An internationally acclaimed fine art photographer known for her surreal images that explore themes such as identity, emotion, and femininity. She uses photo manipulation with exceptional technique and profound concepts. Her work has been exhibited at the Louvre and in galleries across Europe and the US, and in 2014 she became the face of Adobe Photoshop. She has received numerous awards, was included in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list, and was the first recipient of the title “Hasselblad Heroine”
What is Photovacation?
Days for Creativity, Sea and Freedom
Photovacation is the break you deserve. 9 days at sea, where you escape the hectic rhythm of everyday life and enter a completely different world – a world of photography, inspiration, and self-discovery.
Lectures by inspiring authors from different parts of the world, creative workshops, daily creative challenges and competitions, impromptu exhibitions – everything is designed to inspire, expand your photographic horizons, and challenge you to look deeper and express more of yourself.
All of this goes with the beach, sunrises, sunsets, long conversations, new friendships, and timelessness.
Photovacation is that special time of year to indulge in your love of photography.
Photovacation 2025 is possible thanks to the support of
General Sponsor
For nearly 20 years, Photosynthesis has been a place for photography, people, and ideas. We are delighted that this year they have chosen to be the general sponsor of Photovacation. This is a logical continuation of our long-standing partnership, in which together we offer interesting creative inspiration and challenges to Photo Vacation participants.
This year, Photosynthesis will be present with a professionally equipped photography studio featuring the latest solutions from Godox, a booth, and a special evening where we will look at photography that is sincere and true.
If you need anything related to photography:
Golden Partner
A LITTLE HISTORY
The Year It All Started
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The idea for Photovacation originated in the early 1980s during the time of socialist Bulgaria.
The times were such that there was no freedom for creativity. If a person wanted to convey a serious message through their photography, they had to comply with the requirements of the Central Committee, which determined what could and could not be shown in photography.
Because of these creative restrictions, the “Photographers’ Club” at “Bulgarian Photography” decided to create an event that would give more freedom to photographers. The event had to be far from the “eyes” of the Central Committee, far from Sofia.
“…and what did we do? We invited all the photographers. We invited them to the sea.”
– Igor Chipev, member of the team that organized the Photo Vacation during this period –
This is how a Photovacation was born.
The first edition was scheduled for September 1982. The event was canceled a week before the scheduled date due to the military exercise “Shield”.
However, on September 3, 1983, the first “Photovacation” was launched at the “Oasis” campsite – the free field for the expression of Bulgarian photographers.
1983 - 1989
The Old Photovacations
Photovacation quickly became a favorite event that brought together almost all active photographers in Bulgaria. It became a place for freedom, experimentation and free exchange between photographers. Over the years, it became an international forum that attracted participants from abroad.
“In those years Photovacation was hugely successful because it was a breath of freedom by the sea — creative meetings, exhibitions on clotheslines, encounters with photographers from other parts of Bulgaria…”
In 1989, the last of the old Photovacations was held.
Film from Photo Vacation 1984
1995 - a new beginning for Photovacation
Instead of being forgotten, over the years, nostalgia for Photovacation grows. Bulgarian photographic life missed those few “breaths of freedom.”
In 1995 Photovacation was revived by Mr. Yuriy Treyman, president of Fomus Ltd., official distributor of Kodak in Bulgaria.
What remained was the name Photovacation, the format, and the logo with the horse. They were patented in 1995 by Yuri Treiman and Zvezda Spasova, who for many years was the creative driving force behind the new Photo Vacations.
For many years, Photovacation has been the largest photography event in Bulgaria. In the times when the Internet had not entered our daily lives, it was also the main occasion, every year, for photographers to gather and communicate with each other. In its strongest years, Photovacation brings together over 2000 people.
Consecutive editions
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Contests held
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Exhibitions shown
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Events organized
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Maximum number of participants
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Days at the beach
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Sunrises greeted
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New friendships forged
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Recent years
After 2008, the global financial crisis and the steady penetration of digital cameras changed the world of photography forever.
Photovacation is also changing. From a marketing event funded by some of the largest companies in the world, it must find its new path. Zvezda Spasova, the creative engine of the event, is leaving this world. Yuriy Treyman continues to support the event despite the difficulties.
