Dolomites 2025 Photo Expedition Autumn Meets Winter

7th November - 15th November 2025

Join Jan Šmíd for a late autumn photography expedition to the Italian Dolomites. This November, explore a unique seasonal contrast — golden larches, moody mists, and the first snow on dramatic alpine peaks. With hands-on field instruction and personalized guidance, you'll capture striking landscapes in one of Europe's top photography locations.

Secure your spot now and photograph the Dolomites at their most atmospheric.

November 7–15, 2025
📍 Dolomites, Italy | 👤
Max 8 Participants | 📸 Up to 4 Instructors incl. Jan Šmíd, Master QEP

Discover the magic of Italy’s Dolomites at the turn of seasons — golden larches, rising mists, and the first snow-dusted peaks.
Join award-winning photographer Jan Šmíd, Master QEP, and his team for a small-group landscape photography expedition crafted for both dedicated amateurs and experienced photographers. You’ll explore dramatic mountain scenery, shoot in ever-changing autumn-winter conditions, and refine your skills in capturing both single-frame and panoramic compositions — from vibrant sunsets to star-filled skies.

This is more than just a photo tour. It's a complete photography learning experience in the mountains, combining technical expertise, high-end accommodations, and an ultra-individual approach. Would you like to learn more about the Northern Lights before the expedition — how we’ll observe and photograph them?

Peak autumn color meets early winter magic
Hands-on guidance with 4 instructors
Tailored program to your fitness level and photo goals

All the images on this page were captured during previous Smid Photography photo expeditions to the Dolomites. You can explore the full gallery here

Curious about what a photo expedition in the Dolomites looks like? We’ve got you covered! Check out our blog post where we share all the details about how our Dolomites expeditions run—from stunning locations to daily schedules and photography tips. Dive in and get inspired to join us on the next adventure!

What Makes This Photo Tour Unique?

  • 📍 Top photo locations: scroll down to discover all the stunning photo spots we’ll explore.

  • 📸 Panoramas, single shots, day & night scenes incl. Milky Way — guided by top European instructors

  • 🧭 Flexible logistics: thanks to multiple vehicles and instructors, we adapt to your physical abilities

  • 🌤️ We chase the best light — no rigid itineraries; we follow the weather for maximum photo success

  • 🤝 up to 4 instructors for just 8 guests = ultra-individual approach

  • 🏨 Top 4-star accommodation, airport transfers, study materials, and optional Sony gear testing included

🎯 Ready to create jaw-dropping autumn landscapes and chase the Milky Way?

👉 Book now and make 2025 the year your portfolio levels up!

🚩 Autumn Dolomites Photo Expedition & Workshop 2025 – Stunning Alpine Adventure and Landscape Photography Tour with Jan Šmíd, Master QEP

📍 Location: Dolomites (Italy)

📅 Dates: 7th November - 15th November 2025

👥 Participants: Max 8

👨‍🏫 Instructors: Up to 4 – Jan Šmíd (Master QEP), Martin Strouhal (QEP), Pavel Drexler (Adobe Certified Professional), Michael Prouza

🚐 Transportation: Included in the price; pick-up at the airport (Venice) and drop-off back at the airport at the end of the expedition

💰 Price: 3990 USD / 3690 €

💼 Deposit: 699 USD / 699 €

🏠 Accommodation: Premium 4★ hotel or cozy 4★ aparthotel

🍽 Meals: Breakfast included (!), self-catering or restaurants

🌐 Language: English

🎥 Want to master perfect exposure before the expedition? Watch this essential video on aperture, ISO & shutter speed — the exact skills we’ll be applying in the field during our Autumn Dolomites 2025 photo tour with Jan Šmíd, Master QEP.

🚁 Curious where we shoot during our Dolomites expeditions? Watch this 4K drone & iPhone footage from last summer’s trip — part 1 of 2 — featuring iconic and lesser-known spots we love to revisit each season.

Who Is This Dolomites Photo Expedition For? 🍁🏔️

This late autumn Dolomites photo workshop is perfect for passionate photographers — whether you're an advanced shooter or an ambitious beginner. Led by Jan Šmíd, Master QEP, and a team of professional instructors, this exclusive photography tour takes you deep into the heart of the Italian Alps, just as the last golden larches meet the first snow-dusted peaks. Expect dramatic light, moody skies, and postcard-perfect mountain scenes!

