Mongolia ~ virtually untouched and waiting for you to experience it through your lens.

After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989, Mongolia had its Democratic Revolution in early 1990. This then led to a multi-party democratic system, a brand new constitution in 1992, followed by the transition to a market economy. A Democratic nation in Asia was born…

Democracy has given foreign investors enough confidence to stick with Mongolia during the hard times in the last 20 years. Attractive investment laws have lured some huge investors from the mining world but despite their progression, Mongolia still faces enormous economic and social challenges and remains one of the poorest countries in Asia.

Since the fall of communism, Mongolia has done just about everything in its power to open itself up to the world to show that what is truly unique about this gem of Asia. It is not often you can visit a country where ancient traditions survive and the unbridled nature is still mostly intact and extremely accessible.

Tourism, along with mining and cashmere, have become a key feature of the economy. Unfortunately the poor infrastructure and short travel season have kept vacation revenues small. But a growing network of ger camps that cater to travellers seeking ecotourism adventures is growing and gives hope for tourism dollars.

Without the presence of private property to restrict a traveller’s movement, Mongolia is a perfect destination for photographers, horse trekking, long-distance cycling and hiking, and especially for camping out under a sprawling mass of stars. With such minimal light pollution, one feels like they can reach out and touch stars that, until a visit here, they never knew existed.

Most travellers come for Naadam, the two-day summer sports festival that brought me there earlier this month. The Naadam festival is held in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar during the National Holiday from July 11 – 13. Naadam begins with an elaborate ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians dressed in traditional ware. After the ceremony, the competitions begin.

Naadam is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another. Its origin in the activities, such as military parades and sporting competitions such as archery, horse riding and wrestling originated in the beginning of the 13th century when the Yuan Dynasty was established.

As early as 1206, Genghis Khan held big gatherings on the grassland in order to inspect his army and to maintain and allocate the properties. The chief leaders of all the tribes were assembled, and the gatherings were held as a sign of solidarity and hope for an abundant harvest.

I brought a group here to spend 8 days in Mongolia. We are currently visiting numerous areas in the countryside and thoroughly enjoying the sights and the people before we head back to enjoy the Naadam festival. With special passes to allow us down on the floor where the athletes are, we are sure to capture some spectacular images.

But Mongolia’s unique charm will always lie in the countryside where, rather than being a spectator to the wrestling, you may find yourself in a vast expansive land, void of travellers, in the awe of an untouched landscape. One cannot help but feel humbled!

Outside the villages nomad families still roam and their relentless sense of hospitality can at times be nothing short of overwhelming. And it is genuine… and as uncomfortable as it may make some people, the generosity and decent human spirit is refreshing for someone like me that has travelled to many parts of this world.

Think of Mongolia as an Ice Cream Sunday made up of everything you want a photographic adventure… “Mix together the vast landscapes of one of the greatest deserts on earth with the dramatic gorges and sparkling fresh water lakes of Khövsgöl, apply the topping of the snow-capped mountains of Bayan-Olgi and sprinkle the ger tents and nomads with the odd cry of a Golden Eagle and you have a recipe that you will not ever forget. “

I am sorry you couldn’t make it this July for the 2013 Naadam festival… but I am headed back in 2014. Jim Zuckerman and I will be leading a group of photographer’s on a workshop to witness the Golden Eagle Festival and the Gobi Desert… Please join us on our Photography Workshop on September 30, 2014. To learn more please click here.

Planning Your Photographic Holidays for 2013 and 2014?

