Travel with Purpose! Connect with culture through photography.
This workshop is suitable for image makers coming from different levels of photography. If you are a beginner, you will not be lost; if you are advanced you will not be held back, as each person will have their photographs personally reviewed and critiques customized to your level.
Throughout the week our team of instructors will give you feedback on your images. You will greatly benefit from this diverse group of artists.
Along with Trina, the Photo Cuba team includes, Photoshop expert and illustrator Scott Mooney and surrealistic Cuban painter, German Portuondo. German is a professor of Fine Art and director of the Guillermo Collazo Galeria de Arte in Chivirico. In particular, German brings great insight and a truly unique Cuban perspective to the students understanding of their images.
By collaborating with local Cuban photo guides, we will help you to quickly connect to real people and the rhythm of daily life in Cuba. Chivirico is not a touristy town; instead you will find babies, school kids, seniors, fisherman, bakers, commuters, dogs, chickens and pigs going about their lives in the most natural of ways. These kinds of photographic opportunities usually reserved for professional journalists will be an abundant part of our program.
Since you will be immersed in Cuban life through photography, there will be lectures on Cuban culture, music, dance and art to enhance your Cuban experience.
Los Galeones hotel is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the famous Sierra Mountain Range. Chivirico is next door to Umbaro, where Castro and his comrades lead THE Revolution.
Our nighttime activities include sipping back Mojitos while listening to one of the many fabulous musicians that play nightly at the hotel. This is a fun, socially interactive experience for people of all ages, singles and couples. We encourage travel companions to join us during meal times. Although this is a group workshop, participants should feel at ease knowing solitude time will be respected.
At the end of the week we will continue our adventure in downtown Santiago de Cuba, staying in the city centre at Casa Pariclaires (Bed & Breakfasts). Our time there will include a guided tour of the streets of Santiago with options to visit the best museums and galleries. There will be an optional sunset photo shoot at El Morro Castle. Following that we will enjoy an authentic Cuban feast on a rooftop terrace overlooking the historic city and then continue the celebration at a local Salsa dance club afterwards. We will have options to go to the farmer’s market, visit the Centro de Arte Gallery and enjoy a spin around the city in a “coco-cab”.
Our Photo Cuba experience will wrap up with a slideshow celebrating the images from the week. This slideshow will go on to exhibit at the local gallery so the people in the community can enjoy the photos of themselves.
Since the inception of Photo Cuba, Chivirico now has a photo club. In the past, students have brought donations of digital photo and computer equipment and art supplies to help support the arts in the community. We encourage your participation in this program as a way of giving back culturally.
Photo Cuba is an adventure into the heart of Cuban culture, to a place that has soul. A creative experience you’ll never forget is waiting to embrace you!
To reserve your spot or if you have any questions please call Trina or Karen at 519-767-2948 or email trinakoster@gmail.com.
