Rome Photography Expedition (October 10-14, 2010)

Turn Your Everyday
Snapshots into Cash

This October in Rome, Italy, You Can …

Dear Photographer,

When in Rome … do as a professional photographer might – that is, discover this beautiful city in a way you never could as a typical tourist.

For four and a half days, explore with professional photographer Rich Wagner Rome’s historic buildings, squares, and quaint cobblestone streets and alleyways, capturing famous landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Vatican, and more along the way.

As one of just 9 attendees, you’ll benefit from intimate how-to sessions and hands-on photo shoots at the elbow of a professional photographer.

If you're intrigued by the prestige of seeing your photos in magazines … if you long for a career or sideline that lets you travel whenever you like and live wherever you prefer … then this is, hands down, the best place to begin your adventure.

I assure you, not only will you come away with a real passion for Rome – having discovered it with a photographer’s eye – but you'll also learn all the ins and outs you need to take amazing photos … and sell them.

Whether you have little experience and modest equipment or you’re already a talented amateur photographer, you’ll benefit from this program.

You don't need to have a $1,000 camera to take photos you can sell for $100, $400 … $600 … or more. And this October 10 – 14 in Rome we'll show you exactly how it's done.

Programs like this one in Rome boast an unbeatable track record – it really does propel people from amateur to pro, fast.

Take Lynnia Allison. She attended our workshop in The Bahamas, and one month later, she displayed some of her photographs at a local gallery exhibit and sold four at $500 a piece.

And there's Sue Wright, who attended our workshop in Paris and sold more than $1,500 worth of photos within three months of returning home.

They both paid for their workshop fees in short order, and the skills they used to do it are the same ones you'll learn in Rome this October.

We'll teach you everything you need to know to create your own successes … and turn your photos into cash so you can enjoy the freedom, independence, and amazing travel opportunities freelance photography can deliver.

Discover the Skills and Secrets You Need
to Turn Your Snapshots into Cash …
and Fund Your Travels through Photography …

The Rome expedition will focus on fine art and magazine photography.

And Rich Wagner will be your instructor.

Rich’s images hang in public corporations and private foundations from the Americas to the Far East. In Rome he’ll share his secrets for selling locally to fund your vacations while also leading you through the streets of Rome to create stunning travel photographs.

Shoots and presentations on this expedition will include …

  • How to get the best possible pictures every time no matter what kind of camera you have
  • How to compose your photographs for maximum effect when marketing them as fine art and to magazines
  • How to market and sell the photos you take on this trip
  • And much more …

Your guide in Rome will be Cynthia Morris, who has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Italy. Cynthia (author of Leading Tours for Fun and Profit: How to Create Your own Niche Tours) knows how to find the best spots for making sure your experience is unique. She’s led tours in Paris and Arles and is a seasoned traveler who has a knack for finding inspiring spots off the beaten tourist path.

I can’t wait to be in Rome with you. I’ve traveled quite a bit in Europe. In 2008, I took 35 trips around Europe in 11 months. I lived as a creative nomad and learned a lot about how to slow down, find the unexpected treasures and enjoy Europe as the Europeans do, with plenty of gusto and adventure.

I’m no photography expert, but I will teach you the following: how to flirt in Italian with just a few words, how to find the best gelato, how to slow down enough to capture those great photos and much, much more. We’ll live la dolce vita together in Rome!

I hope to see you there.

— Cynthia

We'll Be Based in the Heart of Rome,
Just Steps Away from the Coliseum

We're hosting this workshop at the Lancelot Hotel, a charming boutique property nestled in a rich historical neighborhood, just a few steps from the Coliseum. You can’t get a better spot than this – we’ll be surrounded by ancient churches and basilica such as the San Clemente basilica where you can see the layers of Roman history in one site, and the Santi Quattro Coronati basilica, which also dates back to the 4th century (the cloister is stunning—a perfect spot if you’re in search of peace and quiet and of course ideal for photos!)

From the hotel it is an easy walk to the Roman Forum where you can wander freely while capturing images of ancient Rome.

The Lancelot is the ideal jumping-off point for exploring the old city. If you like to walk (and that’s the best way to get great photos) you can easily wander the city and end up with many memories and tons of great photos!

If you want to make your own adventures in your free time, the Roman bus system is also easy to use. Cynthia will show you how to find the right bus for your destination, buy and use tickets, and be whisked around the city right alongside the Romans.

