Creative Escapes

Japan

JAPAN PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY  |  10 -19 MAY, 2024 **FULL** | 20 - 29 SEPTEMBER, 2024 **5 SPACES LEFT**  | £3500

JAPAN PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Japan is a world apart – a wonderful little planet floating off the coast of China – its ancient culture a bounty of riches. From the grace of golden-robed monks at dawn to the ethereal beauty of a Zen rock garden, Japan has the power to enthral any traveller.

This is a place to leave your comfort zone without being uncomfortable. Whether it’s staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), soaking in a bubbling onsen (hot spring) or gazing at the apparition of a geisha, Japan offers regular doses of ‘wow’ against a backdrop of ultra-modern comfort.

From a stay in a temple at a 1200-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site, grooving with Elvis in Yoyogi park, eating divine morsels in our pick of Japan’s tiny gastropubs, to glimpsing sacred Mount Fuji from bubbling hot springs – you’ll get behind the scenes of this country, both new and old on our Japan photography tour.

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“Creative Escapes takes everyday travel experiences to an inspiring new level. You’ll learn new creative skills, meet like-minded folk and traipse off the beaten path for a holiday to remember. The experienced guides are photography gurus and passionate travellers, who will lead you to the hippest hotels and the prettiest locations on the quirkiest of adventures. Fun is foremost so there is never a dull moment”

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Highlights.

Combining ancient culture with exquisite natural landscapes and dazzling modernity, the Asian nation is stirring an increasing number of travellers’ souls. There has always been a fascination about getting ‘lost in translation’ when it comes to travel, and there’s really no better place to do this than Japan. This is a country where the past meets the future. It can seem full of contradictions – Japanese culture stretches back millennia, yet has also been quick to adopt and create technology, fashion and art.

Our Japan Photography Tour of the “Land of the Rising Sun” curates our pick of the most photogenic hotspots, takes you behind the scenes to get a closer look, and mixes old with new like no other.

On our Japan Photography Tour, you’ll learn to:
Perfect the art of street photography in the most vibrant city on the planet
Gain new skills in low light photography – just after dusk when colours ping
Create narrative-led monochromes inside the world’s largest fish market
Understand insider tips on travel photography to make your images stand out.
Practice landscapes at 4,000ft fronting sacred Mount Fuji.
Hone your decisive moment in the backstreets of Kyoto shooting Geisha.
Create a photo series inside a 1200 year old UNESCO pilgrimage site.

How many guests are on each tour? – We only take a maximum of 10 on each tour, per tutor. That way, you can get lots of 1-to-1 guidance from your tutor, learn at your own pace – so you produce photographs that are personal to you.

What’s included on the tour? – We price things pretty simply, all accommodation, tours, tuition, materials, entrance passes and 1-to-1 sessions are included, only flights and meals are extra.

What’s the level of accommodation? – Our hotels are comfortable as we know for you to get the most out of a trip you need to relax and sleep. We pick boutique, interesting, usually smaller and off the beaten track or located to be handy for a planned experience.

How is Creative Escapes different? – Many photography holidays teach you someone else’s style. We teach you to shoot like you – all tuition is done 1-to-1, so you create unique images that are personal to you.

How do I book flights? – To save you money, our team scours the internet to find the best quality flights at the lowest possible price, arrive early and depart late, so you get the maximum amount of time of your holiday on the ground.

I’m a beginner, is this for me? – Around 50% of guests on each tour are beginners, we get some who buy the camera in duty-free. Since we teach you individually, you can develop your skills at your own pace.

How fit do I need to be on your tours? – We plan our tours for all fitness levels, so you can either be dropped right at the location or tour around a little to get your bearings.

What kit do I need? – We always say, bring what you have or can borrow. We spend much of the tour working with you 1-to-1 working out what type of photographer you are, so only then will you really know what kit you really need that suits you.

I’m a vegetarian – do you cater for that? – We like to choose restaurants locals would eat at, that way you feel more traveller less tourist. All of our choices feature a good selection of menu options to suit vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten-free and dairy-free.

How do I book? – Simply click on the Book button on the trip page, or the shopping cart icon on the home page – fill in your details and we’ll do the rest!

More FAQs – CLICK HERE

Itinerary.

We’ll meet you fresh off the plane at Tokyo Haneda and into our boutique hotel in eastern downtown, where Tokyo’s modern cityscape intersects with the charm of old Edo. Here, we’ll meet up with locals Ito and Mari, and start our Japan photography tour with a gentle walk to spots only locals know about – exploring craft factories, shrines, temples, small coffee roasters, Japanese sake bars, and art galleries – a view of the city far from the tourist trail.

