ICONS of Patagonia Photography Workshop
WHEN:
April 12-23, 2026
12 Days / 11 Nights
Payments:
Only a deposit of one-third is required at the time of signup
or
Take advantage of our new Easy Pay - Monthly Plan!
Our Easy Pay Plan allows you to enroll in our photography workshops with ease and spread the cost over manageable monthly payments. ( see details in the cart )
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INCLUDED
- 6 nights Upscale Lodging
- 5 nights fully-outfitted camping
- In Field Guiding and Instruction
- All transportation is provided during the workshop
- National park entry fees & special accesses
- Breakfast everyday
- Lunch & dinner while camping
- Complimentary Travel Planning Assistance for Pre- and Post-Workshop travel plans
Porters are available to assist with carrying your gear from camp to camp for an additional cost , allowing you to focus on enjoying the hike and capturing stunning photos. Full or shared Porter costs coming soon
Join Ryan Smith and Marco Grassi on an unforgettable adventure in one of the world's most photogenic locations. Capture majestic mountain ranges, winding rivers, cascading waterfalls, emerald lakes, autumn colors, towering glaciers and so much more on this eleven-day photography workshop!!
A Journey of Adventure Plus Luxury
Join us for a journey where adventure meets luxury. Part of our time will be spent exploring breathtaking trails, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty and rugged landscapes. We'll spend 5 nights enjoying fully-outfitted camping and then as the journey unfolds, we'll transition to indulgence in upscale hotels for 6 nights, where you can unwind and enjoy unparalleled comfort. This blend of rugged exploration and refined relaxation promises a truly memorable experience.
A Scenic Trek plus Luxury Retreats!
Discovering Patagonia in bite-sized adventures truly unveils the region’s allure effortlessly. Opting for shorter hikes over several days and camping along the way means really immersing yourself within the panoramic vistas without the exhaustion of long round trip expeditions in a single day to get to the vantage points you see listed within the page.
Plus, camping out allows for seizing weather windows perfect for getting the shot instead of risking a lengthy hike, only to backtrack due to unfavorable conditions. It’s a strategy that maximizes the experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Patagonia’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Putting together a team and a multi day logistics plan requires a lot of behind the scenes effort for organizers, but it’s so worth it for everyone making the long trek to Argentina.
Waking up in Patagonia and stepping outside your tent to see the peaks rising through the branches is truly a dream. Being right in the heart of this landscape offers an incredible opportunity to capture the beauty of the moment.
UPSCALE ACCOMMODATIONS
During your journey, you'll enjoy a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation as we stay in authentic yet upscale accommodations. These carefully selected lodgings offer a true taste of the local culture, combined with the comfort and luxury you deserve after a day of exploration. From charming boutique hotels to elegantly rustic retreats, each location promises to enhance your experience, providing a serene and sophisticated atmosphere that perfectly complements the awe-inspiring landscapes you'll be discovering.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY
While we strive to follow the planned schedule, adjustments may be necessary due to weather conditions,
access restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Rest assured, any changes made will always prioritize your safety and the quality of your photographic experience.
Day 1: Arrival and Journey to El Chaltén
Participants will be picked up at El Calafate Airport or a nearby hotel, and we'll begin our drive to El Chaltén. Along the way, we'll make several scenic stops for photo opportunities. As we approach El Chaltén, we'll catch our first glimpses of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, making a roadside stop to capture these iconic peaks at sunset. We'll then settle in for an overnight stay in El Chaltén.
Day 2: Sunrise and Our Fitz Roy Adventure Begins
We'll begin the day with an early morning shoot of Mount Fitz Roy from a nearby location, capturing its majestic peaks in the soft morning light. Afterward, we'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before preparing for our hike. Once we've dropped off our luggage in storage and met our porters, we'll embark on a 1.25-mile (2 km) hike to our first campsite. After setting up our tents, we'll explore the surrounding area for a stunning sunset shoot, followed by a return to camp for dinner and a restful night.
Day 3: Sunrise and Hike to Second Campsite
We’ll start the day with an early wake-up to reach our sunrise location by first light, capturing the morning's soft hues. Afterward, enjoy a hearty breakfast at camp before packing up and hiking approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) to our next campsite. The afternoon will be spent photographing the breathtaking scenery surrounding us, followed by an evening sunset shoot at a nearby location. We'll return to camp for dinner and a well-deserved night's rest.
Day 4: Exploring Mount Fitz Roy
We'll begin the day with an early morning hike to a picturesque lake right below Mount Fitz Roy for a stunning sunrise shoot. Afterward, we'll return to camp for lunch before spending the afternoon exploring and photographing the breathtaking landscapes around Mount Fitz Roy. As the day draws to a close, we'll head to a nearby location for an evening sunset shoot, then return to camp for dinner and a restful night.
By strategically placing ourselves within the heart of the landscape, we maximize our photography opportunities without the need for long treks each day from town. This approach allows us to be in the perfect locations for sunrise and sunset shoots, ensuring we're always in the right place at the right time to capture the best light and angles. Instead of spending valuable time commuting, we focus on being fully immersed in the environment, ready to seize every photographic moment as it unfolds.
Day 5: Exploring Laguna Torre
We'll start the day by capturing the morning light at a location near our campsite. After breakfast, we'll break camp and hike to our next valley near Laguna Torre. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the area around Laguna Torre, with plenty of opportunities to photograph the iconic Cerro Torre. We'll then set up camp, enjoy dinner, and settle in for a well-deserved rest.
