Rad A. Drew Photography: Beauty and Grace November 2024!

Dancers of the National Ballet of Cuba

Beauty and Grace 2024!

November 15-21, 2024

with

Ramses Batista
&
Rad A. Drew

Ramses and I are excited to add a second Beauty and Grace Dance Workshop in Havana, Cuba on November 15-21, 2024.

Click here to email Rad

for registration instructions.

In November 2022, Ramses Batista and I led our first dance photography workshop since March of 2020 and the outbreak of the pandemic.

Despite many changes in Cuba since 2020, we were pleased to find that we were able to resume our workshops there in the fall of 2022. Since that first post-pandemic workshop, Ramses and I have returned three times to photograph dancers of the Cuban National Ballet and dancers form other disciplines.

Ramses and I created this unique photo workshop for the nearly exclusive purpose of photographing Dancers of the National Ballet of Cuba.

For several years now, we have collaborated to bring photographers and dancers together for some amazing portrait sessions.

This trip is all about photographing dancers and all things dance!

Although our primary subjects will be ballet dancers, we'll explore other forms of dance practiced in Cuba that may include Contemporary, Afro Cuban, and Flamenco!

Who we photograph depends on availability of the dancers during the time we'll be there. On our last three trips (one in 2020, one in November of 2022, and in February of 2023) we photographed 16-20 dancers in 5 days from Ballet, Contemporary, Flamenco, and Afro Cuban disciplines. While there's no guarantee we'll have the exact results each time, we will provide ample opportunity to photograph a variety of different dancers from multiple disciplines.

Participant Testimonials

Here are a few of the comments from participants on our last two Beauty and Grace workshops.

I can not say enough positives about the experience. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would have access to photograph 16 Cuban dancers. By the last day, I was giddy from the experience. It proved way beyond any expectations. Job very well done, Ramses and Rad.

— MF, Arlington, MA, 2020

Made it back alive and was totally energized by the workshop! Ramses is a Rock Star! I learned so much from him and Rad, and really everyone else there. Great camaraderie...!

–– JP, Dayton, OH, 2022

Still on a high from the workshop which was amazing in so many ways. Ramses' patience with me while I was struggling with my flash, I will never forget. I learned so much about flash photography, composition, and portraits. I have looked at my photos and love what I took!

–– YO, New York, NY, 2022

I have just started to review the photos, overwhelmed by the beauty; of the dancers, of the dance, of the place, of the situations that Ramses and Rad created and shared with all of us. It is clearly one of the highlights of my photography life.

–– WW, Dayton, OH, 2022

© Ramses Batista

Description

We'll photograph dancers in multiple locations in and around Havana including historic sites, in the streets, and in abandoned structures.

Depending on the conditions in the streets, we'll plan to make time for street photography including architecture, old cars, and portraiture in locations throughout Havana, including along the Paseo de Prado, the Malecon, the historic squares, and Old Havana.

In keeping with our Dance theme, we'll engage in activities that support the theme, photographing dancers in a wide variety of settings.

Inside the Alicia Alonzo Grand Theater

Cuba's boys and girls have an early opportunity to learn dance. Those who show promise at elementary levels matriculate to a dance school in Havana where they receive both their ballet instruction and their academic education.

If circumstances permit, we'll visit the Dance School and photograph students as they work hard at practice, and hang out in the halls as students do in any school! It's an opportunity to look inside one of Cuba's cultural institutions.

Between visits to these (and other surprise locations!), we'll photograph dancers against the gritty background that is Cuba through and through, and in locations not readily available to most visitors, thanks to our intimate familiarity with Havana.

During the week, Ramses and I will support you in making great images for your portfolio. We'll support photographers using any type of camera including traditional, infrared, and mobile. While we'll be there to support you, it's important that you have an understanding of the exposure triangle, and a working knowledge of your particular camera.

As an option, when photographing dancers, you'll have the opportunity to use remote flash equipment for fill and for both subtle and dramatic effects. We'll provide remote flashes and triggers for each participant. You'll use the equipment with your camera and Ramses and I will provide support on the use of the equipment and techniques. We'll also have plenty of opportunities for available light photography.

Lodging

Information about lodging will be provided upon registration. Whether we stay in a hotel or a Casa in Havana, we always select accommodations that are safe, clean, and comfortable.

©️Rad A. Drew

Cost

$5,995

A $1000 deposit is required to secure your spot.

The workshop fee balance of $4,995 will be due on Friday, August 16, 2024, 90 days before the first day of our workshop.

Click here to email Rad

for registration instructions.

The trip includes the following:

Ground transport to and from the airport in Havana (we’ll pick you up and drop you off)
opportunity to exchange money
All Meals; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner each day
Lodging (six nights)
Ground transportation
Fees for photographing dancers and models
Photo location fees

Not included:

airfare to/from Havana
travel visa (purchased at airport, usually about $100 depending on your airline)
gratuities
alcohol
Trip insurance (in the event you can’t travel)

Itinerary

Friday, November 15, 2024

You'll arrive in Havana and be greeted at the airport. We'll spend the rest of the day getting settled, and depending on arrival times, getting out for some street photography, and then dinner.

Saturday, November 16 – Thursday, November 21

We do not provide a specific day-to-day itinerary for the week.

We have created an overall plan for these days with anchor events. We'll make decisions based on the weather, the dancer's schedules, availability of locations, and, always, we'll have an eye out for the wonderful serendipitous events that always occur.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Depart Havana. We will coordinate your transportation to the airport for your trip home.

A Land of Shifting Sands

Ramses refers to Cuba as a land of shifting sands, and that is an apt way of describing it. In my many trips there, I've learned that it's important to go with the flow and be ready to adapt to those shifting sands, because there is almost always wonder in the unexpected.

Important

Documentation Requirements

A valid passport, and a Travel Card (aka Visa) (purchased at airline ticket counter) is required for Cuba.

U. S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

Trips to Cuba are strictly governed by the OFAC. We work to ensure that all of the appropriate documentation and OFAC requirements are met for each participant for travel to Cuba.

Please See Cancellation Policy

and Covid Protocol here.

Click here to email Rad

for registration instructions.

Ramses and Rad in Cuba

Rad A. Drew Photography

Continental Divide at Dawn

Purchase Prints

Beauty and Grace November 2024!