Apulia photography workshop
Two sessions annually: Early May 2025 | Late September/Early October 2025
Price:
€3.000 per person
€500 deposit due at registration checkout
Join me for seven days photographing Puglia—southern Italy's most visually compelling region with white villages, ancient olive trees, baroque architecture, small coastal villages with fishermen still work from wooden boats painted in traditional colors. I'll meet you in Bari and we'll travel together through landscapes that seem impossibly beautiful: this is Puglia through a photographer's eyes, not the postcard version, but the real one I've discovered through years of working here and many friends I have from my private life.
This is intimate instruction with maximum 3 participants, it means genuine individual attention as we shoot dawn light on coastal towns, midday geometry in ancient centers, golden hour across Valle d'Itria's trulli landscape.
We'll work in locations tourists never find.
We base ourselves in three extraordinary cities: Trani's Romanesque harbor and the small port with wooden boats, Ostuni's whitewashed medieval labyrinth and Lecce's baroque masterpieces. Each day we'll work through different times of day, return for evening critique sessions where we analyze your work and build cohesive visual narratives.
I have deep connections to southern Italian culture through years of photography work here and also family access to hidden places—we'll access locations and experiences beyond what guidebooks offer.
My passion for southern Italian cuisine means we eat extraordinarily well. Family-run trattorias where they remember me, markets where farmers sell what they grew that morning, traditional dishes prepared the way they've been made for generations. This isn't tourist Italy—it's authentic cultural immersion combined with serious photography instruction. You'll leave with a portfolio that captures Puglia's essence and skills that transform how you see light, composition, and storytelling.
GEAR
Bring camera equipment you're completely comfortable with. We'll be shooting in diverse conditions—bright coastal light, architectural shadows, rural landscapes, ancient stone interiors. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with multiple lenses gives you creative flexibility: wide angle for architecture and landscapes, standard for documentary work, telephoto for coastal compression and distant details.
Tripod recommended for dawn/blue hour work and long exposures, though not mandatory for all shooting.
Laptop or tablet strongly recommended for daily image review and post-processing sessions in our accommodations.
7-DAY WORKSHOP INCLUDES
Seven full days of photography instruction by documentary photographer and filmmaker Matteo Torre in a small group setting (maximum 3 participants)
Pickup and return transportation between Bari (airport or train station) at the beginning and end of the workshop
Private vehicle transportation throughout all seven days—we travel together, I handle all driving and logistics
Six nights accommodation in single rooms (carefully selected B&Bs and small hotels in Trani, Ostuni, and Lecce with spaces for group viewing sessions)
Welcome orientation session covering vision, approach, and understanding Puglia's unique visual language
Comprehensive shooting across Puglia's diverse landscapes—coastal towns, baroque cities, Valle d'Itria's trulli villages, ancient olive groves, fishing harbors, rural masserie
Dawn, morning, midday, golden hour, and blue hour photography sessions
Access to hidden locations through local connections—places tourists never find on their own
Deep cultural immersion in southern Italian life and traditions
Authentic food experiences—family-run trattorias, local markets, traditional Puglian cuisine at places I've built relationships with over years
Daily image review and critique sessions in our accommodations
Portfolio development guidance—building cohesive visual stories from the week's work
Post-processing discussion and editing techniques
Several shared moments—welcome aperitivo upon arrival, breakfast most mornings, traditional caffè leccese, final celebration dinner
Total cost is €[TBD] per person (€500 deposit due at registration checkout)
See Terms & Conditions below for cancellation policy.
Note: Specific dates for both workshop sessions (Early May and Late September/Early October) will be confirmed with registered participants based on collective availability. Detailed logistics about Bari meeting point and exact accommodations will be sent upon registration. A pre-workshop Zoom call will be scheduled to discuss your photography experience, creative goals, and what draws you to Puglia.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Flights or trains to/from Bari
Most meals (welcome aperitivo, some breakfasts, caffè leccese, and final dinner are included—other meals are on you, but I always recommend authentic local spots where quality matches price)
Personal expenses
Travel insurance (strongly recommended for international travel)
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
DSLR or mirrorless camera you're proficient with
Multiple lenses (wide angle + standard + telephoto recommended for Puglia's architectural and landscape diversity)
Tripod recommended for dawn/blue hour work and long exposures
Laptop or tablet for daily image review and post-processing sessions
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip (essential for ancient cobblestone streets and coastal terrain)
Weather-appropriate layers (spring/autumn conditions can vary)
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Sufficient memory cards and backup batteries
Open mind about southern Italian culture and willingness to explore beyond standard tourist experiences
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Responsibility: Matteo Torre Photography will provide educational instruction during this photography workshop. The participant is responsible for their own safety, health, and equipment. Matteo Torre Photography shall not be held responsible for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to persons, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption caused by acts of nature, strikes, illness, theft, or any other cause beyond control. The participant waives any claim against Matteo Torre Photography for any such loss, damage, or injury. Matteo Torre Photography reserves the right to accept, decline, or remove any participant. The right is reserved to make changes in the itinerary whenever conditions warrant, or if deemed necessary for comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. You are personally responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake this activity, which involves several hours of walking daily across varied terrain and traveling between locations.