Next morning, we’ll dive into some skills in street photography, then tour the hotspots of the city by metro, from the edgy street fashion culture of Harajuku, catch a wedding by the Meiji shrine then shoot the famous Shibuya crossing at dusk. We’ll round off the day with a well-deserved cocktail at the bar on the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt, made famous by the 2003 film ‘Lost in Translation’.

Up early this morning to Sunday church – to Senso-ji. It is the oldest Buddhist temple in the capital, and five-story pagoda, trails of incense and vast eaves will take you back to a Tokyo of time gone by.

Later, we’ll swing by Akihabara to tune into Japan’s bizarre otaku culture, then over to the glitzy Kabuchiko, a district of Shinjuku – full of neon, and to Golden Gai, a Blade Runner style film nestled in the backstreets – the perfect night shoot of your life. There’s just time for a beer at a quaint izakaya bar and some snacks before taking a look at the best shots of the day.

Today, we’ll head west a few hours to Hakone, Tokyo’s favourite escape. It’s a Japanese ideal: a land of onsen (natural hot springs) and jagged, misty mountains. At the centre is calm, cool Lake Ashi, a natural reflecting pool for Mt Fuji, which rises in the distance.

We’ll check into our modern ryokan, each room equipped with a private onsen pool facing the woods; our base to explore this spectacular region. We’ll ascend the Hakone Ropeway to the Owakudani crater, a mountaintop volcano with steam vents and bubbling pools; the views of sacred Mount Fuji are to die for.

We start early this morning, with a misty view of Fuji, chance to shoot some incredible vistas in soft light, then, if time permits (and you’re brave enough), we descend deep into the Hakone forests, for a dip in the hot springs at Tenzan Onsen – terraced natural outdoor pools at the foot of a wooded slope, with a stunning traditional style bath house.

Then, we depart south to Kōya-san – a raised tableland covered with thick forests and surrounded by eight peaks – the major attraction here is the Kōya-san monastic complex. One of Japan’s most rewarding destinations, for the natural setting of the area and the opportunity to stay in temples, we’ll get a glimpse of long-held traditions of Japanese life – shooting the morning offering at Okunoin Temple, witness 10,000 lanterns lit floor to ceiling at Torodo Hall, and snap the magical Shingon Buddhist fire ceremony.

We stay in a shokubo – cozy temple accommodation originally for Buddhist priests – with stunning cuisine, in house spa, and incredible views from each room.

Up early, we’re out before dawn to shoot the serene monks in saffron robes lighting incense and ringing bells, capture hypnotic morning chanting in the main hall, then photographing the stunning surroundings of this 1200 year old UNESCO site – this is a photographers paradise for all tastes.

Later, you’ll dine together in the main hall, resplendent in your yutaka robes, enjoying a bento box of edible delights, before a snooze in the most unique hotel room you ever stayed in.

Then to our final stop at Kyoto. With its rich colours, tradition, history and culture, Kyoto is a city that allows visitors a glimpse into the past: atmospheric temples, sublime gardens, traditional teahouses and geisha scurrying to secret liaisons. We check into our designer hotel in the heart of Gion, the stunning geisha district, then take a tour early evening through the ancient cobbled streets, before a review of the shots of the day.

Kyoto happens to have one of the world’s largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage sites; so today, we learn the inside track to on professional travel photography to shoot travel shots that stand out from the pack.

We first head west to shoot the other-worldy Arashiyama bamboo grove, catch the glinting Kinkaku-Ji, – the Zen temple’s top two floors are completely covered in brilliant gold leaf creating a magnificent view against a bright blue sky and lush green garden. Towards dusk, we head to Fushimi Inari, Japan’s most famous shrine, on a hidden hike far from tourist eyes, exploring secluded trails that lead through to thousands of vibrant tori gates set against bamboo and beautiful evergreens. There’s just time for some street food and a chilled glass of something at a local izakaya to complete the day.

Time to flex your documentary and portraiture skills today, starting at the 400 year old Nishiki Market in Gion, which is known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen” by the locals. The vibrant and atmospheric market is the best traditional food market in the city and is lined with stalls offering tasty goodies such as yakitori, tempura and sashimi.

Later, we tour the backstreets around Pontocho Dori, famous for its geisha and traditional Japanese tea houses. And then one of the highlights of our tour, a private photoshoot in a 16th century temple of a stunning geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha). We’ll be on hand to help create your set, shoot your idea and enjoy one of the most memorable photoshoots you’ll ever experience. Truly stunning.

Finally, we round off our tour with a show of our finest images, before heading out to celebrate in the mazy backstreets of old Kyoto. Next morning, it’s time for a last bit of shopping, before we head to the airport and fly home.

Details : Japan Photography Tour

10 – 19 May, 2024
**Full**

20 – 29 September, 2024
**5 Places Left**

10 days. 9 nights. Starts in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto.