Day 6: Sunrise at Laguna Torre
We'll begin the day with a sunrise shoot near our campsite, exploring various compositions that include a beautiful lake with Cerro Torre in the background. The rest of the day offers optional photography sessions around the area or time to rest. In the evening, we'll return to camp for dinner and a relaxing night of rest.
Day 7: Hike Back to El Chaltén
We’ll begin the day with a sunrise shoot and continue capturing stunning scenes along the way as we hike back to El Chaltén. Afterward, we’ll check in to our beautiful hotel and dine together to celebrate our journey.
Day 8: Travel to Torres del Paine
We'll depart early from El Chaltén and drive to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, taking in the stunning landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, we'll head to the serene turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé, where we'll have the perfect opportunity to capture the vibrant colors and dramatic reflections of the surrounding peaks as the sun sets. After this magical shoot, we'll check into our hotel for a restful night.
Days 9 & 10: Exploring Torres del Paine
We'll spend the next two days immersed in the breathtaking beauty of Torres del Paine National Park, with ample opportunities to photograph the majestic Los Cuernos Mountains, the iconic Grey Glacier, and the park's diverse wildlife. Keep your camera ready, as you may have the chance to capture a Guanaco or two in frame. After a day full of extraordinary photography sessions, we'll retreat to an upscale, beautiful lodge within the park for a comfortable overnight stay.
Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, where twisted trees and shimmering lakes create a captivating contrast against the rugged mountains.
Patagonia's landscapes and waters create breathtaking scenes, perfectly capturing the harmony between the rugged mountains and the serene forests that define this extraordinary region.
Day 11: Exploring Torres del Paine and Return to El Calafate
We'll start the day with a captivating sunrise shoot in Torres del Paine, where you'll have the chance to capture the majestic Los Cuernos Mountains, the iconic Grey Glacier, and the park's diverse and stunning landscapes. After this inspiring morning session, we'll make our way back to El Calafate. In the evening, we'll come together for a celebratory final night dinner, reflecting on the incredible experiences and photos from the workshop, before settling in for a restful night at a comfortable lodge in El Calafate.
Day 12: Departures from El Calafate
What's Included
- 6 nights lodging (double occupancy), & 5 nights outfitted camping
- All transportation is provided during the workshop
- National park entry fees & special accesses
- Breakfast everyday, lunch & dinner while camping
- Airport transfers
- A great time, good memories, and a lot of laughs!
What's Not Included
- Flights to and from your home, and travel insurance. **Please DO NOT book your flights at this time. Further information on travel arrangements to follow
- Snacks, alcohol & beverages
- Lunch and dinner while not camping
- Anything not mentioned above as "included"
In-Field Instruction
- Camera setting considerations for varying conditions, locations and desired effects
- Bracketing concepts for adding a variety of looks & blending opportunities
- Camera settings for maximizing depth of field & nailing focus within an image
- Creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images
- Controlling your camera in manual mode
- Understanding and using the Histogram
- Composition techniques
- Technical Tricks: Bracketing, Focus Stacking, Perspective Blending
Post Processing Instruction
- Lightroom and Photoshop Techniques
- Importing and organizing
- Using the clone tool, warping, stretching and eliminating distractions
- Blending images in Photoshop
- Dodging and burning
- Using layers and masks
- Image critique
Recommended Camera Gear
- DSLR or mirrorless camera (full-frame preferable)
- Lenses ranging from wide angle (16-35), mid-range (24-105) & a long telephoto (200-600) or a (100-400) will work, and also be useful for landscapes
- Memory cards
- Sturdy tripod & ballhead
- Circular polarizer and ND filters
- Lens cloths
- Extra batteries, and memory cards
- Rocket blower
- Laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
- Protection for your camera gear & backpack
Recommended Personal Gear
A very detailed list will be forthcoming to participants
- Quick dry, lightweight long pants and shirts
- Warm/water resistant hiking boots/shoes
- Large backpack that is comfortable for hiking, and large enough to carry your overnight essentials, camera gear, and camping gear.
- Warm jacket
- Comfortable, water resistant hiking boots
- Fleece underlayers
- Rain coat and/or wind shell
- Headlamp
- Refillable water bottle
- Hat, gloves
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Sunblock
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Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith developed a love and passion for the outdoors early on in life, which fueled an obsession for landscape photography. Growing up in the beautifully diverse state of Utah, Ryan has consistently traveled through the west and beyond capturing iconic views, which spark emotion and tell a story. Ryan's artistic style is unique and unmistakable which has led to prestigious awards and work featured within publications. His work is also found within various high end galleries throughout the west including Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Park City, Utah; Telluride, Colorado; Aspen, Colorado & Sedona, Arizona.
Combining his professional experience as a corporate trainer with his passion for photography, Ryan has a knack for sharing the technical aspects of photography in an easy to understand way through various workshops, tours, and events through the west and the Hawaiian Islands. He enjoys adapting to the various needs of his attendees whether it's in the field learning the technical side and composition techniques, or if its in the classroom focusing on perfecting post editing techniques and helping achieve a print ready images.
Marco Grassi
Born and raised in Italy, Marco Grassi is a self-taught and award-winning photographer focused on landscape photography. At the young age of 23 Marco has completed his round-the-world trip and today, several countries later, he defines himself as a true travel addict. Marco’s work has been published and rewarded extensively worldwide in a large variety of media outlets, such as the National Geographic and GEO Magazine. Among some of his clients we can find “Nisi Filters” and “Hilleberg – The Tentmaker” .
His workshops have been designed with the central idea of putting you in the right place at the perfect time and give you plenty of amazing photo opportunities whilst creating a life-changing experience. He will assist you and advise you with valuable photography tips during the whole trip and show you the best photo locations of each destination.