This Dolomites photography expedition is for you if you want to:

✅ Capture stunning single exposures, multi-row panoramas, atmospheric dusk shots and night shooting incl. Milky Way
✅ Master composition, light, exposure bracketing, and advanced retouching techniques
✅ Work 1-on-1 with pros in the field — with hands-on guidance, every step of the way
✅ Build a portfolio that stands out, whether for print, contests, or exhibitions
✅ Join a small, focused group of landscape lovers — and level up together

If you're dreaming of that once-in-a-year alpine adventure with incredible photo opportunities, this Dolomites photo trip delivers. From sharp peaks to silent valleys, from soft golden light to frosty mornings — it’s the perfect mix of technical growth and creative inspiration.

🎒 Join us this autumn and experience the Dolomites like never before — through the lens of a truly unforgettable photo tour!

🗺️ What Will We See During This Dolomites Photo Expedition & Tour?

This Dolomites photo trip doesn’t follow a fixed, rigid schedule — and that’s exactly the point. Instead, we adapt in real time to the best light, weather, and mountain mood, so you can create your most breathtaking images yet.

Outside our golden-hour shoots, we’ll explore a handpicked mix of world-famous icons and remote, secret spots — the kind of hidden gems we’ve discovered over 17 years of photographing the Dolomites. No tourists. No tripod traffic jams. Just you, the mountains, and moments that feel truly your own. 🏔️✨

You’ll capture snow-dusted peaks, glowing larch forests, crisp alpine lakes, and mist-filled valleys — the full palette of late autumn magic in Italy’s most photogenic range.

📍 Highlights you may experience during the expedition include:

  • 🌀 Passo Giau & Forcella Giau – epic curves, dramatic ridgelines, perfect for wide angles

  • 🏔️ Cinque Torri & Monte Pore – jagged towers, WWI relics, and 360° panoramas

  • ❄️ Valparola & Falzarego Passes – fresh snow, soft light, and cinematic mountain drama

  • 💧 Lago di Braies, Lago Fedéra & Lago di Misurina – serene lakes, reflections, and foggy mornings

  • 🌬️ Sas de Stria & Monte Verdal – quiet, rugged peaks with massive visual payoff

  • 🌄 Alpe di Siusi / Seiser Alm – Europe’s largest alpine meadow framed by the jagged peaks of the Sassolungo massif. Rolling hills, wooden huts, and soft morning light

    create a surreal, fairytale-like atmosphere. Perfect for minimalist compositions, long lenses, and dreamy golden-hour shots.

  • 🏔️ Seceda & Cadini di Misurina – if weather and conditions align, we may include a few of the Dolomites’ most legendary views — from vertical ridges to iconic

    compositions seen in world-class portfolios.

  • 🔭 Tre Cime di Lavaredo – the Dolomites’ most iconic trio of peaks. While often crowded, we may visit this legendary spot if the conditions are perfect — ideally in

    dramatic weather or soft post-season light, when the crowds are gone.

  • 🌲 Hidden Valleys & Mountain Trails – places no one else photographs… just raw Dolomite beauty

  • …and much more. We never reveal all our spots up front 😉 some places are just too magical to spoil in advance. Trust us: this tour goes far beyond the guidebooks.

    Here’s a map of some locations – the list is far from complete, and the pins are only approximate:

🟢 Physically Accessible Photo Tour, Adapted to Your Fitness Level

This expedition is suitable for all levels of fitness. Most photo locations require only light walks. If you're eager for hikes to high-altitude spots, you’ll have that option. And if you prefer an easy photo workshop with accessible viewpoints, we’ve got you covered too.

✅ No one is left behind.
✅ Flexible plan each day based on weather and fitness.
✅ up to 4 instructors, multiple vehicles = personalized approach.

This isn’t just a photo workshop. It’s a chance to chase fleeting light, capture rare conditions, and tell your own story of the Dolomites — when the crowds are gone and the mountains are at their most peaceful. 🏞️

📸 Recommended Photography Gear

To get the most out of your Dolomites photo expedition, we recommend bringing a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a sturdy tripod, and a selection of wide-angle to telephoto lenses. But don't worry — even if you shoot exclusively on a smartphone, you're still welcome! We adapt our approach based on your gear and experience level.

🎒 Not sure what to bring? After you register, you'll receive a detailed gear checklist, plus personal advice tailored to your needs.

