Exclusive 5 day residential photography courses in ancient Rome

 Workshop Series: Rome (max 4 people per course!)

Chris plans to start running these popular workshops again in 2025. To go on the waiting list please email Chris at info@chrisceaser.co.uk

Summary

Traditional luxury in a 5 star location. Small groups of just 4 photographers maximum!

Rome is a beautiful location for photographers.

Chris will take you to the perfect locations at the right time of each day and will assist you in finding the most engaging composition and making your best shots in each location.

While the focus is on sunrise and sunset field sessions, other field sessions will take place during each day and Chris will lead you through the various techniques required.

In the evenings, there will be the opportunity to discuss your best (or most challenging) shot of the day in our fun and friendly critique sessions.

This  workshop  will  give  you  the  opportunity  to  build your own portfolio  whilst learning  new  techniques  in the field as  part  of  a  small group  (max  4 people per course).

Remember we only take 4 photographers max. This gives you a better chance of capturing that special shot!

Cost (5 day course)

£ 1,695 per Photographer (see 'What's included' & 'What's not included', below)

A £ 600 deposit* is due at time of booking payable to Chris Ceaser Photography.

Balance by monthly payments**, or by deposit with balance paid 6 weeks prior to course.

** Your balance can be split into monthly payments with the final payment due 6 weeks prior to course date. Contact Chris to discuss this option.

Non-photography partners are welcome, however a small surcharge may apply.  Please ask for details!

What’s included?

Your Rome Workshop Includes:

  • 4 nights’ lodging at a lovely Hotel in the heart of Rome. (see www.residenzasancalisto.com)
    All bedrooms have private, en-suite bathroom.
    Full continental style breakfast is included which includes a selection of breads, pastries, fruits and meats/cheese, and some hot options (scrambled eggs!!).  See below for Hotel details.
  • Welcome drinks and course introduction on the Sunday.
  • 4 sunrise, 3 sunset and other daily field sessions.
  • Personal instruction by Chris in the field, including on the spot critiques and advice.
  • 3 group critique sessions, in which the shots you take during the workshop are discussed.

.... AND A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM OF JUST 4 PEOPLE PER COURSE!!!!

What’s not included?

The following is not Included but we are happy to advise you on options, where appropriate:

  • Airfare & Visas - We recommend that you fly to Rome Fiumicino to arrive mid-afternoon on the Sunday. (typical airfare is around £160 return)
  • Insurances - We strongly advise you take out personal travel insurance. Companies like AA travel insurance will provide single trip cover for just £10. This covers all monies paid in the event of illness, jury service etc....
  • Airport Transfer - We can provide advice on the options available – please ask. (private transfers are available from around £37 return)
  • Meals - Breakfast is included in our hotel.
    Lunch is up to you – stop to sit at a Trattoria for a leisurely break or, like us, grab a panini and a drink for around € 8 as you move between locations.
    Dinner is up to you but we would love you to join us and your fellow Photographers at the restaurants we recommend – we try to limit costs to € 15 a head for a main course.
  • Local Tourist Tax - There is a tourism tax in Rome which you need to pay tot he hotel on check out. It is normally a small amount, around 4 or 5 euros per day. I would advise you to check the current rate before booking.

Itinerary

Sunday

You are welcome to arrive at the Hotel from 3pm to settle in – we will be there to meet you.

Complimentary Drinks will be served at the Hotel at 7pm and then you can either join Chris for dinner or have some time to yourself.

Monday sunrise to Thursday at noon.

Sunrise

Sunrise is at around 07:30 each morning.

Your day will begin at around 06:30 as we leave the Hotel for the sunrise shoot - locations will vary.

We head back to the Hotel after shooting the golden hour (or so), for breakfast.

Day

The period between the sunrise and sunset shoots is broken up into small processing sessions and the opportunity to explore Rome:

  • Chris will run a couple of 45/60 minute seminars on post-production workflow and techniques, back at the Hotel looking at Lightroom. The timing of this will be confirmed on the day as it may depend on conditions – if the light is good, we shoot! You might choose to pick up a panini in a local café to eat during the seminars.
  • Chris will also run a critique session at the end of each day, normally before dinner. This will feature the Photographer’s own work and Chris will give constructive feedback on the chosen images from each day.
  • Other field sessions with Chris will be available during each day. The emphasis of the course will be on taking photographs and having a great time away with your camera!
  • If you wish to have your shots critiqued in the evening, please bring your images either on a USB stick, or your ipad/laptop (there is no need to bring your own laptop unless you want to process images as you go). The shot can be straight from your camera or one that you have processed. We limit the critique sessions to two or three shots per day, per Photographer, to ensure that the discussions are useful. You may choose to submit a shot you are particularly happy with, or one that you would like help to improve.

Sunset

Sunset is at around 17:20 each day.

