Tuscany Photography Workshops & Tours

Pat K

I’ve been fortunate to join Rodney O’Callaghan on several unforgettable photography tours — from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sublime sand dunes of the Western Sahara, from the fragrant lavender fields of Valensole to the majestic morning mists rising over Lake Bled. Each journey has been a masterclass not only in photography, but in how to truly experience a place. Rodney is, quite simply, exceptional. A superb host, an inspiring teacher, and an endlessly patient guide, he has an extraordinary gift for bringing each landscape to life. His knowledge runs deep — of light, composition, and camera craft — yet he shares it with such warmth and generosity that learning feels effortless. Beyond his photographic brilliance, Rodney has an uncanny ability to uncover the soul of every destination — whether it’s the perfect viewpoint bathed in golden hour light, or a tucked-away restaurant serving the most memorable meal of the trip. His organisation is impeccable, his good humour infectious, and his calm presence a constant pleasure. I can honestly say I have never travelled with anyone more dedicated, capable, or kind. Did I mention I couldn’t recommend Rodney highly enough? Because truly, I can’t. Every tour has been a joy — beautifully planned, deeply enriching, and utterly unforgettable.

Frank Courtney

Great tour with Rodney to Tuscany in April 2024. He collected the group at the airport and throughout the trip he was unfailingly helpful and patient. He has extensive knowledge of the best locations and start times to get an opportunity for some great photos. He finely gauges his advice and assistance to each person, and is always available to help when needed. In summary - great tour and great group.

Gareth Murran

** Updated** Updating my review after 3 workshops over the past year with Rodney. The experience just gets better. He is always on hand to share his knowledge, gets you to the best places at the right times and creates the atmosphere for a great few days with fellow photographers. Highly recommend you book something rather than travel on your own or in a small group. Now that I’m back home, I can look back on a most enjoyable, interesting and at times photographically challenging workshop in Tuscany. First and foremost, Rodney is personable, knowledgeable and a wonderful guide. I can’t begin to say how much I have learned from him in such a short period of time. He brings a combination of deep photography knowledge and a friendly personality to one individual. This was my first workshop, and it was such a benefit to have Rodney on hand to regularly check if all was ok and to provide some help on composition or technical details. Tuscany was incredible and the sites that Rodney choose to take us to were breathtakingly beautiful. Rodney had things perfectly timed and organised to take us to the best place at the right times (using the best of the weather to select the itinerary). I would recommend anyone visit Tuscany with Rodney. It’s a must on your bucket list of places to visit! I have already booked with Rodney again and highly recommend him to all photographers, no matter what skill level they are at. Thank you very much for making it all possible with your expertise, knowledge, and patience, although I now have the long task of sorting out all the great photos. All the best, Gareth

Pat K

Rodney puts his heart and soul into his photography workshops / photo tours to ensure that each and every client has the best personalised experience possible. His attention to detail, the level of pre-work and his ability to have back up plans for all scenarios is truly impressive. I went to Tuscany in October for a truly magical experience of photography, great company, charming Italian towns and of course the delicious food! I enjoyed it so much I signed up as soon as I returned home for the following Spring, thus allowing me to see beautiful Tuscany in two completely different seasons. Looking foward immensely to visiting Slovenia with Rodney and like minded photographers

Mary Talbot

Max Brockman-More and I recently went on a five day workshop in Tuscany with Rodney. Max has been on a number of these workshops before but this was my first. Neither of us had experienced the beauty of Tuscany before, and as a result of Rodney’s thorough research we were able to shoot both well known and also unknown but photographically rewarding locations. Rodney led the group with warmth and professionalism, and took care to foster a good group dynamic. All of us came away enriched by Rodney’s expertise and some great photographs. We have no hesitation in recommending a workshop with Rodney anywhere in the world.

M S

Just back from photography 5 day workshop in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy under workshop leader Rodney O' Callaghan. All groundwork was done for fantastic locations (sunrise/sunset+) and always a plan B if weather did not cooperate! This makes for a stressfree and enjoyable experience. Rodney's gentle, yet firm guidance, tailored to each person's level, is welcome, helpful and instructive! The group dynamic worked v well with lots of laughter. support and camaraderie. Great Italian food was an added bonus at the end of busy days. Many thanks Rodney for an excellent workshop and to my new photography comrades for a super week! Hope to meet again on another workshop. Would highly recommend to anyone at any level.

