Are you ready to live a luxury experience while you photograph one of the most amazing African countries?
Discover why Namibia is one of the most beautiful countries to photograph with your camera, while an expert travel photographer will take you to the best locations, with the best light, during the best season in a premium experience.
Esta experiencia será llevada también en Español, si quieres leerla en tu idioma, haz clic acá
Esteban is going to take you on an unforgettable trip through one of the most extraordinary unexplored countries of all Africa: Namibia. In this photography experience you will take the best pictures of the best hard-access locations. Could you ask for more?
You will be always guided by the best experts to make this experience the time of your life!
Travelling to Namibia is to discover an unexplored country with an exceptional beauty that will make you fall in love with it. The nature, the visual richness, the ethnical diversity, the kindness of its people, their unbelievable food, the color, the adventure and the magical light will be all the time on your side. In a mixture of African and German culture you will find a splendid country that will remain on you forever.
Our group will have a maximum of 10 people because we want you to have a one-to-one experience in each one of the locations we will explore.
From the documentary narrative through landscape, nature, portrait and nightscape photography, this workshop will give you the best technical and conceptual tools to improve your work. The knowledge you will get you can only get it by travelling with an expert travel photographer like Esteban.
In this experience we will cover most of the country, from north to south. Additionally, one of our main activities will be looking for the milkyway and the nightscape, that we will be constantly searching during our adventure. You won’t leave Namibia without an impressive photograph of the milkyway!
Esteban will accompany you constantly in your process, while you photograph each location, but also during the one-to-one portfolio reviews you will be part of.
Travelling to Namibia on your own is not easy. The language barrier is really hard, and the access to locations, people and spots we have already found is something we’ve got covered for you. When you travel with us, all you have to worry about is your next shot.
During our trip you will have exclusive experiences that if you’d be travelling alone, you’d hardly find the photo opportunities you will have with us. All the selected locations, villages and people we will meet have been thought exclusively for photographers.
We will have SIX photo safaris to capture the best of wild life in Africa!
We will enjoy the best hotels and lodges with incredible views. An unknown world that will make you fascinated with their hospitality. Besides the workshop itself, this trip will be a premium experience to enjoy the country with the major comfort possible.
13 days starting from October 26th in Windhoek, to November 7th 2022 in Windhoek (with hotel included until noon)
During our expedition we will have a private car that will take us to all the locations around the country. We will have bottles of water and snacks available during the expedition.
DAY 1: OCTOBER 26th
Out meeting will be on October 26th in Windhoek (Namibia’s capital city). All of us must have arrived to Windhoek by that day. It is really important to consider the time difference (GTM +2) because it can produce delays. Arriving in Windhoek could take some stopovers, including complete days flying, depending where you’re coming from. We suggest you to check and re-check your flight details.
19:00: We meet in the hotel to have our welcome dinner
21:00: First night in Windhoek
DAY 2: OCTOBER 27th
Our adventure will begin with an early morning trip to Kolmanskoppe, heading towards the south of the country in a long-driving trip.
This afternoon you will visit the Kolmanskoppe Ghost Town, for a private photography session. In the early 1900’, things seemed very different in Kolmanskoppe, alive, busy and full of hope, situated in the desert on the outskirts of the coastal town Lüderitz. Now it is an abandoned ghost town being engulfed by the Namib Desert. At the beginning of the 20th century diamonds were discovered in the desert area just outside Lüderitz. This caused a diamond rush, from all over the world, the once desolated lonely desert was engulfed with the influx of fortune seekers. Out of this desert grew the elegant town of Kolmanskoppe, which included facilities like a casino, theatre, skittle alley, butchery, bakery, soda water and lemonade plant, swimming pool and a hospital with the first x-ray machine in the Southern Hemisphere. Some 700 families lived in the town, including about 300 German adults, 40 children and 800 Owambo contract worker.
Shortly after the drop in diamond sales after World War I, and the discovery of richer deposits further south, the beginning of the end started for Kolmanskoppe. So within the 40 years that the town was born, it died. The architecture is a photographer’s wish and it brings an exceptional journey to the end.
After dinner, we will celebrate with a beer in town and we will go back to capture some nightscape photography.
DAY 3: OCTOBER 28th
Early in the morning we will go and look for the morning light around the houses. You will find fascinating colors, shapes and perspective with the sand.
