Date and Time
2.30pm Monday 19th – 11.30am Saturday 24th April 2027
Duration
Five Nights
Price
£2,395
(£400 deposit, £1,995 balance to be paid by the 19th January 2027. If booking after the 19th January 2027, the full amount is payable)
Workshop Leaders
Melvin Nicholson
Chris Frost
Workshop Attendees
10
Meeting Place
Funchal Airport
Exertion Level
Easy / Medium – All locations within half a mile from the car, some much closer. Some slippery rocks near waterfalls and the odd uphill section present. A good level of fitness and mobility is required.
Tour Highlights:
Dramatic Coastlines: Capture the rugged beauty of Madeira’s cliffs and sea stacks.
Lush Forests: Explore the enchanting Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vibrant Flowers: Photograph the island’s colourful flora, including exotic orchids and hydrangeas.
Cascading Waterfalls: Witness the power of nature as water cascades down the cliffs.
Charming Villages: Discover picturesque villages with traditional architecture.
Experience Madeira's most spectacular photography locations with expert tour leaders Melvin Nicholson and Chris Frost on this exclusive island workshop. From sunrise shoots at 6,000-foot Pico do Arieiro to the mystical fog-wrapped laurel trees of ancient Fanal Forest, this tour accesses Madeira's most dramatic and photogenic landscapes.
Stunning sunrises - Capture the golden hour magic as dawn breaks over cloud-filled valleys and jagged volcanic peaks at Pico do Arieiro. Prime positioning for dawn's most dramatic lighting conditions at 6,000 feet above sea level.
An ancient mystical forest - Navigate the ethereal atmosphere of UNESCO World Heritage Fanal Forest where 500-year-old laurel trees create natural cathedrals in the mist. This otherworldly environment offers photography opportunities found nowhere else in Europe.
Dramatic coastal photography - Master coastal photography at the wild Atlantic cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço with their colourful rock formations and the towering sea stacks of Ribeira da Janela. Capture the raw power of the ocean against rugged volcanic coastlines.
Expert photography instruction - This isn't just sightseeing—it's a hands-on photography workshop. Learn advanced techniques for shooting in challenging conditions: mountain light, forest fog, and dramatic seascapes. Small group sizes ensure personalized instruction from professional photographers Melvin Nicholson and Chris Frost.
Remote location access - Access remote locations that showcase Madeira's volcanic geology, endemic flora, and ever-changing atmospheric conditions. Discover hidden viewpoints away from tourist crowds for unique compositions.
Cultural heritage - Combine technical skill development with cultural immersion as you photograph traditional levadas, terraced vineyards, and cliff-top villages. Blend natural landscapes with local architecture and storytelling.
Hands-on skills development - Return home with a portfolio of images that capture both Madeira's raw natural beauty and your enhanced photography abilities. This photography tour and workshop ensures you develop lasting technical skills in one of Europe's most photogenic destinations.
We will collect all the workshop participants from Funchal Airport.
Here is a general itinerary outlining our schedule. It is only an indication of the locations we will be visiting and the decision to alter our plans depending on the weather and light will be taken if needed.
Day 1 - Monday 19th April 2027
Your tour leaders Melvin Nicholson and Chris Frost will collect the workshop participants at Funchal Airport.
Day 2 - 5 (Tuesday 20th - Friday 23rd April 2027)
There is no fixed itinerary on this workshop as we aim to match up the best photography locations with the weather predicted.
We aim to be out on location shooting sunrises every morning, ensuring that we are in position to capture the best subjects pre-dawn. Breakfast will either be taken in the hotel after sunrise or where required, on the road in the cafe. We will be out shooting sunsets before heading back to the hotel to relax before eating in both the hotel restaurant and local restaurants.
Day 6 - Saturday 24th April 2027
A sunrise shoot before breakfast before checking out of the hotel this morning to head home
Melvin Nicholson
Melvin Nicholson is a professional landscape photographer and the founder of Landscape Locations Photo Tours, renowned for his ability to translate drama, mood, and atmosphere into compelling visual stories. Drawn to the outdoors from an early age, he has spent decades exploring coastlines, mountains, and remote wilderness regions in search of expressive light and powerful compositions. His work is defined by bold colour, meticulous detail, and a deep appreciation for the landscapes he photographs.
Based in the UK, Melvin has travelled extensively, developing deep knowledge of photographic locations across Japan, Europe, Vietnam, and Namibia. His portfolio includes the acclaimed image “Fogbow,” which earned him significant recognition for capturing a rare and ethereal natural phenomenon with striking clarity and artistry. Whether working under dramatic storm light or the hushed tones of dawn, he brings a patient, considered approach that reveals nature at its most atmospheric.
Alongside his photography, Melvin is a passionate educator and tour leader, guiding photographers of all levels through workshops and international photo tours. Through Landscape Locations Photo Tours, he combines expert location knowledge with personalised instruction, helping participants refine their technical skills and creative vision. Known for his warm, supportive teaching style, he offers unforgettable experiences that inspire photographers to grow, explore, and create meaningful images of their own.
Chris Frost
Chris discovered his passion for photography later in life, sparked during a honeymoon trip to Japan and cemented in 2012 when he first picked up a landscape camera. Drawn to the genre’s blend of beauty, drama, and creative challenge, he quickly developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and the stories it reveals through light and weather.
Living just moments from Dorset’s iconic Jurassic Coast, Chris initially focused on capturing its wild, untamed seascapes, scenes shaped by dynamic tides, shifting skies, and rugged geology. In more recent years, this love for stormy coastlines has been balanced by an equal fascination with Dorset’s quieter side: its hidden woodlands, delicate seasonal displays, and atmospheric treescapes.
Specialising in evocative images of the South West, Chris brings a unique blend of patience, technical understanding, and artistic intuition to his work. His distinctive style has earned national recognition, including winning UK Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2020 and placing runner-up in the Wildflowers category of the International Garden Photographer of the Year. Today, he shares his knowledge and passion through guiding, helping photographers of all levels capture the landscapes they’ve always dreamed of.
Our base for the workshop is the beautiful four star Hotel Enotel Golf Santo da Serra in Santo António da Serra.
This ensures that we are as close as possible to the locations that we will be photographing meaning less time spent travelling in the minibus.
You will each have your own twin en-suite room with balcony. Breakfast is included. There is no single occupancy supplement charged.
Click on the guesthouse website link below to be directed to their website.
19th-24th April 2027
Hotel Enotel Golf Santo da Serra
Our mode of transport for this workshop will be two modern, comfortable minibuses (9 seaters). This will ensure that there is plenty of space for us all including luggage, clothing, and camera equipment.
Included
Five nights accommodation (twin room with balcony, en-suite, single occupancy)
Breakfast
Dedicated 1-2-1 photography tuition from Melvin Nicholson and Chris Frost, your workshop leaders
Collection and drop off at Funchal Airport
Transport during the workshop in two modern, comfortable, nine seater minibuses
All roads fees/park entry fees
Excluded
All meals and drinks other than breakfast
Flights
Travel and camera insurance
