The workshop follows a comprehensive daily structure designed to maximize learning and shooting opportunities, beginning with optional sunrise shoots for golden hour photography, followed by technical briefings during breakfast where the day's theme is introduced.

Each day progresses through a series of carefully planned activities including morning practical sessions with instructor demonstrations, location transitions to secondary shooting sites, lunch periods that incorporate image reviews and critiques, afternoon self-directed practice for creative experimentation, golden hour sessions focused on changing light adaptation, evening debriefs during dinner, and optional night photography sessions.

This consistent daily rhythm carries participants through the workshop's thematic progression: Light and Shadow in Venice, Motion and Mood in Venice, Geometry and Balance in Vicenza, Texture and Detail in Vicenza, and finally Storytelling in Vicenza, with each location selected to highlight particular photographic elements.

The learning approach balances technical instruction with cultural immersion, teaching participants to anticipate moments rather than simply capture them, transforming Mike Schreurs' philosophy of "Story First. Shutter Second" into practical photography skills that participants develop through guided practice, self-directed exploration, and regular feedback sessions.

Yes, you may bring your spouse or partner to the "Story First. Shutter Second" photography workshop, though they cannot participate in the instructional components due to the workshop's small group size limitation of five active participants. Non-participating companions can join during meals and evening social activities at an additional fee of €75 per day to cover food costs and group transportation between locations. While photography sessions are in progress, companions are welcome to explore Venice and Vicenza independently, and we provide a suggested itinerary of nearby attractions, museums, and cafés that complement our photography route each day. During transitions between cities, companions travel with the group, and accommodation recommendations can be provided for double occupancy rooms at our preferred workshop hotels. Please note that the workshop schedule is intensive, with photography activities often beginning at sunrise and extending into the evening, so companions should be prepared for limited shared time during primary workshop hours. When registering, please indicate that you'll be bringing a companion so we can make appropriate arrangements for meals and transportation.

For the "Story First. Shutter Second" photography workshop, a digital camera with an interchangeable lens mount is strongly recommended to maximize your learning experience and creative options. The workshop's philosophy emphasizes storytelling through varied perspectives, so you'll benefit most from having both a 50mm (or cropped sensor equivalent) prime lens for street scenes and portraiture, and a telephoto lens (70-200mm range) for respectful distance shooting during cultural observations. While full-frame cameras offer excellent low-light performance, crop-sensor cameras are perfectly suitable and often more travel-friendly for our walking-intensive days in Venice and Vicenza.

Regarding tripods, a lightweight carbon fiber travel tripod that fits in your daypack is recommended but not required—primarily for the optional sunrise and night photography sessions where longer exposures capture the magical Italian ambiance. Remember to pack extra batteries, memory cards, a lens cleaning kit, and a comfortable camera strap as we'll be shooting extensively each day.

The workshop emphasizes traveling light to remain nimble in crowded streets, so consider your equipment choices carefully to balance quality and portability.

The "Story First. Shutter Second" photography workshop involves substantial walking each day as we explore the streets and hidden passages of Venice and Vicenza. Participants can expect to walk 5-7 miles (8-11 kilometers) daily, with multiple location transitions between morning, afternoon, and golden hour shooting sites. Each day includes at least three distinct photography locations—such as moving from Cannaregio to Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo to Ponte Dell'Accademia in Venice, or from Corso Andrea Palladio to the train station to Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza—plus additional walking during self-directed practice sessions.

Venice particularly demands good mobility as we navigate numerous bridges, narrow alleyways, and pedestrian-only areas where gondolas and water taxis cannot access.

The workshop is described as "walking-intensive" in the materials, requiring comfortable footwear and reasonable stamina, though the pace remains measured to allow for observational photography rather than hurried transitions.

While there are opportunities to rest during lunch periods and image reviews, participants should be prepared for a full day of urban exploration on foot, especially considering that Italian cities are designed primarily for pedestrian navigation rather than vehicular transportation.

While the "Story First. Shutter Second" workshop doesn't explicitly state a minimum experience requirement, participants will benefit most if they already possess basic camera operation skills and familiarity with fundamental concepts. The workshop focuses on developing advanced observational skills, storytelling techniques, and cultural understanding rather than teaching basic camera functions.

Technical objectives include "mastering shooting from comfortable distances using 50mm and telephoto lenses" and "developing skills in reading and capturing natural light," suggesting that complete beginners might struggle with the pace.

The daily structure involves image reviews, composition analysis using concepts like leading lines and the rule of thirds, and post-processing workshops in Lightroom—all indicating that intermediate photography knowledge would be advantageous. However, the workshop's emphasis on "transforming observational awareness into photographic advantages" means that participants with strong observational skills but less technical expertise can still gain significant value, particularly if they're comfortable with the required equipment and willing to learn rapidly during the immersive 5-day experience

Workshop Inclusions

The $4999 workshop fee provides extensive value through multiple inclusions designed to create a seamless learning experience. The package includes five days of intensive instruction in photography techniques, with a curriculum that builds progressively through a "Story First. Shutter Second" philosophy.

