A Weekend On The French Riviera

Nice and Antibes, France – Spring 2019 (dates to be announced)

Join me and French-Italian photographer Pia Parolin for a weekend of photography along the beautiful Côte d’Azur.

(Versione Italiana)

Expect to come and learn about street and urban photography, but also to relax, discuss, and laugh together in an idyllic setting, as we will spend part of our time together in a private villa nestled in the pines on the hills overlooking the famed sea-side resort of Antibes, about halfway between Nice and Cannes.

The workshop is focusing on exploring the theatre that is the street and the rich and vibrant backdrop offered by the city. Street photography is all about the action and capturing a significant moment, but if you are more of a contemplative nature, you will be able to take your time and shoot architecture and cityscapes as well.

The atmosphere is meant to be convivial and friendly and the workshop is open to photographers of any skill level. If you are a seasoned pro, come prepared to be pushed out of your comfort zone. If you are a beginner, your instructors will be there to give you guidance and assist you with any technical questions you might have.

If you have a partner who is not into photography, but likes to snap photos with their smartphone, bring them too! We will help them learn to see things photographically and get pictures that will make their friends ask when they’ve become a pro. There is going to be serious fun for everyone!

The workshop takes place during two days, Saturday and Sunday, but if you can’t overnight in the area, it is possible to attend only the first day for a reduced price.

Nice, France

Program

The workshop starts on the Saturday at 8.45AM. We meet at the Centre Culturel Franco-Allemand (CCFA) in Nice for introductions and a short presentation.

We then move outside to explore the city, with its streets and the famous Promenade des Anglais, for a few hours.

After a light lunch, we do more walking around the city and meet again at the CCFA for more discussions about photography and a review of pictures taken during the day.

As the evening approaches, we move to our villa near Antibes, where we start preparing the barbeque. This is a communal activity and everybody is invited to participate and put meat on the grill (there will be vegetarian options too) or relax by the pool with a glass of beer, French wine, or their favourite drink in their hand.

As we do not offer accommodation, everybody will make their way back to their place via transportation provided by the organization.

On the Sunday, we meet again in the morning, this time at the port of Antibes. During the day, the students will apply the techniques they have learned the day before to try and get new and better pictures. The focus of the day will be the development of a story through a series of photos.

After a light lunch, we return to the villa to discuss the results of the workshop.

At around 4PM we say goodbye and everybody goes on their way (but you are welcome to spend a few more days on the French Riviera on your own, if you wish).

Attendance on Sunday is optional.

Grasse, France

What You’ll Learn

We will teach you how to extract order from the chaos of the street. We believe most photos should have a clearly identifiable subject or focus point, but in the hustle and bustle of the city it can become difficult to pay attention to the contents of the frame and avoid unnecessary distractions.

We will give you creative exercises to help you focus and be mindful about the story you are trying to tell with your pictures.

We will tell you about the importance of light and how to learn to tell bad light from good light.

Most of all, we will encourage you to tell a story through the photos you can take during a single shoot, how to string together a series of photos to show both variety and a cohesive sequence.

Armed with this knowledge, you will become able to create meaningful photographs and not just vacations snapshots.

The Venue

What to Bring

Any kind of photographic equipment is suitable for use during the workshop, including compact cameras and smartphones.

We recommend traveling light and advise against bringing huge backpacks with numerous bodies and lenses. It’s better to stick to one camera and one lens and focus on telling a story through your photographs, rather then waste a lot of time changing lenses and expend a lot of energy carrying a lot of weight.

You are not required to bring a laptop.

The climate on the French Riviera in spring can be very pleasant and warm, but evenings can be cool and there is always a chance of rain. Dress comfortably and adequately and, most of all, use comfortable walking shoes.

The cost for attending the Saturday workshop is TBA (incl. taxes).

In order to attend the second day of the workshop, a supplement of TBA is required.

What Is Included

  • Attendance in the workshop program, as outlined above, in a small group setting (maximum of 12 students)
  • Classroom time and assistance during shooting by your instructors. 
  • One barbeque dinner, inclusive of food and drinks.
  • Transportation between the villa and the shooting locations.

