23. 09. 2026– 30. 09. 2026
OR
30. 10. 2026 – 08. 11. 2026
Final dates will be confirmed in June 2026.
Highlights of the tour
Lake Sevan – Sevanavank Monastery – Haghpat village – Odzun village – Kobayr Monastery – Vanadzor town – Tsaghkashat village – Fioletovo village – Dilijan town – Gosh village – Geghard Monastery – Garni village – Khor Virap Monastery – Yerevan
Application deadline: August 15, 2026.
My Armenian Story
A legend tells that God stood on the peaks of Armenia’s mountains when separating water from land. After creation, He sifted the earth through a large sieve. The soft soil fell in one direction, while the stones that remained in the sieve fell in another. These stones fell upon Armenian soil, which is why Armenia is often called the “land of stones.” Armenia is the jewel of the Caucasus, a country of radiant sun and high mountains, golden honey and delicious bread, wonderful wine and cold spring water, flower-covered meadows and sweet fruits. A place where, after family and friendship, the guest is the most important.
I first arrived in this world in 2019 as a tourist, and I was immediately captivated by the unique atmosphere of this post-Soviet country. The story of a small village’s cross-country skiers, who have been working toward their dreams, deeply moved me, and as a documentary hotographer I returned to Armenia later that same year to begin my long-term project, following them and the everyday life of their community, which still carries the consequences of the 1988 Armenian earthquake.
Year by year, I have become more and more at home in the Armenian landscape, and upon arrival I am increasingly greeted as an old acquaintance. The idea of sharing all this with other photographers has been with me for a long time, and Marat Shahbekyan, the owner of the Seven Springs Tour travel agency in Yerevan, which also supports my work in Armenia, kindly offered his cooperation in making it happen. The agency has been working for 25 years in the country’s most remote regions. Marat also participated in the preparation of the first Bradt travel guide about Armenia. No one knows the mountain routes, the villages, and the world of shepherds better than he does.
The workshop is offered in two periods, in spring and in autumn. During the May edition we can enjoy the blooming Armenian meadows, while the fresh green of awakening nature and soft light form the background of our images. During the autumn workshop the golden tones of nature and the special light create the atmosphere of the journey.
We believe that the act of creation is also supported by occasionally stepping away from photography and simply being present in the moment, in movement, in the landscape, or even in silence. Therefore, during our journey we will also put down our cameras from time to time and go on hikes. I invite you to a true physical and mental recharge, where photography is part of the experience but not the only focus.
My co instructor Katarzyna Heczko, a Polish documentary photographer, is not only an exceptionally talented artist but also a very dear friend. I am truly happy that she is enriching this workshop with her knowledge.
Kasia’s story
I am Katarzyna Heczko, an educator and documentary photographer born in Namysłów, Poland. I studied at the Faculty of Chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology, the Academy of Photography in Krakow, and the Sputnik Photos Mentorship Program. I am currently a student at the Institute of Creative Photography in Opava. I am also a co-founder and member of the RAV∙A Stories collective, and I live and work in Lower Silesia.
My work focuses on the lives of mountain and remote communities, from the Himalayas and Ladakh to Georgia and beyond. Between 2017 and 2025, I documented the residents of the Abisynia neighborhood in Mikołów. In 2019, I explored the migration of Ukrainian citizens to Poland, and in 2020, I worked on a project about the internment period of Stefan Wyszyński. My work has been recognized in the National Geographic competition on the magazine’s 20th anniversary, where I received a major award, and I have also received two honorable mentions at BIFA. The mock-up of my most personal project, e, was awarded Photographic Publication of the Year in 2021. My projects have been exhibited in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine, and published in National Geographic, BirdInFlight, and Pismo Magazine.
For me, photography is not just about making images; it is a way of understanding the world. I approach people with respect and aim to tell their stories with honesty and care. Over the years, I have built close relationships with the communities I work with, observing their daily lives and portraying them in ways that honor their dignity and cultural identity.
In my workshops, I share my approach to photographic ethics, working closely with subjects, and visual storytelling. I encourage participants not only to take photographs but to build genuine connections with the people and places they engage with. It is important to me that participants do not remain observers, but immerse themselves in the landscape, the culture, and the spirit of the communities they visit.
Earlier this year, I visited Armenia for the first time, exploring its snowy landscapes on snowshoes. The connection was immediate, and this experience led me to join Bea in co-leading workshops together.
About the Workshop
This is a slow, immersive approach to documentary photography in one of the most visually layered countries in the Caucasus. We travel together from place to place, including short hikes, experiencing different landscapes, meeting residents and culture along the way.
The focus is on learning how to build a visual story while being constantly in motion.The workshop is open to photographers who are interested in documentary work, even if they don’t have much experience in it. We will talk about storytelling — how to build a story from images, how to follow situations, and how to work with people.
There will be lectures and discussions, including topics like visual storytelling and ethics in documentary photography. We will also reflect on what it means to photograph others in a respectful and responsible way.
During the week, participants will receive individual assignments connected to the places we visit. These are meant to help you focus, observe more carefully, and find your own way of seeing.
By the end of the workshop, everyone will create a short photo story based on their chosen or assigned topic — something personal, built from the experiences, encounters, and moments collected during the journey.