Check out these awesome locations that we will be travelling to in the next 24 months... we would love to have you come with us on one of our workshops and trips... heck, on some of the workshops you can even bring your spouse for free! Ask us for details!  :-)

April 2013 – Tanzania - Come join us on a African Photo Safari in April of 2013. We will be going for a 7 days safari, spending time at Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Central Serengeti. Lake Manyara is a beautiful little park and is famous for its tree-climbing lions, elephants and large troops of baboons. The park is home to an amazing variety of birds and animals considering its small size. A short visit to this serene park will greatly diversify your safari experience as the lush green jungle habitat is of stark contrast to the other parks you will visit during your safari. The Ngorongoro Crater, described as one of the wonders of the world, is an amazing natural sanctuary not to be missed. Game viewing here is among the very best Africa has to offer and is excellent at any time of year. The Central Serengeti offers superb game viewing year round due to the abundance of resident animals. Specifically, the Seronera River Valley in the Central Serengeti is a ‘must see’ on every safari regardless of the specific month of travel.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/photo-tours/our-2013-photo-tours/tanzania-photo-tour

 

June 2013 – Provence - To start the tour we will bring the white ranch horses to different properties, allowing for a wide range of photogenic backdrops and behaviours. We photograph the white horses running through the shallow water of salt marshes and along the beach in the waves and salt spray. With shots of fighting stallions, mares with their dark foals in the fields or at the ranches, and detailed portrait head shots and guardian riders in their gear. During our first few days we will also shoot greater flamingos feeding, displaying and in flight at the Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau. Located in the middle of the Parc naturel régional de Camargue, the bird park’s natural habitats primarily include marsh and ponds with remarkable proximity to migratory and resident birds, such as flamingos, herons, storks, ducks, raptors and other small waders.

During our second half of the trip you will stay three nights in the Parc Naturel du Luberon, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. The Luberon valley is a picturesque landscape of vineyards, lavender fields flanking country roads, quaint delightful villages with local artisans shops, winding alleys and beautiful vistas

To see more details on this workshop with Rick Sammon and Denise Ippolito, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2013-workshops/south-of-france/

 
July 2013 – Mongolia - The Naadam Festival originates from Hunnu era (209BC) and has come to our time through centuries. It consists of the 3 Games of Men, namely, archery, wrestling and horse racing. The Mongols started celebrating Naadam Festival nationwide on 11-12 July each year since 1921. The Opening Ceremony is the most impressive part of this glorious festival, and everyone loves taking part in it. During the Opening Ceremony you will admire the ritual of Genghis Khan’s 9 white flags carried into the stadium by soldiers in the military uniform of Genghis Khan. Hundreds of artists in traditional Mongolian costumes of different eras perform dances and songs for the Opening Ceremony while are parading with hundreds of musicians and Tsam masked dancers. 512-1024 wrestlers take part in the wrestling competition of Naadam for high ranking titles. They dress in traditional wrestling costume, the “zodog”, “shuudag”and “Mongol boots”. Horse racing consists of 6 races with 6 ages of horses. Horses race for 15-30 km depending on their ages and 300-500 horses compete in each race. The jockeys are aged between 6-12 years of age. Archery is one of the oldest sports of the Mongols besides wrestling and horse racing. Male archers shoot for 75m while female archers shoot for 60m with traditional Mongolian bow and arrows. We take part in the Naadam opening ceremony, see the first round of the wrestling, final rounds of the archery competition and enjoy the horse racing.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2013-workshops/mongolia-photo-tour/
 

August 2013 – Kawartha Region of Ontario – Join Deb Sandidge on his first workshop in Ontario. We will be headed up near Minden, Ontario in the Kawartha’s to photograph areas extending up into Algonquin Park.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/canadian-workshops/2013-canadian-adventure-ontario/

 



 

September 2013 – Iceland – Join Rick Sammon, Kevin Pepper and Tim Vollmer for a tour across Iceland. Tim has been running workshops in Iceland for many years, and in 2013 he has offered to show Rick and I the most amazing locations in Iceland.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2013-workshops/iceland-photo-tour/

 

October 2013 – Venezuela - Prepare for your first experience of the natural phenomenon of the Catatumbo lightning. This natural phenomenon has existed for centuries, yet many of us have never heard of it. The first written mention of the was in the 1597 poem "La Dragontea" by Lope de Vega, which recounts the defeat of Sir Francis Drake.

Imagine the most intense thunderstorm you may have witnessed in North America... now imagine increasing that intensity for 6 hours of a lightening show. During the first and second night you are positioned to witness massive, arching strikes that can exceed 250 times an hour. Your view will be over a pristine tropical lagoon that offers calm reflections of the action in the skies.

