My Photography Workshop in Jordan!

I’m proud to announce that this November I’ll be hosting a photography workshop in Jordan with my colleague and friend Colby Brown!

Join us this November 2012 for the trip of a lifetime AND help a wonderful cause at the same time.

Giving back

We will be working alongside the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative Society which provides special training projects for women in the capital city, Amman. From learning to make beautiful crafts, handmade pure soaps, chemical-free hand-made paper, stunning pottery, to quality fabrics, the Cooperative Society provides women with the opportunity to create sustainable income for their families.

Funded by the Swiss Government, the Cooperative Society has been helping women in Amman since 1993.

Trip of a lifetime

Join our team to support this Society, visit where the women are working, take photos of their crafts and work for publication on their website and promotion materials. We will also take part in photo workshops at locations most photographers only dream of: the Dead Sea,  Wadi Rum dessert, the lost city of Petra (celebrating it’s 200th anniversary since it was rediscovered!), and the ruins of Jerash. Sound like the trip of a lifetime? It is!

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

– Hilaire Belloc

 What locations will we be visiting and photographing?

• Petra – celebrating the 200th anniversary of the rediscovery of the lost city!
• Wadi Rum – The spectacular desert setting which you may remember from the film “Lawrence of Arabia”.
• The Dead Sea – One of the planet’s true natural wonders.
• Amman – The Capital city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
• Jerash – Spectacular ancient Greco-Roman ruins.

These locations are a photographer’s dream come true!

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

– Henry Miller

Live, Love, Learn

I’m teaming up with Colby and his organization The Giving Lens on this project. Together with the help and support of the Jordan Tourism Board and Royal Jordanian Airlines (the official airline of our workshop) we are planning an amazing itinerary that will include the incredible sights, sounds, and tastes of this jewel of the middle east.

The Giving Lens is an organization that focuses on blending photography education with giving back to local communities. They offer photography workshops in various locations around the globe, where they work alongside local Non-Profit organizations —  like the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative Society — that are doing exceptional work.

The participants of this workshop will have their horizons forever expanded by the people they meet, the sights they will see and photograph, and by the life changing experiences they will live. Join us!

 “People don’t take trips – trips take people.”

– John Steinbeck

 Natural Beauty and History… Jordan has it all!

The areas that we will be visiting will take your breath away, I promise you that! I remember fondly as I caught my first glimpse of Petra on the first night at the lost city. Walking down the narrow gorge that is lit solely by candlelight is a very moving experience. Arriving at the entrance to the city and seeing the Treasure glowing in the shimmering glow of over a thousand candles will be a moment that you will never forget. Exploring the rest of the ruins at Petra during daylight hours will make you feel like an archeologist and explorer. Truth be told, you will be exploring and having a great time doing so!

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”

– Martin Buber

 The incredible experience of the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique eco-systems in the world. Sitting at the lowest point on the planet, this oxygen rich area is magical in so many ways. You’ll get to slather the mineral rich mud all over yourself and float like a rubber duck in a bathtub. This was one of my all time favourite experiences and I know that you’ll love it too!

Salt of the Earth

You’ll get a chance to experience this almost alien like part of the world where the most intricate and beautiful salt formations form. At nearly a half kilometre below sea level and with a salinity level of 33.7%; the Dead Sea lives up to it’s name and is devoid of life. On the flip side, the minerals and salt content of the water have been heralded for their curative powers for thousands of years.

The therapeutic qualities of the water have been known to relieve pain of arthritis, and rheumatism, as well as lessen the effects of skin maladies such as psoriasis and eczema. Plus did I mention that you float??

 Step back in time

The landscape changes drastically as you drive from Amman, to Petra, and on to the the desert of Wadi Rum, then back up to the Dead Sea. Amazing photographic opportunities lie ahead for you on this journey through one of the most historic places in the world.

In Wadi Rum you’ll experience the rugged mountains jutting out of the amber sands that resemble the face of Mars. Stark, barren, and seemingly endless, the desert will change right in front of you as the sun moves across the sky.

Be prepared for some spectacular sunsets and a stay at a Bedouin campsite!

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– St. Augustine

Roman ruins of Jerash

Dating back to the days of Alexander the Great the town of Jerash (then known as Gerasa) grew lager and larger as the centuries past. Here is where you’ll see the Greco-Roman ruins that span several centuries. You’ll get a chance to photograph the colonnaded street, ruins of  ancient temples, theatre, cathedral, and so much more.

 Reserve your spot now!

There will be limited spaces available on this tour and workshop, so be sure to book your reservation as soon as possible.

All information regarding booking will be made available on The Giving Lens website. I’ll have information about the itinerary and tips about what to bring on the trip in the near future.

Questions?

Please contact [email protected]

T: +303 653 4323

Please check out The Giving Lens FAQ page for details about how these workshops are run.

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.”

– Pat Conroy

Special thanks to the Jordan Tourism Board for their generous support.

Without them this workshop would not be possible.

Be sure to book your ticket to Jordan or Royal Jordanian Airlines

The Official Carrier of the Giving Lens workshop in Jordan.

Workshop participants will be given a 15% discount on their flight!

Thanks RJ!

Ken Kaminesky is a Canadian lifestyle and travel photographer. Follow him in his quest to take over the world, one photo at a time! Ken Kaminesky Travel Photography Blog

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