What Is Not Included

  • Your travel expenses to reach our meeting point in Nice, France.
  • Accommodation.
  • Breakfasts, lunches and any meals, except for the barbeque dinner.
  • All beverages outside of what are offered at the barbeque dinner.
  • Personal expenses and tips.
  • Everything not explicitly mentioned in the “What Is Included” section above.

Workshop dates will be announced soon. Meanwhile, if you are interested, you can sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be among the first to know.

About Your Instructors

Ugo Cei

Ugo CeiIf you were to ask me what do I do, I would say that I am an educator who helps photography enthusiasts sharpen their skills, so that they can take amazing pictures.

I am a professional travel and landscape photographer from Italy with a multi-year experience in leading photo tours and workshops. I love to travel and show the beauty of the world and its inhabitants to everybody. This is really an amazing planet we live on and every place and every culture possesses beauty that deserves to be shown.

More about Ugo…

Pia Parolin

Pia ParolinBorn and raised in Italy, I studied biology in Germany and in Brazilian Amazonia. Passionate tropical ecologist with PhD, I always carry my camera with me since the day my father gave me the first Minolta at the age of 9. Living on the French Riviera since 2005, I love to capture light, colours and movements.

With my “Promenade Moments” series from 2017 on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, I want to give back some colour and light to the victims of the 2016 terrorist attack by donating metal prints of my pictures to the associations (Promenade des Anges; Hospital Lenval; Habitat & Humanisme) and with photography workshops.

I take my pictures with my Olympus E-M5 II and a FujiFilm X100F. I keep postproduction at a minimum and try to take the picture in its almost final form right away with my camera.

More about Pia…

What People Say About Us

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Lisa DeRea
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Karin Vasseur
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Lynda Rubin Greenberg
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Kerri Clark
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Patsy Latscha
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Sharon Jackson
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Susan Higgins Flickinger
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Diana Hatfield
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Gail Ginder
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Judith Pannozo
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Peter Wade

Spent a great weekend with Ugo Cei and Pia Parolin at their "Weekend on the French Riviera" workshop. Learned great tips from Ugo and had a fun time photographing in the Nice outdoor market, along the Promenade des Anglais seaside and in the winding narrow streets of Nice. Highly recommended!! lisadereaphotography.com

Wonderful Weekend in the French Riviera with Ugo who shared his knowledge about photography with us. Learned so many interesting things. Will do it again!

Ugo was a wonderful teacher and host in Venice at last years’ Carnival. He takes all the time you need to get your shot and to help with the camera settings when needed! Ugo was very generous and took us out for dinner two times, beginning and end of the workshop. And, he’s fun to be with!!

After two photo tours with Ugo in Italy, I cannot recommend the experience highly enough – the local knowledge of Italy, partnered with photographic expertise and guidance made for an extremely rewarding photo tour! Ugo guides and mentors you according to your skills, regardless of whether you are a beginner or experienced enthusiast. I have come away with greater understanding of the craft and confidence to build my skill set. I am inspired to continue my learning journey to create beautiful images. Thank you Ugo!!!

I had a wonderful experience in Venice with Ugo. I learned new things while enjoying the wonderful city. I have some special needs which he was able to accommodate perfectly. I highly recommend his company for photo tours.

If you are planning to travel and love photography at any level Ugo can plan a personal tour to fit in with your itinerary! He has a wealth of knowledge to share with you on any subject of photography. Apart from photography (my passion) Ugo provides a total travel experience looking at Italy through the eyes of a local. A life changing trip leaving me totally hooked to book another! Thank you Ugo and yes I will be returning my dilemma is choosing a destination.

My husband and I were fortunate to travel on Ugo Cei's photography trip to Oman. The country itself is an undiscovered treasure, filled with nature and welcoming people. Traveling with Ugo was a pure pleasure. He offered us a thoroughly researched itinerary and lots of photographic guidance. We shot portraits, landscapes, markets and all manner of subjects and Ugo was always there to offer tips. Do yourself a favor and try out one of his workshops!

