Mandalay, Myanmar

Welcome to Mandalay, the heart of Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage and a city steeped in history, tradition, and timeless beauty.

Upon arrival at Mandalay International Airport, you can be transferred to our hotel, where you can settle in and prepare for an unforgettable photographic journey.

Welcome Dinner & Workshop Kickoff.

In the evening, join us for a warm welcome dinner, where you’ll meet your fellow passionate photographers and connect with Steve McCurry and Christian Nørgaard. This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the creative energy that will define the workshop ahead.

Evening Masterclass:

• Christian Nørgaard will introduce the workshop, outlining the exciting photographic opportunities that await in Myanmar.
• Steve McCurry will take center stage, presenting his most iconic Myanmar images, offering rare insights into his approach to storytelling, composition, and light.

This is the perfect start to an extraordinary workshop—blending inspiration, technique, and hands-on learning in one of the world’s most captivating destinations.

Step aboard a private boat for a full-day exploration of the legendary Irrawaddy River, Myanmar’s lifeline for culture and trade.

Sagaing Hill offers an incredible panoramic view of white and golden pagodas scattered across the lush hillsides.

In Inwa (Ava), where we will visit:

• Nan Myint Tower – also known as the “Leaning Tower of Inwa”
• Bagaya Monastery – a magnificent 19th-century teakwood structure, perfect for dramatic compositions
• Menu Ok-kyaung Monastery – renowned for its intricate stucco carvings

Enjoy lunch onboard as we cruise towards Mingun, home to:

• Mingun Pahtodawgyi – one of the world’s largest unfinished pagodas, featuring raw, textural surfaces and striking geometry

As the day ends, capture the golden reflections of sunset on the Irrawaddy River, a truly magical sight.

After a delightful dinner, we gather to review and refine our work. Steve McCurry will provide constructive feedback on your best shots, helping you enhance your skills and vision. The evening will culminate with Steve presenting his most iconic and award-winning images, offering insights into his creative process and the stories behind his legendary photographs.

Experience a day of profound photographic exploration as we delve into the spiritual heart of Mandalay.
Begin the day at Mahamuni Buddha Temple, witnessing the sacred morning face-washing ritual, an intimate glimpse into Buddhist devotion.  Explore Shwenandaw Monastery, a masterpiece of Burmese teak architecture and a former royal palace adorned with intricate woodcarvings.

And after a local lunch, Visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book, consisting of 729 inscribed marble tablets, each a chapter of Buddhist scripture. Stroll along the ancient city moat, capturing a stunning contrast between old and new Myanmar.

Throughout the day, you’ll work in small groups, allowing Steve to provide personalized guidance and individual tutoring. This hands-on approach will help you hone your skills in travel and portrait photography, ensuring you make the most of every photographic opportunity.

In the evening, we return to our hotel for a delightful dinner. Afterward, we’ll review the images taken so far, with Steve offering constructive feedback to help you refine your techniques and enhance your photographic vision. This session will provide invaluable insights and inspiration, setting the stage for the remaining days of our workshop.

We begin the day at dawn, capturing the breathtaking sunrise at the legendary U Bein Bridge. As the golden light breaks over the horizon, local fishermen gather at the water’s edge, casting their nets in a rhythmic dance, while monks in deep saffron robes make their way across the bridge. This is an extraordinary opportunity to photograph the bridge as a striking backdrop, framed by the life and traditions of Myanmar’s people—a moment that feels like stepping into a timeless painting.

The rest of the day is dedicated to street photography, working in small groups to explore hidden corners of Mandalay. Visit traditional blacksmith workshops, where artisans forge magnificent bronze Buddha statues, and local wood and marble craftsmen, skillfully shaping intricate sculptures. This is a rare chance to go behind the scenes, witnessing daily life beyond the tourist paths and immersing yourself in the heart of Mandalay’s craftsmanship and culture—all while working closely with Steve McCurry to refine your storytelling approach.

After returning to the hotel for a delightful dinner, we will review the images taken throughout the day. Steve McCurry will provide personalized feedback, helping you refine your techniques and enhance your photographic vision. This evening session will offer invaluable insights and inspiration, ensuring you make the most of your photographic journey in Bagan.