Day 1

We'll meet you at the hotel in the afternoon and get right down to business. Before we set out into the city, Rich will take you step-by-step through the right camera settings and show you how to manipulate your camera to turn an average vacation snapshot into a photo worthy of wall space and a magazine cover. Then we’ll wander over to the Pantheon to practice. You’ll have time to put into play what you’ve learned so far. If there’s anything that embodies the glory of the Roman Empire, it’s this building. As we explore the Pantheon you’ll be able to practice what Rich has taught you about how to capture grand buildings, inside and out, and how to get great pictures even when there are many people around.

Then we’ll do as the Romans do and have a drink together at a quaint café to discuss our findings and challenges of the day.

Afterward you’ll have free time to try out your first “Ristorante” of the trip, and to prepare for Day 2.

Day 2

You’ll head into the heart of ancient Rome...this is one place where the word ‘ancient’ truly applies. In the morning you’ll go to Piazza Navona, camera in hand, and get a taste of the freelance photographer's life. You’ll get to apply your skills to the famous Baroque sites of Rome, the Fountain of Four Rivers designed by Bernini, and the Saint Agnese Church designed by Borromini.

Throughout the week, we’ll see these two famous Roman architects duel it out elsewhere in the city. Piazza Navona is also a great place to people watch, enjoy a refreshment at an outdoor terrace, or sit on a bench and dream of the time when this was an ancient stadium.

Afterwards you’ll head to Campo Dei Fiori to savor the open-air market. Here’s your chance to photograph Italy’s bountiful culinary splendors – fresh fruits and vegetables (I guarantee you’ll see some you don’t recognize), the amazing Italian cheeses, more pastas than you’ve ever imagined and more. (I’ll leave some surprises for you!) These kinds of markets are among our favorite things to visit, photograph and enjoy while in Europe, and you’ll be able to buy picnic goods if you want, or save your appetite for a lunch at a nearby café.

But before lunch you’ll have the chance to photograph the Palazzo Farnese, considered by some to be the most beautiful Renaissance palace in Rome.

Enjoy your lunch – either a picnic by the Tiber River or at a nearby café – while digesting all you’ve taken in. We’ll meet later at the hotel to review your photos, and then you’ll have the evening to discover your own Roman adventures and enjoy a leisurely dinner Roman style.

Day 3

Today we’ll stick close to the hotel, wandering through the Roman Forum where archeology buffs will be in heaven!

Before noon, we’ll wander over to Testaccio, where you’ll discover a real Roman working-class neighborhood with plenty of things to photograph and lots of gastronomic pleasures for foodies. You won’t see a lot of tourists here -- which means more time and space to relax and capture great photos.

There’s a lot to see in this neighborhood. The old stockyards are now an art exhibition space and perhaps you’ll go in and gather some inspiration for your own art.

You can go to the covered market here for some great photos (it closes at 1:30 so get there before that) and to pick up ingredients to make a picnic. You may wish to have a sandwich made for you at Gastronomia E. Volpetti, one of Rome’s legendary delis. We’ll have a late afternoon class session with Rich. Afterwards we’ll have an optional photo shoot atop the Aventino Hill you won’t want to miss.

Aventino hill is one of Rome’s seven legendary hills. It’s a bit of a climb, but it will be well worth it for to hear the Benedictine monks of the San Anselmo abbey sing vespers at 7:15 pm. We’ll also capture some photos of the city at sunset.

For dinner, it’s up to you…we’ll have some recommendations for nearby restaurants or you can wander and discover your own Roman adventures!

Day 4

Rome is known for its beautiful public fountains. You’ve, of course, heard of the Trevi Fountain, which we’ll visit today, but we’ll also check out the fountains near the Piazza del Quirinale along with a few off-the-beaten-path gemstoday. You’ll get lots of practice photographing street scenes which have such charm and ambiance.

You’ll be free to have lunch on your own then we’ll meet at the Spanish Steps, where all good travelers convene. This is people watching at its best, and there are also splendid shopping opportunities in this neighborhood. You’ll have time to wander through the shops, eat a gelato, or snap some photos.

At the top of the Spanish Steps, we’ll have a chance to photograph another of Rome’s beautiful baroque churches, San Trinita del Monte. By now you’ll be a pro at capturing the magnificent Italian architecture!

From there we’ll head to al Pinicio, the garden terrace that overlooks Rome. We’ll practice our panoramic photography skills and also linger to relish the gardens and statuary on the terrace. This is such a lovely spot and we’ll refresh our perspective and spirit with the incredible views of the city.

At this point you’re free to wander or join the group for optional drinks at the famous Bar Rosati. If it’s nice weather we can sit on the terrace and continue enjoying the view!