In 2011, Emanuil Treyman (son of Yuriy) joined the organization of the event and took it in new directions.
Over the years, Photovacation has given birth to thousands of photographs and has become a place for adventures, inspirations and new friendships for thousands of people who love photography.
The event continues to respond to the need for freedom and creativity with which it was born back in 1982.
In 2024, we celebrated the 30th consecutive edition of Photovacation.
It is impossible to gather here even a small fraction of what Photovacation has brought over the years. We are trying to gather as much as possible in the PHOTOVACATION STORIES section.
In 2025, we invite you to the first of the new 30 Photo Vacations 😉
PHOTOVACATION 2025
Lectures, meetings and discussions
Creative workshops
Engaging photo sessions
Contests and photographic challenges
AT PHOTOVACATION YOU WILL MEET
Belgian documentary photographer and photojournalist dedicated to the study of social groups and major historical changes such as the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Since 1994, he has been a full member of the legendary Magnum Photos agency, and his characteristic style – a focus on the “foreign” and aesthetic lighting – ranks him among the leading names in contemporary photography.
Psychologist, teacher and researcher in the field of photography and personal development. Co-author and director of ANDANAfoto – a project that explores the relationship between image, psychology and creativity.
He is the author of the books “Photography for Growth”, “Discover Photography”, “You Are What You See” and “Photography for Knowledge. Origins.”
Professional photographer and graphic designer with over 20 years of experience in visual communication, creativity and education.
Co-founder of ANDANA – Photography and Personal Development, where he uses photography as a tool for personal growth and social transformation, creating projects that transcend the image and stimulate change.
A Bulgarian photographer whose work combines a documentary approach with a conceptual vision. His artistic focus centers on themes such as cultural identity, social environment, and personal transformation, presented through a visual narrative with deep emotional and philosophical value.
He works on long-term projects, distinguished by meticulous attention to detail and the ability to capture the invisible within reality. Recipient of international grants and participant in numerous exhibitions.
As a co-founder of the photography academy BECA, Dimitri plays an active role in shaping and developing the contemporary photography scene in Bulgaria, bringing together young authors into a dynamic and meaningful community.
A German photographer who began photographing conflicts as a teenager and later lived in different countries, studying languages and cultures. He gained fame for projects in the Caucasus, Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as for the books Taliban and MASH IRAQ*.
He explores themes such as war, memory and digital culture, and over the years has created unconventional photo books, including a guidebook for refugees. He has been a member of the Magnum agency since 2004 and its president between 2017 and 2020.
Serbian photographer, visual artist, director, and educator, born in Belgrade in 1989.
He graduated in photography and digital arts, and his creative journey has evolved from fashion photography to portraiture and the exploration of the human subconscious.
He has held 13 solo exhibitions in Belgrade, Paris, and other European cities, published a photobook, and creates content in the fields of video, advertising, and visual storytelling.
He is the first Serbian ambassador for Sony Imaging and the founder of the studios NOIR Multimedia and MONOHROM.
In the academic field, he became an associate professor at the age of 30, and his work skillfully combines commercial content with depth and artistic expression.
Born and raised in New York’s Chinatown. Since 1996, he has worked as a photojournalist in China, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Central Asia, Ukraine, and the United States. He contributes to publications such as The New York Times, Business Insider, and Foreign Policy. He teaches photojournalism at The New School and Columbia University. His work is part of the collections of MoMA and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and has been exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York.
He was nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize by The New York Times for his coverage of the conflict in Kosovo.
Expect information soon about the other exceptional speakers you will meet at Photovacation 2025
WORKSHOPS
PROGRAMME
The program published below is not final. For now, it reflects only the evening talks and the announced workshops. Changes are possible, and there will certainly be quite a few additions, such as specifying some of the evening topics, adding a few more workshops, the competition program, and many more surprises.