In the early morning, we step into one of Myanmar’s most sacred daily rituals—the Buddhist tradition of alms-giving. Every day at sunrise, hundreds of monks walk barefoot through the streets of Mandalay, carrying their alms bowls as they receive offerings of rice and food from the local community.This spiritual ceremony, known as “Tak Bat,” is an intimate and moving tradition, offering a rare glimpse into Myanmar’s rich monastic culture. As photographers, we will have the privilege of capturing this extraordinary scene—a procession of monks moving silently through the narrow streets of Mandalay, bathed in soft morning light.

After the morning session, we gather for lunch at one of Mandalay’s local restaurants, where we have time to reflect and discuss the morning’s photographic experience.

The afternoon takes us off the beaten path, as we explore Steve’s private locations, gaining exclusive access to sites that most travelers never see. These include:
A secluded women’s monastery, where we document the quiet rhythms of daily live.
Hidden corners of Mandalay, where local traditions thrive untouched by time.

This final day in Mandalay is your backstage pass to rare and powerful photographic moments, focusing on intimate portraits and untold stories.

As the sun sets, we celebrate an incredible journey through Mandalay—reflecting on the powerful, photogenic days we’ve experienced while looking forward to the next chapter at Inle Lake.
The evening concludes with a special image critique session led by Steve McCurry, where you receive constructive feedback to further refine and elevate your work.

Step into one of Myanmar’s most magical landscapes—a place where time moves with the rhythm of the water.

After a short flight to Heho, we travel overland to Inle Lake, stopping en route at the breathtaking Shweyanpyay Monastery. This ornate teak temple, with its iconic oval windows and serene young monks, offers stunning portrait opportunities bathed in soft natural light.

As we arrive at Inle Lake, a world of floating wonders unfolds before us. The afternoon is spent gliding silently across the lake, where golden reflections dance on the water and life moves in perfect harmony with nature.

Following a delightful dinner, we will gather for an inspiring lecture by Steve McCurry. He will share insights and stories behind his award-winning images from around the globe, providing valuable lessons and inspiration for your own photography journey. This session is designed to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the art of photography, leaving you motivated and enriched.

As the soft morning light casts a golden glow over the water, we set out from our centrally located hotel, floating effortlessly with the current in our private boats. The stillness of the lake is broken only by the rhythmic movements of the local fishermen, who have just begun their day’s work.

We witness them casting their nets, their silhouettes perfectly reflected in the water, and marvel as they navigate their narrow boats using only one leg—a mesmerizing display of balance and tradition. This serene morning offers unparalleled opportunities for breathtaking photography, surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable.

Returning to our hotel, we gather for breakfast together, fueling up for what promises to be a long and thrilling day of exploration.

EXPLORING INLE LAKE’S HIDDEN GEMS
With our private boats, we embark on a journey into the heart of Inle Lake’s artisanal heritage, capturing the intricate craftsmanship of:

Jewelry artisans creating delicate handmade silver designs
Traditional weavers, working with silk and lotus threads to craft exquisite textiles
Handcrafted paper umbrella workshops, where every detail reflects generations of artistry
We also step into the spiritual world of Inle Lake, visiting local monasteries, where we will get up close to the monks, documenting their daily rituals and sacred ceremonies in an atmosphere of quiet devotion.

AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION
We dine with stunning views over Inle Lake, reflecting on the extraordinary moments of the day. Before retreating to our rooms, we gather once more for an image discussion and a special lecture by Steve McCurry, where he shares insights, techniques, and feedback to elevate our craft.

A day filled with extraordinary encounters, stunning compositions, and deep cultural immersion, all set against the timeless beauty of Inle Lake.

We take off for a day behind the hidden gems of Inle Lake:
Nampan Village – Wander through a maze of stilt houses, where locals live in harmony with the lake, navigating their daily routines by boat
Nga Phe Chaung Monastery – A beautiful wooden monastery known for its ornate carvings and peaceful atmosphere
Alodaw Pauk Pagoda – One of the oldest and most sacred shrines on Inle Lake, adorned with golden relics and rich Buddhist history
The Hidden Nampan Temple – A secluded spiritual retreat offering tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture
Visit to Yadana Man Aung Paya, the oldest and most significant Buddhist shrine in Nyaungshwe. Hidden away within a gilded stupa, this sacred site is a treasured spiritual landmark of the region

Tonight is our last evening together, and we celebrate with a farewell dinner and a toast to an incredible workshop. Here, we will also present our legendary Better Moments diplomas, personally handed over by Steve McCurry and Christian Nørgaard.