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Rio de Janeiro
October 25th - November 2nd 2025
Some cities you capture.
Rio captures you.
This is a place of bold light and even bolder life—where concrete and jungle meet, where color, rhythm, and story burst from every street corner. This photography workshop is more than a trip. It’s a celebration of movement, culture, and creative fire.
Join Gaia Expeditions and guest host Daniel Tremsky for a guided experience through the soul of Rio. We’ll chase light from mountaintops to the sea, shoot from favelas to world-famous beaches, and dive into the beauty of daily life, spontaneity, and the raw energy that defines this place.
We'll also carve time throughout the week for intimate group sessions focused on editing, creative development, pitching to brands, and building a sustainable visual career.
The trip
Even though our trips are focused on photography. everyone is welcome, regardless of photography level, age, equipment or physical condition. Non-photographers are also welcome!
In this expedition, we intend to pass on to participants all our photographic knowledge, from planning a photo to final editing, videography, tips on the market, prints, working with brands and much more. There will be 9 days of photographic experiences in different landscape and light conditions, in addition to part of our time being devoted to theory and post-editing. The group will be relatively small - between 10 and 12 people and most journeys and tours will be made in a big private van and accommodation in double or triple rooms in an Airbnb in the heart of the city.
*The itinerary can change according to weather, light and spontaneity
Itinerary
25/10- Meet the group at Rio de Janeiro.
Hello & Welcome!
Arrival and check-in at our modern Airbnb in Ipanema. We'll kick things off with a relaxed welcome dinner where we get to know each other, talk gear, goals, and what we want to create over the week ahead.
26/10 - Dois Irmãos Sunrise Hike + Ipanema Beach
We start strong—with a sunrise hike to the peak of Dois Irmãos, offering one of Rio’s most iconic views. After breakfast and some rest, we’ll head out in the late afternoon to Ipanema to capture candid street scenes, beach life, and long-lens details as golden hour unfolds.
27/10 - Rocinha Immersion
Guided tour through Rocinha, Brazil’s largest favela, where we’ll photograph vibrant street life, portraits, and textures. A true cultural experience. We may also arrange a home-cooked meal with locals. Evening edit session and group photo review.
28/10 - Helicopter flight + Creative session
Time to get airborne. A helicopter ride offers breathtaking aerial views of Rio’s mountains, favelas, and beaches. In the afternoon, we’ll hold a creative session to dive into post-processing, storytelling, and how to craft visual identity with your work.
Day 29/10 - Parque Lage + Brazilian BBQ
Morning in one of Rio’s most photogenic corners—Parque Lage, where colonial architecture meets rainforest. Slow shooting, reflections, portraits. In the evening, we’ll gather for a traditional Brazilian churrasco feast. Vegetarian options available.
Day 30/10 - Sunrise at Mirante Dona Marta + The Hidden Library
Penguins!
Early wake-up for sunrise at one of the most magical viewpoints over the city. Then we head to the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, with exclusive private access to photograph its stunning interior before the crowds arrive. Afternoon rest or café work time, followed by group portfolio reviews.
Day 31/10 - Sunset at Arpoador + Coastal strolls
Free morning to explore, edit, or just breathe. We reconvene for a coastal walk ending in sunset at Arpoador—perfect for silhouettes, seascapes, and wide shots that feel like film frames.
Day 01/11 - Paragliding Flight (Optional) + Wrap-Up
For those who want to go even higher—paragliding over Rio is an unforgettable photo opportunity. We'll use the rest of the day to reflect, share our favorite images, and have our final group dinner. Last round of feedback and celebration.
Day 02/11 - Farewell!
Slow morning. Final breakfast and heartfelt goodbyes. Rio will stay with you long after the shutter clicks.
Our Airbnb in Leblon.
Photographic equipment
We want to make it clear that there is no such thing as mandatory equipment - what you have is enough! That said, here is a list of equipment and accessories that, if you have them, will provide a better photographic experience. Remember that, on trips of this type, we can always share material and equipment so that we all have an incredible experience! Feel free to contact us beforehand to ask for help when packing/getting equipment.
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Camera (DSLR/Mirrorless);
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Lenses: Regular mid-range lenses like 24-70 are great. a 70-200mm or equivalent can give you nice compression on the mountains too!
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Tripod - indispensable for night photo shoots and still frames;
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Extra batteries;
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Memory cards;
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Cables and chargers;
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Polarizer/ND filter;
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HD or SSD for storage;
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Laptop (preferably with Lightroom and Photoshop installed);
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Drone (allowed pretty much everywhere);
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External battery;
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Comfortbale camera bag;
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Etc!
Investment
The price of the trip is USD 2990 per person. A deposit of USD 1000 is required to guarantee your spot, and the remaining balance can be paid in installments.
What's included:
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8 nights of accommodation in a modern, shared Airbnb in Ipanema
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Daily photographic guidance with Ricardo Braz and Daniel Tremsky
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Paragliding flight
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Rocinha guided photo tour
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Exclusive early access to Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
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Helicopter aerial experience over Rio
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Churrascaria group dinner
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Entry fees and local permits
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Ground transport for scheduled activities
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Daily editing, storytelling, and pitching workshops
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Gaia welcome kit
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Group photo reviews & 1-on-1 creative feedback
What is not included:
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International airline tickets or other tickets before/after the trip.
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Travel insurance
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Photographic equipment insurance
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Any extra trips, visits or activities NOT outlined in the itinerary
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Any extra nights if you're staying on after the itinerary
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Any extra food, meals or snacks NOT outlined in the itinerary
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Extra drinks & beverages NOT outlined in the itinerary
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Personal spending money & money for tips
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Visa