Venice Photography Workshop – March 2025 Recap

There’s something about Venice.

The moment you step off the boat and onto those ancient stone streets, you feel it—the weight of history, the pull of mystery, the whisper that every corner is a story waiting to be told. This isn’t just a city; it’s a living, breathing painting, shifting with the light.

For a photographer, Venice is pure magic.

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of leading a small but mighty group of photographers—Chris, Carmel, Pauline, Sandra, Nigel, and Luise—through this floating labyrinth. The goal? To capture Venice beyond the postcards. To chase the light, embrace the shadows, and experience the city in a way few people ever do.

The rain tried to stop us. It didn’t.

The early mornings tested us. We rose to them.

The cicchetti and Spritz lured us in… okay, we gave in to that one quite happily.

This is a trip I’ll never get tired of running, and I’m already planning the next one for March 2027. If you’re reading this and thinking, "I want to experience that", then get on the waiting list now—because Venice is a destination. that every photographer should visit at least once..... I've been here 5 times now and it still holds the same sense of wonder on each visit, the magic never wears thin here! 

Day 1 – The Grand Arrival & Midnight Wanderings

Venice doesn’t do ordinary arrivals. You don’t just land and grab a taxi. You glide.

Our group touched down in the early evening, making our way from the airport to San Marco via water taxi, because really, what better way is there to enter this city? The golden hour glow bounced off the lagoon, gondolas rocked gently in their moorings, and the distant hum of Venice welcoming us in set the perfect tone for the week ahead.

After checking in at Hotel Montecarlo, we wasted no time. Straight to Al Chianti for dinner—a classic Venetian welcome of fresh pasta, seafood, and flowing wine. Most of the group, understandably tired, turned in early.

Chris and I had other ideas, I don't think we could have possibly slept knowing that these scenes were just a few footsteps away, so we ventured into St Marks Square like excited children on Christmas morning. 

Venice at night is something else. The crowds disappear, the streets turn quiet, and St. Mark’s Square—usually a whirlwind of tourists—becomes a stage for light, shadow, and reflections. We took advantage, cameras in hand, shooting the moody, golden-lit facades, capturing the silence, the echoes of footsteps on wet stones.

Day 2 – A Misty Morning & The Heartbeat of the City

Dawn saw us standing on Accademia Bridge, waiting for the sun to rise over the Grand Canal. It wasn’t the dramatic sunrise we had hoped for—no fiery reds, no golden streaks—but instead, a heavy mist rolled through the city.

Venice in the mist is otherworldly, timeless. The domes of Santa Maria della Salute peeked through the haze, boats cut silently through the stillness. 

After breakfast, it was straight into the streets. San Zaccaria, Palazzo Grimani—with its incredible room of statues that felt like they were watching us—and the Acqua Alta Bookshop, a chaotic, book-filled dream where dusty pages meet gondola-stored history.

And the cicchetti… oh, the cicchetti.

Venetian tapas, small bites of pure indulgence—fresh seafood, polpette (meatballs), fried mozzarella—all washed down with a Spritz or local wine. It became a ritual. A welcome pause in between creative bursts.

As the evening fell, we shot long exposures of the gondolas outside Hotel Cavaletto, their soft movements against the still water creating that classic Venice dreamscape.

Day 3 – Rialto, Rain & A New Favorite Spot

Venice woke up with rain, so we adapted. No sunrise, but instead, one of the best photographic playgrounds in the city—the Rialto Fish Market.

This place is alive.

The shouts of vendors, the glow of fresh seafood against the artifical lights, the dance of colours, textures, and movement—it was a feast for street photographers. These are everyday scenes to the Venetians, but to us it was fantastic! 

We spent a large part of our day in the Rialto area shooting street photography. It's the beating heart of the city and there are countless opportunities to capture something unique. 

In ther evening we headed to Ristorante Dallo Zio "San Marco", a tucked-away gem just around the corner from our hotel. The kind of place you return to.....which is exactly what we did the following night!

That evening, the rain let up just enough for us to return to the Rialto Bridge—a quiet, glistening beauty under the soft glow of the streetlights. It didn't last long, the rain became heavy again and we made our way back to the warmth of Hotel Monte Carlo, just a 9 minute walk away. 

Day 4 – Islands & Thunderstorms

No Venice trip is complete without island hopping.

We set off for Burano, Murano, San Michele, Giudecca, and San Giorgio Maggiore, each offering something completely unique—from Burano’s bold, postcard-perfect houses to San Michele’s hauntingly peaceful cemetery island. While we knew that this was a lot to cover, we were also aware that this was the best day for weather so we capitalised on the opportunity. The excellent Vaporetto system allowed us to navigate a large area with minmal fuss. 

Later in the day we headed to Hilton Molino Stucky for a refreshment in their wonderful Sky Bar, which affords panoramic views over Venice from Giudecca. 

As the day turned into night we watched a distant thunderstorm from San Giorgio Maggiore over Venice, cameras at the ready. The challenge? It was sheet lightning, far off in the distance, blending into the night sky. Capturing it was tricky, but the experience—watching nature put on its own silent light show over Venice—was unforgettable.

Day 5 – A Slow Goodbye

Friday was a free day, a chance for everyone to revisit favorite locations, buy souvenirs, or simply soak in the last few hours.

Of course, we ended as we started—with cicchetti and Spritz at Al Campanile. Because some traditions deserve to be kept.

March 2027 – Join Me in Venice

Venice is not just a city. It’s an experience.

It’s waking up to misty canals, chasing golden light through narrow streets, dodging rain showers only to realize they’ve given you the best reflections of the trip. It’s laughter over shared meals, midnight photo walks, and falling in love with the unpredictable rhythm of it all.

And I’m doing it all over again in March 2027.

If you want to be a part of it, if you want to see, feel, and capture Venice in a way you never have before—join the waiting list now.

Because trust me—you don’t want to miss this.

Click HERE to register your interest.