EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR IN ALPS
27th July 2019 - 3rd August 2019

Wondering if you're ready to join me on one of my upcoming Tours? Maybe you're thinking you'd like to build on your existing photography skills at one of our educational Workshops, instead? To find out more please read Workshops vs Tours.

If you decided to accompany me during my next photography tour I am inviting you for a great adventure - an Equine Photography Tour in Alps - the most scenic mountains of Europe!

ABOUT OUR TOUR - The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountains in Europe. Their rugged and fierce appearance provides an extraordinary background for every kind of photography. This region of Europe is also known for breeding some very unique breeds of horses such as the Halflinger, Noriker or Lippizaner horses.
The main purpose of this event is to give photographers the chance to capture the spectacular European breeds, but most of all Haflingers and Norikers - the breeds which have been permanently etched into the history and culture of Tyrol. 
Participation in this Tour is a great opportunity to build your own portfolio and to improve your photography skills through the many opportunities which I hope to provide you with!
Traveling through, Bavaria, Tyrol and North Italy you will have the great pleasure of coming face to face with some of the local breeds, and will also discover the exciting Alps culture.
During this exclusive trip I will share with you several of my favourite, selected places to photograph horses. I want to give you this opportunity to capture a variety of different breeds on the backdrop of the breathtaking Alps, complete with old stables and open fields. We will have access to photograph herds of horses at liberty, stallions in movement, equine portraits, and horses with riders/handlers in their traditional attire.

OUR TEAM

• Katarzyna Okrzesik-Mikołajek - Orgaziner and hosting photographer
  I am an award-winning international equine photographer whose images of horses regularly appear in calendars, books, and on the covers of many equestrian magazines across the world. My latest success was winning 1st place in the 2016 National Geographic Poland Great Photography Contest in the Animals category, and  being recognised as one of the top ten Best Equine Photographers in the World. With 10 years of experience in traveling and photographing horses, I do my best to choose incredible locations and the most spectacular horses for your images. Whenever possible, we will photograph horses in their natural environment or traditional arrangement. 
• Krzysztof Mikołajek - Logistic & backstage 
  Kris is responsible for the organization and logistics of the tours in every visited country. The planning is not the only of Kris's tasks. He also takes care of the group. During our journeys and photo sessions Kris is my main assistant and documents our every day through backstage film and photographs.
• Martin Brügger - Co-hosting photographer and translator 
  Martin joined us for the first time during one of my Workshops in Poland in 2015. He has an exceptional eye for detail and what is needed for a great composition. His fluency in several languages helps him to explain to the local owners in their own language how to position and guide the horses during the sessions so that participants have the best possible sight lines. We all benefit from his expertise.

PHOTO SESSIONS - Please bring with you a DSLR camera. Conditions mostly allow for shooting with a lens 70-200mm and wider (around 35mm or 50mm). Don’t forget to also bring a laptop or other device to safely store your photos from your memory cards. Each day of our tour will be focused on making new photographs. Most days will include 2 unique sessions. To capture the best photos, we will photograph mostly during the mornings and afternoons. It is possible that  some of the sessions might take place during the day, depending on the working hours of studs or horse owners. Respecting the work of ourselves and fellow photographers, please be careful during the sessions to do not get into each other’s frames. Please note that this tour is not a workshop. The hosting photographer is not obligated to coach participants;  I lead the sessions and organise the models and locations. Everyone works toward their own photography goals, and I encourage ideas and suggestions during the sessions.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE - Our first photo session will be scheduled for the afternoon of the 27th of July. Please plan your arrival to Munich in early hours the same day or the day before if needed. Your pick-up will be arranged from Munich airport or from the bus/train station. Our last session will be scheduled for the evening of the 3rd of August. Please book your departure from Munich airport or bus/train station for the 4th of August. Your transport to the airport will be arranged for this day. If you need to come earlier or stay longer, please do not hesitate to ask me for a help to arrange accommodation or transport directions. 

ACCOMMODATION - The price for this tour includes 8 nights starting from night of the 27th of July, and ending on the night of the 3rd of August. During our tour we will stay in a variety of places and accommodation types. Generally, participants will be accommodated in their own rooms in at least three stars hotels, however, such conditions are not guaranteed.

MEALS - Please note that the price of the tour does not include meal expenses. Each day we will visit restaurants or bistro bars for our lunch, and will enjoy breakfast and supper at our hotel, or at a nearby restaurant. The type of restaurant will be chosen by the group. Average prices for meals in visited countires is from 7€ for small meal, to 25€ for a big meal. Every participant must pay for their own meals - we do not split the bills.

TRAVELING - Please be prepared that we will spend a lot of time in our car, traveling from place to place across Italy, Germany and Austria, travelling approximately 2000km. On journeys of more than 2 hours, a break will be planned. Because of limited space in our van, please limit your luggage to one big suitcase and one small carry-on luggage.

WEATHER - Summer in Alps is the best time to photograph horses. Everything is in full bloom, plants are still green, snow is still present at the top of the mountains, and the temperature is not too hot and not too cold. The average temperature in end of July during the day is 20*C and 10*C during the nights. Over the past few years, the weather across Europe has been very strange, which makes it difficult to predict. For this reason, please be prepared for rainy days as much as for hot and sunny. We will photograph regardless of weather conditions. 

FREE TIME - Some of our days will be less busy with sessions or with traveling in order to give you chance to take a rest. Some of you will want to stay in the hotel to enjoy a break, but I also truly recommend getting out to discover a little bit of local villages and historic towns. When we’re not in a photo session or traveling, everyone is welcome to enjoy their free time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - The currency in Italy, Germany and Austria is the euro €. Electric voltage is 220V, 50 Hz, the electric plug has two round pins, so participants from other continents might need a converter/adapter. I recommend purchasing the basic travel insurance. In case of any health issue, please inform me before booking the Tour.