I have done 3 photo tours with 3 different guides and locations, this has been the best of the three. Ugo was definitely the best of the three guides. His attention to detail with setting the scene and location with models, suggestions on camera settings were helpful for me, a novice with portrait photography. I would definitely recommend any tour with Ugo, he is an excellent photographer willing to share his knowledge, experience and secrets of special places he knows to make the entire photography experience a lifetime memory.

My husband and I did a workshop with Ugo in Cinque Terre. It was fantastic. Ugo is not only a great photographer, but he is generous with his knowledge, and he offers a great workshop. The group was international, which made the experience even richer.

What an extraordinary experience to participate in a photography tour and workshop with Ugo Cei Photography Tours, in Venice, Italy during the Venice Carnival. His knowledge of Venice along with the right place to be at the right time made this perfect. Add to that his technical and lighting knowledge and then to top it off the perfect local eateries and local interests. It was days full from daylight to evening at a manageable pace with likeminded new international friends. So glad I took the leap and participated.

As I was spending my vacation in the Dolomites I arranged a one day private workshop with Ugo. Although I was a four hour drive from Ugo's home base he willingly made the journey — even though he was heading off to Barcelona first thing the next morning for another commitment. 

Not having any transport or knowledge of the best locations to shoot having someone like Ugo was fantastic — and when you add his knowledge of photography and ability to impart that to his pupil it all added up to an outstanding day. 

I recommend Ugo without reservation.

“Promenade Moments”

PROMENADE MOMENTS are ephemeral encounters of people passing by, instants of joy and relax for family and friends. Tourists enjoy the spectacular colours that even the rain cannot delete. Soldiers have become part of the prom’ where children play happily. People stop to look into the infinity of the blue sea. Moments and movements surround us in a place where the evil tried to take grip, but the freedom of everyday life full of ease and light prevail.

How to Get There

The international airport of Nice Côte d’Azur is only 7km from the city center and offers numerous connections to the rest of Europe and some intercontinental ones.

You can easily reach Nice by train from Paris, Marseille, Milan, and other cities.

if traveling by car, the easiest way to reach Nice is via the A8 motorway that links Menton, near the Italian border, with Aix-en-Provence.

Terms and Conditions

Basis of Rates: All prices are per person and are quoted in Euros. VAT is included.

Eligibility: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey.

Group Size and Booking Considerations

The workshop will be confirmed only if a minimum number of 6 participants is reached. In order to keep the group size small and the experience enjoyable for everyone, the maximum number of participants I accept is 12.

Payment Schedule

The payment for this workshop is due at the time of booking and is not refundable.

Cancellation Policy

The booking deposit will be refunded if participant numbers are not reached.

Payment Options

To book your place, click on the “Pay With Card” button above or on the PayPal link. Contact me if you’d prefer to pay by direct bank transfer.

Travel insurance

It is advisable to take out your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip as cover will commence for pre-departure cancellation from the policy issue date. This will therefore provide cover should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious accident.

I strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are adequately insured, providing financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. Cover should include medical expenses, as well as repatriation, in the event of accident or illness. In addition, I strongly recommend that you have cover for personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation. If you are undertaking any sports or adventurous activities on your trip, including trekking, you should also make sure that your policy covers these. Please also ensure you read the policy conditions and exclusions.

 Responsibility

Ugo Cei and Pia Parolin will provide education enrichment during photo tours. The other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. Ugo Cei, Pia Parolin and their designated tour leaders shall not be held responsible for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government, or by acts of nature, strikes, fire, flood, war, terrorism, sickness, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against Ugo Cei and its designated tour leaders for any such loss, damage, injury, or death.  Ugo Cei reserves the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on any photo workshop. Ugo Cei and Pia Parolin reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in their judgement, conditions warrants, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants.

You have assumed the responsibility to select an activity appropriate to your physical abilities and interests. You are personally responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake the activity.