Weston Photography Workshop in Tuscany, Italy
Our Private Italian Villa
Our villa in Tuscany has so much history that sometimes it is hard even to believe. The villa was once a small village and was founded in the 1200s. On-site, a church was thought to have been built in the 700s. When you are on the property, you can feel the history, and the participants took advantage of that in their photographic work. We were able to utilize the beauty of the location to create timeless works of art.
Meals were served in a frescoed hall built in the late 1800s. You felt as if you were back in time while roaming the grounds and inside the villa. It provided a unique perspective for the participants to approach their work.
Castle Photoshoot
Our castle location was unbelievable. The morning of the shoot, it was predicted to rain, but we lucked out with high-passing thunderclouds and no rain. The weather provided an extra dynamic layer to the already breathtaking scenery. We couldn’t photograph the nude figure, and we used this as a teaching point for the group. When photographing the figure, it isn’t always necessary for them to be uncovered. Adding wardrobe can further deepen the point you are trying to make and add more layers to the story you are trying to tell.
We ate lunch outside the orangery with a view of Siena in the back. It was great to see the photographers get creative with their ideas and produce stunning work from the castle.
Private Wine Tasting
Part of the Tuscan Villa location was a wine and olive oil tasting in a cellar from the 1800's. The wine and oil were made from grapes and olives grown on the villa property. Our wonderful host provided small bites that included boar sausage, Tuscan bread, and a selection of the most delicious cheeses you have ever tasted. You felt like you were transported back in time, listening to her tell stories of her family's past. The villa has been in their family for over seven generations.
We tasted three different wines and one type of olive oil. Living in California, we are used to olive oil with a bite to it, but this was the smoothest and most delicious olive oil we had ever tasted. We wanted to take some home but couldn't fit it in our suitcases! On our destination workshops, being immersed into the place's culture is super important not just for the overall experience but to spark the creativity that results in worthwhile photographs.
