Greece: On Location with Joe McNally

Archeological ruins are the backdrop to venturesome days and peaceful evenings on this jam-packed photographic experience as we step back in time to the birthplace of Democracy. Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Our workshop will combine both the ancient history and modern wonders of Greece. We will marvel at the venerable citadel with its famous Parthenon and experience the colorful shops of Plaka. Feel the same excitement that made travelers of the 18th century (people like Lord Byron) yearn for this country; its beauty, flavorful food, lovely people and cobalt blue skies. Whether it's a spectacular sunrise overlooking the acropolis or the village of Oía, we will capture it all, camera in hand.

This workshop incorporates a mix of photographic learning and discussion in the classroom, as well as exploration and practice out in the field. Most days include a photo shoot in the field, hands on learning, on location demos, specific assignments to enhance your photographic skills, and edit-and-critique sessions in our designated classroom. The week is capped off by a final image presentation to showcase participants’ best or favorite work taken throughout the week.

Photography Workshop

DATES | 8 DAYS: Group 1: October 5 - 12, 2024 SOLD OUT! Waitlist Available

Group 2: October 13 - 20, 2024 SOLD OUT! Waitlist Available
PRICE: Participant Rate: $6875 per person

Companion Fee: $3595 (staying in the same room)
WHAT'S INCLUDED?: Accommodations for 7 nights in luxury 5 star properties

On location classes, demos, and assistance in the field

5 Classes/edit & critique sessions

3 Dinners

All Breakfasts

Private Santorini boat charter through the sunken caldera

Visit to local market and cooking class with social enterprise KOTO

Round trip airfare from Athens to Santorini

All internal transportation

Travel, landscape, architecture, waterscape, and people photography
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?: Round trip airfare to and from Greece

Transportation to and from airport

Additional nights before or after the start and finish of the Workshop

Travel Insurance
OUR LOCATIONS: The Parthenon & Acropolis

Ancient Agora

Plaka

Hadrian's Library & Monastiraki Square

The medieval settlement of Pyrgos

Fira

The picture perfect town of Oia
OUR HOTELS: While in Athens, we will be staying in 5 star luxury at the New Hotel, located in the lively neighborhood of Plaka.

In Santorini, we will be at the island's newest hot spot resort, the Nous Hotel.

Both hotels are part of the Design Hotel Collection, a Marriott Brand.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?: Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio

Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures

Photographers interested in working with people and capturing street life

DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users

*Please note this workshop will have a fair amount of walking on hilly, cobblestone streets and there are areas of the ancient towns and cities that are not accessible to cars.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance for your trip. Aside from medical care, travel insurance can protect you in the case of lost or stolen luggage, equipment, and personal effects, trip cancellation, personal liability, funeral expenses (we don't mean to sound morbid, but dying overseas can be very, very expensive), emergency dental treatment and evacuation back to your country of residence. All that being said, please read the policy carefully (especially the exclusions) to make sure that it covers what you will need, especially trip cancellation.
HOW DO I REGISTER?: We provide personalized service and you can sign up for a workshop by emailing us directly at liza@lizapoliti.com

About Joe McNally

Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in 70 countries. McNally won the first Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Journalistic Impact for a LIFE coverage titled, “The Panorama of War.” He has been honored numerous times by Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, American Photo, POY, and The World Press Photo Foundation. A contributor to National Geographic magazine for more than two decades, Joe has published numerous cover stories, including "The Future of Flying" (December 2003). His assignments have taken him from the heart of India's Diwali celebrations to the deserts of the Middle East to China's Great Wall. He regularly writes a popular, occasionally irreverent blog (joemcnally.com/blog) about the travails, tribulations, oddities and high moments of being a photographer. On social media: @joemcnallyphoto.

More Info

WEATHER | SUNRISE/SUNSET: October – Temps 82/55 F

Sunrise: 7:30am | Sunset 6:55pm
TRAVEL INFO: *Please note this workshop starts and ends in Athens. Please book flights accordingly.

Airport: Athens International Airport (ATH)

Transfer time is about 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic
FUN FACTS: Athens is the oldest capital city of Europe, 3000 B.C. and is the birthplace of Democracy (500 B.C.). The word itself tells us what democracy is. It comes from the Greek words “demos” – the people, and “Kratos” – power, or as it is used today, the state. Democracy is the power of the people.

Athens is one of the only countries to experience all types of government. Monarchy, democracy, socialism, capitalism, communism… you name it, Athens has experienced it.

The Golden Age of Athens is what we think of when we think of Ancient Athens. This era in the 4th century BC was a period of peace, between the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian wars. This was an era of power and prosperity. Athens saw a tremendous flourishing in culture. It was in the peak of this era that the Parthenon was built, beginning construction in 447 BC. The Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion (the part with the famous Caryatids) were added to the Acropolis later – in 424, and 409, respectively.

Between the glory of the Golden Age of Athens and the contemporary European city we enjoy today, there were many civilizations. The Romans general Sylla sacked both Athens and Piraeus in the 1st century BC. Later, the Roman Emperor Hadrian came and instituted many great building projects, mainly around the Roman Agora and the Arch of Hadrian. For centuries Athens was part of the Byzantium empire.

Santorini is the only inhabited caldera in the world. Hundreds of years ago the beautiful island of Santorini did not have the characteristic shape that it has today, the island was round. That is before the volcanic eruption of 1600 BC (thought to be the largest in recorded history!) which collapsed the island and left the caldera we see today.

Until 1960, there was no electricity on Santorini, but only donkeys and fishermen.

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