Overview

For lovers of pastoral landscapes, art, history, fine wine, and authentic Italian cuisine, there are few better destinations than Tuscany. October 14-24, 2026, fine art photographer Tillman Crane will host a photography workshop limited to seven participants, beginning with three nights at a superb and perfectly located boutique hotel in the city center of Florence, the capital of the Italian Renaissance.

We will set out on guided photo walks each morning and afternoon/evening to capture the incredible historic charm of the city and its inhabitants. Tillman will share his favorite locations, personalized photographic instruction (including for those choosing to go light with just an iPhone), as well as perspectives and insights on Florence and its history gained on his prior visits. It goes without saying that the culinary experience of the incredible local restaurant scene is an important aspect of any visit to Florence as well, and Tillman will share a few of his favorites with you.

We will then move on for a seven-night stay in the hilly countryside of the Chianti region at Borgo San Fedele, an 11th-century Romanesque church and monastery that was continuously active until he 1980s (most recently as a nunnery), and is the very last piece of property that the Catholic Church in Italy sold to a private buyer. Owners Nicolò and Renata left corporate jobs in Milan to pour their passion and considerable resources into renovating and upgrading the buildings and property, and transforming it into a rustic lodge with modern amenities. Located in the Chianti D.O.C. wine region right between Florence and Siena, San Fedele is surrounded by vineyards, medieval hill towns, castles, and more.

Nicolò and Renata specialize in hosting fine arts workshops, and they know all the best scenic locations, historic sites, ancient weekly markets, local winemakers, artisanal farmers who raise cashmere goats and make wool products, grow ancient grains, etc. The subject matter is endless, and particularly vibrant with the colors of autumn.

Photography excursions from Borgo San Fedele will be in our group’s private van. Nicolò and Renata themselves will be our guides and drivers. Both speak excellent English.

Though we will prioritize time spent in the field photographing, we will also allocate time for two constructive image critique sessions, as well as some time to relax, get a massage, etc.

To make your stay feel like a visit to the home of a dear friend, Borgo San Fedele is essentially all-inclusive, with an open bar policy, and snacks included. Renata makes breakfast, and a skilled chef prepares dinners. Most lunches will be enjoyed during excursions, either at our favorite restaurants, or as gourmet picnics.

As our stay at Borgo San Fedele draws to an end, our group will be transported back to Florence to catch flights home or trains to your next destination.

Note: A second Visionary Wild Heart of Tuscany workshop with Justin Black (also limited to seven guests) will operate simultaneously but largely independently to this one, in order that we can take over the entire property at Borgo San Fedele, enabling the owners and staff to focus exclusively on supporting our activities and photographic agenda. Each group will go its own way during excursions and many meals, though we will dine together for breakfasts and dinners at Borgo San Fedele. Both Justin and Tillman will provide instruction on composition, light, visual storytelling, and techniques for street photography, architecture, and landscapes. For those interested in traveling light with an iPhone as their primary camera, we recommend Tillman’s workshop, as he has become a rather knowledgeable iPhone photographer, and has taught a number of workshops on the subject. Of course, he is also a master fine art photographer specializing in platinum-palladium printmaking, having worked with large format film and medium format digital cameras over the course of his career.