Italy Workshop and Tour Reviews
Photo Workshop Reviews
Read real customers’ workshop reviews. Reviews are from amateur and professional photographers alike.
September 2019 I joined the Dolomites tour of Drake Busath’s Italy Workshops, together with my mom. Despite I’m Dutch, I didn’t know Europe has such beautiful spots!!! When I say it’s a real ‘pearl of the world’, I’m absolutely not exaggerating.
Drake knows how to put variety in the program, that is also hosted by the Italian Mauro Riva. You won’t only see mountains: villages, lakes and churches on breathtaking Disney-like spots are kind of ‘habit of the day’… It’s all included and you will get spoiled by it ;-). Together with fabulous food, very good workshop support by a large crew and amazingly kind participants this week has been unforgettable, for me and my mother.
Oh and… It doesn’t matter from which country you are, as long as you speak a bit of English (or Italian), you will be fine!!!
Hopefully we will meet again!
I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – Joel & Drake provided something truly special. I learned as much in a week with you two as I learned in two semesters of photography classes because you were IN the field with us mentoring and reinforcing what we learned in “class” as we went.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks so much!
Thank you for all your patience and long suffering on the workshop. I truly can’t believe how much attention you gave each of us, how excited you got for us when we wanted to learn something, and how you never treated any of us like the beginners some us are! I had such a blast at the gelato shop and on the sunset excursions working one-on-one with you; I hope I didn’t monopolize you so that others didn’t get the same opportunity. Thank you for generously sharing your equipment AND your knowledge/experience, and then following up after we all got home with information on where to get the gear you used on the workshop. I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – you provided something truly special.
Being able to learn from pros in the classroom and then have one-on-one help in the field, to see how they see and then shoot a scene, was an incomparable learning experience.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks so much!
Thanks a million for the memories, beautiful villages, landscapes and a whole lot of fun people to travel with. My sons John and David will never forget… We saw and experienced places we would never have seen had it not been for you.
Tuscany Photo Workshop Reviews
The Tuscany photo tour filled two of my most recent travel desires. First, to visit rural Tuscany in a non-intrusive intimate way and two, to linger as long as I desired taking photos. My criteria were simple: no big bus, no 5 hotels in 7 day, no beaten path. Improving my photo skills would be a nice bonus. My hopes were more than fulfilled. Traveling with a small band of lively spirits with Drake and Randy as our drivers and guides was like being with family. We stayed in Siena and moved only once, to the farm at Pieve where we were greeted like old friends. And the grand dinner at Lucca’s new restaurant was the experience that will never be matched. As for accommodations, the breathtaking scenery was not just outside our door, but literally outside our windows. Our itinerary took us within a radius of just 30 km from our base yet seemed like more. By covering less ground, and through photography, you can connect with place in a much more personal and creative way. Even though I am not an accomplished photographer, the Tuscan landscape together with Drake and Randy’s guidance made me feel like one.
Just as gifted coaches make their sport look easy, Drake and Randy make photography and travel seem effortless. And the group, oh my. The shared laughs, the meals together, the food, the wine and Tuscany — I’ve found my favorite way to travel.
Just as gifted coaches make their sport look easy, Drake and Randy make photography and travel seem effortless. And the group, oh my. The shared laughs, the meals together, the food, the wine and Tuscany — I’ve found my favorite way to travel.
I joined Drake and the awesome group of participants in 2006 at the Tuscan Workshop. To this day, that week remains one of the most inspiring, transforming and unforgettable times of my life. I yearn to go back. In fact I was booked to go back the next year but my Mom got ill and I had to cancel. I can’t wait to go back.
If you want an experience that will imprint your heart forever, this is one to consider. Besides the attributes I checked, Drake is all of the above. He is one of the most knowledgeable photographers and kindest, most encouraging teachers I have ever known.
This workshop was a delightful experience. I enjoyed being in the company of wonderful people in a splendid setting. We were free to shoot at our own pace and our level of experience without constraint. The critique sessions were very helpful and constructive. With Drake and Randy I understood the true essence of photography: creative imagination and passion combined with the sense of observation. In reality, you are constantly competing against yourself like a true artist or a passionate golfer. Photography is indeed a wonderful art of expressing yourself with light and lenses.