Mark “MarkOBPhotography” O Brien

I can't speak highly enough about Rodney and the recent photography workshop I took with him in beautiful Tuscany , his local knowledge of where and when to photograph is astonishing, the man knows the place like the back of his hand and we were never found wanting for an amazing location to shoot , Tuscany has it all, amazing epic vistas and also beautiful minimalist scenes, couple this with beautiful weather and amazing food and you've got yourself all the ingredients for an amazing time. I have to say it totally exceeded all my expectations and that was all down to Rodney.

Daire Cronin

I was on a trip to Tuscany with Rodney in Spring 2022. Even when the weather wasn't ideal, Rodney worked really hard to make sure we got the best chance possible to capture shots. He has great knowledge of the region, a great eye for a shot and we ate like kings for the entire trip. Highly recommended

Claire Sullivan

Just back from a trip to Tuscany with Rodney. What an amazing trip. Despite the disappointing weather we managed to get absolutely amazing images. Rodney has a knack of getting to the best spots at the right time to ensure you get the best pictures. I’d recommend Rodney’s workshops to anyone.

Audi Murphy

Had a great trip to Tuscany in Sept 2021. 6 photographers took part from all around Ireland and the craic started on the bus in Rome. Rodney has great patience and happy to share his knowledge with everyone. The group enjoyed it so much we booked another workshop with him the night before we left so if that's not the real endorsement of Rodney's workshops I'm not sure what is!👍

Mary Flanagan

I spent a week in Tuscany on one of Rodney’s workshops. From the moment I met Rodney at Rome airport, I felt very much at ease. He organised our transport and I didn’t have to think of where I was going for the rest of the trip. He was so professional and nothing was a problem. From beginning to end he managed everything seamlessly.. His energy and enthusiasm knew no bounds in the midst of fun and laughter. Rodney put so much work into planning and knew all the iconic sites so well. We were driven to all the places from sunrise to sunset and motivated to see everything.. His tuition was superb and we got lots of it. Although I had a lot to learn, I never felt I was a burden. Rodney is a natural teacher and made himself fully present to each individual ..I loved every minute of the trip, and plan to go to Slovenia next October. I cannot recommend his workshops highly enough.

ger clarke

I have had one to one tuition with Rodney O Callaghan which took place on the Dingle Peninsula. The experience was extremely positive both in terms of what I learned about taking decent photographs and experiencing the breathtaking beauty of one of the most beautiful places on earth! Last Autumn I travelled to Tuscany on one of Rodney's workshops. The experience was truly wonderful. Everything was brilliantly organised. Rodney had researched all the best spots for sunrises and sunsets, the prettiest little Tuscan villages to visit and the best eateries! Rodney was always on hand to give helpful advice and answer questions with good humour and endless patience. It was really nice to be away with a small friendly group of like-minded photographers and I am looking forward to repeating this experience again this year in Slovenia in October. Rodney is a true professional and a great teacher.

Margaret Goodall

recommends

Having been on a recent workshop to Tuscany, I found Rodney an excellent coach, providing clear guidance, tactful and timely intervention. He was kind and calm and generous with his time and advice even to people not on his workshop. He researches his locations meticulously and I'm in awe of his ability to navigate the areas and find good vantage points in the right locations. I learned loads and hope to attend other workshops in the futrure. Thanks Rodney

Quintessential Tuscany

The Val d’Orcia is undoubtedly the most famous part of Tuscany. This lush, verdant valley was formed by the Orcia river. It stretches between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The region offer so much when it comes to photography. The light in this region is beyond breathtaking as it sculpts the hilly landscape, picking out the lovely farmhouses and cypress trees.

Its colours are famous. Impossibly green in springtime and intense, burned yellow hues in summer or autumn.

Tree-lined roads

One of Tuscany’s greatest features lies in its fabulous winding roads lined with cypress trees. These look fantastic when photographed from a nearby hillside as they spiral their way towards one of the many red-roofed farmhouses such as Belvedere and Poggio Covelli.

Misty sunrises

Tuscany looks absolutely dreamlike at sunrise. As the rising sun catches and burns through the morning mist enveloping the hillsides, it bathes the whole area is the most stupendous light and colour. The lovely layers and long misty shadows of the cypress trees over the hillsides make for wonderful compositions too.

Intimate landscapes

As well as the wider scenes, there are plenty of opportunities to get in close and focus on some of the more intimate beauty of Tuscany, such as the lovely old buildings, stone houses, chapels and beautiful old streets.

Join me for a chance to photograph Tuscany at the best times of the year and from the most perfect viewpoints.