Spring workshops • June 21 – 27, 2026  

LA BELLA VITA

Re-discovering the magic of Val d’Orcia in Tuscany

We’re thrilled to announce a very special return to Tuscany this year, where our journey with TPW (Toscana Photographic Workshop) first began over thirty years ago. What started as a passion for capturing the stunning landscapes of Tuscany has now come full circle, and we’re excited to offer a new photographic adventure for those who want to experience this region with an intimate, hands-on approach.

This time, we’re not just revisiting Tuscany—we’re bringing a fully immersive photographic workshop experience. Andrea Pistolesi, renowned for his expert photography reportages al over the world, will guide us as we re-explore the iconic Val d’Orcia, an area now world-famous and part of the UNESCO Heritage circuit.

With Andrea’s deep knowledge of the land and his photographic expertise, participants will get the chance to learn from one of Italy’s best travel photographers, who has been capturing Tuscany’s beauty for decades.

This workshop will be a unique opportunity to discover the picturesque villages and rolling hills of San Quirico d’Orcia, Crete Senesi, Montepulciano, and beyond, all with a photographer’s eye. We’ll visit timeless locations like the cypress-lined roads, sunflower fields, ancient churches, and rustic farmhouses, creating the perfect environment for capturing the essence of Tuscany. The area has even been the backdrop for iconic films, such as The Gladiator, The English Patient and, more recently, La Bella Villa—adding even more magic to its cinematic allure. Along the way, we’ll stop to enjoy simple but delicious Tuscan cuisine and wines from local vineyards, with a special wine tasting in Montalcino.

With TPW’s logistical expertise, we’ll ensure a seamless experience, handling all the details so you can focus on your photography. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or a seasoned professional, this workshop will be a full immersion in one of Italy’s most breathtaking regions, where you’ll not only enhance your photography skills but also create unforgettable memories with a group of like-minded individuals.

La Bella Vita is waiting for you—join us as we revisit the places we know and love, with the guidance of Andrea Pistolesi and the support of TPW.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

Dates: June 21-27, 2026

Location: Based in SanQuirico d’Orcia, Tuscany. With excursions to nearby towns.

Focus: The workshop includes an initial and final review of participants’ work, discussions on storytelling through photography, and a true assignment under the guidance of Andrea Pistolesi, one of today’s most skilled travel photographers.

This is a rare chance to immerse yourself in the everyday life, culture, and beauty of Val d’Orcia.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Accommodation: Participants can stay in a B&B or hotel in the town center. We’ll provide recommendations and contacts.

Meals: From quick bar snacks to relaxed dinners in local restaurants, there’s plenty to choose from. Usually we are independent for lunches, but we tend to share dinners.

Cars: we will rent a couple a car, in order to travel to the nearby locations. The cost will be split among participants.

BIOGRAPHY

Andrea Pistolesi is a documentary photographer and filmmaker with over four decades of professional experience, whose work explores the relationship between people, culture, and the environments they inhabit. His projects are developed through long-term research and sustained fieldwork, combining documentary rigor with a strong authorial visual approach.

Born in Florence, Andrea studied geography before beginning his photographic career in 1981. This academic background has shaped a working method grounded in observation, spatial analysis, and an understanding of cultural and environmental systems—elements that form the core of his teaching approach.

Throughout his career, Andrea has developed documentary projects across Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. His work has been published internationally by major magazines and cultural institutions, including National Geographic, Time, Smithsonian Magazine, The New York Times, and Geo.

His projects typically evolve into multiple outputs—editorial publications, documentary films, books, and exhibitions—allowing participants to understand how visual work is conceived, structured, edited, and presented across different formats. Andrea is the sole author of around one hundred photographic books, all conceived as complete outcomes of long-term documentary research rather than isolated image collections.

In his workshops, Andrea focuses on seeing, sequencing, and storytelling: how to read a place, identify meaningful visual structures, build coherent narratives, and edit work with clarity and intention. Emphasis is placed on field methodology, visual consistency, ethical engagement with subjects, and the transition from shooting to editing.

Andrea lives and works between Italy and Asia and continues to develop long-term documentary projects on cultural change and fragile environments, bringing current field experience directly into his teaching.

https://www.andreapistolesi.com

PRACTICAL INFO