Cuba Workshops

Wanted Everyone to be up on the latest as it’s been awhile…

Delighted to announce our next tour, which has been in the works for months, is now up on our refreshed website along with our new logo. Great things are happening! Please join us this Fall on a very exciting trip to two places that hold mystique and visual appeal for photographers. They also have special familial significance to our founder, whose parents (like many Cubans) honeymooned in Baracoa. All roads lead to and from Santiago de Cuba. This promises to be a magical place and wonderful way to . Founder Alex Garcia and advertising creative Michael Kaminski will join you for nine glorious days on the eastern tip of the island. More information on our website. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Thank you to two-time visitor for his amazing video on our home page and the logo by Cuban artist !

Please help support Cuban beekeepers!

🐝📸 Bee-come photography pros! In partnership with the The Honey House at Astor Apiaries, join us for our upcoming "Photography for Beekeepers & Naturalists" class on Saturday, April 20th, from 4-5:30 pm, taking place at The Honey House and via Zoom. ✨🌿 Guided by Michael Kaminski, seasoned Photographer and Director, this 90-minute session promises an exciting journey. Uncover the secrets of:

1️⃣ Photography Basics: Master exposure, aperture & more for breathtaking shots
2️⃣ Gear Guidance: Navigate cameras & lenses like a pro for your nature photos
3️⃣ Composition Techniques: Elevate photos w/ expert framing & perspective tips
4️⃣ Bee Insights: Dive into the intricacies of bee behavior
5️⃣ Macro Photography: Explore how to achieve sharp focus & optimal depth of field
6️⃣ Conservation & Advocacy: Learn to use your photos for conservation efforts

🙌🏻🎉 100% of donations will be go to support Cuban beekeepers, providing them with much-needed beekeeping gear and supplies. Let's make a difference while capturing nature's wonders! Register here: astorapiaries.com/pages/events

We’re back in Havana!

Last minute notice! Meet up tomorrow Wednesday Aug 23 at noon! Free Cuban sandwiches to the first 25 folk for National Cuban Sandwich Day at the Chicago Center for Photojournalism at 1226 West Wilson. Photo is of Pedro, beloved owner of El Prado restaurant in Melrose Park who made the best Cuban sandwich ever, along with many other Cuban dishes that we enjoyed growing up. Let’s celebrate his passion! 🇨🇺

Giddyap! We’re back to Cuba this fall November 4-12!

Reach out to us if you’re interested! We just launched and spots are filling up!
Link in bio or drop me a line at [email protected]

Chicago Tonight’s Latino Voices on PBS Channel 11 did a wonderful 4 min piece on my photography retrospective on Cuba - Nick Blumberg and Phil Ponce captured the nuances often missing when talking about the country. I’m a behind-the-camera kind of person so to hear my name repeatedly on TV and by Phil Ponce - can’t pretend I’m used to it! 😳

https://news.wttw.com/2023/07/28/chicago-based-photographer-documents-enduring-ties-cuba-show-new-photojournalism-center

I have always been impressed by Susan Aurinko. I learned her name and about her former gallery for years through the photography community. The universe is a mysterious place because having her now write a review of my show is a surreal and humbling moment. Thank you so much Susan. 🙏🏼

So Near and Yet So Far: A Review of "Enduring Ties, Resilience and Longing in Cuba" In the exhibition currently at The Chicago Center for Photojournalism, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Alex Garcia takes us on an insider’s journey to his family’s motherland, Cuba.

To keep the integrity of our workshops, we don’t do photojournalism any more in Cuba now, but there was a time. And the show will have many images of Cuba that are cultural in nature. Hope you can make it this Thursday!