Capture beautiful memories with a photography workshop or photoshoot on location in glorious Provence. Whether you want to explore pretty villages and colourful markets or the lavender and poppy fields and spectacular scenery of Luberon, international award-winning photographer Raina Stinson’s one-day and half-day tours are a brilliant way to capture precious memories. You’ll visit stunning locations that would be hard to discover on your own, off the beaten track and secret parts of Provence as well as some of the most famous locations. These form the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot of you and your loved ones, or the ideal place to hone your own photography skills as Raina teaches you techniques to take superb photos.
Hone your skills
Whatever your photography level, and whether you use a mobile phone or a DSLR camera, the tours help you enhance your skills and find the perfect and most photogenic locations to create beautiful images.
“You don’t need a big camera to take great photos, the camera on a mobile phone works perfectly” says Raina. “I love to teach people how to get the best images from their mobile, from beginners to advanced photographers. And if guests have DSLR cameras, that’s great too. It’s all about what you prefer and feel comfortable with.”
“I get a mix of different clients, from beginners to experienced photographers,” Raina explains. “Some of the more experienced photographers want me to take them to the secret and picturesque locations, at the best time for the light at sunrise or sunset, so that they can create fantastic and unique images. For the less experienced I offer tips and tricks for photography so that your photos come out perfect.”
As a trained meditation teacher, Raina incorporates mindfulness into her tours to help photographers to make the most of the sessions. “It’s a means to help you see and capture your vacation in a different way and to open you up to your inner creativity. I show you how to see light, textures, colours, reflections and to delve more deeply into what you’re experiencing overall, slowing down to notice details that you might otherwise miss.” Raina also teaches different ways of composing a photo by shooting at different angles and explains composition rules, as well as how and when it works to break those rules.
The beauty of Provence
You couldn’t have a better canvas to work with than the luminous landscape of Provence. With its hilltop villages, fragrant lavender fields and panoramic views, it’s the perfect destination to create beautiful memories, landscape and family portraits or to perfect the art of photography for yourself and capture your own stunning images. The tours take place around the Luberon Valley including the picturesque hilltop villages of Lacoste, Bonnieux, Oppéde-le-Vieux and Gordes, as well as Goult, Menerbes and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Discover the hidden treasures of the Luberon Valley
“From medieval and Roman architecture to croissants, café, and gourmet food experiences, of course, the authentic hilltop villages, the Luberon Valley of Provence is really inspirational.” Raina says. “Some of my favourite places include ancient stone lavoirs, used in the past for laundering clothes in public. Distinctive stone building known as bories, make another interesting subject or backdrop for photos. Built to store tools, harvested crops or even animals, they have a distinctive shape and are very typical of this area. Colourful vineyards and small chapels that most visitors would never find also make a great destination. During lavender and poppy season, I take visitors to fields that have incredible views.”
Added extras
American-born Raina speaks French and really knows the area and what it has to offer, which is a huge bonus for her clients, most of whom are English-speaking. For visitors on the day tour, Raina offers the optional extra of a picnic lunch to be enjoyed at a beautiful, hidden location deep in the Provençal countryside to enjoy the traditional French fare. You can also request specifically tailored tours that fit your interests and you can even add on a mini-portrait session for your own personal photoshoot.
Practicalities
You can use your own transport to travel with Raina. Tours are offered all year round, offering a chance to experience not only the summer lavender fields, but the vineyards bursting with ripe grapes ready for harvest and the Provençal winter landscapes and fresh spring colours.
Find out more at rainastinsonphotography.com/private-tours-in-provence
