The White Horses of France Camargue Photography Workshop
White Horses of Camargue France Photography Workshop Overview
The White horses of Camargue are some of the most beautiful horses in the world. These gentle animals are native to the Camargue region of Southern France and are one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. Shooting these wild horses is one of the most incredible photographic experiences that you will ever have.
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What to Expect
During this five day workshop we will photograph the white horses of Camargue in a variety of settings along the coast. The workshop will consist of 7 horse shoots that will be scheduled at sunrise and and sunset. Each shoot will last between 1 and 1.5 hours. During this time we'll have plenty of opportunities to photograph the horses in a variety of ways including intimate close ups as well as action shots of the horses galloping through the marsh and sea. The number of horses present during each shoot change from shoot to shoot in order to give participants a variety of looks.
During the middle of the day we will have plenty of time for rest, meals, and a couple of post processing / image review sessions spread throughout the week. Folks will also have the opportunity to take a field trip to the nearby town of Arles where Vincent Van Gough used to paint. Here we will photograph the architecture of Frank Gehry's incredible Luma building.
Three wild horses emerge from the ocean in Camargue France
Sample Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary for your Camargue Photography workshop. The shoot style and order might be a little different on your particular trip.
Day 1
Noon pickup at Montpellier airport (MPL)
Orientation at Hotel Aigues-Mortes
Evening shoot at flamingo sanctuary
Day 2
We'll start the first full day of the workshop with a sunrise shoot in a nearby marsh. Here we'll have the opportunity to photograph the horses interacting with one another in the shallow waters of the marsh. For second portion of the shoot we'll photograph the horses running through the water. After our morning shoot we'll take a break back at our hotel. This will give us plenty of time download our images and see how they are turning out. In the evening we'll head back to the marsh for another shot at this location.
Day 3
On the third day of the trip we'll have another early sunrise shoot. This time we will be photographing a single white stallion on a beach with small dunes. The horse will be accompanied by it's trainer who will help get him into position and have him rear up on command. The evening shoot will be at a lagoon that is conveniently located next to a sandy beach. There are a lot of photographic opportunities at this location so we will be visiting it multiple times.
Day 4
The following day we will return to the same lagoon/beach area for our morning and evening photo sessions in order to increase our chances of getting the perfect shot. The horses running on the beach is one of the most iconic shots in Camargue which is why we'll have three opportunities to photograph there.
Day 5
For the last day of the trip we'll be photographing a single black stallion at the same location and in the same format as the single white stallion. The workshop will conclude after this shot.
White Horse Photography Workshop in Southern France | White Stallion rearing up on the beach
What's Included
• Professional photography instructor and guide
• Local guide and access to private property
• 7 photo sessions with horses. (weather permitting)
• Post processing session
• 4 nights of lodging
• Transportation during the workshop
• Entry Fee for flamingo preserve
What's Not Included
• Airfare and traveling fees
• Meals & Drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Visa Fees (If required)
• Photography Equipment
Cancellation Policy
Sometimes life can get in the way of a good a thing. Hopefully that doesn’t happen during this workshop, but if it does the following cancelation policy applies.
• Cancel 120 days or more before the start of the trip – Full Refund Minus $250 Administrative Fee
• Cancel 90 -119 days before the start of the trip – Half refund
• Cancel 0 - 89 days before the start of the trip - No refund
Should you have to cancel after the cancelation deadline and I can find a replacement for your space, I’ll refund your full payment minus a $200 cancelation fee.
I strongly encourage “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Check out Square Mouth for more details on trip insurance.
Weather & Hiking
The weather in Camargue France is fairly mild in May. The average daytime high is in the mid 70's with nighttime lows in the mid 50's. The spring is not the wettest or driest time of year in Camargue so it is good to be prepared for rain in the event that it happens. We will be attempting to shoot in the rain as long as it is safe to do so and there is a possibility of getting decent shots.
There is very little hiking on this workshop since we'll be driving to each location. Once we arrive on location we will only have to walk a few hundred yards.
Skill Level
This workshop is open for photographers of all skill levels, but having a good understanding of the basics of photography is ideal in order to achieve the best results. If you are not comfortable shooting with a telephoto lens, I highly recommend buying or renting one to practice with a few weeks before the trip.
Gear
• DSLR or mirrorless camera: Mirrorless cameras can make shooting easier by giving realtime feedback about exposure. This can be helpful when shooting in a fast paced environment with changing conditions. That being said, we will have time to review shots and exposures between each horse run.
• Telephoto Lens: You'll want a 70-200mm and or 100-400mm lens to catch the horses in action. I highly recommend a 1.4 extender if you're using a 70-200mm lens.
• Mid Range lens: While we will mostly be using telephoto lenses to shoot the horses, there may be a few opportunities to shoot with a midrange lens such as a 24-70mm or 24-105mm
Camera Holster: We will be shooting while standing in the water. It is very easy to dunk your second body in the water if you are not carful. Using a chest mounted camera holster will help prevent your camera from taking a dunk. Cotton Carrier makes a great double and single harness.
Southern France photography workshop in Camargue | White Stallion poses in the dunes near the ocean.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to be around the wild horses?
Absolutely, these horses are used to being around people and are very gentle. You can pet them! We will be working with a local guide and guardian to ensure the safety of our group. Of course there is always some inherent risk of injury in any outdoor setting but the environment we will be working in is controlled which eliminates most of the risks.
Where is Camargue?
Camargue is located on the southern coast of France in between Montpellier and Marseille.
What makes this particular Camargue photography workshop special?
This is a small group photography workshop consisting of 7 participants or less. The small group setting helps ensure that each photographer has a clear shot of the horses. A smaller group also shortens the amount of setup time needed between horse runs. This effectively translates to more opportunities to shoot.
The workshop features seven shoots with the horses, three of which consist of a group of horses running on the beach and two of which are single horses. The beach shots containing groups of white horses are some of the cleanest and most dramatic in Camargue. Most photography workshop operators choose to only do two or less of these shots because it is the most expensive shoot to conduct, but on this photography tour you get three opportunities to shoot the galloping white beauties on the beach.
Will there be mosquitos or other bugs?
Yes, We will be shooting in areas with shallow water. There will be mosquitos but they should not be too bad in early May. Bug pray is recommended though.
Do I need to know French?
Absolutely not, while many folks only speak French in the South, you will be able to make your way around only knowing english.
I only have one camera body, do you recommend renting a second one?
Yes, I always recommend bringing a second camera body when you are going on an extended photography tour. If you camera acts up during the trip you'll have a second body to fall back on. Additionally, having two bodies means that you can use two different lenses during the shoots. It's quite difficult to change lenses once the shoot begins. All workshop participants will be eligible for a 15% discount from Lensrentals.com
What is the closest major airport to Camargue France?
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport (MPL)
Should I arrive a day early?
Participants are not required to arrive a day early but it is recommended in order to give a little time to recover from jetlag and to ensure that you make it in time for our noon departure. If your flight is delayed, you'll be responsible for your own transportation to our hotel in Aigues-Mortes.
Where is the best place to stay near the Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport?
The ibis Styles Montpellier Aeroport Parc Des Expos is as close to the air port as you can get and the hotel is rather nice. This is the best place to stay if you'd like to come a day or two early before the workshop begins.
Are there other things to shoot in Southern France if I'd like to stay longer?
Yes, Southern France is beautiful! I highly recommend driving the French Riviera. I'm more than happy to give some suggestions for after the trip.