Travel For Teens: Italy Travel Photography Workshop

My teen travel photography program in Italy was one of the most transformative experiences I've ever had. I arrived not knowing anyone and unsure of what to do expect, but I left with new friends, new skills, and a new sense of confidence in myself and my creative abilities. Each day offered something different and unforgettable, from wandering through the narrow Florence streets with our cameras, learning how to tell a story through a single image, and challenging myself to photograph people, moments, and places that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I learned quickly that photography is not just about taking a pretty picture but about paying attention to being present and finding connection wherever you are. What surprised me most was how the trip helped me grow personally. Being far from home encourages me to step up, be independent, and say "yes" to things I might normally hesitate to try. By the end of the workshop, I felt braver, more open-minded, and more grounded in my own creativity. The counselors created a supportive environment where trying new things felt exciting instead of scary, and the group truly became a small community of its own. This program didn't just teach me how to take better photos, but it helped me see the world, myself, with a more curious and confident perspective. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for adventure, artistic growth, and meaningful connection.

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I can honestly say that the Italy photography workshop with TFT was the best trip I have ever taken. Everything was absolutely fantastic! From the straightforward process of meeting the group at the airport to exploring a variety of Italian cities, this program was absolutely unforgettable. I feel like it was a perfect balance of photography lessons and free time! I really appreciated how our group leaders allotted time for us to explore on our own and also participate in group activities. I would recommend TFT 10 times out of 10!

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I am grateful that I had the opportunity to enjoy part of my summer under that hot Italian sun. I traveled with Travel for Teens and I could not have been happier with my trip. I felt very safe and taken care of. Although there was a lot of walking, it was all worth it to see some amazing sunsets that I will never forget. During my time with the program I learned all about photography including lighting, how to use a camera and even got to put my skills into action. I met some very cool people and I never had a moment or boredom or homesickness. I one hundred percent recommend traveling with Travel for Teens for the best experience. I am looking forward to traveling again this summer in order to explore the world. As a teenager it is so fascinating to learn about new cultures, eat really good food and travel without your family. I gained so much independence and confidence from my experience in Italy and it allowed me to grow as a person. I am lucky that this program exists to help other teens see the world. I hope that everyone gets a chance to get out of their comfort zone and I know that Travel for Teens provides that oppurtunity!

My whole life I have wanted to travel the world and experience new things. Once I found Travel for Teens I was so excited to try it out! My first trip was the Italy photography workshop and it changed my life in a great way. At first I was super nervous because I was going to a foreign country with strangers, but I quickly connected with them on our 9 hour group flight. I had the best time with my new friends doing the planned activities as well as the new photography challenges we had each day. The trip really brought out my love for photography and travel. The different workshops helped me experiment more with my photography which helped me pass my AP photography exam. I have traveled with TFT every summer since!

Italy Photography was the best trip I have ever taken!! Not only did we learn so much about how to professionally capture photos, but we also were emerged in the culture. We had a fabulous National Geographic photographer, Simon Bond, who tagged along and he taught us all about the structure and settings of our cameras along with certain photography techniques. Marguax was the other counselor on the trip who was AMAZING. She taught us all the historical background on each city we visited and she showed us how to eat some gelatto!:) If you love pasta and pizza, then you sure are in for a treat! Although we had a full itinerary, the trip was very laid back and the schedule was very flexible. Italy was a breath taking place to visit and being able to really capture moments from the trip was the coolest thing. I HIGHLY recommend Italy Photography.

I had the most amazing time traveling with TFT this past summer! I came into this trip having taken a film photography class in school but still not knowing/understand the basic mechanics of a camera, and by the end of the trip, I could quickly and comfortably change the settings to capture the perfect picture. Our photography lessons were brief (maybe 15-25 minutes) yet incredibly interesting. We were taught the basics and then day by day were introduced new "mini projects" to keep in mind during the day, such as street photography, portraits, the rule of thirds, framing, ect. Believe it or not I left this trip with over 2,000 pictures! This trip was also the first time I traveled without my parents, and although I arrived at the airport nervous the second, I meet everyone I was instantly put at ease. I instantly become friends with all the girls and we are all still in touch today! Finally I have to give a HUGE shoutout to our head counselor Margaux and our photo teacher Simon. Marqaux was so sweet and funny telling us stories and joining in on our conversations, but she also did an incredible job making everything run smoothly. Simon was incredibly knowledgable and it was pretty amazing being taught by someone who has been featured in National Geographic! I am so grateful that I found TFT and am already planning what trip I will be going on this upcoming summer!