£3500 / £395 single supplement

Price includes
9 nights boutique accommodation at listed hotels (or similar)
10 days tuition from our UK-based professional photographer
Portrait shoot with a Maiko, a Geisha apprentice
Group transfers to and from the airport on suggested flights
All transportation between shooting locations
All entrance passes to Temples & National Parks
Multiple 1-on-1 tuition sessions

Price excludes flights & meals.

 

There are direct flights to Tokyo Haneda from the UK, serviced by British Airways, JAL and All Nippon Airlines. Prices start from £500. We recommend flying return & direct with BA or JAL arriving Haneda on day 1, both around 0700, so you start the tour early. As the trip ends in Kyoto, we recommend getting a return to Tokyo, which is cheaper, and take the bullet train back to Tokyo which is around £90 one way – another experience to add to your journey.

"Fabulous locations, amazing hotels & great memories. Thanks to Creative Escapes I have moved from taking a gazillion bland photographs to images I am really proud of. Already thinking about my next trip!"


Lorraine Byrne, Dublin


Creative Escapes

Bespoke

Private photography tours designed by you.

A private photography tour with Creative Escapes allows you to create a one-of-a-kind photography holiday, tailored to your exact requirements. You can base your itinerary on one of our existing photography holidays, or ask us about our other locations not offered to groups – we have exclusive access to some of the finest photography locations on the planet.

So if you fancy shooting nomadic tribes deep in the Sahara desert, staying with the Dalai Lama at his private residence in Dharamsala, meeting Fidel Castro’s personal photographer in downtown Havana, or snapping portraits of a living deity in Kathmandu, our team can craft you a private photography tour to remember.

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Private photography tour | Features.

"These tailor-made trips give visitors an insider’s perspective of the countries they are touring, with local experts guiding them through unique experiences, in-the-know restaurants and places not normally open to the public. Whilst the hotels are top-notch and transportation comfortable, these holidays are for those seeking something more; the acquisition of knowledge and new skills."


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private photography tour camera

We don’t use local photographers; only those who’ve plied their field in the competitive international market, shot campaigns for major brands, magazines and agencies – so you’re sure to get getting tips used by only the most talented professionals.

(That way, your work stands out from the pack.)

Get in touch.

So we can start planning your private photography tour to your exact requirements, drop us a line and we'll get back to you with some ideas that will make you smile. We can provide a range of options to suit all budgets and tailor any itinerary to your specific interests.

We're all ears.


Simply give us a few details and we’ll get back to you.

You can use the form here, or email us directly at inbox@creative-escapes.co.uk

We also have some Frequently Asked Questions if you have time to take a peek.


Cuba

CUBA PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAYS |  7 - 17 NOVEMBER 2024 ** 5 PLACES LEFT **  |  £2995

CUBA PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

 Wave after wave of convertible Buicks pass you by as you stroll looking for sunset views over the Malecon. Behind you, the faded, colonial architecture of Habana Vieja, slowly being restored brick-by-brick. Cigar smoke scents the air and all around, the sounds of the Buena Vista Social Club start to hum. This is our award-winning Cuba photography tour.

Come experience eleven days of turquoise Caribbean seas, lush tropical plantations, step-back-in-time museum towns and the unmissable Havana. We’ll snooze in some of the best, dine in local paladares and get to the very heart of both rural and urban.

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Selected as one of our Top 10 Photography Holidays, you “shoot Havana’s fading colonial architecture, learn techniques for close-ups of its famed murals, and take some black-and-whites at a cigar factory – before reviewing your pics over mojitos and checking out the local music scene. You’ll also head out to rural Cuba for portraits of tobacco farmers and capture the dusk light over the limestone mogote hills. The trip ends with a pop-up exhibition in Havana.”

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Highlights.

Like everything that happens in Cuba, the reported ‘US tourist invasion’ is taking it’s time. American travellers can only visit under strict visa restrictions, such as educational or professional visits – and tourism is still technically illegal. This has meant just a minor increase on numbers from last year, so this isle of intrigue, romance and politics quite unlike any other, is still muy autentica.

There are rousing rhythms, dancing in cobblestone streets (for real), wafting cigar smoke, a bounty of beaches and a Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack to accompany every style of journey. And ours takes in the highlights.

We’ve been running trips here for years – garnered awards for them even – and know all the best bars, restaurants, shooting locations and people in the know to make our photography tour to Cuba really rather special.

Meet with Roberto Salas, Castro’s personal photographer, at his house
Capture incredible street images of Habana Vieja; faded murals, crumbling buildings and of course those decrepit 50’s Buicks
Shoot professional cigar rollers, in an exclusive location frequented by celebs
Create timeless black-and-white portraits of tobacco farmers in Vinales
Craft panoramics of the stunning mogotes – limestone cliffs in lush plantations
Exclusive access to photograph the Cuban Royal Ballet in their classrooms*
Practice interior photography in one of Havana’s finest mansions
Try out sports photography in a famed outdoor boxing gym
Snap the hotel where Al Capone used to meet all the mafiosi
Try out documentary photography on a rickety old train deep into the Cuban countryside
Create images right out of the pages of travel magazines, in our dusk shoot in ancient Trinidad

Cuba Photography Tour Itinerary.