Day 5

It’s our last day together in Rome. If you’re up for it, join us for the optional sunrise shoot at the Palantine hill near our hotel.

We’ll have a group photo review this morning with Rich and then make our way to Trastevere, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Rome. We’ll wander the tiny medieval streets and hopefully lose ourselves in this charming area.

This is real Rome, where locals greet each other as they enjoy their daily rituals of shopping, eating and of course, visiting their local church for mass or to light a candle as a prayer. At the Piazza Santa Maria, you’ll find the oldest church in Rome, the Santa Maria in Trastevere.

This is the neighborhood to grab a simple lunch – a slice of pizza or fluffy focaccia topped with fresh vegetables, herbs and cheese – or sit in a café and be served pasta in shapes you’ve never before seen!

You’ll have time to capture any last photos and memories (or treats to take home) this afternoon, or make your way back in a leisurely way to the hotel.

We’ll meet in the afternoon for our last class with Rich to review the photos you’ve taken throughout the week. You’ll get a real sense of how far you’ve come and you will be ready to go home and make the most of your photos.

But before then, we’ll party! We’ll meet for dinner at a restaurant that I’ll choose for its great food, ambiance and reputation – and it’s a surprise! We’ll toast our efforts, relish our time together, have some laughs, and top it all off with limoncello, our favorite Italian digestive – a lemon liqueur that will leave the taste of Italy on your tongue for months to come!

A Very Special Price When You Register Today

In the last five years of teaching photography to both complete amateurs and professionals alike, Rich has created a systematic approach to learning that anyone can follow …

… a system that, when coupled with a bit of persistence, is so powerful, our past workshop attendees are finding great success.

The information you’ll gain at this workshop could, quite literally, change your life — it has already for so many of our past attendees who, today, are making money as photographers and enjoying the freedom and flexibility this life can offer.

This Expedition Includes:

  • Four full days plus one half day of photography training (spent partly in class and partly out and about in Rome)
  • Four walking photo tours plus optional sunrise and night shoots
  • Special presentations and demonstrations by Rich Wagner with instructions for selling your travel photos in your own hometown
  • Group reviews with Rich where you'll learn what it takes to create a magazine-quality photograph and how to manipulate your photos in a photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom so that you always look like a pro.
  • Five night’s hotel accommodation
  • Transportation to and from all photo shoots
  • A welcome cocktail on your first evening in Rome
  • A farewell group dinner on Tuesday night at a traditional Italian restaurant

And all of that is yours for just $3,498 per person (other discounts may apply. See the registration page behind the Register Today button below for details).

What’s more, if your spouse or a guest would like to join you, he or she can do so for just $2,898.

This Expedition Does NOT Include:

  • Your roundtrip flight to Rome, Italy
  • Airport transfers on your arrival and departure
  • Meals not listed above
  • Equipment — you must bring your own camera and accessories (memory cards, tripod, laptop, etc.)

Activity Level:

Very high activity. Most of this workshop will be done out and about on foot. You’ll need your walking shoes on every day of this workshop.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this workshop. It is for people of all skill levels and experience—you’ll find the concepts discussed both accessible and doable.

Dates:

October 10-14, 2010

Register Today

Space is limited and this is the only photography workshop we’ll be hosting in Rome this year. I strongly urge you to sign on soon.

You can register by clicking below or call our office at (202) 370-6459 (Eastern time zone) or toll free at (866) 415-1425.

You can also email me at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com.

Sincerely,

Lori Allen
Director, AWAI's Travel Division

P.S. If you can take a simple photograph, you have what it takes to become a successful freelance photographer. It’s that easy. The many successful folks who have attended a workshop of ours in the past don’t do anything you can’t learn to do.

You don’t need fancy equipment. And you don’t need to know a thing about photography to get started. In Rome, you’ll learn all the real-world know-how you need to turn a trip here or a vacation there into a little cash on the side … or even jump in full-time. To turn 2010 into the year you transform your snapshots into cash, join us in Rome and learn how you can pursue your passions and get paid to do it …

NOTE: You may qualify for additional discounts on this Rome Photography Expedition if you’ve purchased certain AWAI products over the last 12 months. Click below on the Register Today button for details or call our office at (202) 370-6459 or (866) 415-1425 to find out how much you can save.

This workshop is for digital cameras only. You’re welcome to shoot in film if you like, but due to time and space we will only focus on the digital medium of photography and the publications that buy digital photographs. Point-and-shoot digital cameras are welcomed (and encouraged for first-time snappers).

Register Today