This year, I’m adding something new to our Japan workshops—an experience I’ve wanted to explore for a long time. In July, we’ll spend six days in Kyoto during Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s oldest and most visually dynamic festivals.

Kyoto in summer feels entirely different from any other season I’ve experienced there. The air is heavy with heat, the streets stay active late into the evening, and there’s a constant sense that something is about to unfold. It’s a city in motion—layered, unpredictable, and full of small moments that reward patience and attention. That energy is what this workshop is built around.

Our time together centers on Gion Matsuri. This will be my first time experiencing it firsthand, and I want to approach it the same way I approach any meaningful photographic subject—with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to respond rather than control. We’ll work without a rigid agenda, engaging the festival as photographers—observing, anticipating, and finding structure within the chaos.

Between festival moments, we’ll explore key locations and quieter corners of Kyoto, creating space to slow down, reflect, and refine our approach. The balance between intensity and stillness is what makes this experience unique—and photographically rich.

The Gion District will be our home for seven nights and six days, from July 12–19, 2026. Limited to just five photographers, this will be a small, focused group designed for meaningful one-on-one interaction, thoughtful discussion, and a shared commitment to the work.