This workshop is for you if:
you enjoy photography and feel confident using your camera
you are interested in how people live today in a post-Soviet country like Armenia
you are drawn to documentary photography and visual storytelling
you are open to everyday life in Armenian villages, enjoy meeting local people, and are comfortable with a slow, attentive way of being present
you are ready to bring hiking boots alongside your camera, and do not mind several hours of hiking in the mountains, with good physical stamina
you are not discouraged by simple living conditions, and approach rural Armenian families and their often modest circumstances with openness and respect
it is important for you to approach people you photograph with empathy and responsibility
you enjoy traveling and discovering the world, but find it difficult to set out alone
The workshop itinerary and program
Day 1 | Yerevan – Sevanavank Monastery – Haghpat village
After arrival in Yerevan, we travel to the stunning Lake Sevan, where we visit the historic Sevanavank Monastery on the peninsula. From here, we continue with a scenic drive (approx. 2 hours) to the village of Haghpat. In the evening, we gather for a professional introduction session, offering a chance to meet, connect, and set the tone for the days ahead.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: picnic breakfast on the way / lunch at a restaurant / dinner at the hotel
Day 2 | Haghpat village – Odzun village – Kobayr Monastery – Tsaghkashat village
After breakfast, we transfer to Odzun village, where we begin a scenic hiking tour to the Kobayr Monastery. The walk covers approximately 10–11 km and takes around 3.5–4 hours, offering beautiful landscapes along the way. After returning to Haghpat, we continue by special vehicles to the remote village of Tsaghkashat. Upon arrival, we take a walk through the village to experience local life, followed by a lecture on documentary storytelling in the evening.
Accommodation: private house
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Day 3 | Tsaghkashat village
For early risers, the day begins with a sunrise photo session, capturing the village in the soft morning light. After breakfast, the day is dedicated to independent photographic work in the village, with personalized assignments and ongoing mentoring. After lunch, we hold a one-hour lecture on photography ethics. In the late afternoon, if weather conditions allow, we gather for a barbecue.
Accommodation: private house
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Day 4 | Tsaghkashat village – Haghpat village – Vanadzor town – Dilijan town
After breakfast, we hike down to Haghpat, while our luggage is transported separately by car. Upon arrival, we plan a photo session featuring dancers in the monastery surroundings. If this is not possible, we will instead explore and photograph the monastery and its atmospheric cemetery. We then continue towards Dilijan, stopping at the lively market in Vanadzor for a documentary-style photography session. Upon arrival in Dilijan, we take a short walk through the town to get familiar with its unique character. In the evening, before dinner, we review the day’s work together, discussing assignments and looking through the images created.
Accommodation: guesthouse
Meals: breakfast and dinner at the accommodations, lunch at a restaurant
Day 5 | Dilijan town – Gosh village – Fioletovo village – Geghard Monastery – Garni village
After breakfast, we transfer to Lake Parz and begin a scenic walk to Gosh village (altitude: 1250 m – 1650 m – 1200 m). Following the hike, we continue to a Molokan village, where we are welcomed into a private home for lunch and a glimpse into local life. In the afternoon, we travel to the remarkable Geghard Monastery, then continue to Garni village to visit the Symphony of Basalt Stones and the ancient Garni Temple. We end the day with a sunset photo session in this striking landscape. In the evening, after dinner, a discussion of the photographic essay assignment.
Accommodation: guesthouse
Meals: breakfast and dinner at the accommodations / lunch at a private house
Day 6 | Garni village – Khor Virap Monastery – Yerevan
We start early with a transfer to Khor Virap for a sunrise photo session at the monastery. Breakfast will be served on the way. Afterwards, we transfer back to Yerevan. In the afternoon, there will be a guided city tour, followed by the finalization of the photographic essay with the mentors.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner on your own
Day 7 | Yerevan
Today is dedicated to exploring Yerevan, with a photography assignment for each participant to work on individually throughout the day. Around midday, optional mentoring sessions are available, followed by the continuation of the photographic tasks in the city. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: breakfast at the hotel / lunch on your own / dinner at a restaurant
Day 8
Airport transfer, departure.
The total price of the program per person (depending on group size):
6 persons
1640 Euro / person
7 persons
1560 Euro / person
8 persons
1490 Euro / person
9 persons
1420 Euro / person
10 persons
1360 Euro / person
SGL suppl
80 Euro / person
The total price consists of two parts: the documentary photography workshop fee and the cost of the tour in Armenia.
A payment of 260 EUR is required upon registration. This amount covers the workshop fee and secures your place. After registration, an invoice will be issued, and payment is to be made by bank transfer. Your place will be confirmed once the payment has been received.
The remaining amount, covering the tour in Armenia, is payable in euros upon arrival to the tour operator, Seven Springs Tour. The tour will run with a minimum of 6 participants.
Application deadline: August 15, 2026.
Tour Includes:
Photography workshop program led by Bea Kovács and Katarzyna Heczko (Kasia). The professional program includes lectures, personalized assignments, mentoring, and interpretation if needed.
Airport Transfer
Accommodation
All transportation throughout the tour.
Meals as per itinerary
Farwell dinner in Yerevan
Non-alcoholic beverages (spring water, mineral water)
The prices do NOT include:
International airfares (ie, to/from Armenia)
Personal travel insurance
Drinks and meals not specified in the itinerary
Application deadline: August 15, 2026.
If you have any questions about the tour or registration, please feel free to contact us at ormenyfototura@gmail.com.
