HIDDEN GEMS OF PORTUGAL: PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCES 2026

IMAGINE CAPTURING PORTUGAL & ITS TRADITIONS LIKE NO ONE ELSE…

With International Photographer Ali Ghorbani

12 th to 19th of June

2nd edition organised by

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MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

ALI GHORBANI

We’re thrilled to have professional photographer and educator Ali Ghorbani back for our Portugal 2026 Experiences! Ali has traveled to 35+ countries and has taught hundreds of students, from ages 7 to 70! His career highlights include the 1996 Olympic Games, photographing Hollywood & International celebrities such as Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey and Fan BingBing.

Early on in his career, Ali was mentored by a National Geographic photographer, as well as the portrait photographer of Her Majesty The Late Queen of England. Ali’s work with the world’s leading brands such as LVMH, HSBC, Porsche, Disney and Four Seasons gives his students a unique opportunity to learn from a true professional in the industry.

In addition to being an advisor for Huawei & Honor smartphones, Ali has been giving private and public workshops since 2018 for clients such as Adobe, The British Consulate, Soho House, Hong Kong Golf Club and The Royal Geographical Society.

He has lectured at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on NFT marketing strategies and spoken at Adobe’s “Explore the Digital Art Revolution” on the future of visual communication. Ali’s timeless images have been displayed worldwide in Times Square (New York), Hong Kong, Rome, Tokyo, and Beijing.

“This isn’t just a tour; it’s a deep dive into capturing the soul of Portugal’s off-the-beaten-path locations & local experiences.”

WHAT TO EXPECT TO LEARN & MASTER

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Spotting Stories: Train your eye to capture compelling narratives and authentic interactions in daily life.
Dynamic Composition: Master framing, light, and shadow for impactful street photos in any setting.
Ethical Shooting: Learn respectful techniques for photographing people and public spaces.
Light & Mood: Harness Portugal’s unique light to create emotional and atmospheric images.
Technical Mastery: Gain confidence with camera settings for sharp, perfectly exposed shots in fast-paced scenarios.
Develop Your Style: Refine your unique photographic voice to ‘make’ pictures, not just take them.
Uncover Hidden Gems: Discover untold beauty and unique photo opportunities off the tourist path.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Landscape Grandeur: Master powerful compositions to photograph sweeping vistas and natural beauty.
Long Exposure Art: Understand how to use slow shutter speeds to create ethereal motion and smooth water effects.
Light & Elements: Harness natural light, weather, and seasons to evoke mood in your nature shots.
Technical Precision: Gain confidence with settings for sharp, stunning images across various nature scenarios.
Discover Portugal’s Natural Wonders: Explore and photograph some of the most beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints across Portugal.
Macro Magic: Learn to capture intricate details and textures of the natural world up close.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Mastering Natural Light: Learn to utilize ambient light – golden hour, open shade, window light – for flattering and emotive portraits.
Understanding Artificial Light: Get hands-on with flashes, strobes, and continuous lighting to shape and control your illumination.
Mixing Light Sources: Discover techniques for seamlessly blending natural and artificial light for dynamic results.
Posing & Expression: Guide your subjects effectively to capture genuine emotions and compelling poses.
Impactful Composition: Frame your portraits beautifully, paying attention to backgrounds and foregrounds.
Technical Precision for Portraits: Optimize camera settings for sharp focus, beautiful bokeh, and perfect exposure in any lighting.
Storytelling Through Portraits: Learn to convey narratives and deep emotions, making your portraits truly resonate.

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Styling & Plating: Master the art of arranging food to make it visually irresistible and tell a delicious story.
Natural Light for Food: Harness ambient light to create inviting, mouth-watering images with depth and mood.
Artificial Light Techniques: Learn to use flashes and continuous lighting to control reflections, texture, and highlights.
Capturing Live Cooking: Develop skills to photograph dynamic kitchen action, from preparation to plating.
Composition & Angles: Discover the best angles and framing to make your food photographs pop.
Technical Precision: Optimize camera settings for sharp details, vibrant colors, and perfect exposure in any food setting.
Evoking Emotion: Learn to create images that make viewers crave the food and feel its essence.

PERFECT INSTAGRAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Optimal Compositions for Instagram: Learn to frame your shots perfectly for square and vertical formats, ensuring maximum impact on the feed.
Editing for Engagement: Master quick, effective mobile editing techniques to enhance colors, sharpness, and mood, making your photos stand out.
Storytelling with Images: Discover how to create a cohesive visual narrative across a series of photos, perfect for carousels and inspiring your followers.
Capturing Authentic Moments: Hone your eye for candid, compelling moments that resonate and perform well on social media.
Using Light for Scroll-Stopping Shots: Leverage natural and artificial light to create stunning visuals that grab attention instantly.
Storytelling Through Portraits: Learn to convey narratives and deep emotions, making your portraits truly resonate.

CAPTURE MOVEMENT & TRADITIONS

Anticipating the Moment: Learn to predict and capture the peak action and emotion in traditional performances.
Freezing & Blurring Movement: Master shutter speed techniques to either sharp-freeze dynamic dances or create artistic motion blur.
Low Light Performance: Develop skills for shooting in challenging lighting, common with indoor or evening performances.
Cultural Sensitivity: Photograph musicians and dancers respectfully, capturing the essence of their traditions.
Storytelling Through Action: Convey the energy, rhythm, and narrative of cultural expressions in your images.
Technical Agility: Optimize camera settings quickly to adapt to fast-paced, unpredictable traditional events.