In any case, we guarantee it will be worth it 🙂
September 6, Saturday
After 2:00 PM, Photovacation Hall
Check-in and registration
8:31 p.m., big stage
Opening a Photovacation
Sunday, September 7
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Photo Vacation hall
Check-in and registration
8:31 p.m., big stage
“Frame by Frame: The Architecture of Visual Narrative” – a conversation with Carl De Keyzer
September 08, Monday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Photo Vacation hall
Check-in and registration
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, hall above the reception at Forest Beach Hotel
“Building a story”* – a workshop for photography projects with Carl De Keyzer
*requires additional registration
Evening of:
8:31 p.m., big stage
- “Photography as a Path to Self-Discovery” – a conversation with Amparo Muñoz Morella and Javier Sancho Boils
- A conversation with Dimitri Stefanov
September 09, Tuesday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Photo Vacation hall
Check-in and registration
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, hall above the reception at Forest Beach Hotel
“Photography and Mindfulness”* – Pause 1 – a workshop-experience with Amparo Muñoz Morella
*requires additional registration
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, hall above the reception at Forest Beach Hotel
“Creating Visual Naratives”** – Day 1 – Workshop with Thomas Dworzak, Alan Chin and Iva Sidash
**requires additional registration
8:31 p.m., big stage
“Paraphernalia** of News Coverage” – conversation with Thomas Dworzak
**Paraphernalia refers to a group or collection of items, tools, or equipment used for a particular activity or purpose.
September 10, Wednesday
09:00 AM – 7:00 PM
“Creating Visual naratives** – Day 2 – workshop with Thomas Dworzak, Iva Sidash and Alan Chin
**requires additional registration
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Photo Vacation hall
Check-in and registration
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, hall above the reception at Forest Beach Hotel
“Photography and Mindfulness”* – Pause 2 – a workshop-experience with Amparo Muñoz Morella
*requires additional registration
Evening of:
8:31 p.m., big stage
Conversation with Nemanja Maraš
**Paraphernalia refers to a group or collection of items, tools, or equipment used for a particular activity or purpose.
September 11, Thursday
09:00 AM – 7:00 PM
“Creating Visual Naratives** – Day 3 – workshop with Thomas Dworzak, Iva Sidash and Alan Chin
**requires additional registration
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Photo Vacation hall
Check-in and registration
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, hall above the reception at Forest Beach Hotel
“Photography and Mindfulness”* – Pause 3 – a workshop-experience with Amparo Muñoz Morella
*requires additional registration
8:31 p.m., big stage
Conversation with Flora Borsi
=
September 12, Friday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Photo Vacation hall
Check-in and registration
02:00 PM – 07:00 PM., Hall above the reception of Forest Beach Hotel
“Creating Visual Naratives”** – Day 4-workshop with Thomas Dworzak, Iva Sidash and Alan Chin
**requires additional registration
8:31 PM., big stage
Conversation with Iva Sidash
September 12, Saturday
10:00 AM – 04:00 PM, Hall above the reception of Forest Beach Hotel
“Beyond the image “*- photography workshop with Flora Borsi
*requires additional registration
8:31 p.m., big stage
Final evening, award ceremony and final exhibition
Leaving home
September 14, Sunday
TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Photovacation 2025 takes place from September 6th to 14th
at Forest Beach Natural Holiday Resort, Primorsko (former IYC)
Photovacation with accommodation – We offer 2 accommodation options on an All Inclusive basis: Forest Beach Hotel 4* and Ropotamo Villas 3*
The packages include accommodation + participation in all events of Photo vacation*
Photovacation without accommodation – For those of you who just want to get involved in the events during the Photovacation.
See full terms and conditions below
Photovacation at Hotel Forest Beach 4★, All Inclusive
HALF PHOTOVACATION
HALF THE FUN
540
лв.
-
4 nights
(price is for one person, when staying in a double or triple room)
Price for single accommodation: 660 BGN. -
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed on the beach) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
FULL PHOTOVACATION
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
1080
лв.
-
8 nights - September 6-14
(price is for one person, when staying in a double or triple room)
Price for single occupancy: 1320 BGN. -
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed on the beach) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
PHOTOVACATION À LA CARTE
PRICE PER NIGHT
135
лв.
-
1 night
(price is for one person, when staying in a double or triple room)
Price for single occupancy: 165 BGN. -
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed on the beach) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
Children under 2 years old stay for free
Children from 2 years old to 11.99 years old pay 28.00lv per day
All prices include:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, snack between lunch and
dinner. From 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – tea, coffee, soft drinks, Bulgarian alcoholic and
non-alcoholic drinks.
