© Raul Touzon

For more information on this workshop or to register, please call (505) 983-1400, ext. 11.

Often described as the “Playground of the Gods,” the stretch of the Yucatan peninsula known as the Riviera Maya is one of the most fascinating places in the world. Explore all angles of this timeless coast, its people, architecture, and natural environment from our home base at the Occidental Flamenco Xcaret, a five-star resort located in the middle of a lush natural preserve.

Our week begins with a portfolio review and lecture, followed by photographing at Xcaret. The Eco-park offers a great variety of photo opportunities, including a subterranean river, botanical gardens, aquariums, Mayan villages, and butterfly pavilion. One of our day trips takes us to Tulum, the ancient fortress containing over 60 buildings perched along some of the most rugged cliffs on the Yucatan coast. After dinner we photograph the nightlife along Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue. Another day we travel to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a protected natural area whose miles of empty beaches, unspoiled rainforest, and vast lagoons are home to hundreds of species. After a day of photographing we’ll enjoy a relaxing sunset boat ride.

On day five we journey to the unique, unrestored Mayan ruins at Cobá. An edit-and-critique session marks the start of day six, followed by a trip to Aktun-Chen. After touring the incredible cave formations, we arrive at the most amazing “cenote” in all of the Yucatan, a magnificent vault of thousands of stalactites encasing its crystal-clear waters. That evening finds us in the coastal town of Akumal to photograph the glorious Caribbean sunset. On day seven, we spend the afternoon relaxing at Xcaret. At night, after the workshop show, we attend “Xcaret by Night,” a colorful pageant depicting Mexico’s conquest.

Mornings are devoted to one–on–one reviews and group critiques of images made the previous day, as well as lecture-demonstrations on digital camera settings, accurate metering and exposure, composition rules, the creative use of light, mastering your flash, editing, sequencing, and story development.

Instructor(s)

Raul Touzon is a documentary and underwater photographer who specializes in making images that convey what he calls “the eternity of a moment.” He has traveled extensively in Latin America, documenting its cultures. His photographs have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic Magazine, and TIME. His images are represented by the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images.

During his many years working for Eastman Kodak, Raul developed marketing strategies, corporate advertising, and taught seminars and workshops around the world. This is his ninth year teaching for the Workshops. His web site is www.touzonphoto.com.

Sebastian “Suki” Belaustegui is a photographer who has been documenting the surviving indigenous cultures of Latin America for the past 18 years. His book Guardians of Time: Portrait of the Spirit of Latin America is a testament to his experiences living with 25 indigenous communities in 10 countries. His current project, “Africa in the Americas,” documents the heritage of African culture in the American continent.

Suki’s work has been published in National Geographic, Newsweek, and the Los Angeles Times, among others, and he has had numerous exhibitions of his work in museums and art galleries throughout North America. Recently he has been documenting teenagers in Mexico on assignment from UNICEF. Suki’s web site is www.photosuki.com.

Accommodations Available:
Single accommodations included in Package Price.  

Tuition & Fees:
Package Price: $2995. Includes single accommodations at the Occidental Grand Xcaret for seven nights, all meals, drinks, field trips, and tips. Airport transfers and round-trip airfare to Cancun are not included.