This educational approach emphasizes cultural documentation and teaches participants to transform keen observation into compelling visual narratives while maintaining comfortable shooting distances.

Single occupancy accommodations in two Italian cities—Venice and Vicenza—are included in the fee, providing participants with boutique lodging throughout the workshop duration. This accommodation arrangement allows photographers to fully immerse in the Italian environment without the logistical concerns of finding suitable lodging.

Additionally, all local transportation and inter-city transport between the two featured destinations are covered, ensuring seamless transitions between photography locations.

Cultural guidance is another significant inclusion, with expert instruction on Italian street life and customs to help photographers anticipate and capture authentic moments. This cultural context enhances participants' ability to document meaningful stories about Italian life, including phenomena like the evening "passeggiata" and local interactions along Venice's canals and Vicenza's classical architecture.

Educational Components

The workshop delivers a structured educational experience with daily technical sessions designed to develop specific photographic skills. Each morning begins with concept introductions, theory explanations, and cultural context. These sessions establish the framework for the day's photography practice, setting clear learning objectives before entering the field.

Practice sessions follow a comprehensive framework that includes location-specific exercises, observation techniques, and distance shooting methods with real-time feedback. Afternoon application periods feature guided practice scenarios with individual coaching and problem-solving approaches integrated with cultural understanding. The day concludes with evening review and development sessions that include image analysis, technical refinement discussions, and preparation for the next day's activities.

Portfolio development is emphasized throughout the workshop, with participants receiving guidance on curating a cohesive photo series from their workshop images. The final day includes a post-processing session where participants learn to enhance their narratives through thoughtful editing while maintaining authenticity. This culminates in a complete portfolio that participants can share during the closing session.

Additional Features

The small group size is a key feature of the workshop, limited to a maximum of four to five participants. This intimate setting ensures personalized guidance and substantial one-on-one coaching throughout the five days. Daily image review sessions provide ongoing feedback to help participants refine their approach and technique as the workshop progresses.

A 5-day workbook is included with the workshop fee, containing reference materials, exercises, and space for notes to complement the hands-on instruction. This resource serves as both a guide during the workshop and a valuable reference after completion.

Local cuisine is included in the workshop package, though the specific meal arrangements are not explicitly detailed in the search results. The workshop structure mentions morning, afternoon, and evening sessions, suggesting that meals are integrated into the daily schedule.

What's Not Included

The workshop website clearly states that flights to and from Italy are not included in the $4999 fee. Travel insurance is also excluded and is specified as a requirement for participation. These exclusions are explicitly mentioned to ensure participants understand their additional financial responsibilities when planning for the workshop.

Conclusion

The "Story First. Shutter Second" photography workshop offers comprehensive value for its $4999 fee, covering accommodations, local transportation, expert instruction, and portfolio development across five days in Venice and Vicenza. Led by Mike Schreurs, a cinematographer-turned-photographer with 14 years of experience, the workshop provides an intimate learning environment for a maximum of five participants. With its all-inclusive approach covering "everything except flights," the workshop is designed to allow participants to focus entirely on developing their photographic eye while exploring authentic Italian street life beyond typical tourist zones.

We shoot on.

The "Story First. Shutter Second" workshop continues regardless of weather conditions. Rather than viewing rain, fog, or overcast skies as obstacles, we embrace them as valuable storytelling elements that enhance our photographic opportunities.

Weather directly influences the attire, behaviors, and emotions of subjects on the street, creating unique visual narratives that sunny days simply cannot provide. Rainy conditions transform ordinary streets into reflective surfaces that add depth and artistic dimension to images. Overcast skies naturally diffuse harsh light, solving one of street photography's common challenges.

Even challenging weather elements like wind or snow alter how people move through spaces, creating different visual rhythms and compelling stories. During the workshop, we'll discuss technical adaptations for various conditions, including camera protection techniques and appropriate exposure settings. Our philosophy maintains that as street photographers committed to authentic storytelling, we must experience and document life in all its elements - sunshine, rain, and everything between. Weather becomes not an impediment but another creative tool in our storytelling arsenal.

This commitment to shooting in all conditions distinguishes meaningful street photography from casual documentation, as we embrace whatever conditions Northern Italy presents during our time together.

1. Reservation Fee: A non-refundable reservation fee of $500 is due upon signing this Agreement to secure the Attendee's place in the Workshop.

2. Refunds Based on Cancellation Timing:

   • More than 90 days before the Workshop: The reservation fee ($500) is forfeited, but any additional amounts paid will be refunded.

   • Between 60 and 30 days before the Workshop: 50% of the total Workshop Fee ($4999.99) will be forfeited.

   • Less than 30 days before the Workshop: No refund will be provided.

3. Cancellation Process: All cancellations must be submitted in writing to mike@weeblerimage.com.