First, let me say I’m proud.
I mean, the images I like. I guess you can say I’m proud of them. We all do photography for different reasons: I do photography to connect with and impact other people…but I more so do photography to connect with the core part of the guy inside who needs to document, create, and make sense of the world around him. So in that sense, yes, I'm proud that I've gone and sorted this part out within, rather than falling into the trap of doing nothing - which is an easy hole to fall into. Maybe you can relate?
But, yes, I’m proud. Of what, then, if not the images? I’m proud of the experience that I recently completed called PORTFOLIO: Tuscany, which was the result of a lot of hard work over several years in its building.
Building an educational experience isn’t an easy, quick process. There’s a lot of overcoming roadblocks, thought, and ultimately design that goes into pulling together a learning experience that you hope connects with people.
For Italy, it was a multi-year process of trying to figure out the puzzle pieces. It took me four trips to Italy over as many years trying to figure out the “where” for this immersive experience. I didn’t want it in a place too big, too small, too touristy, but also not too quiet. I wanted a place where you could stay in one place. Immerse yourself. Not move around. Choose to embrace the hustle or the bustle or the stillness of a place…depending on your mood and your creative direction in any given moment.
I scratched off places: Florence. Venice. Cortona.
Finally, I found Siena. And Siena has quickly become a second home to me: a home away from home, filled with all the good things in life. Good people, good eats, good climate. More importantly, from a photographic sense, it’s interesting. There’s a spirit to life there. A sense of community. A sense of place. The Sienese truly love their community, and it shows.
The place is only part of it. Pulling together an experience you need to balance many factors, including - but not limited to - providing a balance of instruction time and “free wander” time, having enough local knowledge to know where to explore creatively, but also knowing where to go with a group to eat. To have a morning espresso. A gelato. A culinary experience. The Tuscan hillside wineries. Where to stay. Where to walk. When to stop.
I just finished three iterations of PORTFOLIO: Siena and already can’t wait to get back with my next groups in April of 2027.
Photography is an expression of your own puzzle pieces, as much as you’re showcasing the puzzle pieces of what makes a place “tick”. Here’s some of those visual wanderings from the month, in black and white. In the weeks ahead I’ll share just as many (or more) in colour, for Siena is one of the most beautifully colourful and “warm” towns I’ve encountered. For now, though, a world in monochrome. For a moment.
PS - want to join me for my next iteration (I may add a third set of dates in 2027, and most certainly a set of dates in 2028)? Let me know and send me an email to davebrosha@gmail.com
