China Photo Workshops

To Thierry, I wanted to say, Thank you! for a great trip! It was fun, exciting, and above all great to meet and travel with you. Your photo workshop made for a fantastic first trip to China, and I’m looking forward to many more!

I have done two photography workshops with Thierry Bornier. I have participated in quite a few photography workshops, and Thierry’s have been the best out of them all. He is an outstanding photographer. His photos are a source of inspiration, and he openly and thoroughly answers any questions one has about his photos or photography in general. Thierry guided us to the most beautiful shoot locations in China, at the most ideal times of the season. He knows China better than any other photographer and speaks fluent Chinese, so he makes it easy for everyone to get around. He is extremely friendly, pays attention to everyone in the group, and is always ready to lend help or advice. I could not think of a better guide for a photography workshop in China.

I’m a street photographer. I participated in several workshops that were a mix of landscape and street photography. However, I have never enjoyed landscape photography before. Thierry is something else. His total commitment to professional photography is contagious. He taught me how patience bears fruit. By following his ways my images surprised me. He never gave me false compliments but showed me how to be better. He is both a teacher and a friend. On top of all these goodies – Thierry knows the country inside out. He brought us to the photography delightful treasures of China. He speaks Chinese, French and English and it helps him get to the right places and the right people. He also managed to assemble a unique support team. TinTin, with a beautiful personality and perfect English, took care of all the coordination tasks with flying colors. All in all, I recommend Thierry's workshops all heartedly!

To Thierry: After safely returning home, I want to thank you in writing for your great China workshop in March 2017. You are not only a brilliant photographer but at the same time a good teacher and an excellent organizer. I learned more from your workshop than from all my other photo tours together. You’re not simply offering a photo tour like most other photographers, but a real workshop. You place teaching the participants higher than taking pictures of yourself. You care about people. You work with each person to try and overcome their weaknesses. This is why I recommend your workshops to anyone who seriously wants to improve their photography and are not afraid of criticism, long days, and tiring travels.After safely returning home, I want to thank you in writing for your great China workshop in March 2017. You are not only a brilliant photographer but at the same time a good teacher and an excellent organizer. I learned more from your workshop than from all my other photo tours together. You’re not simply offering a photo tour like most other photographers, but a real workshop. You place teaching the participants higher than taking pictures of yourself. You care about people. You work with each person to try and overcome their weaknesses. This is why I recommend your workshops to anyone who seriously wants to improve their photography and are not afraid of criticism, long days, and tiring travels.

Thierry is an outstanding landscape photographer. His pictures are just amazing! He shared his rich experiences with us and was always there to help, to explain, to teach. He did everything he could to make everybody happy. We felt like we were traveling with a good friend.

Thierry’s photo workshop was amazing. We saw awesome landscapes, beautiful old cities, and learned so much about the treasures of China. Thierry is one of the best guides I have ever had. He is fantastic at teaching photography at its best. Thanks for a wonderful journey. I hope to go again with him.

I have been on three workshops with Thierry, the fourth is scheduled for 2020 and the fifth is in the planning. Thierry is a great photographer and a wonderful photography teacher, finding the best locations for photography and assisting us with the technical and artistic issues. Not less important, I found Thierry to be a real gentleman, listening very carefully to us, the customers, and both him and his assistant bent over backward to fulfill our requests very professionally. Besides, I found China to be a very safe and hospitable place to travel - much to my surprise - which contributed a lot to the success of the workshops.

Thierry is a unique workshop leader as he speaks fluent English, French and Mandarin and he has also lived in China for 10+ years! Not only does he know the country and its photographic opportunities well, but he can also provide you with insight into the people and culture in a way that other foreign leaders may not. On my trip, I was able to eat dinner with a local, highly acclaimed photographer that was part of making Xiapu famous, see his photography studio and also get a small tour of Shanghai as it's Thierry's hometown in China. Photographing in China is a unique experience because the sights are magical but also because there are so many more people in China. Thierry will always try to get you to place early for a good spot and/or have your own space but sometimes, you should know, there is no avoiding the crowds. He also has an extensive network of local sources that are plugged into the scene which is crucial to getting you to the best locations. China is changing fast, so sometimes a location, say in Xiapu, may no longer exist as it's been demolished but a newer one has developed, and Thierry will be in the know. Finally, Thierry is also accommodating of the groups wants and needs, where possible, doing everything from modifying routes for those with physical ailments, to splitting the group up if there are disparate interests, to finding someone a MacDonalds when they are really missing home. For those of you who join a tour with Thierry, I wish you the very best adventure and, as always, great light!