Discover How to Take Authentic Photos in
Paris, France
Wednesday April 10 to Sunday April 15, 2024

Do you dream of capturing incredible photos your friends will envy?

You're Invited to Escape to Paris and Learn the Secrets of How to Capture Killer Street Photos.

The truth is you can learn how to take amazing photos with any camera… even if you’ve never picked up a camera before.

Taking great photos is not about your camera or pixels, it’s about your vision. 

Because here’s the thing; learning light, angle, composition, and timing will crush your photographic fumbling.

This is for you if:
You fail to get riveting shots of your family and wish you didn’t have to hire a photographer 

You're sick of taking boring travel photos that don’t show what you see
And nope, it’s not mastering Photoshop, buying a $5000 camera, or luck.
You bought a camera that is complicated and you’re embarrassed that it’s gathering dust.

 You returned from a trip to an exotic country and the photos on your phone don’t capture what you’re seeing and experiencing in real life.

But April in Paris will change this.

You  must let me know by January 1, 2023
as things book up fast in Paris

 Photography is being a painter in a hurry.
 Suddenly you’ll begin to see differently
 You'll learn a new way to look at people in Paris, sunsets, croissants, and architecture.
 It takes practice, guidance, and having all your questions answered from an expert.

Book A Call Now

And Paris is one of the best cities in the world to go on a Photo Safari, learning how to take incredible photos with fun people and exploring the secrets of this mesmerizing town.

When my Grandfather gave me my first camera on my 7th birthday, I practiced being invisible in my huge family.
 
I took candid photos that my siblings and parents didn’t even know I captured.
 
It taught me magical timing. And I’ll show you how to take elusive mysterious shots too. 
 
How do you do it?
 
By empathizing with your subject even if they don’t know you’re photographing them. 
 
Yes it takes practice. How?
 
1. First you take a lot of bad photos.
 
2. You learn more from a bad photo than you do from an incredible one.
 
How do I know?
 
Because after photographing 724 weddings, wild rhinos in Nepal, families in Silicon Valley, and the Dalai Lama in India (twice) you learn how to do it with patience and perseverance. 
And traveling in 35 countries on my own has helped too
 
This method boils it down fast and simplifies the learning process into one multi-day workshop.
 
Learn fast and leap up the learning curve with one on one mentoring.
 
Here’s what you get in your 4-Day premium one on one training in Paris:
 
You learn how to see in a new way, you'll see the photo before you take it
 
You don’t need fancy software, a new camera, or Photoshop skills (I don’t use it)
 
You learn how to choose the right angle, compose a shot, see light before you shoot, and practice magical timing when taking photos of people and having fun doing it
 
In the one-on-one commentaries of your work, you’ll learn why some of your photos are amazing so you can keep doing those behaviors and why other shots don't work.
Workshop participants have said this alone is worth coming with me to learn photography.
  
Why and how do your photos get better in only 5 days?

You'll learn how to correct problems as you shoot and not fool around with Photoshop later!

You aren’t in a huge classroom with a herd of people.

You can ask questions freely and get your answers pronto as we're shooting.

Your 36-year award winning veteran from the trenches of Silicon Valley will give you all the secrets.
 
And this makes it easier to learn with hands-on mentoring 
 
And my 1349 private students have told me so.
 
Paris Photography Workshop Schedule

Day One
9:30AM to 2PM Luxembourg Gardens
1. We start with a two-minute meditation. Then!
2. Guidance on your specific camera or phone.
3. Exact instruction on composition, angle, lighting, and timing
4. We'll go to a nearby bistro for French onion soup and beverages: wine, beer, coffee. 
Day Two
9:30AM to 2PM Street photos at the Sorbonne
1. Specific advice about how to take candid photos of people while being invisible
2. We’ll dive in and do solo shooting in the action-packed piazza at the Sorbonne, I’ll be there to ask questions and give guidance if needed or you can go hog wild on your own trajectory 
Day Three
4PM Night photography Eiffel Tower
Exquisite detail shooting of the most famous tower in the world. This art deco elegant crown of Paris is remarkable. We'll shoot in the morning in the Latin Quarter then arrive pre sunset at the Eiffel Tower so we can get the sparkly lights illuminating the sky of this magical city.
It's a Paris tradition.
Day Four
9:30AM Shooting Portraits 
4PM Commentary on your photos from the workshop and celebratory dinner
Day Five
Free day to explore, discover, and practice your new skills or go shopping!
 
Bonus:
Follow up phone call with me about your photography and last minute questions or comments
 
Or join us in Rome, Italy. Or on the Amalfi Coast. 
 
Only 4 to 6 Participants 
4 Days of Shooting and Commentary on your photos
Advice on onward travel or travel before the workshop

​One-on-one guidance on composition, angle, light, and timing
You'll take home incredible photos that you took in Paris!
Meet new friends, escape, and have a thrilling adventure
$795 for the Workshop
Accommodations are suggested:
Familia Hotel in the Latin Quarter  or

Mont Blanc Hotel in the Latin Quarter
​Book A Call Now
Are you craving an escape to France?
​You'll eat wonderful food, meet new friends, take amazing photos and have a thrilling adventure!
See Testimony Below from Recent Workshop Photography Enthusiasts 

​What Participants are Saying Recent Testimony on Mary's Workshops:
"I joined Mary's photography workshop in Oaxaca in Oct, 2022. I learned technical details about photography (exposure, framing, brightness, composition, etc.); but more importantly, I learned the joy of traveling. Mary is a seasoned photographer + travel adviser, who helped me add a new flavor to my senior life!"
- Akiko Kobayashi

"You did it again. You knocked it out of the park. Beautiful city, great food, good company and of course wonderful instruction. Each time a little more sinks in. I learned more about composition and what makes a good photo.
And you have those leadership qualities that we all wish we had. You have certainly found your calling and excel at it. Thanks for a fun learning experience."
- Shirley McClintock (Oaxaca City Mexico Workshop)

"I’ve always wanted to travel internationally on my own, but being a very busy mom/wife/small business owner of several businesses, some of my challenges (beyond finding coverage for my businesses while away) were the following:

1) Making and taking the time to do the research around the specific country, where to go, what to do, how to get there, etc.
2) Learning the requirements/restrictions around COVID
3) Trusting the information you’ve gathered is correct

I felt intimidated, a little fearful of the unknown, and overwhelmed by having to figure things out.

Mary Bartnikowski made the process of traveling internationally, much easier. She took the guesswork out of the pre-travel process and kept me updated prior to my travel date.

Once I reached my destination and connected with Mary, it was all fun, discovery, adventure, and wonder. Mary’s presence of being down-to-earth, relaxed, and funny, made my time with her so easy and enjoyable.

At the same time, Mary is an expert photographer and you get the benefit and knowledge of her 35-year photography career in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Mary makes the process of learning photography fun, light-hearted, and easy.

My photos improved dramatically over the course of my trip of 24 days and 3 primary destinations - Rome, Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri, Sicily. For me, the most helpful part of the workshop was the day of presenting my photos to Mary and receiving constructive feedback around the photos. We had a session like this for each destination.

I was able to take what I learned from each one of these sessions and apply the feedback to my photography going forward, and the number of great photos just kept increasing. Thank you Mary for an amazing trip with memories I will cherish for a lifetime!"
- Donna Apilado-Schumacher