“Everything about Solar Alegria and working with Ali was such a pleasure. I learned so much and sincerely enjoyed everything. Thank you for going over and above for me, never felt so much like a VIP in my life!”

– Kristi

A PROGRAM CURATED BY LOCAL EXPERTS

DAY 1

Explore the vibrant city of Porto

3pm: Meeting Point at the Hotel in Porto and welcome drink and check in.
Introduction to street photography & Documentary Photography and visit of Porto streets.
Traditional dinner.
Sunset over the city.
Night in Porto

DAY 2

Wine culture

Breakfast.
Walking Tour City and behind the scenes Exclusive tour of an iconic Port Wine House.
Lunch: Petiscos (Portuguese Tapas).
Free time
Drive to Solar Alegria.
check in and welcome drinks.
Introduction to editing
Dinner

DAY 3

Explore Nature’s Beauty

Breakfast.
Introduction to Nature Photography.
Photo exploration in nature around Solar Alegria.
Lunch.
Introduction to long exposure at the Cabreira waterfall.
Picnic & Sunset photography.

DAY 4

Excursion to Costa Nova & Aveiro

Early Breakfast.
Visit of the colourful fishermen village Costa Nova.
Traditional Seafood lunch.
Visit of Aveiro & street photography (including free time to explore the city & souvenir shopping).
Return to Solar alegria.
Dinner

DAY 5

Portrait photography & cinematic lighting

Breakfast.
Natural Light Portrait photography.
Lunch.
Free time. Chill by the pool, hike or go through some editing and 1to1 tips.
Editing and photo critique
Dinner.
Cinematic lighting workshop.

DAY 6

Documentary photography of Tradition

Breakfast.
Group review of photographs and photographers exchange and tips.
Visit to local Artisan.
Documentary photography
Food Photography.
Traditional food tasting.
Free time. Chill by the pool, hike or go through some editing and 1to1 tips.
Dinner with live music.

DAY 7

Closing circle

Breakfast.
Final thoughts and Q&A
Check out & transfer to Porto.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS– price / pers

Room at holiday home of Casa do Amor in Solar Alegria

PRIVATE – 3,975€ / pers

SHARED ROOM – 3,379€ / pers

Family & group stays – contact us

We want you to be fully prepared for an inspiring and immersive experience, so here’s a list of essentials to bring with you:
– Digital Camera & Lenses: A Digital Camera with any medium to wide angle lens such as 35mm, 50mm, 24-70mm, 18-55mm, and so on.Smartphone: Handy for quick shots, editing, and sharing your experience.
– Laptop: For photo editing, backing up your images, and sharing your work during the holiday. It’s always great to have some editing time alongside the creative workshops.
– Hiking Shoes: The beautiful landscapes we’ll explore require comfortable footwear. These will keep you steady on rugged terrain as you capture Portugal’s stunning natural beauty.

Accommodation
Transfers as mentioned in the program
All activities as mentioned in the program, including entry fees
All meals
Travel guide when exploring cities and surroundings of Solar Alegria
Pre-call with the Solar alegria and with Ali Ghorbani
Assistance to prepare your trip
Models for some of the workshops

NOT INCLUDED:

Flights & extra transfers
Travel insurance
Visa
Tips

ALL LEVELS OF PHOTOGRAPHY WELCOMED

Aspiring and Experienced Photographers: Whether you’re looking to solidify your fundamentals or refine advanced techniques, our expert-led sessions cater to a range of skill levels.
Creative Souls Seeking Inspiration: If you thrive on discovering new perspectives and finding beauty in the everyday, Portugal’s diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and hidden corners will ignite your creativity.
Travelers Who Crave Authentic Experiences: Go beyond the typical tourist spots. This week is for those who want to deeply connect with the local culture, explore off-the-beaten-path locations, and tell compelling visual stories.
Enthusiasts of Any Photography Genre: With dedicated modules in Street Photography, Nature (Macro, Landscape, Long Exposure), Portraiture (Natural & Artificial Light), Food Photography, and Capturing Movement & Traditions, you’ll refine skills applicable to your passion.
Learners Ready for Hands-On Practice: Our week is built around practical application, with daily shooting opportunities and constructive feedback to help you immediately apply what you learn.
Anyone Looking to Build a Stunning Portfolio: You’ll leave with a diverse collection of high-quality images, reflecting Portugal’s unique charm and your newfound photographic prowess.

Nestled in the heart of Portugal’s stunning countryside, Solar Alegria is a unique venue that offers a tranquil escape surrounded an inspiring nature, forest, rivers and waterfalls.

Our 1000 sqm home, a beautifully renovated property dating back to 1852, has been transformed into a year-round wellness and retreat center. The serene atmosphere, lush surroundings, Solar Alegria is the perfect place for anyone seeking peace, inspiration and relaxation.

Located at the end of a peaceful road, Solar Alegria ensures total privacy, providing an ideal environment to unwind and awake your creativity.

MEALS

At Solar Alegria, we offer a culinary experience that blends the flavors of international cuisine with the freshest locally sourced and homegrown ingredients. Our menu is designed to celebrate diverse culinary traditions, ensuring that each meal is a unique journey through flavors, textures, and aromas from around the world.

We are committed to using only the finest, seasonal ingredients, many of which are grown right here on our property or sourced from local farmers and artisans.

Our chefs take pride in creating meals that not only nourish the body but also delight the senses. Whether you’re enjoying a Mediterranean-inspired lunch, an Asian fusion dinner, or a classic European dish, each bite reflects the quality and authenticity of our ingredients.