A Photographic Exploration of Havana and The Friendly People of Cuba
Join me, renown photographer Rudy Giron for a 7-day, photographic discovery of Havana – soaking up the Cuban capital’s extraordinarily rich tropical blend of architectural traditions, and mingling with its almost uniquely warm and welcoming inhabitants.
- Workshop: Travel / Street Photography
- Group Size: Maximum 6 participants
- Skill Levels: All
During this 7 day photography workshop we will address the techniques of urban travel photography as we encounter and capture the magic of this mesmerising city and its fervent Caribbean culture including the architecture, colonial and modern, and those iconic vintage vehicles, American and Soviet.
Imagine spending a fascinating few days in a such a famously captivating city, exploring distinctive, characterful neighbourhoods, taking photographs, tasting new foods, making new amigos, while truly venturing outside the familiar boundaries of everyday life and developing new skills you can take home with you and use on future adventures.
Through this small, private photo workshop you’ll sharpen your image-capturing skills and become both more observant and more technically-proficient as a photographer. You’ll learn and put in practice the techniques of candid street photography, such as taking superior portraits of strangers using both natural light and flash, with special sessions on nocturnal photography.
There’s really no better place on earth to learn and practice these photographic skills than the pulsating, hospitable city of La Habana.
Apr 19 – 25, 2020 — 7-day Travel & Street Photography Workshop*
Dec 5 – 11, 2020 — 7-day Travel & Street Photography Workshop*
Make your reservation by clicking the Pay Now button below:
“No one can predict what will happen to Cuba in the coming years, which is why you must rush there now. As in, right now.” —Reif Larsen, Havana’s Symphony of Sound, NYTimes
Life-changing Experience
7-days of photographic discovery of captivating Havana and its warm and friendly people to discover the true soul of Cuba.
Focus
Learn travel and street photography techniques to interact with subjects, to grow as photographer and to find your personal vision.
Small Group Tuition
The workshop is limited to 6 students of photography, advanced amateurs or professional photographers.
Workshop Cost: $1,999 [$1,199 workshop only. $800 spouses or partners not taking the workshop]
Make your reservation today: Click this “Pay Now” button to make your $999 reservation deposit. Once you have made your reservation deposit, I will send additional information including what to bring. Balance is due 60 days prior to the workshop.
What’s included:Tuition with Rudy Giron
- José Martí International Airport from/to transfers
- 6-night lodging in single occupancy apartments in Vedado, at one of the tallest buildings in Cuba.
- All breakfasts prepared by a Cuban cook
- Welcome and farewell dinners at privately-run restaurants
- Iconic vintage car ride
- Hop-on hop-off open-top bus ride
- Local, bilingual guide
- Interaction with locals and a Cuban photographer
What’s not included:
- Airfare from/to your home city.
- Visas and travel insurance (required).
- Alcoholic drinks in excess of what is included in the meals.
- Extra accommodation expenses
- Any activities or travel not included in the itinerary
- Any expenses of a personal nature (i.e. souvenirs)
Cancellations & Refunds
Deposits are non-refundable. For refunds, we require that a cancellation request in writing be received 91 days before your photo workshop begins. If we receive your written cancellation request at least 91 days before the photography workshop begins, and we can refill your space, we will refund all payments, minus your reservation deposit and any discounts given to refill your space. If we cannot refill your space, we will refund 50% of all payments, minus your reservation deposit. No refunds are given, nor cancellations allowed, 90 days or less before your photo tour begins. No partial refunds are given for unused services.
Dec 27 – 29, 2019 — 20-hr Street Photography Workshop [SOLD]
Dec 30 – Jan 3, 2020 — 5-day Travel Photography Workshop [SOLD]
Feb 15 – 21, 2020 — 7-day Travel & Street Photography Workshop*
Apr 18 – 25, 2020 — 7-day Travel & Street Photography Workshop*
*Also available as a private workshop
Itinerary highlights
Day 1:
Arrival at Havana. Airport transfer to accommodations. Walk by Malecón. Meet and greet. Welcome dinner at a restaurant with the best panoramic vistas of Havana.
Day 2:
Morning Street photography exploration of La Habana Vieja. Afternoon drive to Viñales and photo walk.
Day 3:
Morning Vintage car ride through Havana’s neighborhoods and landmarks. Night Havana’s skyline photos from El Morro castle.
Day 4:
Morning photographic exploration of Havana’s barrios through hop-on hop-off open-top bus tour. Photo walk through El Centro neighborhood. Visit to a Cuban home with a portrait photo session of a Cuban family. Night photos of iconic buildings and plazas.
Day 5:
Photo walk by the Vedado neighborhood. Night photos of iconic buildings and plazas. Tasting of churros and chocolate in Old Havana.
Day 6:
Morning Photo walk through Barrio Chino and Regla. An afternoon at the historic national monument The Colon Cemetery. Dinner at a top-rated restaurant near Parque Central.
Day 7:
Last minute souvenir shopping and airport transfers.
[Proposed itinerary is subject to changes. We are always optimizing the photographic experience]
Bring lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes because you’ll spend lots of time on your feet.
Before your departure, you will receive tons of helpful, a complete itinerary, detailed information to help you prepare for your adventure. From camera gear advice to packing suggestions, you’ll get lots of help to ensure your trip is one of learning and image making instead of problems and hassles.
Is it legal for U.S. citizens and legal residents to travel to Cuba?
Yes, it is! As long as your reason for traveling falls under one of the 12 general licenses issued by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
- Family visits
- Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
- Journalistic activity
- Professional research and professional meetings
- Educational activities
- Religious activities
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
- Support for the Cuban people
- Humanitarian projects
- Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
- Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
- Certain authorized export transactions
Disclaimer: We are are not lawyers and none of the above is meant to be taken as legal advice. If you have further questions please contact us and/or consult your own legal council.
What licenses do you typically travel under?
By only using privately-owned accommodations, eating at privately-owned restaurants, and hiring local entrepreneurs and tour guides, while maintaining an agenda of meaningful interactions with the Cuban people our photo workshops satisfy the requirements for the general license of support for the Cuban people (See license #8).
