Venice Carnival 2027, Jan 31 – Feb 8
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Carnevale. Say the word and Venice answers with masks, mystery, and centuries of secrets. Since the 1100s, when commoners first hid behind masks to walk unrecognized among nobility, Carnival has transformed this city into something otherworldly — a place where identity dissolves into feathers, gilt, and shadow, and every alley seems to hide another story.
Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis, Fuji-X Photographers, invite you into that story for seven unforgettable days. This is Bobbi’s 15th and Lee’s 12th year leading this tour, and over those years they’ve built rare, personal relationships with the city’s most extraordinary costumers — the artisans and performers whose intricate, entirely handmade costumes are true works of art, each one months in the making. Through those friendships, you’ll get access most visitors never will: private shoots with the costumers, an intimate session in a gondola gliding the canals, and dawn sessions at St. Mark’s Square where flash and first light combine to conjure images that feel genuinely magical.
New this year: we’ve secured a four-room private palazzo, giving us an exquisite, exclusive setting to photograph some of the top costumers away from the crowds — soft light, rich interiors, and all the time we need to get the shot.
Two instructors. Twelve travelers, maximum. That’s the whole philosophy behind this trip. Bobbi and Lee keep the group deliberately small so that with two working photographers guiding you, you’re never far from expert eyes — whether you’re chasing the play of natural light along a canal or learning to sculpt a portrait with off-camera flash. This is personal, hands-on instruction inside an experience most photographers only dream about.
Beyond the costumes and pageantry, Venice herself waits to be discovered — her winding canals, the sweep of the Rialto, secret streets that seem to lead nowhere and everywhere at once. You’ll wander the storied halls of La Fenice opera house and the spiraling stone stairs of Scala Contarini, shooting at dawn and dusk to catch the city at her most enigmatic. A day trip carries you to Burano, where impossibly bright houses line the water and lace-making traditions run generations deep — a place so vivid it feels almost imagined.
And of course, there’s the wine, the cicchetti, the long unhurried meals in trattorias Bobbi and Lee have loved for years — because Carnevale isn’t only something you photograph. It’s something you taste, wander through, and remember.
For my own photography goals, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone of landscape/cityscapes and gain some experience with lighting and photographing people. Besides the stunning costumes, Carnevale is an ideal time to experiment with posed and environmental portraits because the costumers want to have their picture taken. Most are happy to model and pose for a simple promise of emailed photos, of which I sent to dozens after the trip.
I visited with world-class (and Boston-based) image makers, Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis, whom I first met years ago through the Boston Camera Club when Bobbi was a judge there. This was Bobbi and Lee’s eighth year at Carnevale, and I would highly recommend taking advantage of their deep experience and connections.
For all levels of photographers I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. In addition to hands on instruction to make the greatest images ever, Bobbi and Lee safely shepherd you to the best locations with the highest levels of professionalism and enthusiasm. I loved this trip so much, that I joined them year after year knowing that they would come up with even more amazing ideas and locales. They are flexible and encourage everyone, even the non photographers !! For anyone at any level of photography skills, this is the perfect opportunity to hone your portrait and lighting techniques within a very supportive and well-designed itinerary. This is the trip of a lifetime with two of the most innovative and experienced photography and expert post- processing professionals. You will come home with incredible images from a magical city during amazing Carnivale. Lee and Bobbi will ensure your safety and comfort and improve your expertise beyond your expectations.
Attending Bobbi and Lee’s Venice Carnival photo tour in 2019 was an experience well beyond my expectations. Venice itself was an all-time favorite travel destination; so rich with history, so unique, so much beautiful and boundless character. The event of carnival is almost impossible to comprehend. It’s extensive and elaborate and so incredibly festive and energetic. While Bobbi introduced our outing as “a tour, not a workshop”, she and Lee were more than generous in providing assistance and critique, and in getting the group in the right places at the right times to make some amazing photos. They absolutely know where the action is at carnival! It was so stimulating; a true feeding frenzy for photography enthusiasts. I was completely overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of unbelievable costumes at this event — it has to be experienced to be appreciated. In addition to the festivities of carnival itself, the tour provided models for private shooting opportunities complete with lessons on lighting. They took us to nearby Burano to photograph this colorful city and its people, and to Murano to tour inside an operating glass blowing facility. We enjoyed great food, went on a gondola ride in the canals — there was nothing left undone at the end of the tour. The agenda was very full and very rewarding. The photos I returned with are incredible, and I will forever be grateful to Bobbi and Lee for their part in making this such a memorable experience. I couldn’t speak more highly of them, or of this fantastic adventure. To anyone on the fence about going to carnival with Bobbi and Lee, I say jump off that fence at once and get signed up. I guarantee you’ll be happy that you did!