In addition to the Catatumbo lightning we will also head up into the Andes Mountains to see some of the most awe inspiring mountain vistas on the globe.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2013-workshops/venezuela-photo-tour/

 

March 2014 - We are going to heat things up and head back to one of my favorite locations on earth... Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. I have wanted to head back here for years, and I finally created a workshop that I know you will love. From the Medina to the Sahara desert, the photography opportunities will be fantastic.

To see more details on this workshop please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/moroccan-photo-workshop/

April 2014 – Namibia - Namibia is a land of endless horizons, where the impossible feels possible. Where you can climb the highest sand dunes in the world. Descend to the floor of the deepest canyon in Africa. Immerse yourself in the past at one of the Africa’s richest rock art sites, and watch wildlife shimmer against one of the most spectacular pans on earth. Explore the oldest, driest desert in the world and take time to listen to the silence and to your soul.

Namibia is home to vibrant cities where people are excited about the future, while remaining deeply connected to their rich, cultural past. A stable, democratic government, infrastructure that allows guests to move confidently off the beaten path and those endless horizons that beckon you to explore define a country, African wildlife such as the "Big 5" and countless other herds of animals and amazing people.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/northern-namibia-safari/
 

August 2014 – Tofino - Have you ever been to the extreme west coast of Canada? The unique location where you can enjoy the sights of a rainforest one day and be photographing black bears, bald eagles and whales the next... then switch things up and turn inland to photograph snow covered mountains?

Join Kevin Pepper on another "Photographers Lounge" photo workshop to this unique land. August is a magical time of year in Tofino; "fog"ust as it is referred to creates spectacular images along the expansive shoreline in the morning hours, animals like black bears, sea lions and yes, even whales are a frequent part of the days activities in the Tofino area.

I will make sure you have the chance to photograph all of these places you expect to capture, but also take you to little known gems for those unique shots the everyday tourist will not capture.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/canadian-workshops/2014-canadian-adventure-tofino/

 

September 2014 – Mongolia – You will fly with Jim Zuckerman and Kevin Pepper to Mongolia's western-most province - Bayan Olgii. Olgii is home to Kazakh people, who have a rich cultural heritage, music, handicrafts and traditional Hunting with Golden Eagles.

It is here where we will photograph the Eagle trainers that will gather to show their skills and their eagle's abilities. The festival will begin with the hunters displaying their traditional Kazakh dress and their eagle's equipment and ornaments. This is an exciting and authentic event which not only features eagle hunters' competitions, but also other Kazakh traditional games such as Kokbar (goat carcass polo), Kazak archery, etc.

To see more details on this workshop with Jim Zuckerman, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/mongolia-photo-tour/

 

September 2014 – Paris, France - Experience the "city of lights and love" during a six day workshop in Paris. This is a photo workshop for students interested in exploring the rich traditions of Parisian street photography and capture the buildings that have been synonymous with photography for generations.

Students will spend much time exploring and photographing the daily life of Paris and will visit many of the rich museums housing some of the greatest works of art ever produced. The workshop deals with the humanistic traditions of street photography, and students will be expected to think not only in terms of single images in a fine art sense, but will be highly encouraged to think of the notion of telling a story with a group of pictures.

Students will be encouraged to photograph the life of Paris and accept the challenge of photographing people, as well as the environment and visual landscape of the city. Kevin will help the students with this process and offer tips for overcoming any hesitations or mental blocks of timidity in this process.

To see more details on these workshops with Deb Sandidge and Denise Ippolito, please visit,
http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/paris-workshop-1/
http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/paris-workshop-2/

October 2014 – Venezuela - Prepare for your first experience of the natural phenomenon of the Catatumbo lightning. This natural phenomenon has existed for centuries, yet many of us have never heard of it. The first written mention of the was in the 1597 poem "La Dragontea" by Lope de Vega, which recounts the defeat of Sir Francis Drake.

Imagine the most intense thunderstorm you may have witnessed in North America... now imagine increasing that intensity for 6 hours of a lightening show. During the first and second night you are positioned to witness massive, arching strikes that can exceed 250 times an hour. Your view will be over a pristine tropical lagoon that offers calm reflections of the action in the skies.

