Workshops and shoot opportunities in 2027
May 2027
Advanced Portraiture Events – Bergamo / Milan, Italy
Thank you so much for your interest in my Italy workshops. I want to share an important update and some exciting news.
Below are the final dates of the events. The booking system will launch on Monday 13th July.
🇮🇹 The Italian Workshops, Bergamo – May 2027
Event 1: The Grand Italian Experience
A five-day immersive journey of portraiture, luxury, and inspiration
New dates: Saturday 1 May – Friday 7 May 2027
There is something magical about old Italian palaces. The cracked frescoes, worn stone floors, sweeping staircases and soft window light create an atmosphere that simply can’t be recreated in a studio.
This photographic experience has been built around that atmosphere. Working with professional models and carefully styled wardrobe, you’ll photograph in locations that few photographers ever have the opportunity to access. Every room offers another story waiting to be told, every shaft of light another beautiful portrait.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your portrait photography or simply enjoy an unforgettable photographic adventure in Italy, this workshop limited to just six photographers offers an experience unlike anything else.
What’s Included
- Six nights/ five days in Italy
- Luxury hotel accommodation at Phi Hotel Piajo
- All meals included
- Private wine tasting
- Boat excursion on Lago Iseo
- Four full photography days
- Exclusive access to magnificent private palaces: Villa Arconati, Villa dei Conti Sottocasa, Villa Siotto Pintor and Castello di Valverde
- Professional models
- Beautiful styling and wardrobe
- All transport during the event
- Maximum six photographers
- Personal guidance throughout
The Grand Italian Experience € 6850 / US$ 7850 / £ 5875
Non shooting partner rate: € 1440 / US$ 1606 / £ 1210
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Events two and three: The Italian Portrait Experience
Three days of refined portrait creation in remarkable locations. Events two and three are identical in format.
Event two dates: Sunday 9 May – Tuesday 11 May
Event three dates: Saturday 15 May – Monday 17 May
Create stunning editorial-style portraits inside some of Italy’s most atmospheric forgotten palaces. Three days of exclusive locations, professional models, beautiful styling and personal tuition designed to help you build an exceptional portfolio. The events start and finish each day at Hotel Excelsior San Marco in Bergamo where transport will take us to and from the shoot locations. You are free to book your own accomodation and travel arrangements. Accomodation is not included in the event price.
What’s Included
- Three unforgettable days
- Maximum six photographers
- Exclusive palace locations: Villa Arconati, Villa dei Conti Sottocasa and Villa Siotto Pintor
- Professional models
- Beautiful wardrobe styling
- Personal tuition and guidance throughout
- Lunches at local restaurants
- All transport during the event
- Suitable for enthusiastic amateurs and experienced photographers alike
The Italian Portrait Experience € 2950 / US$ 3380 / £ 2530 (payment in 3 stages)
What Happens Next
For now, I’d simply encourage you to save the dates. If you have requested advanced information you will get an email on Thursday 9 July with booking instructions. All other notifications will be sent out on Monday 13 July. A deposit is all that is needed in the first instance to reserve your place.
If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to email me. I’d love to hear from you.
I took these photographs on my event recce in Italy. These are the models and exact locations we will be shooting together in May.
These are the venues that we will shoot in next May
Review by email from a recent workshop in Italy
I’ve been taking photos for decades and had nearly ten years in professional fashion and sports photography, so when I thought about attending Damien’s Orvieto workshop, the first thing that came to mind was, “what more can I learn to improve the photographs I love to do -fashion and sports – especially with the very disadvantageous exchange rate between Aussie dollar and Euro?” In short, I was cautiously doubtful about going. But I went anyway.
I learned a completely new dimension to photography, and lighting in particular; I learned to spend far more time setting up an image and far less time editing the usual thousands I used to take; I learned camera techniques I never had any concept were possible, and I learned that self education, whether for fun or business is not about cost – it’s about value, and I have never received more value for money from a course on any topic than I did from Damien’s Orvieto experience.
And by the way, the amazing beauty of the residential venue, the open friendliness of the people with whom you’ll share the time and the sheer photographic perfection of the shooting locations – not to mention the extraordinary beauty, skill and professionalism of the models, justified the price several times over. Getting a cover shot of one of the workshop models on a French fashion magazine a short time after the workshop, was the perfect icing on the cake.
This is a workshop not to be missed, run by a master photographer with inexhaustible knowledge and energy for his students. This is a bucket list item for every lover of taking beautiful photographs. Do yourself a favour…ENROL!. You won’t regret it.
ALAN PATCHING
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