Antigua, Guatemala with Ari Espay

Join us in Antigua, Guatemala for one of the most breathtaking Easter traditions in the world - Semana Santa. With grand processions, lavish floats and intricately designed alfombras (“carpets”), Antigua, Guatemala hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who yearn to be a part of the religious and cultural festivities. This captivating city was founded during the 16th century by Spanish colonialists, and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. With its Baroque architecture and thriving textile scene, this former colonial capital is among Central America's most beguiling destinations.

Combining indigenous traditions with Catholic customs to create a unique and memorable experience, Semana Santa (also known as Holy Week) is a week-long celebration leading up to Easter Sunday. From baking large amounts of bread to decorating streets with sawdust alfombras or “carpets”, you won’t find another country that celebrates Semana Santa quite like Guatemala does. The alfombras are made from sawdust, flowers, fruit, palm leaves, and paper, and are laid out in the streets. People work from around 1am to 5am using stencils to create the intricate designs. The sawdust has to be constantly sprayed with water to ensure it doesn’t fly away! 

 

 

Photography Workshop

DATES | 8 DAYS

March 22 - 29, 2027    

PRICE

$6945 per person  

Companion fee $3695  (staying in the same room)

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 Nights in luxury accommodations
  • On location classes, demos, and assistance in the field
  • 4 Classes/edit & critique sessions
  • All breakfasts
  • 2 Late Lunches
  • All local transportation once the workshop starts
  • Travel, landscape, architecture, festival, and people photography

 

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

  • Round trip airfare to and from Guatemala
  • Additional excursions for Companions not listed in our itinerary (though we will happily help with suggestions and arrangements)
  • Additional nights before or after the start and finish of the Workshop
  • Travel Insurance
  • Some meals
  • Gratuities

 

OUR LOCATIONS

  • Children's Procession from La Merced Church
  • San Francisco Procession
  • San Felipe Procession
  • Escuela de Cristo’s Female Procession
  • San Pedro Procession at Parque Central

 

OUR HOTEL

We will be staying in the heart of the city, at Los Pasos, a 5 star boutique hotel, steps from where some of the most important Processions begin and end.

Arriving and departing in Guatemala City: The Westin Hotel Camino Real

 

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?

  • Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio
  • Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures
  • Photographers interested in learning more about street shooting as well as documenting celebrations and festivals
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance for your trip.

In addition to medical coverage, a good travel insurance policy can help protect you in the event of trip cancellation or interruption, lost or stolen luggage, camera equipment and personal belongings, personal liability, emergency dental treatment, medical evacuation, and repatriation.

And, while we don’t mean to sound morbid, it’s also worth making sure your policy includes repatriation in the event of death. Unfortunately, getting someone home from overseas can be extremely expensive.

 

Most importantly, please read your policy carefully, including all exclusions and coverage limits, before purchasing. Not all travel insurance policies are created equal, and we particularly recommend confirming that your policy provides adequate trip cancellation and interruption coverage, as well as coverage for any valuable photography equipment you will be bringing with you.

A little time spent understanding your coverage before you leave can make an enormous difference if something unexpected happens along the way.

 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

We provide personalized service and you can sign up for a workshop by emailing us directly at liza@lizapoliti.com

Sign Up Via Email

About Ari Espay

Award-winning photographer, Ari Espay, has shot documentary pieces, campaigns and editorial essays for magazines in the US and all over South America including; Architectural Digest, Vogue Latin America, Que Pasa, and ED. He has worked for Maybelline, Gillette, Corpbanca and Ferouch and has shot portraits for Presidents, internationally known actors, Emmy Award winning directors, Broadway performers, politicians and high profile business people. Ari has won Chile’s prestigious Fondart Grant, was a finalist in National Geographic’s Photo Competition, “Luces de America” and in 2018, 2021, 2022 he was a ‘CHOSEN Winner’ in Latin American AI-AP. He has received an Honorable Mention in IPA's Deeper Perspective Category in 2023 for his series, "Butterfly Children".

With numerous gallery exhibitions, Ari’s most recent show, “A Glimpse of Southeast Asia” was featured at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, a museum in Cento, Italy. Other exhibitions include; “Mingalabar Myanmar”(Rome and Bologna, Italy) and “The Faces of EB” in New York City. He has published 4 books. As a photographer, his work can be seen in "Colors of San Miguel" and he was the editor for Erin Feinberg’s "Diehards"(2013) with foreword by Bruce Springsteen and afterword by Neil Peart and for the multi-award winning, “2020 Unmasked”. For 10 years, he taught photography workshops for National Geographic, working with their legendary photographers.   www.ariespayphotographer.com

Additional Info

WEATHER | SUNRISE/SUNSET

April – Temps 80/58 F  

Sunrise 5:56am | Sunset 6:15pm 

 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Airport: La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City

*Please note this workshop will start and end in Guatemala City.

FUN FACTS

In February of 2023 Guatemala’s Semana Santa, also known as Holy Week, was recognized as an intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO. 

 

Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, Antigua was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins.

 

Antigua's most famous landmark is the canary-yellow Santa Catalina arch, which dates to 1694. It was built to enable the nuns of the closed order of Santa Catalina to cross from their convent to the school on the other side of the street without being seen in public.

 

Neighboring town Chichicastenango still boasts one of the largest markets in Guatemala, serving villages in the neighboring highlands. It was a market center for the Cakchiquel Maya before the Spanish conquest. 

 

The original name of Guatemala was Quauhtlemallan, which means ‘place of many trees’ in the Mexican language Nahuatl. 

 

Nearly 80% of Guatemalans identify as Indigenous, with almost half being descendants from the Mayan civilization. The dominance of an Indigenous culture in Guatemala distinguishes it from its Central American neighbors. The modern society still practices pre-hispanic traditions that allow them to preserve their heritage. Today, around 20 different Mayan languages are still spoken and different Mayan communes are spread throughout the country.

 

More Info, Cancellation Policy, & FAQ's

Guatemala Deposit

$1,040.00

Please note there is a 4% credit card processing fee added to this payment.