We’ll transport you right off the plane downtown to our 5 ****** hotel fronting the sea in downtown Havana, where you’ll get a first glimpse of the sights, sounds and jaw dropping architecture of this incredible city. Then after a restful sleep & leisurely breakfast, we’ll dive into the basics of camera control and operation – and head off to shoot some street scenes in the old town.

Later, we’ll get our first view of Cuban life (and catch some rays) in the back seat of a 1950’s convertible Buick and cruise along the Malecón towards Revolucion Square, to witness where Fidel used to address over a million Cubans in his famous rallies. You’ll get to shoot parts of Havana most tourists never see, stopping en route to practice your new found skills. Come evening, we’ll soak up the buzz at a local paladar – Cuban gourmet restaurants – and sample local delights in an elegant mansion setting which retains its original 1948 furniture, decor and artwork.

This morning, we’ll arise early, to shoot the vintage cars arriving in the main square, chance to get some incredible shots of these museum pieces in situ, then it’s off deep into Habana Vieja, and revere the incredible architecture, street scenes and life in this stunning part of Havana. You’ll try out some techniques in composition not found in pages of the monthly magazines, giving your images extra impact and interest.

Later, we’ll take you to a private cigar rolling house far from the tourist masses, and get your own cigar made to your exact requirements for a special souvenir. We’ll also swing by the house of Roberto Salas – Castro’s personal photographer – who will regale you with stories of Che & Fidels revolutionary adventures, and show you his incredible work.

Next day, we’re off to Vinales, popularly known as the ‘Garden of Cuba’. Here lush, hilly landscapes provide panoramic views over tobacco, coffee, sugar cane, oranges and avocados in an atmosphere of almost complete serenity. After a delicious lunch on an organic farm overlooking the Silencio valley, we’ll swing by a working tobacco farm, shoot some portraits of local farmers, and learn how to roll our own. We’ll then explore the scenic valleys further, punctuated by a series of limestone karst hill formations, or mogotes.

On our return, we’ll hold the first of our 1-on-1 sessions, spending time with you individually to assess you progress and give you tailored advice on ways to help take your images to that next level.

This morning, we’ll take a drive south east to Trinidad, a UNESCO-listed town and perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement where the clocks stopped in 1850 and have yet to restart. In the early 19th century, huge fortunes were amassed from the sugar trade, creating illustrious colonial-style mansions bedecked with Italian frescoes, Wedgwood china and French chandeliers. The shooting possibilities here are endless. You’ll get to see the rural Cuba en route, trying out your landscape skills,  then we’ll celebrate our arrival with a ‘Canchanchara’ a chilled cocktail made with rum, honey and lime which is the speciality of Trinidad; later, we’ll swing by an open air acoustic concert in the heart of the old town, right under the stars.

Next day, up early the next day to catch the morning rays, we’ll take our seats on board our 1919 wooden-carriage train and journey to the once formidable Valle de Los Ingenios, the sugar-caned landscapes. In between shooting some glorious landscapes, here we’ll hold more 1-on-1’s – individual reviews of your images to date, observations on your photography style, plus ongoing support to take your work to that next level. That night, we’ll review the work on the big screen, giving you plenty of professional tips on how to improve your photographs.

Today, you’ll learn the art of black and white photography in the cobbled streets of ancient Trinidad – and understand how to tell stories using your photography. We’ll review images of past masters, then take to the streets, along with your tutor watching closeby, and craft some timeless images of a town steeped in history.

Next day is you time; perhaps you’d like to head off on ‘seafari’ to Cayo Blanco island, a tropical island famed for its powder white beaches, stunning coral – and lobster BBQ’s! Or  you could head for Playa Ancon, a precious ribbon of bleached white sand and crystal azure sea 12km from Trinidad; for the more energetic, head somewhere cooler and do some mountain trekking in the Topes de Collantes, 20 minutes north. This former Che hangout has breathtaking pine trails and culminates in a refreshing dip in the stunning El Cubano waterfall.

This morning, we’ll make our way back via the famous Bay of Pigs, and the incredible architecture of Cienfuegos. Here, and later at sunset in the dusky streets of old Havana, we’ll further develop our documentary photography skills, pictures that tell a story, and learn pro skills in narrative, positioning & engagement.

