EXPRESSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT Switzerland
Alister Benn & Matthias Conrad
12th – 20th October 2024
Robert and Matthias have teamed up to offer an 8 night & 9 day creative photography workshop in Switzerland. While taking in the wild and beautiful Mountains you will learn from two photographers with differing styles and influences, offering a unique opportunity to develop your photography.
ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!
£2,500
$1,000 deposit
20th – 27th October 2025
7 days / 6 nights
Two Workshop Leaders
CREATIVE NATURE AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
WORKSHOP IN SWITZERLAND
Join us for a 9-day adventure through Switzerland, where you’ll immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery, enhance your photography skills, and capture stunning images of some of the world's most picturesque locations.
Our journey begins on Saturday early morning with your arrival in Geneva. We'll have a late breakfast / early lunch in Montreux, followed by a brief stop to stretch our legs and photograph the historic Chillon Castle, before arriving in the charming, car-free village of Zermatt by mid-afternoon. Here, we'll plan to capture our first sunset shots of the iconic Matterhorn.
In the following days, we will explore Zermatt and its surrounding wonders. We'll visit Gornergrat and Riffelsee for incredible mountain views and reflections of the Matterhorn, and take early morning trips to Sunegga and Blauherd to photograph Stellisee. Evenings are free for you to enjoy the town, with a special group dinner planned.
Midweek, we'll head to St. Moritz. Depending on your preference, you can either ride with Matthias in the van traversing several mountain passes or take the iconic Glacier Express with Robert (included in the price with early registration required to secure seats). We’ll stay in St. Moritz, capturing the stunning landscapes and seasonal colors of the Engadin region.
On Friday, we travel from the Engadin towards the charming village of Vitznau near Lucerne. We'll arrive by mid-afternoon and spend the evening exploring Lake Lucerne near our hotel, as there are several stunning opportunities there.
Saturday will be spent exploring the area as we make our way towards Lucerne, arriving in the afternoon. We will photograph the old town’s historic buildings and fountains, and capture the Kapellbrücke during golden hour and sunset. Our Saturday evening will end with a group dinner in Lucerne and some additional nighttime photography before returning to Vitznau.
On Sunday morning, we will return to Zurich Airport, aiming to arrive in time for your flights back home.
Capture the essence of Switzerland’s landscapes and culture while making lifelong memories on this immersive photography tour.
OVERVIEW
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20th – 27th October 2025
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Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
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Location: Switzerland
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Places available: 8
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2 Experienced workshop leaders
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Pick up from Zürich Airport
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Drop off at Zürich Airport
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Complimentary transport
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Post processing and image review
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In-depth photography tuition
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Meet likeminded people, feel inspired and enjoy the laughter and shenanigans!
YOUR WORKSHOP LEADERS
Alister Benn
Growing up in a small Bavarian town in the 1970s, I was always captivated by the American landscapes I saw in books and movies. In the early '80s, I bought my first camera, an Agfa Pocket, after saving money from delivering the Sunday newspaper. In 1990, I moved to the US for a job transfer and bought my first serious camera in New York City. The shift to digital photography happened in 2009 during a Canon workshop in Acadia National Park.
Since then, I've been capturing landscapes, nature, and wildlife in New Jersey and beyond. Photography, for me, is a lifelong journey of discovery and joy. My work has been featured in various places, and I've had the opportunity to judge photography competitions and teach others about photography trip planning, from scouting locations to post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop.
In 2023, I started running an annual photography tour, and our first adventure took us to the stunning landscapes of Iceland. It was a fantastic experience, sharing my passion with fellow enthusiasts. Looking ahead, I'm excited to announce that I'm planning a trip to Switzerland for October 2024, offering another opportunity for photographers to explore and capture the beauty of the Swiss Alps.
I'm also honored to be on the selection committee of the Pinelands Juried Photo Exhibit for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance in NJ, contributing to the celebration of local talent and the preservation of this unique landscape.
Matthias Conrad
Matthias fell in love with the Swiss Alps and their diverse landscapes about ten years ago when he first started exploring Switzerland. The sheer majesty of the high mountains, with their towering peaks and snow-capped summits, completely captivated him. Each mountain seemed to have its own personality, some rugged and imposing, others serene and graceful.
