Document the world. Tell stories that matter.
Small-group photography workshops and a global community led by working photojournalists.
Upcoming Workshops
Small groups. Daily fieldwork. Direct critique. Iraq returns in January 2027, with Syria, Peru, and Indonesia in development.
2027 PROGRAM
IRAQ — 4–10 JANUARY
SYRIA — DATES TBA
PERU — DATES TBA
INDONESIA — DATES TBA
IRAQ PHOTO WORKSHOP
4–10 January 2027 · Baghdad to Erbil
OUR THIRD YEAR IN IRAQ
This is a working documentary workshop, not a photo tour. Seven days on the road with a small group, three mentors, and trusted local partners. You focus on the stories; we take care of the route, logistics, access, and daily review.
THE ROUTE
Baghdad — Al-Mutanabbi Street, the tea houses, and the Al-Shaheed Monument
Babylon — the ancient city and the people who live beside it
Najaf — Wadi al-Salam and the shrine of Imam Ali
Karbala — the shrines of Imam Hussein and Abbas
Mosul — the old city and its rebuilding
Erbil — the citadel and bazaar
YOUR MENTORS
Laurin Strele, Ethan Swope, and Roberto Flores. Three mentors in the field with you every day.
THE ESSENTIALS
Ten photographers maximum · Instruction in English
€4,500 per person
Includes hotels, breakfast, transport with driver, local guide, and daily reviews.
EYEWITNESS PROGRAM
Two reduced-price seats are reserved for emerging photographers, with priority for photographers from Iraq.
APPLY
Send a short introduction and a link to your portfolio to info@eyewitnesscollective.com.
About our workshops
These are working workshops, not photo tours. Most days are spent photographing real situations; evenings are for editing, critique, and planning what to do next.
Ethan Swope and Laurin Strele teach alongside the group. Between them, they have worked in more than 60 countries for publications including The New York Times, Time, National Geographic, and GEO.
The aim is practical: make stronger photographs, edit with purpose, and leave with a clearer sense of how you want to work.
How the workshops work
Fieldwork first. Days are built around finding subjects, gaining access, and following a story as it develops.
Edit every day. We review the work together, identify what is missing, and set a clear plan for the next shoot.
Direct feedback. You’ll get specific guidance on pictures, sequencing, captions, ethics, and the practical decisions behind the work.
Small groups. With no more than 10 participants, there is time to work closely with everyone.
Who it’s for
Photographers who know their camera and want to take their documentary practice seriously. You don’t need to be published, but you should be ready to work.
Contact Us
Have a question about a workshop? Tell us what you’re interested in and we’ll get back to you.
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Document the world. Tell stories that matter.
Small-group workshops, one-to-one mentoring and a global community led by working photojournalists.
- Field workshops
- Mentoring
- Community
- Competitions
- Public programmes
Built in the field.
We believe strong documentary work begins with time, access, responsibility and a clear point of view.
Eyewitness brings photographers together to work seriously: photographing real situations, editing honestly and learning how individual pictures become a coherent body of work.
There are no formulas and no shortcuts. The work grows through attention, practice and direct conversation.
Iraq 2027
Seven days of documentary fieldwork from Baghdad to Erbil, with daily assignments, close editing and sustained support from working photojournalists.
A place to make the work stronger.
Workshops
Small groups, real assignments, daily reviews and individual guidance in places that demand attention.
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Mentoring
Direct one-to-one support for portfolios, edits and documentary projects at any stage.
Explore mentoring
Community
Talks, exhibitions, field labs and shared opportunities for photographers who want to stay connected.
Meet the communityBecome an Eyewitness.
Get workshop announcements, calls for entry, portfolio reviews and new work from the collective.