Next day, chance to go behind the scenes today of the real Cuba, on our guided photo walk to some of the most incredible locations in Havana – including a mix of shooting dancers at the Cuban National Ballet (*permission granted on the day), interiors at the finest and most beautiful private houses in Havana, portraits of artists in an artisan community west of the city, documentary B&Ws at a 50’s government owned ice cream parlour, still life in a hotel where Al Capone used to meet all the mafia bosses, plus sunset shots of boxers training in a stunning outdoor gym, and street documentary of life before the night starts in the backdrop of fading architecture, fifties automobiles and the faint whisper of music.

This is a smorgasbord of photographic delights, and chance to test all your new found talents behind the camera, before our final presentation and show of all our best images of the week, at our very own ‘pop-up’ photo exhibition over some refreshing mojitos.

lazy morning – with some free time to take in the last few glimpses of this incredible city – and chance to get some 1-on-1 feedback from our professionals on your progress, your emerging style and tips on where next to take your photography. We’ll share a final lunch together, before departing back to the airport for the flight home.

Cuba Photography Tour Details.

7 – 17 November 2024
5 Places Left.

11 days. 10 nights. Starts and ends in Havana, Cuba.

£2995 / £395 single supplement

Price includes 
10 nights accommodation at listed hotels (or similar)
11 days tuition from our UK-based professional photographer
Private audience with Roberto Salas at his house
Private entry to exclusive cigar rolling house, with cigar
Entry to the Royal Cuban Ballet (permission granted on the day)
Private photoshoot at a famous boxing gym in old Havana
Guided walk, with lunch, through the tobacco fields in Vinales
Group transfers to and from the airport from suggested flights
All transportation to shooting locations
Train ride through rural Cuba
Multiple 1-on-1 tuition sessions

Price excludes flights & meals.

 

There are a range of flights via Europe or the US to get to Cuba, starting at £650 return. The main airlines flying there from the UK are Iberia, KLM, Air France, and American Airlines.

"I had a fantastic time in Cuba last month with CE, my first group holiday of any kind & I was nervous but need not have worried! Hotels, guide, tutor & locations all excellent plus the company of a lovely bunch of fellow travellers made it a very enjoyable memorable trip! Thank you!"


Jo Wimbush, London


Nepal photography tour

Nepal

NEPAL PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAYS   | 07 - 16 MARCH 2025 **8 PLACES LEFT** £2880

NEPAL PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Few places on earth fascinate and capture the imagination more than Nepal. This vibrant, breathtaking country offers a rich canvas on which to further develop your passion for photography – on our 10-day Nepal Photography Tour.

With daytime temperatures averaging 26c, its the perfect time of year to escape to the Himalayas and immerse yourself in the spectacular landscapes of Pokhara and Kathmandu – taking time to snap portraits of sadhu holy men, enjoy a private shoot with a living goddess, explore the myriad medieval streets of Bhaktapur, plus tour the lush forests by open top jeep in Chitwan National Park, capturing tigers, rhino and elephants.

Experience unforgettable nights in authentic Nepali hideaways, mountain view retreats and boutique luxury hotels, using every imaginable mode of transport, from planes to rickshaws to good old-fashioned hiking boots.

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“These guys have got it right. Tuition seems effortless, even the most hardened luddite of the group grasped each of the lessons straight away. Before you know it, you realise that you have the ability to take any photographs in any situation. And that feels good. Throw in top hospitality and plenty of socialising makes this two-thumbs up”.

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Highlights.

Nepal is a colorful jumble of pagoda-topped temples, ornate religious monuments, carved wooden Newari architecture, chaotic streets, and majestic mountains. The country is home to ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is bursting at the seams with cultural and natural wonders. A few monuments are still under repair, but their stories of rival kingdoms, mythical deities, and spiritual devotion are unchanged.

The Kathmandu Valley includes the ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, each with its own Durbar Square of courtyards, royal palaces, and temples from the 12th to 18th centuries. Dotted around this cultural collage are superlative religious sites— like Boudhnath, a giant white dome that is Nepal’s largest stupa and centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Nestled in a lush valley northwest of Kathmandu, Pokhara lulls with lakeside charm and a jagged, snowcapped Annapurna backdrop. Further south, the steamy subtropics of southern Nepal cradle Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s home to 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, and 556 species of reptiles and amphibians.

The best thing about Nepal is there’s always another adventure.

Craft dusk vistas of Boudhnath stupa, the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet.
Attend a private portrait shoot of the Kumari, a living goddess in the ancient royal city of Patan – not available to tourists.
Shoot the endless ranges of the snowcapped Himalayas, from 20,000 feet.
Snap tigers from the back of a 4×4 Landrover in Chitwan National Park.
Try out intimate portraits of the Tharu tribe, in the local long house.
Capture the Annapurna region, from a walk designed for Prince Charles.
Photograph gurkhas and sadhu holy men on private shoots.
Document the incredible architecture of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur

Nepal Photography Tour Itinerary.