We really loved the Venice Carnival tour, it was one of the best we have done. We were very hesitant on coming on such a tour as we are primarily nature photographer with very little camera flash experience. Well, we soon realized that we can relax and enhance out photography with added flash on and off the camera, due to your excellent instruction and constant help. The fact that you attended the shoots with us and helped us iron out trouble and problems on the spot was fantastic, which gave us confidence and decreased our nervousness. We got some incredible photographs from the general costumers parading in the piazza. However the real jems were from the private shoots arranged by yourselves in absolutely stunning and unique venues. Your intimate knowledge of Venice, your excellent organizational ability that adapted so perfectly to solve any obstacles, your excellent relationship with so many outstanding costumers and your unique ability to get people to do exactly what is optimal in a shoot, be it casual or bespoke really added value and it is clear that this added ingredient made the tour extra special and gave us a unique experience and helped us get exceptional pictures many of which were unique to your trip. The food was also exceptional and the restaurants you recommended and took us to was perfect and delicious. The location of the chosen hotel was ideal and brilliant as it was close to where we needed to be and walking to the piazza and around it was easy and offered some great street photography opportunities. All in all a massive thank you for an amazing experience and trip I shall never forget it!!!!! Lee your dedication to do what you did with such a severe spinal problem shows just how dedicated you are this is exceptional and highly appreciated. Definitely superb value and I will definitely do more of your adventures as I had an absolute blast.
What I really appreciated was your incredible 110% commitment to us demonstrated in your willingness to accompany us and show us where the costumers were days before the official tour started despite having to get up before dawn. This is unheard off!!!! Thanks.
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Schedule
The schedule below is subject to change due to weather or the unpredictable rhythms of Carnevale itself — we’ve learned that staying flexible in Venice is how the best moments happen. There’s no guarantee any specific event occurs on a given day.
Sunday, Jan 31
11 am — Meet and greet at the hotel. A relaxed first gathering to get acquainted with your fellow travelers and start the friendships that carry through the week.
12 noon — We walk together to St. Mark’s Square as an orientation for the main locations of the Carnival
4:30 pm — We regroup at the hotel, then head to a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.
Monday, Feb 1
A morning at St. Mark’s, then a walk to the Arsenale for the grand gathering of costumers — a dazzling, chaotic parade of handmade artistry. After a leisurely afternoon and lunch, we’ll go to the Academia Bridge for a twilight shoot.
Tuesday, Feb 2
Optional dawn shoot at San Marco Plaza.
Main activity—costumers in Burano! After a short walk and a 45-minute boat ride, we spend the morning wandering its impossibly bright streets, meeting locals, and photographing scenes of the World Heritage site with costumers. We have a group lunch at one of Buranos amazing cafes
Wednesday, Feb 3
Optional dawn shoot at San Marco Plaza.
Midday, a private costumer shoot inside our four-room private palazzo — an intimate, exclusive setting to photograph some of Carnevale’s most striking handmade costumes in beautiful, quiet surroundings.
Dinner is on your own; we regroup at the hotel that evening for our first group critique — a supportive, constructive look at composition, light, and story to help sharpen your eye and strengthen your images.
Thursday, Feb 4
Optional dawn shoot at San Marco Plaza.
A big costumer gathering at San Salute Cathedral in the late morning, followed by a visit to the Circular Staircase, Bovolo Contarini
Friday, Feb 5
Optional dawn shoot at San Marco Plaza.
