Dates 2018 year:
15-22 November
Day 1 15 November
Our tour starts at New Orleans. That’s a beautiful town, capital of jazz. New Orleans is famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz) and its annual celebrations and festivals. This city is often referred to as the “most unique” in the United States. You can take any flight arriving before 4 p.m. as we meet at the lobby at 6 p.m. to go for the dinner.
The very first evening we meet at our hotel lobby and go together for dinner 6 p.m. After the dinner we can listen jazz in one the local clubs in the evening. Enjoy the evening walk at Bourbon street at French quarter. Overnight at hotel.
Days 2 – 7
Next week we spend at 3 or 4 beautiful lakes with cypress trees in Louisiana and Texas states. In the morning we relocate to one of the lakes. Accommodation will be in local hotels and lodges/bungalow – twin based (or single with supplement). We will provide you kayaks and transportation + carriage system for kayaks. We will visit most stunning groups of trees and cypress corridors at the golden hour – hoping to see reflections and mist in the early mornings at sunrise and beautiful colors of the sky at sunset. That’s not a usual photo tour – more like an adventure in the lost world! We make photos mostly from kayaks and canoe. Don’t worry – even if you didn’t try it in your life, we will practice the very first day with you, and you’ll learn fast how to operate your vessel. The water is still: no river currents or waves. Paddling is very easy and relaxing. Sometimes in shallow waters you may be able to step from kayaks down to the ground with your fishermen boots (waders boots up to waist), but photography is mostly hand-held from kayaks.
There are lots of birds at the swamp – don’t forget your telephoto lens as well as wide angle and mid-range.
After the morning sessions we can have processing/discussion tutorials and nice lunch together.
Why we plan to visit these magical places in November? It’s time for autumn golden colors and morning mists. They create a truly special atmosphere at cypress trees lakes.
The itinerary is flexible and allows us to visit the most stunning locations which Dmitry scouted for during very successful past photo tours. His photos below may inspire you to go with us on this unique expedition and experience yourself this magical place off the beaten track.
Last day we plan to arrive to New Orleans airport around 2 p.m. 22 November. You can stay in New Orleans for one more night or fly back home (no earlier than 4 p.m.).
Included in the price:
- Twin accommodation in lodges and bungalows
- Transportation during the tour
- Kayak rentals and paddling instructions
Tickets for jazz
Guides tutorials during daytime (Daniel Kordan and Dmitry Arkhipov)
Price: 3900 USD
Not included in the price:
– Airfare
– Visas (if applicable)
– Meals
– Single supplement 750 usd
Cancellation policy:
We strongly recommend you to get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus $300 service fee.
75 days or more: 75% refund
60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund
Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
What to bring
Gear:
– DSLR camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 16-35. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes – mountain photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm
Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperatures around 10 C)
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops
– Waders or fishermen boots up to waist (can be bought at place as well)
Full list of recommended wear will be sent to participants.
Tour leaders
Dmitry Arkhipov
Dmitry is a photographer, traveler and polar guide. He was born in Moscow (Russia) and has loved photography since his childhood. Being a physicist by training, he started working at Russian space science program, then served in the military. After dismissal, he established a well-known IT company.
Dmitry traveled and photographed 112 countries so far. His five personal photo exhibitions attracted more than a million people.
Dmitry is a winner of many photo contests such as: EPSON Int’l Pano Awards, Global Arctic Awards, Trierenberg SC, B&W Spider Awards, Int’l Photography Awards, Int’l Color Awards.
Best Russian Photographer of the Arctic 2016 (Global Arctic Awards),
Best Photo Travel Photographer 2017, 2018 (Trierenberg SC).