Fresh off the overnight flight, we’ll whisk you over to our luxe bolthole – Babar Mahal Vilas – the former home of the Nepalese PM – and chance to have welcome drinkies with the team who’ll be escorting you on your 10-day Nepal Photography Tour.

After a restful nights sleep, we’ll dive right into the basics of photography, getting you up to speed with that tricky looking (but not really when you know how) digital camera – SLR. mirrorless or cameraphone, then take you to the magical Boudhnath stupa, steps from the hotel.

Here, we’ll take the first of many spectacular shots (supported at all times by our attentive tutors), then get a private blessing in a 16th century temple overlooking the stupa, before sunset drinks with a dramatic view over the city.

Next morning, we’re up early to take an optional mountain flight over the snowcapped Himalayas – chance to fly directly over Everest in planes with oversized windows; the views are out of this world. Back at base, we’ll have a look through some of the most famous images taken in Nepal, and analyse some of the styles so we can try out for ourselves.

We’ll also equip you with a handful of techniques to make your images really stand out, then head to the medieval city of Patan, enjoying a lunch at a local family house. We’ll then tour the ornate streets of this city, getting 1-on-1 guidance from our pros, before a private photoshoot with the Kumari, a living goddess, normally not available tourists. Later, we’ll review our images poolside under the stars; our team giving you individual feedback on your best of the day.

More spectacular views today as we head south to Royal Chitwan National Park, which covers almost a 1000 sq. kilometres of lowland Nepal. We’re here to safari – where our team will give you step-by-step guidance on the techniques of shooting killer wildlife photography. The park is one of the last refuges of the endangered one-horn Rhino, and there are sizable populations of tigers, sloth bear and wild elephants. Up early to catch the morning rays, we’ll  pack our kit and take a tour through sal forest, water marshes and rippling grasslands to hunt some shots.

Later, we’ll head out in 4×4 Landrovers to explore deeper into the jungle; chance to shoot some Tigers. Later, we’ll visit the Tharu – people of the forest indigenous to the region. We’ll have drinks in a Badaghar – ‘the long house’ – chance to meet –and shoot – an ancient community first hand. Later, we’ll review our best images of the day under myriad shooting stars (we counted 40 last time!).

Today, we head north to spectacular Pokhara, to our boutique retreat with picture perfect mountain views, and a millpond calm lake on which to observe them – all in glorious sunshine. Here we’ll reveal the techniques of amazing landscape photography – running through the masters who’ve defined the genre, then deconstructing what makes a landscape great. Armed with these new found skills, we’ll take a trip the Peace Pagoda, the perfect spot to shoot the afternoon light over the Annapurna range, before taking a private row boat across the lake and our own private outdoor BBQ.

Next morning, we’ll climb up to Sarangkot, capturing the sunrise over the Himalayas – panoramic views are quite spectacular from here. Back in Pokhara, we’l meet up for lunch with some Gurkhas, fearsome Nepalese warriors with incredible tales to tell. You’ll even get chance to have a private photoshoot by the lake afterwards.

Later, we’ll have tea at the exclusive Tiger Mountain resort, then take the easy Royal Trek, designed for Prince Charles, where we’ll get incredible sunset views of the Annapurna region. Great pictures are guaranteed.

Next morning, we’ll say farewell to unique Pokhara and head back to Kathmandu, and explore the ancient royal district, trying out some street photography in the myriad backstreets. We’ll meet up with some sadhu holy men, then a private portrait photoshoot with them – before capturing the ancient atmosphere of this timeless city as light falls. Later, we’ll review our images as a group, and get individual feedback on your emerging style and skills.

On our final full day in Nepal, we’ll prepare you to shoot your final piece of work, in the magical city of Bhaktapur. We’ll give you 1-on-1 feedback, then help you design, prepare and shoot a final group of killer images for review in our pop-up exhibition later that night. The rest of the day is yours to explore the intricate and beautiful streets of this kingdom – come evening, we’ll dine outside in our final night celebration dinner, presenting our collection of images, then celebrate in style in Babar Mahal, where only the most well-to-do Nepalese hang out.

Next morning, we’ll have our final 1-on-1’s, where our tutors will give you personal feedback on your style and where to next take your photography, before boarding the plane back home, reflecting on the gentle beauty of Nepal – as close as you can get to heaven.

Details.

07 – 16 March, 2025.
8 places left.

10 days. 9 nights. Starts and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal.

£2880 / £395 single supplement

Price includes 
9 days boutique accommodation at listed hotels (or similar)
10 days tuition from our UK-based professional photographer
Safari in Chitwan National Park, with guide
Private photoshoots with the Kumari, Gurkhas & Sadhu
All transfers to and from the airport from suggested flights
All transportation to shooting locations
All entrance fees to parks, monuments and temples
Boat ride on Phewa Lake
Multiple 1-on-1 tuition sessions

Price excludes flights & meals.

