Beyond the Postcard: FROM BERN to VEVEY
An Insider’s View of Switzerland
With Amber Terranova & Stefan Wachs
produced by Nobechi Creative
DATES: AUG 29 - SEPT 8 , 2026
Overview
Join us for a one-of-a-kind photographic and cultural journey in Switzerland—celebrated for chocolate and cheese, and equally for its precision craftsmanship, layered histories, and breathtaking alpine landscapes. This 11-day immersive workshop features rural festivals, artisanal experiences, epic train journeys, and photographic immersion: it is led by the duo of curator/editor Amber Terranova and Swiss native photographer Stefan Wachs, and supported by photographer and Nobechi Creative workshop coordinator Fernanda De Icaza.
Travel from the cobblestone streets of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage–listed old city, through the dramatic landscapes of the Bernese Alps, and unwind on the Swiss Riviera along the northern shores of Lake Geneva. Our time together culminates at one of Europe’s most important photography events, the Images Biennale Vevey, where large-scale installations transform the town into an open-air exhibition.
Each day balances observation, photography, and reflection. Amber brings a curatorial lens to the journey, offering lectures and discussions that situate Swiss and European photography within a broader cultural and historical context. She will also speak about editing, curation, and strategies for having your work seen by photographic tastemakers worldwide. During our time in Vevey, the group will take part in a private guided photo tour and attend select events connected to the Vevey International Photography Festival.
Stefan, as both photography instructor and local guide, provides hands-on technical and creative support—from lighting demonstrations to thoughtful approaches for photographing people and communities with respect and care. Regular critiques and group discussions help participants refine their work as the journey unfolds.
And Fernanda, familiar already to most of you who have traveled to Japan with us, will provide her steady hand to facilitate the smooth running of the workshop components.
Travel itself becomes part of the experience: panoramic train rides through mountain passes, boat journeys across alpine lakes, and hikes along trails offering expansive views of the surrounding peaks.
Along the way, we experience Switzerland from the inside out: meeting artisans rooted in centuries-old crafts, attending a traditional Swiss sporting event, and taking part in an end-of-summer Alpine festival that marks the seasonal turning of the land. We’ll also encounter folkloric traditions such as Alphorn players and yodellers, offering a vivid connection to Switzerland’s living cultural heritage. Evenings include shared meals, from simple mountain fare to a memorable farm-to-table dining experience highlighting regional cuisine.
This workshop is designed for photographers who want more than surface impressions. You’ll leave with a cohesive portfolio shaped by access, cultural understanding, and time—an insider’s view of Switzerland, guided by local knowledge, thoughtful mentorship, and a shared sense of curiosity and joy in making work together, all in a small group setting.
Why Switzerland? - A Note from our Director
You may be wondering, “Why is Nobechi Creative going to Switzerland?” The answer is actually rather clear - a smaller, mountainous country known for its rich history, beautiful landscape, safety, efficiency and precision, great trains that run on time, wonderful food, unique festivals and premium travel experience. This description could apply to Switzerland, just as well as it could describe Japan.
The alluring location, coupled with the opportunity to work with Stefan and Amber, whom I have both personally known and admired since meeting them separately over a decade ago, was too good to pass up. With the access Stefan can provide in his native country, and the doors Amber can open at one of the world’s most famous photo festivals, as a photography experience, this was one that was too good to pass up.
We are truly excited to mark Switzerland as our first overseas workshop destination outside of Japan. We hope that you will join us. Hop Suisse! - George Nobechi, Director, Nobechi Creative.
Destination images
Itinerary
Aug 29 – Sept 2 · Bern (optional early arrival in Switzerland will be made available to those who register)
The workshop opens in Bern with introductions, portfolio sharing, and an opening dinner. Over three days, participants attend lectures and critiques and photograph daily life in the historic old town, along the Aare River, and at key local sites. Highlights include documenting a traditional Swiss wrestling tournament and a visit to the Emmental region for a cheesemaking experience and environmental portrait demonstration.
Sept 2 – Sept 4 · Interlaken
Traveling onward, the group explores lakes and mountain landscapes around Interlaken, including a boat journey on Lake Brienz and time photographing waterfalls and alpine scenery. A guided mountain hike offers access to panoramic trails via historic mountain railways.
Septr 4 – Sept 6 · Gstaad
After traveling on the Golden Pass panoramic train, participants focus on alpine culture in and around Gstaad. The stay includes lectures, critiques, and a full day photographing a traditional cow festival and related folkloric events.
Sept 6 – Sept 8 · Vevey
The workshop concludes in Vevey with visits to Photo Elysée and the opening days of the Vevey International Photography Festival, including a private guided experience. The final day features a group slideshow and closing discussion, with the option to remain for additional festival programming.
