itinerary

Day 1

LHI staff will greet participants at the airport in Guatemala City and take them via shuttle to their hotel in Panajachel. (Participants should arrange flights to arrive by 2pm.) On the way, participants will catch their first glimpse of Guatemala and will arrive at one of the most scenic lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan, which is surrounded by multiple volcanoes. 

Participants will enjoy a nice evening at a restaurant getting to know each other and their guides. 

Day 2

Following breakfast at the hotel, participants will travel by boat to Santa Cruz la Laguna on Lake Atitlan. From there, they will go on a scenic hike to a restaurant for a delicious lunch with gorgeous views over the lake. 

In the afternoon, participants will have their second lesson, followed by time to relax at the hotel and enjoy the lake. There are options for swimming, kayaking, hiking, yoga, massages, etc.

LESSON 1: Camera Intro for Beginners

For the beginners in the group, or for anyone who wants to refresh their skills, we’ll go over basic manual settings with some fun exercises so that you feel in control of your camera throughout the journey. 

LESSON 2: Ethics of Storytelling

Dive into an interactive discussion around decolonization, anti-oppression, privilege and ally-ship.

Day 3

In the morning, the group will explore culturally rich San Juan la Laguna with its stunning weaving traditions and numerous artisan cooperatives. Cooperatives visited will include thread dying, natural medicine, bee farms, painting, and chocolate cooperatives. In the afternoon, participants will have their third lesson.

LESSON 3: Storytelling

Learn the art of crafting a compelling story in one photograph, or with a series of photographs.

Day 4

Participants will hop on a shuttle and enjoy the beautiful journey through winding mountains, cornfields, and rustic indigenous villages on the way to their home-away-from-home in Chajul. After a stop for lunch, photos, and shopping in the market town of Chichicastenango, the group will finish the journey to Chajul and attend an orientation on "Chajulense" culture.

LESSON 4: Working with Natural Light for Maximum Impact

Photography is painting with light and light can help us make our stories all the more powerful, too. Learn to master a variety of light types found all around us to create works of art.

Day 5

While in Chajul, participants will enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by LHI youth followed by a guided tour of the area as well as the chance to meet LHI’s team of change-makers. For lunch, participants will visit the home of a local family to learn how to make tortillas and to enjoy a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, participants will get a lesson on the local language of Maya Ixil.

LESSON 5: Portraiture & People

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, so it’s no wonder why people and animals bring life, emotion and interest to our images. Learn about different types of portraits and learn to make your images stand out. 

Day 6

On this day participants will visit Chajul’s colorful open-air market to meet locals, take photos, and perhaps purchase some items to take home as souvenirs. This guided tour will also include a visit to LHI’s Saber Sin Límites Community Library during story hour. Afterwards, participants will join their host family for a traditional lunch and have a chance to document local life and the surrounding community.

This day will be spent learning and playing. Participants will have the opportunity to hang out with LHI students to either play sports or board games. This will be followed by a lesson on making boxbol, the region’s traditional food. There will be many great photo opportunities as host families go through their daily chores of firewood collection, milling corn, etc.

Participants will have the option of spending the night with their host family.

LESSON 6: Landscapes & Long Exposures

Create depth, eye movement and drama with some new tools for creating landscapes, long exposures and more.

Day 7

On this day the participants will have the chance to try their hand at the fine art of back-strap weaving with a lesson in a local home. For lunch, participants will learn how to make boxbol in a family’s home, the local specialty that is unique to the region! They will also participate in graduation ceremonies for Limitless Horizons Ixil’s scholars, taking pictures of the events and festivities. 

LESSON 7: Night Photography

This optional course teaches you how to add some pop to your images taken at night or in the dark; if we are lucky with the stars and weather we may even get to try some astrophotography!

Day 8

Another day for the great outdoors as participants hike to the sacred San Andres Hill, with its sweeping views of Chajul (non-hiking option also available for those with mobility issues). This will be followed by a chance to observe and document an LHI workshop for parents as well as LHI's Artisan Program.

Discussion about the final assignment that will be due on Day 10!

LESSON 8: Making Change

How to be a good ally while working with communities on the frontlines. Learn to create effective campaigns and make change that avoids problematic narratives and stereotypes and reinforces powerful values.

Day 9

Participants will work with LHI staff to design and teach a photography workshop of their own! This will be a great opportunity to engage with LHI's local staff and to help them understand the basics of telling their own story through compelling images.

In the evening, there will be a goodbye party and a special ceremony as participants prepare to move on to their next destination. 

LESSON 9: Social Media, Websites & Presentation Skills

You now know how to craft powerful images and tell a story; what next? We will teach you how to take your Instagram, website and speaking game to the next level.

Day 10

After a traditional breakfast prepared by LHI youth, participants will say adios to Chajul and venture to Antigua. There, the group will visit the largest artisan market in Guatemala, enjoy a tour of the famous church, and have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the evening, the group will travel to Antigua for an optional salsa lesson followed by a presentation of their final assignments and a farewell dinner.

Day 11 - November 1, 2020

On this day, Guatemala celebrates All Saints Day. It is a tradition on this day to visit the cemetery to pay respect to relatives who have passed away. Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting Sampango, where participants will have the opportunity to see the day’s festivities and enjoy Guatemala’s famous kite festival. Photograph giant, colorful kites, some of which can reach 65 feet tall. In the afternoon, participants will have an optional walking tour of Antigua through the cobblestone streets of historic Antigua and view the surrounding volcanoes, during which they will learn about the rich history and culture of the city. 

Day 12

Homeward bound! Participants will have a final breakfast and then take the shuttle to the airport.