All registrations are accepted in order received. Early registration is strongly suggested since spaces are limited to 3 participants. Balance payment is due 90 days prior to the beginning of the workshop. Any registration received within 90 days requires full payment.
Eligibility: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire workshop.
Payment, cancellation, and refunds: To reserve a spot, a €500 per person deposit is required. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure. Your reservation may be canceled if full payment is not received 90 days prior to the beginning of the workshop.
If you are unable or choose to no longer attend the workshop, the following refund schedule applies:
90 or more days prior to the beginning of the workshop: The deposit is non-refundable.
Less than 90 days prior to the workshop: No refund. However, if there is a waiting list and we are able to fill your spot, your tuition may be applied towards another workshop within a year. An administrative fee of €200 will be applied.
Cancellation notification must be sent by email to info@matteotorre.com.
Leaving a workshop in progress, for any reason, will not result in a refund. We reserve the right to cancel a workshop because of inadequate number of participants. In the event that a workshop is canceled prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of the cost of the workshop.
Travel insurance: For your protection, travel insurance is strongly recommended.
A deposit of €500 is required in order to save a spot.
All major credit cards and bank transfers accepted.
Contact: info@matteotorre.com | WhatsApp: +39 329 7413254
FAQ
What makes Puglia special for photography?
Puglia combines visual elements you won't find together anywhere else: brilliant white architecture against intense blue Mediterranean sky, baroque limestone carvings that glow golden in afternoon light, ancient olive groves creating sculptural landscapes, coastal villages where traditional life continues unchanged. It's photographically rich yet relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourism.
Why travel with you specifically?
I have deep connections to southern Italian culture through years of photography work in Puglia. I know which family-run trattorias serve authentic food, which villages reveal their character at specific times of day, where to find locations beyond guidebook recommendations. Maximum 3 participants means I work with you individually, not managing a large group. This is insider access combined with serious photography instruction.
Tell me about Trani, Ostuni, and Lecce.
Trani offers one of Italy's most beautiful Romanesque cathedrals sitting directly on the harbor, perfect for dawn and blue hour photography. Ostuni is the quintessential white hilltop town with maze-like streets and endless geometric possibilities. Lecce is baroque magnificence—golden limestone buildings carved with extraordinary detail, called "Florence of the South" for good reason. Staying in all three gives you completely different photographic opportunities.
What about the food experiences?
Puglian cuisine is extraordinary—handmade orecchiette pasta, burrata created here, fresh seafood, vegetables grown in rich local soil, olive oil that's revelatory. I'm passionate about southern Italian food culture. We'll eat at family-run places where I've built relationships over years, shop at local markets, understand how food connects to the land and traditions you're photographing. Welcome aperitivo, some breakfasts, caffè leccese, and final dinner are included—other meals on you with my guidance to authentic spots.
Do I need to speak Italian?
No. I handle all communication in Italian and English fluently. I'll provide cultural context and translate interactions with locals, helping you understand what you're photographing beyond just visual surfaces. Part of the value is having someone who bridges both language and cultural understanding.
How much walking and traveling are we doing?
We walk 3-4 hours daily during shooting sessions, often on uneven ancient cobblestones and coastal paths. Between cities, we travel by car (I drive, you relax and watch the landscape). It's not extreme, but you need comfortable mobility for extended walking across varied terrain. We take breaks, but photography requires covering ground.
What's the weather in May versus September/October?
Both periods are ideal. May offers spring warmth (18-24°C / 64-75°F), flowering landscapes, beautiful soft light. Late September/Early October gives similar temperatures with autumn light quality and even fewer tourists. Both avoid summer's extreme heat and crowds. Choose based on your schedule—both are excellent for photography.
Can I arrive early or stay late in Puglia?
Absolutely. Many participants add days before or after the workshop. I'll provide detailed recommendations for additional locations to photograph independently, where to eat, what to explore. Bari is well-connected by flight and train, making it easy to extend your stay.
What if I'm traveling alone?
Most participants are solo travelers. The intimate group size (max 3) creates natural connection. Single room accommodation is included in the price, so you have privacy when you want it and community during shooting and meals. Small group format works beautifully for solo participants.
Why two workshop sessions each year?
Both May and September/October offer ideal conditions but different seasonal character. May brings spring energy—blooming flowers, fresh green landscapes, vibrant markets. September/October offers harvest season—golden light, grape harvests, autumn warmth. Both periods avoid extreme weather and provide exceptional photography opportunities. Choose whichever fits your schedule and appeals to your creative vision.
Do I need dietary accommodations?
Let me know at registration. Puglian cuisine handles vegetarians well, and we can work with most allergies. Vegan options are more limited in traditional southern Italian cuisine, but we'll find solutions.