Shooting photos in the wonderful villages of beautiful Tuscany was most inspiring. We were witnesses to the real Italian life surrounded by centuries of art and history under the warm Tuscan sun. My favorite and most unforgettable experience was my visit to the Abbey of Sant ‘Antimo near Montalcino. The spiritual impact of this romanesque place of worship is immense in its beauty and simplicity.
The workshop was well balanced and organized. I felt comfortable and welcome.
The Italy Workshop is weeks behind me and I am STILL enjoying and using what I learned in those intense nine days. I left home with some good basic camera skills but I returned home feeling like my camera was part of my body! My skill level took a giant leap forward in both taking photos well and post-production skills. I have come home with literally thousands of photos that I am giddy proud of! People comment to me that I “probably took some great pictures” and I laugh and tell them that I have dozens and dozens of winners. I’m not bragging about MY ability but on the instruction that I received that made it all possible.
I really loved our “classroom” time. It was as if the instructors wanted to pour out all their knowledge for me to absorb. Every night I was so tired but extremely pumped from all I had learned about “seeing” and shooting photos, including thinking outside the box to create photographs that would express my Italian experience. Studying with some of the BEST could be intimidating yet I found Drake to be professional in every way and extremely approachable. I loved having Randy there to teach post-production skills. I learned Lightroom before the trip, but Randy stretched my abilities to help me improve my presentations.
My husband very much enjoyed himself too even though he is not a photographer. He loves art history so he was happy to explore on his own while I was busy learning. I am more of a village person so I actually preferred our rural setting. I just loved that we focused on small hill towns that were quaint and easy to walk. Also, you could wander off by yourself knowing that you would bump into others easily all day.
All of the villages had their own personalities so I’m not sure I have a favorite. The festival at San Gimignano was a great perk! It really threw me into the spirit of being in a very different place that is drenched in history. Another “pinch me” moment was the early morning shoot – sunrise, field of horses, deep colors coming alive on the horizon. What’s not to love? Thank you so very much Drake, Randy & Jamie for taking me to the next level in enjoying and making beautiful photographs!!
I joined the Tuscany workshop in search of inspiration and I certainly found it. But beyond that, I learned a lot! Sure, I expanded my technical skills, but more importantly, Drake and Randy taught me how to see things differently. The workshop provided a unique opportunity to really slow down and find beauty in the smallest – and sometimes the biggest – details.
What made the trip truly special was the small size of the group and the personal attention and guidance each of us received. As well, Drake’s knowledge of the area and his well-established relationships with locals made me feel like I was on my own private tour. Combine these things with amazing food and fantastic accommodations, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to experience Italy. I can’t wait to go back!
If you love photography and love to travel, Italy Workshops will not disappoint. In addition to being incredible photographers, Drake and his team are just nice people! They have sponsored these workshops for many years and are extremely knowledgeable about where you need to be to capture the images you’ll be proud of when you return home. Regardless of how much you know – or don’t know – about capturing and editing images, they are patient and willing to help.
I have been to Italy twice, both times with Italy Workshops. First, I went to Tuscany where I fell in love with Italy’s landscapes, people, language, food and, of course, wine! The second trip was the Cinque Terre and Italian Riviera tour. My husband, who is not a photographer, loved both trips. There are plenty of opportunities for partners to explore or enjoy free time if they’d rather not be with the group the entire time.
Drake and his team know many of the locals. They also know the language and how to get around, which takes the hassle out of trip planning and allows you to focus on getting the images you want. Italy Workshops is a great value for the experience and you will walk away with cherished images and memories to last a lifetime.
Amalfi Coast and Village Life Photo Tour Reviews
September 2019 I joined the Dolomites tour of Drake Busath’s Italy Workshops, together with my mom. Despite I’m Dutch, I didn’t know Europe has such beautiful spots!!! When I say it’s a real ‘pearl of the world’, I’m absolutely not exaggerating.
Drake knows how to put variety in the program, that is also hosted by the Italian Mauro Riva. You won’t only see mountains: villages, lakes and churches on breathtaking Disney-like spots are kind of ‘habit of the day’… It’s all included and you will get spoiled by it ;-). Together with fabulous food, very good workshop support by a large crew and amazingly kind participants this week has been unforgettable, for me and my mother.
Oh and… It doesn’t matter from which country you are, as long as you speak a bit of English (or Italian), you will be fine!!!
Hopefully we will meet again!
I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – Joel & Drake provided something truly special. I learned as much in a week with you two as I learned in two semesters of photography classes because you were IN the field with us mentoring and reinforcing what we learned in “class” as we went.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks so much!