Witnessing the impact of climate change on the shrinking glaciers was shocking at first, but it also motivated Matthias to capture their beauty before they melt away. The glaciers, ancient and formidable, sparkled under the sunlight, showcasing the pure beauty of nature at its finest, while also serving as a poignant reminder of the changes our planet is undergoing.
The Engadin Valley, with its unique charm, further deepened Matthias' affection for the Swiss landscape. Nestled among the high peaks, the valley offered a peaceful and picture-perfect escape. Its winding rivers, lush meadows, and quaint villages felt like something out of a storybook. The everchanging weather conditions added a fun element of surprise and excitement to each visit. Whether it was clear blue skies showing off the full glory of the mountains or mystical fog wrapping the peaks in mystery, every day brought a new perspective and a fresh sense of wonder.
With ten years of experience exploring Switzerland, Matthias can now offer unique workshops that provide clients with the best possible experience. His deep familiarity with the landscape allows him to create personalized adventures that capture the true essence and beauty of the Swiss Alps, making every workshop an unforgettable journey.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
20th – 27th October 2025
EXPERIENCE THE HIGH MOUNTAINS AND MAGICAL FALL COLORS IN SWITZERLAND
Enjoy the rejuvenating power of being in the Swiss Alps, experience the beauty of nature and be inspired by spending time with likeminded creative photographers.
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Pick up from Zürich Airport on the 20th October 2025
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Drop off to Zurich Airport on 27th October 2025
Itinerary
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An early alarm for those who wish to join us for a Sunrise shoot!
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Back to the hotel for a hearty cooked breakfast.
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Morning image review and post processing / and or presentations / tutorials.
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Our daytime locations will be weather / conditions dependent to ensure you get the best out of our time and locations.
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Back to the hotel after sunset for dinner and drinks.
Included in the price:
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Arrival and departure services at Geneva (GVA) airport
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Comprehensive transportation throughout the entire journey
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Coverage of fuel and parking expenses
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Admission fees for parks, organized tours, gratuities for tour guides, etc., as applicable
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Daily preview of the following day's itinerary
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Photography guidance services provided by Robert and Matthias
HOW TO BOOK
Package price: $4,750 ($750 supplement for a single room)
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To reserve your place on this retreat, a non refundable deposit of $1,000 deposit is due at the time of booking.
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Once we have received your deposit, the contract between us will become binding and covers everyone you are booking on behalf of.
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We will send you an invoice for the remaining balance and advise you of the date it is due, this will be due 2 months / 60 days prior to the commencement date of the workshop. All major credit cards, PayPal and bank transfers are accepted. For bank transfers, please contact us directly.
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We strenuously recommend that you take out travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip with us. This will protect you and your holiday arrangements from the unexpected before and during your trip. We are unable to offer advice on insurance.
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All bookings for this workshop will be made through Robert Zurfluh's website - www.outdoortravelphotography.com
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By booking a workshop / retreat through this website and paying the agreed deposit, you agree to abide by these Terms & Conditions.
Why join us?
We are enthusiastic about sharing Switzerland's stunning landscapes through our passion for landscape photography. Traveling with Matthias, an award-winning German photographer with years of experience in Swiss alpine landscapes, and Robert, a Swiss citizen, traveler, and nature photographer, a genuine and immersive experience awaits. While our itinerary is thoughtfully planned for an amazing trip, we are flexible and ready to improvise should mountain weather affect our plans.
We not only strive to assist you in capturing the best compositions at each location but also to empower you for independent exploration to express your unique vision. Photographers of all skill levels are welcomed to join us, as we cultivate a collaborative atmosphere and fostering an environment where individuals can learn from one another, forge enduring connections, and build lasting friendships.
As our adventure fills up, you will receive access to our exclusive Switzerland Insider page, offering comprehensive information, from travel essentials and mountain hiking tips to insights into Swiss culture and cuisine, to help you plan and prepare for the trip. On the page we will cover pretty much everything from gear recommendations for hiking to photography to ensure you capture your best images.