What would you say if we create a staged photograph for this location? We can discuss it with the group!
During the day, we will have our last portfolio review, where we will discuss the work we’ve done during the trip. In this review you will receive feedback that will improve your work. In the same way, we will discuss how to publish your work and how to present your photographs for upcoming exhibitions.
After our dinner, we will return to catch the milkyway with this incredible abandoned houses.
DAY 4: OCTOBER 29th
In the morning, right after breakfast, we will have our second highlight of the trip: we will meet the oldest desert in the world, that holds the highest sand dunes on earth: The Namib desert.
We will stay at an incredible lodge with a desert view, a magical landscape with a ‘Martian feeling’. You will love this place; I can tell you!
After some rest, we will go to explore the desert, visiting Deadlvei. It is a clay pan that was formed after rainfall, when the Tsauchab river flooded, creating temporary shallow pools where the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. When the climate changed, drought hit the area, and sand dunes encroached on the pan, which blocked the river from the area.
The trees died, as there no longer was enough water to survive. There are some species of plants remaining, such as salsola and clumps of nara, adapted to surviving off the morning mist and very rare rainfall.
The remaining skeletons of the trees, which are believed to have died 600-700 years ago are now black because the intense sun has scorched them. Though not petrified the wood does not decompose because it is so dry in the desert.
All these makes Deadvlei an incredible scenario to photograph where we will be shooting at sunset and if possible, some nightscape photography*.
*The night visits to the desert have been regulated in the last few years by the Namibian government. Our major effort will be done trying to be there at night, it is our goal. The date of the workshop is planned to have new moon so we can have more information in the milkyway when visible in the sky. We will do our best to get the permission and we will be always looking to do night photography, however, even if we get the permission, there could be chances that they don’t allow us to be there at night. Once we get there at the desert, we will do our best to make it possible.
DAY 5: OCTOBER 30th
We will wait for sunrise at Deadvlei, what will give us another point of view to photograph the trees. It will be a completely different experience than the day before, and this will bring us many photo opportunities to capture beautiful landscapes.
We will go back to the lodge to enjoy breakfast, the nature pool and relax for a while.
In the afternoon, after a delicious lunch, we will have one of the best experiences of our lives: we will overflight the Namib desert inside a doors-off helicopter, with the best golden light that will hit the sand dunes and will create unique pictures for your camera. Be ready to enjoy packs of Oryx running through the immense desert and feel like if you could touch the sand with your hands while you fly over one of the most amazing landscapes of our planet. This will be an experience that will probably make you cry and will be kept as a memory in your heart for the rest of your life.
At night, we will go back to the desert to photograph the milky way at its best show. After our nightscape tour, we will celebrate with an exquisite diner at the lodge.
DAY 6: OCTOBER 31
In the morning we will depart for our next destination – Swakopmund. Considered by most Namibians to be the country’s top holiday resort, this old German town spreads from the mouth of the Swakop River out into the surrounding desert plains. Swakopmund is a popular seaside resort because of its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere.
Swakopmund exudes romance and history which makes it a rich cultural melting pot of old and new. The
town is an eclectic mixture of Bohemian and Bavaria which make it home to artists, hippies, strait-laced
descendants of German settlers, stately Herero women in Victorian dresses, and hardworking miners, gamerangers, safari operators and fishermen. This electic mixture gives Swakopmund a unique atmosphere, and make it a pleasant oasis in which to spend a few days.
DAY 7: NOVEMBER 1
After an exquisite breakfast, we will go west, to find one of the highlights of our adventure: meet up with the Himba tribe. The aim of this photo adventure is to get to know Himba culture as authentic as possible, photograph and communicate it with dignity. The Himbas are one of the last African tribes living their nomad life traditionally. One of the most striking things about the Himba is the colour of their skin, hair and their unique way of dressing.
They coat their skin with a mixture of cattle fat, ash, and ochre to protect themselves from the harsh desert climate and the merciless sun above. As an additional bonus, the paste gives the Himba a deep red colour that is highly desirable look in the Himba culture and is very striking to look at. The women wear small skirts made of goat skins adorned with shells and jewelry made of iron and copper. The men and boys wear goatskin loin clothes.