Thank you for all your patience and long suffering on the workshop. I truly can’t believe how much attention you gave each of us, how excited you got for us when we wanted to learn something, and how you never treated any of us like the beginners some us are! I had such a blast at the gelato shop and on the sunset excursions working one-on-one with you; I hope I didn’t monopolize you so that others didn’t get the same opportunity. Thank you for generously sharing your equipment AND your knowledge/experience, and then following up after we all got home with information on where to get the gear you used on the workshop. I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – you provided something truly special.
Being able to learn from pros in the classroom and then have one-on-one help in the field, to see how they see and then shoot a scene, was an incomparable learning experience.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks so much!
Thanks a million for the memories, beautiful villages, landscapes and a whole lot of fun people to travel with. My sons John and David will never forget… We saw and experienced places we would never have seen had it not been for you.
Dolomites Photo Tour Reviews
September 2019 I joined the Dolomites tour of Drake Busath’s Italy Workshops, together with my mom. Despite I’m Dutch, I didn’t know Europe has such beautiful spots!!! When I say it’s a real ‘pearl of the world’, I’m absolutely not exaggerating.
Drake knows how to put variety in the program, that is also hosted by the Italian Mauro Riva. You won’t only see mountains: villages, lakes and churches on breathtaking Disney-like spots are kind of ‘habit of the day’… It’s all included and you will get spoiled by it ;-). Together with fabulous food, very good workshop support by a large crew and amazingly kind participants this week has been unforgettable, for me and my mother.
Oh and… It doesn’t matter from which country you are, as long as you speak a bit of English (or Italian), you will be fine!!!
Hopefully we will meet again!
I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – Joel & Drake provided something truly special. I learned as much in a week with you two as I learned in two semesters of photography classes because you were IN the field with us mentoring and reinforcing what we learned in “class” as we went.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks so much!
Thank you for all your patience and long suffering on the workshop. I truly can’t believe how much attention you gave each of us, how excited you got for us when we wanted to learn something, and how you never treated any of us like the beginners some us are! I had such a blast at the gelato shop and on the sunset excursions working one-on-one with you; I hope I didn’t monopolize you so that others didn’t get the same opportunity. Thank you for generously sharing your equipment AND your knowledge/experience, and then following up after we all got home with information on where to get the gear you used on the workshop. I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – you provided something truly special.
Being able to learn from pros in the classroom and then have one-on-one help in the field, to see how they see and then shoot a scene, was an incomparable learning experience.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks so much!
Thanks a million for the memories, beautiful villages, landscapes and a whole lot of fun people to travel with. My sons John and David will never forget… We saw and experienced places we would never have seen had it not been for you.
Puglia Photo Tour Reviews
Italy’s Romantic Lakes Photo Workshop Reviews
Loire Valley, France Photo Workshop Reviews
This was not our first experience with Italy Workshops. We had already done six workshops in Italy, including one with our children and their spouses. And, we plan to do it again! We love seeing the world with Drake while learning new skills.
We loved our photo workshop in France almost as much as the one in Ravello, Italy. The hotel in Fontevraud, with the wonderful smells, was our favorite. We had a large, comfortable room and loved the countryside location; the food there was delicious. Traveling by minivan worked well and we liked it better than a large bus. The size of our group was just right and the other guests were especially compatible. The selection of the areas we visited was everything we expected, and our photos are proof of that. The workshops were very informative and Drake and Joel were both knowledgeable and very helpful. We are in awe of the Loire Valley and now want to go back.
We have a new appreciation of subject lighting and the challenge of getting the perfect image is what we both needed. Marie is perfect for negotiating France. She is so knowledgeable and darling. Rod was always carrying our luggage and doing all he could to help us. The staff exceeded our expectations. The meals included in the package were fabulous in the restaurants. The picnics were fun and we ate too much!
The hotel in Saumur was beautiful as well. The Loire River was just across the street and we got some incredible night shots. We saw unexpected and wonderful places tourists wouldn’t ordinarily see.
Canyons Tour Photo Workshop Reviews
When you travel with Drake, it is great!
Before you go, he and his people have thought of every need or want you may have on the trip and have anticipated everything so that you have a wonderful trip. They don’t forget a thing!
Each and every day is well-planned with great places to see and photograph. They are so knowledgeable and are right there helping you and teaching you to be a better photographer. It was the best!