Early afternoon, a gondola shoot with costumers — two photographers at a time, rotating through, for two hours total. Extraordinary views of the costumers from the canal and the bridges above.
At twilight, we shoot at San Giorgio Island, across the Grand Canal, where many costumers gather Friday evenings against the church’s striking architecture.
Saturday, Feb 6
Optional dawn shoot at San Marco Plaza
Late morning, a Lightroom class at the hotel taught by Lee — demos followed by individual guidance on your own images.
Afternoon, Steampunk Costumers gathering at the Arsenale
Sunday, Feb 7
Optional dawn shoot at San Marco Plaza. Breakfast at a local café or back at the hotel.
Late morning — Final critique at the Pensione Guerrato.
In the evening, our farewell dinner — a celebration of the images, the moments, and the friendships this week has brought.
Monday Feb. 8
Travel home safely!
Limited to 12 participants, guided by two expert instructors
Questions? Email us at bobbi@bobbilane.com or varis@varis.com
This is a moderate activity level trip – expect a fair amount of walking with some stair climbing involved
What’s included:
- Private shoots with costumers in beautiful locations, including our exclusive four-room private palazzo
- Lighting instruction, both natural light and flash
- Private gondola shoot with costumers
- Dawn shoots with costumers in St. Mark’s Square
- Dusk shoot with costumers on San Giorgio
- Dusk shoot from the Accademia Bridge
- Platinum All-City Pass: fast-line admission to the Doge’s Palace, 10 Civic Museums of Venice, 16 churches, and more
- Seven-day Vaporetto (water bus) pass
- Tickets to La Fenice and Scala Contarini
- A day trip to the island of Burano
- Critiques and post-processing instruction
- Exploration of the city, with stops for coffee, Spritz, wine, and snacks
- Welcome dinner on the first Sunday and farewell dinner on the last
- Lots of fun!
What’s not included:
- Hotel: we stay at Pensione Guerrato near the Rialto Bridge, breakfast included, under $250/night, paid directly to the hotel
- Lunches, dinners, alcohol, and snacks, aside from the welcome and farewell dinners
- Airfare or transportation to and from Venice
- Transportation to and from Marco Polo Airport or the train station
- Tips or personal expenses
- Travel insurance, which you must arrange yourself
We host a group welcome and farewell dinner at restaurants we’ve chosen for great food and a range of menu options. Aside from those two evenings, meals are on your own — after years of leading this trip, we’ve found that letting each traveler choose their own dining works best given the wide range of tastes and appetites in any group.
Special Note:
We hold our meetings, critiques, and instruction sessions at Hotel Pensione Guerrato, and recommend staying there for convenience and group camaraderie — though you’re welcome to book any hotel you prefer. Contact Monica at info@hotelguerrato.com . and let her know you’re traveling with Bobbi & Lee. We suggest reaching out as soon as possible to secure a room. Please book directly with the hotel rather than through a third-party service such as Hotels.com — booking directly is the only way to preserve your ability to change plans without losing your payment.
Hotel Pensione Guerrato
Calle Drio La Scimia San Polo 240/a, 30125 Venezia
phone +39 041 5227131 –
phone/fax phone +39 041 5285927
info@hotelguerrato.com –
NON-SMOKING HOTEL – FREE WIFI
https://www.facebook.com/pensioneguerratovenezia/
Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis bring the guidance of two renowned teachers to every step of this journey. With a maximum of twelve travelers and two instructors on hand, you’ll receive genuinely individual attention — in lighting, in Lightroom, and in the critiques designed to help you find and refine your own creative voice.
We’re a small operation — really just Bobbi and Lee — which is exactly how we like it, because it lets us give each traveler truly personal attention. Because international spots are next to impossible to refill on short notice, we ask for a genuine commitment to join us, with no refunds within 90 days of departure. We strongly recommend Travel/Trip Interruption Insurance.—see various options here: Travel Insurance Companies
Once you book your place, we will provide detailed instructions for where and when to meet in Venice, what to bring, and how to prepare.
Total Cost = $3700—click button below to pay deposit
After signing up using the form, email us to start a dialog: bobbi@bobbilane.com