DESCRIPTION: May 27-June 4, 2024
Explore historic Porto, Portugal, shoot with renowned photographer, Mark de Paola, and gain exclusive access to and take private tours of the Leica Portugal factory.
Join Mark de Paola, who has spent his career shooting beauty and fashion for iconic brands like Vogue, Donna Karan, MAC Cosmetics and Gucci, along with Leica Akademie USA, and Leica Akademie Portugal for an in-depth, all-inclusive retreat and cultural immersion program exploring historic Porto, Portugal. The group (limited to six attendees total) will explore winding cobblestone streets of the city, the beautiful landscape of the country’s seaside, and sample Porto’s flavorful cuisine and world-famous port wines, all while shooting portrait and fashion utilizing only natural light. With Mark as your personal guide, not only providing insight but also technical and creative support, you will grow your visual perspective and develop your artistic narrative in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
THE SCHEDULE:
Attend lectures and shoot with models around the city of Porto as well as experience an exclusive tour of the Lecia Porto Factory. Students will travel with Mark to the countryside, just north of Portugal (about 30 minutes by car) for a four-day retreat program filled with shooting exercises, one-on-one portfolio reviews, group activities, lectures, and cultural immersion experiences.
Ultimately, this program will explore Portugal’s rich culture of craftsmanship and artistry and every attendee with explore their photographic vision from conception to final edits with Mark.
TOPICS COVERED:
- How to use natural light in portraiture
- Engaging with artistic collaborators/subjects
- Utilizing cultural influences in your photography
- Creating a cohesive and personal body of work
- Editing a body of work and its public presentation
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Whether you are beginning photography or always had a love time love. This trip is made for those with an interest in exploring new directions in their photography. Travel Portugal with a group of like-minded photographers and see how it can expand your art form.
Photographers with an interest in portraits, fashion and landscape photography will gain much from this experience. Owning a Leica is not required for this program. A selection of Leica M & SL cameras will be available for your use if you would like to try the brand.
This workshop is limited to 6 participants.
APPLICATION ONLY: AKADEMIEUSA@LEICA-CAMERA.COM
With only 6 seats available for this exclusive Leica Akademie Master class, students are required to submit an application to receive admission.
This application should include their:
- Goals for the course
- Brief bio
- Link to a brief selection of fashion/beauty/portraiture work.
All applicatons should be submitted to AkademieUSA@Leica-Camera.com before April 1st, 2024.
Admission is accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply early.
FEE
Course Fee: $8,000
Deposit: $2,000 - This course includes a nonrefundable deposit to cover course expenses.
Additional Spouse & Partner Fee: $4000
For registrants who are accepted and enrolled and would like to bring your partner/spouse, the fee is $4000.00. This fee will provide double occupancy accommodations, 2 meals/day, transfers, and attendance to all group activities. The spouse attendance fee excludes all shooting and portfolio reviews
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Eight nights, single occupancy accommodations/private bathroom (Four-star hotel for the Porto portion and luxury bedroom/en-suite bathroom)
- Two meals/day
- Leica Camera Porto Private Factory Tour
- Open and closing celebration dinners
- Model, H/MU, Styling, and Production
- One-on-one portfolio reviews and editing sessions with Mark de Paola
- Three-day collaboration masterclass with Leica Akademie Portugal
- Transfers between locations within Porto and from Porto to Manor House and back.
- Port Wine tour of local Porto sellers
- Wi-Fi Connection at accommodation bases
- Daily on-site mentorship and instruction by Mark de Paola
WHAT TO EXPECT:
This program is taking place in late May into Early June, an ideal month in terms weather. Portugal is known for its colorful tile architecture, fresh seafood, and artistic craft and these elements will be crucial as you discover your pre scouted shooting locations.
We will be staying in a four-star hotel next to the Leica Store Porto. This base will serve as a location for specific shooting sessions, reviews, and evening gatherings.
Be prepared for a fair amount of walking and you’ll want to carry as little with you as possible during the day, as Porto has many steep hills, much like San Francisco. Pack layers as it gets a bit windy at night since Porto is so close to the ocean. Sunscreen is imperative as most shooting sessions will take place outside. John Kreidler and your production team will be available to you for technical questions and any trip inquiries you may have throughout this program.
De Paola’s career and real-life experience over the past two decades creating projects from Vogue covers to Gucci campaigns and his transition into Fine Art photography with exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Dali, China and Tokyo will be a valuable part of our formal and informal conversations. Mark’s vast and comprehensive experience with Leica cameras and optics, especially the 50mm Noctilux, will serve as a point of inspiration throughout the weekend.
Porto will provide the backdrop for this one-of-a kind-opportunity to be both challenged and guided creatively by de Paola as well as pushed to re-invent and refine one’s own fine art voice in such a historic and honorably photographed area.
AT-A-GLANCE
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Dates
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