 

There are no direct flights into Kathmandu. Fly into Dubai, Doha or Delhi, perfect for a few days explore – then it’s a short hop from there. Prices start at around £500. Internal flights are around $100.

"Quite simply one of the best things I have ever done."


Paul Goodhead, Manchester


cambodia photography holiday

Cambodia

CAMBODIA PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAYS   |  07 - 16 MARCH 2025 **8 PLACES LEFT** |  £2880 

ANGKOR PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS CAMBODIA

Angkor has the grand scale of the Great Wall, the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the spatial symbolism of the pyramids, rolled into one. For buffs of any kind, its paradise.

Across ten galvanising days, our team use the backdrop of this UNESCO World Heritage site – and the fascinating hub of Siem Reap – to reveal the craft of stunning photography, with breathtaking results. And to soothe any creative angst, our Cambodia photography holiday workshop is held at one of Asia’s most renowned luxury hotels, a converted French governors mansion that melds Art Deco elements with modern chic for an atmosphere of sophisticated and discriminating splendour.

Experience old Asia in style.

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“This 10-day luxury photography retreat will teach you everything you need to know about accomplishing the perfect shot, in a jaw-dropping location. Enjoy one-to-one guidance with leading photographers, and test your new skills around the stunning temples of Angkor Wat. The company behind it, Creative Escapes, believes in expanding all horizons, and combines photography with diversions such as a tour of the local food market followed by a cooking lesson in Cambodian delicacies. Participants can keep up their skills afterward with alumni-only shoots that are held throughout the year.”

Highlights.

Diverse, awe-inspiring and quite magical. It’s unlike anywhere else on the planet. Our Cambodia photography holiday tour follows an opposite flow to other tourists, often finding we have entire temples to ourselves – and venture beyond the tourist eyes to NGO villages, behind the scenes at the local circus, and search out sea gypsies in situ – getting you closer – in private.

Throw in plush hotels, divine fooding and a people with such infectious charm you can’t help but fall in love with this sublime piece of old Asia.

Learn the craft of shooting thousand-year-old bas reliefs in beautiful light
Shoot in-situ portraits of circus performers, on stage and behind-the-scenes
Create timeless black-and-white images on the street and in the local market
Craft candid portraits in an NGO village, whilst on the ‘rice run’
Set-up a pop-up studio in the middle of a sea gypsy village, fronting the lake
Capture ‘atmosphere’ in a jungle-canopied temple, in dawn’s soft light
Shoot monks-in-training in Siem Reap’s stunning Wat Bo school

Itinerary.

Twenty minutes after touchdown on the first day of your Cambodia photography holiday, you’ll be reclining on your own balcony in the gardens of our chic retreat, letting all the stresses and strains fall away. This is FCC Angkor – a converted governors mansion meets modern hideaway – your home for the next 10 days shooting, adventure and relaxation.

We’ll start slow; taking our time with the basics of operating your camera (it’s really easy when you know how) – cracking aperture, shutter speed and ISO – then a quick trip out along the river to practice.

Come evening, sample some gastronomy at one of Asia’s best restaurants – Cuisine Wat Damnak – the £16, 5-course degustation is truly astonishing.

Next morning, we’ll go take our first peek at Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most iconic temple. Literally ‘heaven on earth’, our guide will lead you on a grand tour of its bas reliefs, heavenly nymph carvings and majestic towers, letting you loose to shoot the first of your collection of jaw-dropping images (all monitored closely by our team of experts, of course).

We’ll return late afternoon, running through in non-techy speak which lenses suit which job, then grab a drink by the pool at happy hour, taking time to visit the Visaya Spa and get your complimentary foot rub, just to ease any last strains out of your body. Pure bliss.

Today, we’ll start by giving you some of the composition techniques the pros like to use (and like to keep secret), then try your hand at some documentary photography in the local Phsar Chas market, a short walk away in town. Here, locals buy goods from fish, to vegetables, to hairspray; you’ll get up close to the action and learn how to take images that really tell a story.

Later, we’ll review our hard days work under the stars and have your first 1-on-1 – your own personal time with your tutor to individually work on your skills.

Next morning, it’s off to Kompong Pluk, and board a hollowed-out canoe for a ride through a flooded forest of mangroves; once there you’ll capture some killer black-and-whites in this timeless gypsy village. That night, after our review of the day’s best, we’ll head to Miss Wong’s for a few lemongrass martinis – then head to our exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Phare, the Cambodian Circus.

It’s an early start this morning – but well worth the effort. Sunrise over Angkor Wat is quite magical; then afterwards, whilst all the tourists head home, we stay out, to the forest temple of Ta Prohm. Here, silk cotton trees have grown out of the ruins, in the lush surroundings of dawn-lit jungle. For one glorious hour, we’ll have the entire place to ourselves at this incredible temple; chance to create some softly lit landscapes you never thought you could take.

