Summer in Provence, from June until August, is painted in the rich colors of blooming lavender. Our journey to this wonderful land will be easy and warm, filled with midsummer aromas and pictures: small castle-like towns, cozy alleys, olive and endless lavender fields from one horizon to another. We’ll pay a special attention to landscapes of the Valensole plateau, with its blue lavender blooms, lone trees in the vast fields, towns and villages. Van Gogh and Picasso created their masterpieces here; we’ll try to follow in their footsteps, to find the same kind of inspiration.
This trip comes with combination of Provence landscape + horses photography in Camargue. It is a paradise for those who love animals, nature and horses. We will interact with our own private group of horses and riders to photograph at some of the most stunning locations: sea shore with waves breaking in, sand dunes at sunset with backlight, green marshes, rivers and flooded infinite lake. You’ll enjoy sessions with horses at the most beautiful time of the day with experienced guides and riders: at sunrise and sunset.
The tour is intended to be equally interesting both for accomplished photographers and the beginners. We’ll focus on landscape shooting as well as learning to compose, shoot, and process the photos. We’ll also spend a considerable time in towns and villages, learning how to shoot architectural objects, street details, and people both in the natural light and in the evening with the streetlights on. The tour is focused on maximizing your photography outcome focusing on most amazing scenes from South of France – for sure it will be a great addition to your collection of prints!
Day 1
Meetup in Marseille. We greet you in Marseille airport at 13:00 and drive to Camargue.
To make the most of our time and fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of France, we’ve crafted a well-organized and exciting schedule. For those new to the area, we recommend booking morning flights or considering an overnight stay in Marseille to ensure a smooth start. Once the group is assembled, we’ll head to the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, also known as Camargue National Park.
Our journey begins in the charming town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the gateway to the park, where we’ll hold a brief orientation. This session will provide essential tips for photographing the iconic Camargue horses and other key guidelines to enhance our tour experience.
Our first photography adventure will be thrilling as we capture ranchers skillfully herding horses across the sandy beaches and shallow waters of the region. The day’s highlight will be the golden hours before sunset, when we’ll immerse ourselves in photographing the breathtaking beauty of the Camargue horses. This magical experience combines the art of photography with the natural splendor of the region
Day 2
Early in the morning we’re taking equine pictures in the water again. The ranchers will help us get a beautiful show of white horses galloping on a sandy beach or a shallow water. During the day, we’ll analyse the photos taken, and in the evening we’re off to the park again for another session. This time, in addition to the evening run, our helpers will bring together a whole herd of bulls running in the marshes.
Day 3
On our final morning in Camargue, we’ll seize one last chance to photograph the iconic white horses in their natural habitat. The day begins with a sunrise photoshoot on the marshes, offering a serene and beautiful farewell to these majestic creatures. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll pack up and set off for Provence.
Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to your accommodations, where you can relax, freshen up, and settle in. Later in the afternoon, we’ll head to the breathtaking Valensole Plateau for a photography session. Here, we’ll capture the enchanting beauty of Provence bathed in the soft, golden light of late afternoon and evening. This peaceful and picturesque experience will be the perfect way to end the day.
Day 4
In the morning, we’ll have another shoot in the lavender fields, and then we’ll be off to Aix-en-Provence (or any other market village) for breakfast and a street photo session. We’ll take a stroll at the local market, visit shopkeepers and artisans, photograph little details of a small-town life. After that, we’ll return to our hotel for a master class in photo processing. After lunch, we’ll have another shoot in the Valensole valley at sunset in the lavender sea.
Day 5
On the fifth day, we’ll begin our morning surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the lavender fields, capturing the soft glow of sunrise with our cameras in hand. After this peaceful start, we’ll make our way to Aix-en-Provence for breakfast. This lively town offers a perfect setting for street photography, and we’ll dive into its vibrant atmosphere. We’ll explore the bustling local market, interact with shopkeepers and artisans, and document the charm of everyday life through our lenses, each image telling a story of the town’s unique character.
Later in the day, as the golden hour approaches, we’ll return to the Valensole lavender valley for a dedicated photography session. This time will focus on refining our skills with advanced techniques and photo processing lessons. We’ll also take the opportunity to review and analyze the images we’ve captured so far, reflecting on our journey and deepening our artistic perspectives. This day promises to be a blend of cultural immersion, creative growth, and the timeless beauty of Provence.
Day 6
On the final day of our journey, you’ll have the chance to witness one last breathtaking sunrise, this time in a new yet equally stunning location. This peaceful moment will provide a perfect conclusion to our photographic adventure before we transition back to daily life.
After embracing the morning’s beauty, we’ll journey to Marseille, ensuring a well-planned schedule that gets you to the airport by noon. To allow for a relaxed departure, we recommend booking flights departing after 2 PM, giving you ample time to enjoy the morning without feeling rushed.
As you head home, you’ll carry not just unforgettable memories but also a refined set of photography skills and a stunning portfolio. With captivating images of the white horses of Camargue and the enchanting fields of Provence, your work will stand as both a personal achievement and a lasting reminder of this extraordinary experience.
Price: 4600 USD
Included in the price:
– All transfers
– All meals
– Lodging
– Instruction and master classes by two professional guides
Not included in the price:
– Airfare to and from Marsielle airport
– Visas (if applicable)
– Single supplement 750 USD
What to bring
Gear:
– camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm. One of the most important lenses in Provence. Be sure to have additional tripod mount to this lens.
Wear:
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops
– Summer clothes
– Light jacket for morning photography (15-20 C)
Guide – Armand Sarlangue
Armand Sarlangue has been a full-time photographer for 16 years, following in the footsteps of his father, a professional photographer. From a young age, he was captivated by visual arts and always had a camera in hand. His career began in 2005 as a reportage and studio photographer, but in 2018, he chose to focus on his true passion—nature photography.
Today, Armand is not only a photographer but also an educator, workshop leader, and NFT artist. His greatest motivation is exploring remote landscapes and capturing nature’s artistic essence. He believes photography is a powerful tool for conservation, helping people connect with nature’s hidden beauty. Through his work, he tells deeply personal stories using the shapes and colors of the natural world.
His images have received numerous international awards and have been exhibited by institutions such as the California Academy of Sciences, Exposure Photography Festival, and Siena Photography Festival. In a major career highlight, he won the grand prize at the prestigious Siena Drone Awards with his iconic image Big Bang.
Armand’s work is featured in various photography books and has appeared in renowned media outlets, including National Geographic, Geo Magazine, The Guardian, Paris Match, Vanity Fair, Australian Photography Magazine, BBC News, and many more.
