IMAGINE CAPTURING PORTUGAL & ITS TRADITIONS LIKE NO ONE ELSE…
With International Photographer Ali Ghorbani
June 2026
2nd edition organised by
ALI GHORBANI
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Professional photographer Ali Ghorbani has traveled to 33+ countries and 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 has worked with the world’s leading brands including LVMH, HSBC, Porsche, Disney and Four Seasons, to name a few.
In addition to being a content creator for Huawei & Honor, 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.
Ali has created and implemented the first Smartphone Photography Masterclass in the Hong Kong school system and currently works with the top International Schools. As an Art partner with AIA, he has curated the largest outdoor photography exhibition in Hong Kong in 2024 & 2025, with a foot traffic of 600,000+ people over 60 days each time.
“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
- Macro Magic: Learn to capture intricate details and textures of the natural world up close.
- 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.
PORTRAIT – NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
- 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 PHOGRAPHY
- 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.
CAPTURING 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.
- 5 pm: Introduction to street photography & Documentary Photography and visit of Porto streets.
- Traditional dinner.
- Sunset over the city.
DAY 2
Wine culture
- Breakfast.
- 9.30: Walking Tour of Vila Nova de Gaia and Exclusive tour of an iconic Port Wine House.
- Lunch: Petiscos (Portuguese Tapas).
- Free time
- 4pm: Drive to Solar Alegria.
- 5pm: check in and welcome drinks.
- Introduction to food photography.
- Live Japanese Chef cooking, food photography and dinner.
DAY 3
Learn how to capture the streets
- Breakfast.
- Introduction to Macro Photography.
- Photo exploration in nature around Solar Alegria.
- Italian Lunch.
- 4pm: Introduction to long exposure at the Cabreira water.
- Picnic & Sunset photography.
DAY 4
Back to Porto
- Early Breakfast.
- Visit of the colour fishermen village Costa Nova & fashion shoot with models.
- Seafood lunch.
- Visit of Aveiro & street photography (including free time to explore the city & souvenir shopping).
- Return to Solar alegria.
DAY 5
Explore the vibrant city of Porto
- Breakfast.
- Portrait photography & Lighting workshop.
- Korean lunch.
- Free time. Chill by the pool, hike or go through some editing and 1to1 tips.
- Artificial light portrait photography.
- Spanish Tapas dinner.
- Outdoor Night Portrait.
DAY 6
Unleash your artistic expression
- Breakfast.
- Group review of photographs and photographers exchange and tips.
- Solar Alegria.
- Italian Lunch.
- Visit of traditional artisans.
- Dinner in a traditional Restaurant (o Solar).
- Traditional music and dancing in the streets of Oliveira de Frades.
DAY 7
Learn how to capture the streets
- Breakfast.
- Check out & transfer to Porto.
ACCOMMODATION
En-suite Private room – 3 699 € / pers
En-suite Shared room – 3 299 € / pers
Family & group stays – On demand
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.
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English
French
Portuguese
Spanish