What happens when you combine talented photography students, historic Italian landscapes, and professional portrait expertise? Pure magic! ✨ I recently had the incredible privilege of accompanying Grant L. (Class of 2026) and Nick W. (Class of 2025) from Ballard High School on their educational photography journey through Italy with their amazing teacher, Mrs. O'Neill.
The Journey Begins: Milan to Venice 🚆
Our Italian adventure began in Milan on April 11th, where we immediately immersed ourselves in the city of Verona's unique blend of modern innovation and historic architecture. The students' cameras were clicking from the moment we landed, capturing the city's distinctive style and energy.
The next day, we traveled to Venice, a photographer's paradise, where every canal, bridge, and weathered building tells a story. The students were mesmerized by the floating city, especially during our guided tour of St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal. The highlight for many was undoubtedly the traditional gondola ride, during which Grant captured some stunning reflections of the ancient buildings in the canal waters.
One of our most colorful experiences was visiting the island of Burano by water taxi. This photographer's dream location features vibrantly painted houses lining the canals - each home a different bright shade from its neighbors. According to local legends, fishermen painted their houses these bold colors so they could identify their homes from a distance, even in the thickest fog.
Tuscan Dreams: Florence & La Certosa di Pontignano 🏛️
We spent two incredible days (April 14-15) in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Our expert local guide led us through the Piazza della Signoria, across the iconic Ponte Vecchio, and to the magnificent Basilica of Santa Croce. The students were particularly moved by the Gates of Paradise, with Nick commenting on how the intricate bronze panels would influence his future film studies at UC Santa Barbara.
One of our most productive photography sessions took place at La Certosa di Pontignano, a breathtaking medieval monastery dating back to 1343, just a few kilometers from Siena. This timeless location, with its traditional Carthusian monastery architecture and the Chapel of Saint Agnes (often referred to as the "miniature Sistine Chapel" of the Siena area), provided the perfect backdrop for creating unique portraits of our talented students.
Street Art Meets Ancient History: Spoleto & Assisi 🎨
Our Journey continued to Spoleto, where we stayed at the fascinating Arca Street Art Hotel. This unique accommodation is a living art installation featuring colorful murals that cover both the exterior and interior spaces. The hotel was transformed from an old Agip Motel into a vibrant celebration of contemporary art, with each room featuring distinctive artistic elements. The students were particularly inspired by the works of local artists, such as Lucamaleonte, Ob Queberry, and Tellas, who contributed to the hotel's artistic transformation in 2015.
After exploring Assisi on April 17th, we headed south to Pompeii and Sorrento on the 18th, where the students captured haunting images of the ancient Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Island Paradise: Capri 🌊
The next day, we ferried across the Bay of Naples to the island of Capri, where we spent the day exploring. The island's timeless charm captivated everyone with its rugged limestone landscape and breathtaking sea views. The highlight was undoubtedly our boat tour of Capri's stunning coastline.
The Eternal City: Rome & Vatican City 🏛️
We concluded our journey in Rome, where we explored the smallest country in the world—Vatican City. The students were awestruck by St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's breathtaking ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. We even spotted the colorful Swiss Guard in their Renaissance-inspired uniforms, which date back to the guard's founding by Pope Julius II in 1506.
Our self-guided walking tour took us to iconic sites like the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Spanish Steps. With our expert local guide, we also explored the Colosseum and Roman Forum, where Nick and Grant captured stunning images that showcased the engineering prowess of ancient Rome.
Transformative Educational Travel 🌍
What makes these educational photography trips so special isn't just the incredible locations but watching students transform before my eyes. Grant and Nick returned home with the following:
- A professional portfolio of portraits in front of iconic landmarks 📸
- Deeper cultural understanding and global perspective 🌎
- Technical photography skills honed in diverse environments 🔍
- Confidence and independence from navigating foreign countries 💪
- Lifelong memories and friendships formed through shared experiences ❤️
As a former U.S. Navy Photojournalist who's visited 65 countries, I'm passionate about combining travel and photography to create transformative educational experiences. These journeys aren't just vacations—they're immersive experiences that challenge students to see the world and themselves through a new lens.
Join Our 2026 Educational Travel Adventures! ✈️
Our 2026 educational travel trips are now open for registration! We understand that safety is a top priority for parents, and we want to assure you that we take every precaution to ensure the well-being of our students. Visit https://www.swartzportraits.com/student-educational-travel to learn more about our safety protocols and upcoming destinations. Your student can earn college credit while building an impressive portfolio of professional portraits in iconic locations.
Interested? Complete our information request form at https://www.swartzportraits.com/form/educational-travel-information and start your student's Journey to becoming a global citizen with skills that will last a lifetime! 🌟
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