In addition to the Catatumbo lightning we will also head up into the Andes Mountains to see some of the most awe inspiring mountain vistas on the globe.

To see more details on this workshop, please visit, http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/venezuela-workshop-1

 

 

2014 Photography Workshop Schedule at the Photographer's Lounge

It's never too early to start planning your 2014 trips. We have finally finalized our schedule and we are spanning the globe, headed back to some old favorites and hitting some new locations that will be exciting...

February 2014 - We are headed back to Iceland. This time for more glacier and iceberg photography opportunities and night shoots of the northern lights...

March 2014 - We are going to heat things up and head back to one of my favorite locations on earth... Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. I have wanted to head back here for years, and I finally created a workshop that I know you will love. From the Medina to the Sahara desert, the photography opportunities will be fantastic.

April 2014 - Its back to Africa we go... this time to the skeleton coast for two back to back workshops in Namibia... the gem of Africa. These workshops will encompass a traditional safari in the north and a trip to the south into the Namib desert.

August 2014 - its a trip to the west coast of Canada... we are headed to Tofino in August, a time of year the locals refer to as "fog"ust. Prepare for landscape and seascape photography that will blow your mind... The area is a UNESCO protected area and you will see wildlife and landscapes that are iconic in our Canadian folklore...

September 2014 - Its going to be a busy month... We are headed back to the City of Lights, Paris. Two back to back workshops will present the photographer with classical scenes and the chance to photograph one of the most photogenic cities in the world.

September 2014 - Its back to Mongolia. The 2013 trip sold out and in 2014 we are headed back to the Golden Eagle Festival in the Gobi desert. Join us for one of the oldest traditions on earth, in one of the most exotic locations we will visit in 2014.

October 2014 - Its lighting and landscapes in Venezuela. From the shores of Lake Maracaibo to the photogenic micro climates in the Andes Mountains... you will participate in a workshop you will never forget.

Contact me if you would like more information on any of these workshops.

Step Back In Time and Capture History Thru the Lens

Since the fall of communism, Mongolia has done just about everything in its power to open itself up to the world. While the old traditions survive and the wild nature is still mostly intact, Mongolia has also reached out to the West for economic and cultural ties.

Mix up the vast landscapes of the Gobi, the snow capped mountains of Bayan-Ölgi and the dramatic gorges and sparkling lakes of Khövsgöl. Sprinkle in the felt homes of the nomad and the cry of an eagle. Add Buddhist temples, mysterious ruins, abundant wildlife and legendary hospitality. Then top it all off with a conqueror who started with nothing and ended up changing history.

Most travellers come for Naadam, the two-day summer sports festival that brings Ulaanbaatar to a standstill. Naadam (Mongolian: Наадам, lit. "games") is a traditional type of festival in Mongolia. The festival is also locally termed "eriin gurvan naadam" "the three games of men". The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery and are held throughout the country during the midsummer holidays. Women have started participating in the archery and girls in the horse-racing games, but not in Mongolian wrestling.

In 2010, Naadam was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

But Mongolia’s unique charm will always lie in the countryside where, in addition to being a spectator to the wrestling with special media passes and access to the athletes at ground level or capturing the raw power of the Golden Eagle, masterfully guided by their owners, you will also find yourself outside of the games bearing witness to some of the oldest monasteries known to man and in the surrounding villages. It’s easy to meet nomad families whose relentless sense of hospitality can at times be nothing short of overwhelming.

As a travel destination, Mongolia is a special place for people who enjoy the outdoors and adventure. Heading out on the vast plains, riding horses and camping with nomad families, it offers the chance to step back in time to a simpler age and way of life. It is an invigorating and exhilarating place to visit, and remains one of the last unspoiled travel destinations in Asia.

 

Join me in Mongolia for one of two trips...

 

Naadam Festival in July of 2013 (only two spots left for this trip to Mongolia)

 

Golden Eagle Festival with Jim Zuckerman in September of 2014 (only 3 spots left for this trip to Mongolia)