Philippines Photo Tour

10 days on 3 tropical islands; Bohol, Siquijor & Negros. This will be the trip of a lifetime. Let me show you a side to the Philippines that is both beautiful and true.

This is where I was born and raised. Our very personal encounters with the locals will keep you coming back to this wonderful country. Focus on street portraits and landscapes. 

Smartphone Photographers Welcome!

Dates: Feb 1-10, 2025

4 Min - 6 Max led by Alfonso Calero -  fluent in Tagalog, pro photographer, tutor and guide (Date Requests Accepted)

Experience Level: Intermediate - Advanced

Pricing:

AUD$ 6500 (Twin Share)

AUD$ 7500 (Single room)

Payment by Bank Transfer

Price includes:

• All ground transport

• All domestic flights

• All 3 Star Accommodation

• All Tuition (6 hours per day), translating, photography and tour-guiding

NOT included:

• International flights and Hotel Transfers

• All Meals

• Travel Insurance

• Tips

• Entrance Fees

• Optional Tours

Itinerary

Day 1 - Old Manila Photo Walk will take us through the heritage listed area of Intramuros. A Spanish walled city that has been preserved to bring history to life.

The San Agustin Church and surrounding buildings are exquisite examples of Spanish Colonial Architecture. After lunch by Manila Bay with seafood banquet we will stroll down Manila Boulevard and Luneta Park to mingle with locals for some street portraits. 

Day 2 - Flight from Manila to Bohol to arrive at Panglao Island which is a very cozy and relaxing place. We will go a nearby beach to capture a sunset.

Nearby we will visit the coconut tree lined beaches for a magic sunset. Philippine sunsets are always blood red and filled with a vast array of orange tones. 

Day 3 - Bohol - Island Exploration includes visiting the villages and the city of Tagbiliran for some unique street portraits. Environmental Portraits give us an opportunity to make new friends and hear their stories.

The camera is a great excuse to interact with locals. I will teach you different ways to capture a series of shots that have a narrative. Together we will examine travel photography with a photo-journalistic approach.

Day 4 - Bohol - Chocolate Hills & Tarsier are the highlight of this trip with the chance to photograph a primate near extension.

The hills have been known as Chocolate because of their resemblance to Hershey's Kisses Chocolate. 

The tarsier’s small brain has an enormous visual cortex to process information from the large goggling eyes, the animal’s most striking feature.

Day 5 - Siquijor Island is a about a 2 hour ferry ride from Tagbilaran in Bohol. Siquijor is known as the island of faith healers. Aside from picture perfect beaches, the island offers a swamps and waterfalls.

What makes this island unique is there is no loud music playing at nightclubs, no airport and no shopping malls. This all equates to a more serene and pristine environment.

Day 5 - Bohol Island Sunrise swimming with Whale Sharks in Lila. After a morning rest and lunch we will explore some local areas for street portraits and an afternoon sunset by the ocean.

Sunrise or sunset at most beaches have many outrigger fishing boats like these (Bangka).

Day 6 - Siquijor Island has rustic seascapes and rolling green hills. Agri-tourism work well in these parts. At sunset you can ask a farmer to pose with his water buffalo.

At dawn you can find a fisherman casting his net. The island is full of authentic unplanned surprises. Interested in a swim with Baracudas?

Day 7 - Siquijor Island - We will spend the day exploring the whole island starting with a sunrise by the ocean and ending with a sunrise by the beach with a drink in hand and tripod at your feet. During the day there are various waterfalls, mangrove swamps and delicious lunch stops to have a slow and relaxing day.

Day 8 - Negros Island is an hour boat ride. Once on the island we will explore Wuthering Heights B&B is a short 30 minute drive from Dumaguete port.

Nearby hidden beaches and clifftops views make for the perfect place to relax and enjoy the calm and simple seascapes.

Day 9 - Flight to Manila & afternoon shoot of Makati skyline. Manila's Mayhem is best seen from above with a cold drink and a sunset.

The financial district of Makati is the perfect spot to photograph a night shot of skyscrapers and Manila Bay in the distance.

Day 10 - Morning Shoot at Malibay slum. Working closely with a local primary school we will photograph the people in these slums.

The photos along with a small donation to the charity/school will be used for their marketing. In the style of Humans of New York we will photograph Humans of Malibay to tell the positive stories of how this school has changed their lives for the better.

We will make a small donation and then visit the children’s parents who live nearby. It will be a great insight on how the locals live. Aside from our small donation which will go a long way, we also take photos of the families and give them photos.

It's a great way to give back to the community without exploiting them for photographs. With the help of local staff we will be securely guided and told the stories of the locals and how they have been able to benefit from the school’s help.

What to Bring: Photographic & General Gear

• DSLR camera

• Wide angle lens

• Tripod

• Dependable Portable External Drive

• Laptop or Tablet and power supply

• Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop

• Up to 20 kg luggage and appropriate clothing

• Moderate Level of Fitness is required with around 10,000 steps a day (2hrs)

Tour highlights:

• Photographing Unique Seascapes

• Visiting the famous Chocolate Hills

• Staying in traditional accommodation

• Seeing and photographing the Tarsier

• Going to a very remote island group

• Sample the beauty of Filipino Cuisine

• Discovering why the Philippines is a paradise.

We will learn:

• Street Portraits

• Landscape Photography

• Architectural Photography

• Night Photography

• Advanced Editing Techniques (i.e. Focus Stacking, Bracketing, Composite, Luminosity Masking, H.D.R. & Panorama Stitch)

• Nature & Wildlife Photography      

Deposit and Cancellation Policy (per person)

• A deposit of 25% per person is required to secure booking

• Via Bank Transfer

• Cancellation More than 4 months before a trip: 100% refund of deposit.

• Cancellation Between 4 months and 30 days: 50% refund

• Cancellation Less than 30 days: 0% refund

• Final payment is due 4 months before the workshop/trip starts.

Philippines Gallery