Expedition Details
Join National Geographic photographers David Alan Harvey or Jim Richardson in Mexico's charming San Miguel de Allende — a national historic landmark with an international community of artists, writers, and sculptors. The photographic opportunities outside of our hotel, La Posada de la Aldea, are endless. This workshop follows a similar format to the Santa Fe workshop and includes excursions to historic Guanajuato and a nearby hacienda. All meals are included, except for one lunch and three dinners.
The following is our planned itinerary; however, the schedule is flexible to allow for spontaneous photographic opportunities.
Itinerary - 8 Days
Day 1 — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Arrive in San Miguel de Allende and check into La Posada de la Aldea. Gather for a reception followed by dinner and orientation with your instructors.
La Posada de la Aldea (D)
Day 2 — San Miguel
After breakfast this morning, meet for a presentation by the National Geographic photographer. After lunch, take a walking tour of San Miguel and embark on your first photography assignment. Tonight, enjoy a photography presentation at the Teatro Angela Peralta, the three-tiered theatre next to the Jardin, the heart of downtown San Miguel.
La Posada de la Aldea (B,L)
Day 3 — San Miguel
This morning offers an opportunity for early morning photography on the streets of San Miguel, followed by breakfast, then an edit and critique session of yesterday's images with your instructors. After lunch, depart for the afternoon assignment at a privately owned working ranch with a hacienda that provides a stunning example of historic Mexican architecture. This evening share dinner together with your group.
La Posada de la Aldea (B,L,D)
Day 4 — San Miguel/Guanajuato/San Miguel
Photograph first light on the beautiful grounds of the hotel, followed by breakfast and a critique of yesterday's images. After lunch, depart for Guanajuato, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and known as a beautifully preserved colonial silver-mining center. This lovely town has a distinct European flavor and is easily explored on foot. The city is a fascinating maze of twisted alleys and narrow cobblestone streets. Some of the places you will discover in this 16th century town include the Teatro Juarez, site of the famed Cervantino Festival; the highly photogenic downtown municipal market; and the Jardin Union, a tranquil gathering place for locals every afternoon.
La Posada de la Aldea (B,L)
Day 5 — Pozos
This morning start with breakfast, then classroom time with your instructors. In the afternoon, travel to the old silver mining town of Pozos to photograph pre-hispanic dancers. This evening enjoy a traditional Mexican dinner together.
La Posada de la Aldea (B,L,D)
Day 6 — San Miguel
Rise early to photograph the early morning in San Miguel, followed by breakfast and a critique of yesterday's images. After critiques, enjoy an individual assignment around San Miguel to practice all you have learned during the past week. This evening, gather for dinner and our "Best of the Week" image presentation at a specially selected restaurant in town.
La Posada de la Aldea (B,L,D)
Days 7 & 8 — San Miguel
After breakfast, gather for critiques and a final recap of the week with your instructors. The afternoon is free to explore San Miguel on your own. Depart for the airport the next morning.
La Posada de la Aldea (B)
For questions on this workshop, please call 1-866-797-4686.
Related Trips
National Geographic Expert
Jim Richardson
Photographer Jim Richardson has produced more than 40 stories for National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Traveler, where he is a contributing editor. Jim photographed two recent cover stories for National Geographic magazine: "The End of Night" in November 2008 and "The Good Earth: Soil" in September 2008. His work has also been published in Time, Newsweek, Life, and Sports Illustrated; and featured on CBS News' Sunday Morning and ABC's Nightline.
Jim will join the following departure:
Nov 01 - 08, 2009Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
What To Expect
All workshops are geared toward amateur and serious digital photographers, and include an overview of downloading, archiving, sizing, and adjusting your images on the computer. All workshop participants must bring a digital SLR camera, a laptop computer, and software for organizing and presenting images. Each workshop is limited to 25 participants.