GROUP SIZE
This workshop is limited to 6~8 participants.
meet The Faculty/Staff
STEFAN WACHS
Born and raised in Switzerland, Stefan has always held a deep curiosity for cultural, political, and social issues that shape our world. After earning a Master's degree in International Relations, he began his career working with various NGOs and the United Nations, gaining insights into global affairs. In 2005, Stefan transitioned to the American Southwest, where he embraced photography as a powerful medium for storytelling. Over the years, he has produced and facilitated numerous photography workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, through the Santa Fe Photo Workshops and National Geographic. Committed to empowering others, he has also taught photography workshops for refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, helping them amplify their stories, as well as conducting a photo workshop in Benin, Africa, supported by friends and colleagues in government and cultural sectors.
Simultaneously, Stefan has cultivated a diverse portfolio as a freelance editorial and documentary photographer, contributing to a wide range of regional and national publications. During this time he also worked closely with many fine art photographers, notably Kurt Markus, Debbie Fleming Caffery and Sam Abell, among others.
AMBER TERRANOVA
Amber Terranova is an experienced photo director, educator and visual producer based between New York and New Mexico. She has worked as the Education Director for Magnum Photos and held faculty positions at The School of Visual Arts and the International Center of Photography.
Amber has extensive marketing, photo directing, commissioning and consultancy experience for multiple major brands and publications around the world. She has worked as a photo editor at New York, Outside, Photo District News, The New Yorker and People. In 2013 Amber was the interim Director at the Bilder Nordic School of Photography in Oslo, Norway. Amber is committed to photography education and to helping photographers realize their creative and career potential. She has taught photography workshops in the US, Europe, Asia and has been a guest lecturer at several institutions. In addition, she continues to judge a number of international photo competitions and serves as a nominator for many photography awards. Amber is an advisory council board member for CENTER, a non-profit that honors, supports, and provides opportunities to gifted and committed photographers.
FERNANDA DE ICAZA (NOBECHI CREATIVE)
She obtained her degree in Photography from Escuela Activa de Fotografía in 2013. Born and raised in Mexico City, she grew up feeling overwhelmed by her surroundings and found in photographic praxis a way to process reality. Introspection and exploration of the human mind are the main components of her work.
In 2015 she traveled to Japan and became a student in a small Buddhist temple. Zen practice served as research to help start her ongoing project “月心 (Gesshin)”. During her time in Japan she met George Nobechi during a workshop with Magnum photographer Newsha Tavakolian and she’s been working with Nobechi Creative for the past six years.
Fernanda is our senior workshop coordinator, her experience with our workshops in Japan and steady presence will help facilitate a smooth class.
Curious about the workshop?
Join us for a free, informal Q&A with Amber Terranova and Stefan Wachs.
This session is a chance to learn more about Beyond the Postcard: From Bern to Vevey, hear directly from Amber and Stefan about their approach, and ask any questions about the experience, locations, or expectations for the workshop.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
5:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET
Zoom Meeting ID: 897 2130 4112
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89721304112
Tuition and Enrollment (all prices in USD)
Earlybird savings apply for signups until February 28, 2026
$9,650 per person, dbl occ. (for bank wire payments; for credit card payments add $350)
From February 28, 2026 standard rates apply
$9,950 per person, dbl occ. (for bank wire payments; for credit card payments add $350)
Single supplement: $1,700
Note - Please note that Switzerland, like Japan chooses to base hotel pricing on double occupancy - this means that single supplements reflect single usage of rooms and are higher than in many other countries.
Payment schedule
Deposit
Earlybird registrants ( register by Feb 28, 2026) $2,200 deposit
Standard registrants (register after Feb 28,2026) $2,500 deposit
Deposits may be paid by credit card with no $350 fee added if balance of payments is made by bank wire
2nd payment
When the workshop enrollment reaches the minimum of six, 50% of your balance will be due - information packages and further details for the workshop will be sent to you at that point.
Final payment
30 days before the workshop begins, the remaining balance will be due.
What’s included
All accommodations
Trains, buses, and when necessary, taxis
Breakfast every morning
Selected dinners
Admissions on group excursions
Bilingual support
Detailed Info Pack on travel to Switzerland
Instruction from Stefan and Amber in photography, Swiss culture and history
Fernanda’s workshop coordination
Nobechi Creative’s production including information packages, itineraries, etc.
What’s not included
International Travel
Extra hotel nights
Travel/Trip Insurance (Required unless additional waivers are signed acknowledging the risks of not having travel insurance)
Alcohol (except at designated events such as the welcome and farewell dinners)
Lunches
Admissions to venues you visit on your own on free days
Snacks, extra meals not listed on the itinerary, lunches and dinners on your free days
Please do not book non-refundable international travel before we inform you that the trip is a GO!
2026 CANCELLATION POLICY
Up to 120 days before the trip: 50% of the deposit (the deposit may be transferred in full to another workshop up to 120 days before trip)
119~90 days prior to the trip: 100% of the deposit
89~60 days prior to the trip: 50% fee
59~0 days prior to the trip 100% fee