A truly wonder to experience and document. Once we hit our lodge, we will go to look for the Himba to have our first meeting and photograph their lives with the best golden hour light.
DAY 8: NOVEMBER 2
In the morning, before sun comes up, we will go and seek a Himba village located up in the mountain. We will have the chance to share the sunrise with the community, as we document how they put the ‘otjize’ over their skin.
In the afternoon, after lunch and resting, we will return to the villa to share some more time together and end up our photo stories with them.
While we have our delicious diner, we will review some of our pictures.
DAY 9: NOVEMBER 3
After a delicious breakfast we will head up north, to visit the famous Etosha National Park. It is an amazing place where we can look for the white elephants, lions, zebras and more wildlife. Here, we will go to the ‘waterholes’ where life gathers in packs, which means is a great opportunity for any nature lover.
In the afternoon, after lunch, we will look for another photo safari with the beautiful golden light.
DAY 10: NOVEMBER 4
We will wake up before sunrise to start preparing for our second photo safari. The morning light will be part of our adventure to capture incredible wild life photographs.
After the pictures, we will come back for breakfast and some rest. In the afternoon, we will return to have a third photo safari with the sunset light.
DAY 11: NOVEMBER 5th
Our morning will begin with a short trip that will take us to the north side of the country, to one of the Namibia’s wonders, the most beautiful game reserve in the whole area. In this place, we will find incredible wild life living around, besides an amazing resort that will astonish you.
After our delicious lunch, we will have our first photo safari, where we will meet the sunset, and where we will be able to watch some lions, wild dogs, and zebras. The famous Namibia’s mammal, the Oryx will be there too.
When we come back, we will download the pictures and will celebrate with a cold local beer along the diner.
DAY 12: NOVEMBER 6th
Are you ready to watch the white rhino? We will go and look for him with the best morning light. What if we find a lion pack on the way and we can drive besides them? Well, don’t worry, there’s no risk to be on the side! Well, maybe there’s a small risk: that you get amazing pictures!
In the afternoon, after lunch, we will head back to Windhoek, the capital of the country.
DAY 13: NOVEMBER 7th
Depending on the time of your return flight you can enjoy the last day in Namibia before you depart for the airport.
FAQ
When does the Namibia 2022 workshop take place?
Our adventure in Namibia will take place from October 26 to November 7, 2022.
Esteban, why during that time? Couldn’t be another time of the year?
Although we would love to do it during traditional vacation time, thinking on those who study or work, we have our goal clear with this destination: Being able to travel and enjoy outdoors the majority of the time with a nice weather and an amazing light. In October, we have a fantastic weather that is between the 75°F and 80°F, which makes it a perfect time to visit the country, with the fact that after the summer, many animals will go to the waterholes. An incredible opportunity to take pictures of wild life! You won’t regret it!
Do I need a VISA to enter NAMIBIA?
The majority of the countries will need a VISA to enter Nambia. However, there are some EU countries that are allowed to visit Namibia without VISA during a short amount of time. It is really important that, according to your nationality, you do check if you need it or not. The VISA fee in Namibia is $45USD aprox. This can change up to how many times you need to visit the country and the embassy prices. However, for the purpose of our expedition, you’ll only need a single entry.
To obtain the Namibian VISA, you must start the process with enough time in your closest embassy or via e-mail. This process can take around a month, however, you must consider Namibian holidays, as some delays may take place. Our suggestion is that you apply as soon as possible.
What is the Workshop Cost?
From workshop’s launch until September 15, 2022, the cost is $7000USD
From September 15 2022 to September 30, 2022, the cost is $7500USD
From September 30 to October 15, 2022, the cost is $8200USD
If you do early booking, you can save up to $1,200USD
You can book your place starting from $2000USD, non-refundable, that will save your seat to the fare of your first payment.
Students of previous international workshops can have $100USD discount over any of the payment dates.
What does the price include?
- 13 days of photography workshop where you will learn from: documentary photography, travel photography, landscape, portrait, photography equipment, photographic technique, composition and narrative, and two portfolio reviews by Esteban Toro.
- All meals starting from October 26, 2022 to breakfast November 7, 2022. November 6th dinner’s is included.
- Luxury hotels in single accommodation, with high cleaning standards, to ensure the greatest experience and comfort during our trip, starting with the night on October 26th and finishing the night of November 6th, 2022.