After a short break to give you a little down time to chill out or catch up on personal matters, we head off to our chosen location at around 15:30, to set up and discuss the possibilities.

Your shooting day will end at around 18:00, as we will shoot beyond sunset into the exciting 'blue hour'.

Evening

Critique sessions will be held back at the Hotel at around 19:00 and should last 30 minutes. After that, dinner is up to you - you might choose to join us at a local restaurant to continue the discussion, or to head out individually to explore a little more. We will look to have dinner at around 8pm.

The Workshop ends at noon on the Thursday

Terms and Conditions

Chris Ceaser Photography offers 'no interest payment plans'. (Ask for details)

If you would like to arrange a monthly payment plan, please contact us at info@chrisceaser.com or on +44 7920 044094.

that you purchase travel insurance for your workshop.  This can protect you in case of an unforeseen situation that would require a last minute cancellation. Your gear will also be covered!

The workshops include: Bed & Breakfast lodging in Rome, Welcome Drinks on day 1, plus the various field sessions and seminars described above, all of which include thoughtful, personalised instruction from Chris. 

Not included:  Airfare, transportation to and from Hotel (including airport transfers), passport or visa fees, meals (other than breakfast & welcome dinner). (Typical air fare from Gatwick is around £130 return with BA)

Cancellation & Insurances

  • All deposits* are non-refundable
  • Chris Ceaser Photography does not offer cancellation refunds. Please take out adequate insurance to cover cancellations due to ill health, jury service etc. Please ask for recommendations and see below.

Insurances and refunds:
YOU are responsible for your own insurances. This needs to cover you and your kit for things such as emergency illness whilst away, theft of your kit, inability to travel due to illness etc. Should you not be able to travel at the time of the course you will need to claim on your own insurance. Chris will provide you with an invoice and a letter confirming you did not attend. There is NO refund should you cancel after paying your deposits and balances. This is why you need your own insurances in place.

WE are covered under our own EVENT INSURANCE in the case that Chris cannot attend (due to illness, etc). 

Our event insurance is quite comprehensive, but it does NOT cover things such as rainy weather, overcast weather etc. In these cases the course goes ahead, just like a normal booked holiday would. Make sure you or any operator you may use has such EVENT insurances in place or you may risk losing your money. You still need your OWN insurances in place to cover you and your kit (policies can cost as little as £9 for £5000 cover). Contact Chris on 07920  044094 to chat about insurances. You may already have such insurances in place, with your bank for example, but please check the policies cover you in case of illness or theft of kit either abroad or at home.

Chris runs his courses on a personal basis and normally provides all tuition etc personally. However, Chris Ceaser Photography reserves the right to replace instructors in the event of illness, emergency or death.

The Hotel

We will be staying at the Residenza San Calisto, situated in the heart of the Trastevere area, close to Rome's lovely bridges and the Forum, Colisseum.

You will stay in your own room with private facilities. The Residenza San Calisto is one of Rome's most established hotels and has a reputation for fantastic service.

We will meet for a get-together drink at the Hotel at 7pm on Sunday, before heading out to dinner in one of our favourite little restaurants.

Check out the Hotel website: www.residenzasancalisto.com

 

Is this Workshop suitable for you?

Are you comfortable with your camera and its settings?

Yes - This Workshop will help you develop your technical & compositional skills and allow you to develop your own photographic style.

No - Please contact Chris on +44 7920 044094 to discuss, as a short pre-workshop session may be arranged to give you the confidence to join this Workshop.

Are you comfortable using Lee Filters?

Yes - This Workshop will help you build on your experience to date, introducing you to new  filters / techniques.      

No - Chris has filters available to borrow during the Workshop and will teach you how to use them effectively.  Please contact him on +44 7920 044094 to discuss, prior to booking.

Do you have Lightroom and/or Photoshop on your laptop?

Yes - This Workshop will help you build on your editing / workflow experience to date – Chris will demonstrate his own techniques, providing lots of pro tips to help you improve.

No - Free trial periods are available on Adobe’s website. 
Please contact Chris on +44 7920 044094 to discuss, prior to booking.

Requirements

All Photographers must bring:

  • A digital SLR camera & lenses
  • Filters, if you have them – if not, please let Chris know so that he can arrange for you to borrow them
  • A laptop computer with software for presenting and organising images (not mandatory! Chris can demonstrate the processing techniques on his own laptop -- call Chris to discuss)
  • A sturdy tripod
  • Cold weather gear
  • A moderate level of fitness – there will be lots of walking on the flat with the odd little bridge to cross.

Remember – places are limited.
A maximum of 4 Photographers join each Workshop, so please book early to secure your place on this fantastic trip!

Fancy trying out the Lee Filter system?

We have 2 full sets of LEE Filters to loan out during the courses. These filters will allow you to balance the different exposure values across an image, normally between the sky and the land. If you would like to try some of these fantastic filters then please mention it at the time of booking.