FREE umbrellas and sun loungers on the beach at the hotel’s designated beach area /Forest Beach 4*/ (while supplies last)
Swimming pools – guarded by a lifeguard from 08:00 to 18:00, 2 next to the main restaurant, with separate children’s sections and free sun loungers and umbrellas while supplies last.
Additional free services:
Parking, Wi-Fi access and wired internet in each studio/double room/apartment, safe,
baby cot, table tennis, badminton, chess, backgammon, playground, kids club,
outdoor fitness, multifunctional sports field with soft surface for football,
volleyball, basketball, sun loungers and umbrellas at the pool and beach.
Photovacation at Ropotamo Villas 3★, All Inclusive
HALF PHOTOVACATION
HALF THE FUN
425
лв.
-
4 nights
-
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
FULL PHOTOVACATION
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
850
лв.
-
8 nights - September 6-14
-
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
PHOTOVACATION À LA CARTE
PRICE PER NIGHT
110
лв.
-
1 night
-
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
The bungalows do not offer self-catering accommodation.
Children under 2 years old stay for free
Children from 2 years old to 11.99 years old pay 28.00lv per day
All prices include:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, snacks between lunch and
dinner. From 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. – tea, coffee, soft drinks, Bulgarian alcoholic and
non-alcoholic drinks. We attach the description of the All inclusive program.
Beach and pools – free umbrellas and sun loungers at the pool
The beach is guarded by a lifeguard from 08:00 to 18:00.
UMBRELLAS AND SUN BEDS ON THE BEACH ARE PAID EXTRA – 21.00 BGN PER SET / 1 umbrella + 2 sun loungers.
Wi-Fi access, table tennis, badminton, chess, backgammon, playground, baby cot, sun loungers by the pools, outdoor gym, multifunctional sports ground.
Additional free services:
Parking, Wi-Fi access and wired internet in each studio/double room/apartment, safe,
baby cot, table tennis, badminton, chess, backgammon, playground, kids club,
outdoor fitness, multifunctional sports field with soft surface for football,
volleyball, basketball, sun loungers and umbrellas at the pool and beach.
Photovacation without accommodation
FULL PHOTOVACATION
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
300
лв.
-
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
PHOTOVACATION À LA CARTE
PRICE PER DAY
50
лв.
-
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation program for 24 hours*
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
Photovacation for schoolchildren and students
FULL PHOTOVACATION
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
750
лв.
-
8 nights - September 6-14 Ropotamo Villas 3*
(price is for one person, when staying in a double or triple room) -
All Inclusive
(includes food, drinks, parking, pool and sunbed) -
All events and competitions in the Photo Vacation programme*
-
Possibility of bus transport from Sofia to the hotel and back - + 100 BGN.
REGISTER
*The price does not include additional workshops, which have a limited number of participants.
The special offer for pupils and students is valid only for the entire Photo Vacation at Ropotoamo Villas, when staying in a double, triple or quadruple room. For other types of accommodation, standard prices are charged.
There is an organized bus for Photovacation, which will depart from Sofia on the 6th and return on September 14th. It is not included in the price and costs 100 BGN additionally.
The price includes:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, snack between lunch and dinner. From 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. – tea, coffee, soft drinks, Bulgarian alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. We attach the description of the All inclusive program.
Beach and pools – free umbrellas and sun loungers at the pool
The beach is guarded by a lifeguard from 08:00 to 18:00.
UMBRELLAS AND SUN BEDS ON THE BEACH ARE PAID EXTRA – 21.00 BGN PER SET / 1 umbrella + 2 sun loungers.
Wi-Fi access, table tennis, badminton, chess, backgammon, playground, baby cot, sun loungers by the pools, outdoor gym, multifunctional sports ground.
Additional free services:
Parking, Wi-Fi access and wired internet in each studio/double room/apartment, safe,
baby cot, table tennis, badminton, chess, backgammon, playground, kids club,
outdoor fitness, multifunctional sports field with soft surface for football,
volleyball, basketball, sun loungers and umbrellas at the pool and beach.