- Domestic transfer in Namibia in a private car, totally comfortable and thought for photographers who carry bags of camera who wants good space for the legs!
- All the national park entrances, villages, game reserves and locations specified in the itinerary.
- All the photoshoots –specified in the itinerary- with locals, including technical and composing advices by Esteban.
- Bottles of water and snacks inside the car during our trips
- Helicopter flight at the Namib desert
What does not include this price?
- Drinks with the meals and alcoholic beverages are not included
- Namibian VISA (45USD)
- Airplane tickets from your country to Windhoek and from Windhoek to your next destination
- Souvenirs
- International calls from the hotel
- Damages caused during your stay at the hotel we visit
- Tips and additional transfers that you do on your own
- International travel and health insurance
- All the services not mentioned in the INCLUDED list
What camera equipment should I bring for the experience?
- Any DSLR or Mirrorless camera, no matter what brand you have, is just what you need.
- Lenses: Any lens is useful for our expedition. However, if possible: A wide-angle 16-35mm, an intermediate zoom 24-70mm and a telephoto 70-200mm. If you have a 400, 500 or 600mm, it is more than welcome!
- Tripod (You can’t leave it at home!)
- Remote controller
- High capacity and speed memories that you can trust on
- Laptop (optional)
- Hard drive (NECESSARY)
- A good and comfortable bagpack to take camera, one lens, batteries and a bottle of water for the photo walks
If you need help buying extra equipment, we can help you with that!
Don’t worry about what to take with you. All the information about clothes, how to protect your camera from the desert, as many other recommendations we will solve them out for you three months in advance with our workshop welcoming letter so you can prepare your luggage!
Do you have a brand-new phone with you? Welcome to take pictures with it. It will allow you to photograph freely during the trip and take good snaps. You can enjoy the whole adventure only with your pocket camera. We are totally phone lovers.
*Although you have to consider that when taking pictures at night, you will have some issues if you decide to bring only your phone. Anyway, it is always wonderful to contemplate the views during a beautiful night.
Who is this experience for?
It does not matter how advanced you are in photography. If you are beginner or professional, Esteban will always be there to guide you. He will check your process, according to your photography knowledge. If you have any doubt about your camera, framing, composition, light, narrative or even all of the above, you can always solve them out with him. His experience as a professor has given him an incredible patience to solve any doubt, even “the most stupid one” (but there are not really stupid questions though).
PAYMENT
We prefer Western Union
Do you know this transfer system?
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union)
https://www.westernunion.com/us/es/send-money/app/start
They have business offices all around the world and allows you to easily transfer money
The company will charge a small amount to transfer the money from the workshop.
CONDITIONS
Once you decide to join us in our photography experience, we will have to start booking plenty of things to guarantee the best prices and quality, because of that, we need a minimum deposit of $2000USD to book your seat with us. As you have read above, we have a maximum availability of 10 people for the workshop. This is an exclusive experience, which implies that many of the seats will be taken before you finish reading this sentence. Join us now!
The outstanding balance can be paid according to the payment dates mentioned above.
The minimum quorum to the Namibian workshop is 4 people. In case we don’t complete the quorum, we will give you back 100% of your deposit.
Does the price include the airplane tickets to or from Namibia?
No. The airplane tickets to and from Windhoek must be purchased by you. We can gladly help you to get the best discounts, so please do not hesitate to ask us for that.
Do I need to be athletic to assist the experience?
You don’t have to worry about your physical condition. We will do photo walks, be we will spend many hours taking pictures in the same location, waiting for the best light. We will always be thinking about the comfort of the group, so we will frequently stop and wait for the others. Also, we will always look for the best way to move from one place to the other, to make the greatest experience for everybody, no matter the age or physical condition.
What language will be spoken during the expedition?
All our workshop will be guided in English and Spanish. No worries, amigo!
When will you have another photo expedition to Namibia?
These photo expeditions are unique. We might come back to Namibia in 2050, but so far, we don’t have any other planned more than the 2022 experience.
I have another question, who I ask to?
Please, feel free to contact our team any time you need. We will call you back with all the detailed information you need to solve all your questions.
You can send us an email to: contact@estebantoro.com or get in touch by phone (WhatsApp included): +1 917-280-2554
