AMAZING AZORES

Day 1: Arrival & Tea Fields of São Miguel

Welcome to São Miguel. After settling into your accommodation, we gather for a relaxed welcome lunch, where we meet as a group and begin the journey together.

In the afternoon, we head to the iconic Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe’s oldest tea fields. The rolling green hills, winding paths, and repeating patterns make this the perfect introduction to the workshop. We focus on composition, visual rhythm, and working with natural light while easing into our first photography session.

This first afternoon is designed to be relaxed and unhurried, giving everyone time to settle into the rhythm of the workshop while enjoying their first photography session in the Azores.

We finish the day along the north coast cliffs, photographing the dramatic meeting of black volcanic rock and the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on conditions, locations such as Santa Bárbara or Cintrão offer powerful waves, textures, and changing light for our first sunset shoot.

Day 2: Volcanic Caldeiras & Iconic Landscapes

We start early with sunrise at Lagoa do Fogo, one of São Miguel’s most breathtaking volcanic lakes. As light spills into the crater, we focus on atmosphere, scale, and the interplay between light and shadow across the caldera walls and turquoise water below.

Midday takes us west into the Sete Cidades Highlands, where we explore a series of volcanic viewpoints. We photograph Lagoa do Pau Pique and Lagoa do Canário, working with top-down perspectives, color contrast, and natural framing. We then move to the main caldera to capture Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, focusing on composition and depth.

We end the day at Boca do Inferno (Grota do Inferno) during golden hour. From this iconic viewpoint, we photograph the dramatic scale of the craters stretching toward the ocean — one of the most recognizable landscapes in the Azores.

Day 3: Coastlines, Furnas & Geothermal Landscapes

We begin the morning along the coast, photographing Ilhéu de Vila Franca from the shoreline. This location is perfect for working with minimalism, balance, and natural framing as the Atlantic surrounds the volcanic islet.

From here, we head inland to Furnas, where our focus shifts to details and atmosphere. In Terra Nostra Park, we explore botanical textures, rising steam, and the unique colors created by geothermal activity. Time is set aside to relax and enjoy the famous thermal pool.

Lunch is a traditional Cozido das Furnas, slow-cooked underground using volcanic heat — a true cultural highlight of the island.

In the evening, we cross the island to Mosteiros, photographing the dramatic black volcanic sea stacks. We focus on wave movement, long exposures, and sunset light as the ocean crashes against the basalt formations.

Day 4: Hello to Terceira & Volcanic Landscapes

We begin our time on Terceira Island with arrivals and transfers to our accommodation in the historic city of Angra do Heroísmo, where we will be based for the remainder of our stay.

In the afternoon, we head to Serra da Ribeirinha, a fantastic panoramic viewpoint overlooking Terceira’s iconic patchwork of green fields and the coastline, with Ilhéu das Cabras floating offshore in the background. From here, we work with wide compositions, layering, and scale, capturing one of the most distinctive landscapes on the island.

Nearby, for participants flying drones, Pico Dona Joana offers one of the most impressive aerial perspectives in the Azores, revealing the full geometry of the volcanic cone and its relationship with the surrounding farmland.

Day 5: Coastal Light & Volcanic Interiors

We start the day at Serretinha Natural Pools, where the early light illuminates Ilhéu das Cabras rising from the Atlantic. This is an ideal location to work with foreground elements, reflections, and changing coastal light.

From here, we return once again to Pico Dona Joana, this time under morning conditions. The softer light reveals new textures and subtle tonal shifts across the fields, offering a completely different photographic interpretation of the same landscape.

After breakfast in Angra, we spend the afternoon at Algar do Carvão, one of the few volcanic chimneys in the world accessible on foot. Inside, we explore dramatic contrasts, textures, reflections, and the unique challenge of photographing in low light.

We end the day at Biscoitos, capturing the rugged volcanic lava pools as golden light reflects off the Atlantic and waves crash against the black basalt coastline.

Day 6: Heritage Streets, Forest Roads & The Great Patchwork

Our morning begins at Ponta das Contendas, where dark lava formations meet the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse provides a strong focal point, perfect for creating balanced coastal compositions.

We then head into Angra do Heroísmo for a relaxed photo walk through its historic streets. This UNESCO World Heritage city offers colorful facades, tiled sidewalks, and intimate urban scenes, ideal for street and architectural photography.

In the afternoon, we explore Terceira’s forest roads and Black Forest, where misty conditions, winding roads, and dense vegetation create a moody, cinematic atmosphere — perfect for woodland photography and storytelling.

We conclude our Terceira experience at Serra do Cume, photographing the island’s iconic patchwork fields from one of Portugal’s most famous viewpoints as the light turns warm and golden.

Day 7: Farewell from Terceira

We gather for a final breakfast together, a relaxed moment to reflect on the landscapes we’ve explored and the images created over the past days. Stories are shared, favorite moments revisited, and final photographs backed up.

Transfers to Lajes Airport (TER) are arranged according to individual flight schedules, allowing for a smooth and stress-free departure.

You leave Terceira with more than just a collection of photographs — but with new perspectives, meaningful connections, and a deeper understanding of the Azores shaped by light, landscape, and time.