Then, before our afternoon snooze by the salt water pool, we’ll swing by Bayon – a multitude of serene, enormous stone faces of Buddha jutting out from the upper terrace.

The entire next day is your own; head into town or do absolutely marvelously nothing by the quiet, lapping pool. Later, we’ll take a walk over to Wat Bo – one of the town’s oldest temples. Here, you’ll witness the hypnotic effects of hundreds of chanting monks, plus a chance to shoot some too.

This morning, we’ll have a guided walk through a remote NGO village and chance to see the real rural Cambodia. Later, you’ll learn how to make traditional Cambodian cuisine in our pop-up cookery school right in the centre of the village, before sampling your fine dining in a traditional stilt pavilion. We then take part in some responsible tourism – and head out with some supplies for local families; chance to learn customs and beliefs within the village (and take some killer images).

Next day, we’ll delve into the secrets of portraiture, then shoot some of the temple guardians at Preah Khan, even stopping to find a secret chamber (hidden from most who pass by it) – once decorated with fist-sized rubies and emeralds on it’s bas-relief walls. This afternoon, our tutors will take you out individually, working with you to refine your style and further build your portfolio to take home. Later, we’ll dine above-ground in an 18th century old Cambodian house.

We then complete our 10-day odyssey with a final piece of work. Our team are on hand round- the-clock to offer support, assist with problem spots and provide comments, critiques or edits, then culminate in our final night pop-up exhibition. Over an apertif, we’ll view the incredible images that have been created, then have a sumptuous celebrationary dinner in our very own private open-air dining room.

On the final morning, we host our final 1-on-1 sessions with each of you, highlighting where we think your skills sit, some tips on things to try once home, plus some equipment suggestions that would fit your shooting style. Then, after a light lunch, we sadly say our farewells and exchange email addresses with new-found friends and creative collaborators, then board the plane back home.

Details.

7 – 16 March, 2025
8 places left.

10 days. 9 nights. Starts and ends in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

£2880 / £395 single supplement

Price includes 
9 nights boutique accommodation at listed hotel (or similar)
10 days tuition from our UK-based professional photographer
4-day pass to Angkor Wat complex, with photographer guide
All transfers to and from the airport on suggested flights
All transportation to shooting locations
Backstage passes to Phare, the Cambodian Circus
Entrance to NGO village, with cookery class
Boat ride on Tonle Sap lake
Multiple 1-on-1 tuition sessions

Price excludes flights & meals.

 

There are no direct flights to Siem Reap from the UK. Fly into Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur – perfect for a couple of days explore – then it’s a short hop from there. Flights start at around £500.

How many guests are on each tour? – We only take a maximum of 10 on each tour, per tutor. That way, you can get lots of 1-to-1 guidance from your tutor, learn at your own pace – so you produce photographs that are personal to you.

What’s included on the tour? – We price things pretty simply, all accommodation, tours, tuition, materials, entrance passes and 1-to-1 sessions are included, only flights and meals are extra.

What’s the level of accommodation? – Our hotels are comfortable as we know for you to get the most out of a trip you need to relax and sleep. We pick boutique, interesting, usually smaller and off the beaten track or located to be handy for a planned experience.

How is Creative Escapes different? – Many photography holidays teach you someone else’s style. We teach you to shoot like you – all tuition is done 1-to-1, so you create unique images that are personal to you.

How do I book flights? – To save you money, our team scours the internet to find the best quality flights at the lowest possible price, arrive early and depart late, so you get the maximum amount of time of your holiday on the ground.

I’m a beginner, is this for me? – Around 50% of guests on each tour are beginners, we get some who buy the camera in duty-free. Since we teach you individually, you can develop your skills at your own pace.

How fit do I need to be on your tours? – We plan our tours for all fitness levels, so you can either be dropped right at the location or tour around a little to get your bearings. 

What kit do I need? – We always say, bring what you have or can borrow. We spend much of the tour working with you 1-to-1 working out what type of photographer you are, so only then will you really know what kit you really need that suits you.

I’m a vegetarian – do you cater for that? – We like to choose restaurants locals would eat at, that way you feel more traveller less tourist. All of our choices feature a good selection of menu options to suit vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten-free and dairy-free.

How do I book? – Simply click on the Book button on the trip page, or the shopping cart icon on the home page – fill in your details and we’ll do the rest!

More FAQs – CLICK HERE

" Overall, I have come away from my Creative Escapes trip wanting to go on another one as soon as possible. It exceeded my expectations both in the course content and in what I actually learnt in such a short period of time. I think I'd like to try them all!"


Shakira Cassidy, Belfast