A Cuban Photographic Journey, from Wetlands to City Life Jan 8-16, 2026
- 8 days / 7 nights
- 7-10
- Cuba
A Cuban Journey: From Wetlands to City Life offers photographers a rare opportunity to experience Cuba in its full spectrum—where untamed natural beauty meets the rhythm of urban life. This program goes beyond sightseeing, immersing participants in both the ecological wonders of the island and the vibrant culture of its people. From bird-rich wetlands to Havana’s pulsating avenues, every setting becomes an extraordinary classroom for refining your craft and capturing the many layers of Cuban life.
Beginning in the Ciénaga de Zapata wetlands, participants are introduced to Cuba’s wilder side. Here, nature provides a stage alive with herons, jacanas, and trogons—species that test your patience, timing, and technical skill. The stillness of these waterways contrasts with sudden bursts of motion, challenging you to master wildlife and scenic photography while also appreciating the delicate balance of Cuba’s ecosystems.
As the journey continues, the countryside offers a glimpse into rural traditions that remain largely untouched by time. Farmers in the fields, artisans practicing age-old crafts, and small-town markets reveal a Cuba where daily life unfolds with an unhurried rhythm. These encounters invite you to work closely on environmental portraits and storytelling images, blending human subjects with the settings that shape their existence.
The program then shifts to Havana, where the streets themselves become a theater of expression. Here, street photography takes center stage—capturing the interplay of shadows against pastel walls, the swirl of dancers rehearsing in studios, and the lively exchanges between neighbors leaning from balconies. American classic cars, art deco facades, and revolutionary iconography provide both backdrop and texture, ensuring that every frame you make carries the unmistakable signature of Cuba’s capital.
Throughout this journey, the true highlight remains the Cuban people. Warm, resilient, and endlessly expressive, they embody the spirit of the island. From intimate portraits of dancers and musicians to candid moments in bustling plazas, you’ll discover how to move beyond snapshots and instead craft photographs that resonate with authenticity and emotion. By the end of this program, your portfolio will reflect not just the landscapes and architecture of Cuba, but also the humanity and vitality that make this island an enduring source of inspiration.
Guided by a Pulitzer Prize–winning instructor alongside knowledgeable local experts, participants will not only sharpen their photographic skills but also gain a deeper connection to Cuba itself. This program is designed to expand your visual storytelling, teaching you to see beauty and meaning in every corner of the island—from wetlands and farmlands to dancers, portraits, and Havana’s city streets.
A day by day itinerary will be provided once you sign up for the program.
- Program dates: Jan 8-16th, 2026
- Program Price: $5,590 (single occupancy price)/ $5,190 (double occupancy)
- Save your spot: $ 500
- Initial Deposit: $2,090 by Aug.7, 2025
- Final Payment: $3,000 by Oct. 7, 2025
- (Single occupancy supplement: $400)
- (Note: In case of cancellation by customer, the $500 deposit is non-refundable. However said amount can be applied towards other EMS Photo Adventure workshops or products.)
Overview
Join Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist Essdras M Suarez, together with Cuban photographer and instructor Joel Hernández Marín, for an inspiring photographic journey that spans Cuba’s untamed wetlands and its vibrant cities. Along the way, you’ll refine both the artistic and technical aspects of your photography while discovering the island’s true spirit through its people, places, and traditions.
Begin in the Ciénaga de Zapata wetlands, where you’ll photograph bird-rich marshes and mangroves alive with jacanas, herons, and trogons. These pristine environments challenge you to develop patience and timing as you work with wildlife and landscape photography in one of Cuba’s most unique natural settings.
Travel through rural Cuba, where everyday life unfolds with authenticity. Farmers tending the land, artisans practicing age-old crafts, and locals in small markets will give you opportunities to create environmental portraits that combine human stories with their surroundings. These encounters highlight Cuba’s cultural roots while giving you meaningful chances to connect.
The journey continues into Havana, where the streets themselves become your photographic canvas. You’ll capture portraits, candid street scenes, dancers rehearsing in studios, and the famous “almendrones”—classic American cars whose curves and colors lend timeless character to the city. Architecture, art deco facades, and revolutionary murals will enrich your compositions with layers of history and storytelling.
Throughout, you’ll photograph side by side with a Cuban photographer, gaining local perspective while sharing your own. True to the spirit of EMS Photo Adventures, our flexibility ensures that we embrace impromptu opportunities along the way, whether it’s a fleeting shadow on a pastel wall or a spontaneous interaction with locals. By the end, your portfolio will span nature, city, rural life, portraiture, dance, and street photography—capturing Cuba in all its dimensions.
Trip Includes
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9 days / 8 nights of accommodations
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Customary gratuities throughout the program
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21 out of 24 meals (3 meals on your own)
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Ground transportation
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Lodging in casas particulares (privately owned accommodations)
Note: Full itinerary and details available upon booking.
“This was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. Our leader Essdras was outstanding and was able to provide an insight into the Cuban culture that was unique and fascinating. If you take this trip, expect to be shoved out of your comfort zone, in a very good way. Easily the best group leader I’ve ever traveled with, including those from National Geographic and Smithsonian. In addition, a wonderful photography teacher.”
— Ann
SPECIAL NOTE
EMS Photo Adventures operates in full compliance with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 515).
U.S. citizens are prohibited from traveling to Cuba for tourism. However, OFAC authorizes travel under 12 specific categories of general licenses (31 C.F.R. § 515.560).
All of our Cuba programs fall under Category #8: Support for the Cuban People (§ 515.574). This means that our itineraries are carefully designed to provide a full-time schedule of meaningful interactions with the Cuban people—fostering authentic cultural exchange, supporting local communities, and encouraging independent activity apart from Cuban government entities.
By traveling with us, you can be confident that your experience in Cuba is both legal under U.S. law and deeply enriching, offering a genuine connection with the Cuban people through photography, culture, and storytelling.
Also, our participants are expected to bring donations for the Cuban people such as medicines, first aid supplies, school supplies, etc. A detailed list will be provided to you once you sign up for our programs.