Welcome to Laughing Planet Journeys - Small-Group Photography trips in Guatemala & Cuba
Purpose-driven travel for photographers and curious travelers who want real connection, culture, and story.
Led by photojournalist Sherrlyn Borkgren, these intimate journeys combine photography, cultural immersion, and meaningful local engagement in carefully chosen communities where Sherrlyn has worked over the years.

Join the Next Journey

These journeys aren’t tours. They’re invitations.

Invitations to slow down, to truly see, and to create stories born from real connection. In Cuba and Guatemala, we step into everyday life with humility and curiosity, guided not by checklists but by the rhythm of the culture and the generosity of the people who welcome us in. Your camera is a bridge, and the experience becomes a gift you carry for life.

Upcoming Workshops

Guatemala Open Now for registration
October 27 – November 4, 2026

This trip is limited in size

All Saints’ Day kite festival—photograph vast hand-crafted kites rise into the sky in a breathtaking tradition of color, memory, and community. Each one can take up to six months to build and requires teams of artisans to complete. This All Saints’ Day is filled with Mayan tradtions and food.

We also travel by boat across the waters of Lake Atitlán, visiting quiet lakeside villages where daily life unfolds against volcanoes, water, and light—offering intimate, human moments for photography. Great trip for solo travelers and women travelers

Cuba

January 2027 (Dates TBA), it will be here soon, and size is limited

A small-group journey through Havana and beyond—where daily life, music, and ocean air shape every moment.

We stay in privately owned homes, directly supporting local families, and travel with intention—bringing essential supplies and offering tangible support where it’s needed. The experience unfolds through connection: conversations in courtyards, music drifting through streets, and the rhythm of life along the coast. We’ll visit the famous Hotel Nacional, clubs where Ernest Hemingway thought out his books, artists, and so much more. If possible in January we’ll visit a Cuba tobacco farm where the famous cigar is handcrafted.

From classic cars and colonial architecture to possible visits to tobacco-growing regions, the itinerary remains flexible—allowing space for discovery, timing, and local relationships to guide us.

• Additional Journeys Coming Soon

Find the Guatemala journey information further down the page, please

Photography workshop CUBA

More about cuba

Picture yourself in Havana this February—weathered buildings with rich textures, classic cars rumbling through narrow streets, music drifting from balconies, and human stories unfolding everywhere you look. Cuba is a dream for street photography, offering raw beauty, character, and moments that feel alive.

. You’ll come home not just with meaningful images, but with stories you’ll be telling for a long time.

VISAS: We travel under the official group endorsement for education -1 CFR 515.574 — “Support for the Cuban People and Education.”

Solo travelers are encouraged to come!

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Reviews

Words of Travelers’
”I had a vacation like no vacation in Cuba before thanks to the energy, spontaneity, and creativity of Sherrlyn,
who knows how to engage everyone in thoughtful and uplifting conversation. I now have an insider's view of #Cuba thanks to her coordination of this trip, and made many Cuban friendships, such as with this champion boxer and trainer, Radame Castillo…” Gary Klein 2024 #GuatemalaTravel#photographyworkshops

“ Traveling with Sherrlyn Borkgren is a fun adventure”.

“Want to become a better visual storyteller? Join Sherrlyn's Guatemala/Cuban workshops. She'll show you things you might miss, even standing next to her.”

Bob Dotson, American Story, NBC TODAY’S SHOW, and New York Times best-selling author.

“Sherlyn is a master photographer and culturally sensitive. For anyone interested in honing their skills in storytelling in other cultures, I highly recommend her workshops. Bill Bangham, editor and writer

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Text or call during business hours for details at 541579 9929

Guatemala Easter 2026

Enjoy Palm Sunday and pre-Holy Week

Guatemala Photography Workshop Palm sunday March 2026

Click here for a sample itinerary and prices

Guatemala is a land of marvels, a realm where mysteries and wonders await your discovery. Echoing the sentiments of famed author Aldous Huxley, "Lake Atitlan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world," the breathtaking landscapes, adorned with majestic mountains and volcanic peaks, will leave you in awe.

Only on this journey will you sit with Maya healers and experience ancient Mayan rituals with smells that will linger and whisper tales of a bygone era.

These are no ordinary tours; they are immersive adventures that dive deep into local culture, extend a helping hand to the communities we visit, cultivate new friendships, and capture the very essence of Guatemala through breathtaking photographs.

You choose from climbing a volcano to opting out for an afternoon in a hammock.
Laughing Planet Journeys is an adventure meant for those who have an open and curious mindset. Flexibility is key, as we aim to provide an immersive and authentic experience of Guatemala's culture and communities. We have a structured yet spontaneous agenda because we know anyone who travels must be instinctive to once-in-a-lifetime moments.

What do you need to travel with Us?

We require a spontaneous and cooperative attitude from our travelers. You will be part of a group journey that requires teamwork and support. We are casual and evenly paced. There are almost always workarounds for slower travelers. It is a moderately paced trip and we have 3 days at an altitude of 3500 ‘ around Lake Atitlan.

More Reviews

”I felt that I was inside the culture and had this unique opportunity to be accepted as one of the people. “ Raelynn C.

”I never felt like a tourist except when I was on my own and with others in the group. I saw places, met people, and had a great time.
This is a cultural adventure and I recommend it for anyone who wants to explore and do urban photography.
“ Liz H. #Travel Photograph

2

“I went to Cuba with Sherrlyn and discovered places and people I could not have met on my own. We traveled in an old woody station wagon, and even in a carraige pulled by well-fed horses. We learned from Cuban experts and Cuban locals. We visited a boxing club and a salsa dance. It felt like traveling back in time and gave me an understanding of Cuba and its people that I had never imagined. Everyone should visit at least once and take Sherrlyn as a guide,” Ray Clarke

There were some people with professional cameras, and others had iPhones. It didn’t matter; everyone got the same attention for learning. The philosophy is that if you want to learn, “Ask”. Sherrlyn knows the culture probably better than many Guatemalans. I enjoyed canoeing across Lake Atitlan and also liked the very early morning volcano climb. The climb is hard, and it’s very early in the morning, so think twice if you aren’t a morning person or not in great shape. Had a wonderful time and I’m planning on a future CUBA trip with Sherrlyn .” #GuatemalaTravel#Cuba tours Sevenille 2024

Below: The Guatemala Kite Festival is a celebration of the Day of the Dead, also known in Guatemala as “All Saints’ Day”. It’s a happy, fun day with lots of marimba music and food.

"‘Sherrlyn is not just a tour leader; she's a passionate explorer with a remarkable talent for capturing breathtaking shots published in hundreds of magazines worldwide”. You will acquire hidden gems and a travel experience that goes beyond the ordinary. You’ll travel with Sherrlyn and enjoy friendships with local artists, herbalists, farmers, and more who look forward to meeting you.” Eric