport pickup, daily breakfast and welcome dinner, all transportation within the workshop, and entry tickets to all scheduled locations.

What is the activity level? We shoot every day, starting at dawn and wrapping up after sunset. You should be comfortable walking 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 near Notre Dame. Most likely, we will be at the Dames Des Arts in the 6th Arrondissement. 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.

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 & Dinners

• 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 us for breakfast and dinner.

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

Spouses or travel companions may occasionally be invited to join an evening photography session, dinner, or a social activity at the workshop leader's discretion.

Participants are responsible for any additional hotel, meal, transportation, admission, or other costs associated with their spouse or companion.

How do I get to the hotel?  We will provide an airport transfer to your hotel.

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 on January 12, 2027, unless 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.