🧭 Still deciding on your setup? No problem. As part of your expedition package, we offer:

  • Equipment consultations before the trip

  • Tips for optimizing your current gear

  • Guidance on choosing tripods, filters, cameras, or weather-proof clothing

  • (Limited) access to test gear during the expedition

Whether you’re a seasoned pro fine-tuning your lens lineup or a beginner looking for a reliable kit — we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared for every location and lighting condition.

✅ What’s Included in the Price ❌ What’s Not Included

  • 📸 Full photo instruction (up to 4 instructors incl. Jan Šmíd – Master QEP. Techniques for

    panoramas, seascapes, aurora borealis/stars, bracketing, stacking, and editing.

    Personal mentoring & daily image reviews.

  • 🛌 8 nights lodging in 4 stars hotels. Accommodation in double rooms, with the possibility of

    paying an extra charge for single occupancy.

  • 🚘 Transportation during the expedition in comfortable cars (including pickup at Venice airport).

  • ✈️ Flight assistance (group ticket coordination).

  • 🍳 Daily breakfast.

  • 🎒 Extras: Free Sony gear test, pre-trip gear/clothing consult, personalized schedule.

  • 🧘‍♂️ All-inclusive service – you don't have to worry about anything. We arrange everything for you from A to Z.

International flights to and from Venice

❌ Meals except breakfast and personal expenses

Entrance fees (where applicable)

How We Work: Flexible, Real-World Shooting (what about the itinerary)?

We often get asked:

“Where will we be shooting on Day 3?”
“What time is breakfast on Day 7?”
“Will we see spot X at sunset?”

Here’s our honest answer:
We don’t offer cookie-cutter travel itineraries — we run real photo expeditions.

In the Dolomites, weather and light can change in minutes — and that’s exactly why we don’t follow a rigid day-by-day schedule. 🌤️ Instead, we carefully shape each day of the photo expedition based on the latest weather forecasts, light conditions, and our 17+ years of local experience. This flexible approach lets us chase the best possible moments — whether it’s a golden sunrise, moody mist in the valleys, or soft alpine light brushing the peaks at sunset. 

Our top priority is, of course, capturing breathtaking landscape photos. But in between our main sessions, we also explore the visual magic of the Dolomites — from legendary icons to quiet hidden gems where we’re often the only photographers. We’ll visit stunning spots listed in the expedition description — and beyond — combining active shooting with relaxed sightseeing and storytelling opportunities. The result? A photography trip that’s not only productive, but deeply inspiring and unforgettable. ✨

🎯 Our mission is simple:
To help every participant create the best images possible — every single day.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Dolomites Photo Workshop 2025

  • Absolutely! From golden larches and fresh snow to dramatic sunsets and secret viewpoints, this tour is designed to give you the best light, unique compositions, and hands-on guidance to capture images you'll be proud to print and share.

  • This expedition is designed for all passionate landscape photographers — from ambitious beginners to seasoned pros. Whether you’re just getting comfortable with manual settings or looking to fine-tune your panoramic and post-processing skills, you’ll receive personalized coaching from Jan Šmíd (Master QEP) and his team. Every location and lesson is tailored to your level, so you’ll always feel supported and challenged.

  • Most photo spots are accessible with short walks from the car, making the tour suitable for all fitness levels. Optional moderate hikes (like to Monte Pore or Alpe di Siusi viewpoints) are available for those who want more adventure — but there’s always a less demanding alternative. Our approach is flexible and personalized, so no one is ever left behind.

  • We stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels and aparthotels located near key photo locations — offering comfort, delicious local food, and relaxing aftershoot evenings. 🚐 All ground transport is included, with multiple vehicles available to keep group sizes small and the schedule flexible. Just focus on your photography — we take care of everything else.

Past photography expeditions to the Dolomites

  • June 24 - July 1, 2017

  • July 14 – 21, 2018

  • October 12 – October 18, 2018

  • June 28 – July 5, 2019

  • October 19 – October 25, 2019

  • October 23 – October 30, 2020

  • June 12 – June 19, 2021 ("the Carl Zeiss Dolomites")

  • October 24 – October 31, 2021

  • June 18 – June 25, 2022

  • Octob. 26 – Nov. 2, 2022 ("the Sony - Zeiss Dolomites")

  • June 17 – June 24, 2023

  • October 27 – November 3, 2023

  • October 25 - November 2, 2024

Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.
Participants enjoying the Dolomites photo expedition – capturing stunning landscapes, sharing laughs, and immersing themselves in the mountain adventure.