Sharpen your edits — and your travel plans 🇲🇦

May+June 2025 newsletter

I hope you’re enjoying the first days of summer and finding time to capture something new. You might have noticed there was no May newsletter — it’s been a busy season, and rather than rush something out, I wanted to make sure I had genuine value to share.

So what’s inside this issue?

• My Ultimate Lightroom Post-Processing Guide — The same guide I share with all Shuttermoon participants, now free for you
• Czechia Photo Tour Wrap-Up — See what we created, read guest reviews, and discover new inspiration
• Awards & Milestones — 300 TripAdvisor reviews for JPPT, plus new honors for both Shuttermoon and JPPT
• Sneak Peek: Morocco Photo Tour 2026 — Early details and a question for you
• Your Stories — Share your favorite gifts or souvenirs from photo tours!

Let’s dive in!

📂 Free Lightroom Guide: My Workflow, Tips & Presets

Whether you’re just getting started with editing or want to streamline your workflow, my Ultimate Guide to Post-processing in Adobe Lightroom Classic is now yours — completely free.

This is the exact resource I share with Shuttermoon tour participants, packed with step-by-step advice on:

• Setting up a clean, efficient folder structure for your photos
• My file renaming system (never lose track of images again!)
• How I use folders vs. collections to stay organized
• Favorite import, sharpening, and noise reduction settings
• Non-destructive editing workflow & using presets
• My go-to keyboard shortcuts for faster editing
• And more practical tips for travel & landscape photographers

Bonus: The guide also includes links to my personal Lightroom presets — so you can try the exact starting points I use for every trip.

Already have a question about post-processing, or want to see a live edit in a future newsletter? Just hit reply and let me know!

🇨🇿 Czechia Photo Tour 2025: Highlights & Guest Voices

This May brought us perfect weather, inspiring destinations, and a fantastic group of photographers exploring the best of Czechia.

Want to see the trip through my guests’ eyes?🔹 Alan’s Flickr gallery🔹 Roxanne & Larry’s travel blog

A few words from this year’s guests:

“For a photo tour, I feel the most important thing is photo guidance, and I was especially pleased with Jan’s proactive helpfulness while in the field — arguably the best among a dozen photo tours I’ve been on.”— Alan Ching, US

“Jan knew exactly where we needed to be at the best time to get amazing photographs… He expanded our photography skills and encouraged our creativity.”

— Roxanna Rickley, USA

You can find their full reviews (and more) on the Shuttermoon Testimonials page . I’ll also share some of my favorite images from the trip below.

🏆 Milestones, Reviews & Awards

I’m thrilled to share a few recent milestones and recognitions from the past months:

• 300 reviews on TripAdvisor for Johnny’s Prague Photo Tours (JPPT) — thank you to every guest who took the time to share their experience!
• Photo Tour Provider of the Year 2025 for Shuttermoon (Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards)
• Photography Tour Provider of the Year 2025 for JPPT (Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards)

These awards and kind reviews mean a lot, and they wouldn’t be possible without your support, your photos, and your feedback. Thanks for being part of this community!

🇲🇦 Sneak Peek: Morocco Photo Tour 2026 (Mid-October)

As autumn brings grey skies and chilly weather to much of Europe and North America, Morocco welcomes you with golden sunlight, pleasant warmth, and clear, star-filled nights — the perfect escape for photographers and travelers alike.

In mid-October 2026, I’m planning a special 13-day tour that brings together the best of Matkali (adventure and discovery) and Shuttermoon (photography focus).

This is a preview, not the official tour announcement or booking — I’m sharing it early so you can help shape the experience.

Who is it for?

Photographers and their non-photographing spouses or friends — so everyone enjoys the journey together, whether they’re behind the lens or soaking up the atmosphere.

Two guides for a seamless experience:

– I’ll be leading all things photography — from composition tips to blue hour and a special astrophotography session in the Sahara under the new moon.– And my amazing colleague Pavlína Koukalová (@travelwithpaja) will handle logistics and make sure non-photographers enjoy the journey too — joining us for most experiences, and suggesting occasional extra sights or local activities for anyone who prefers exploring while the photographers are waiting for the perfect light.

We’ll visit and photograph:

• Marrakesh: The beating heart of Morocco, with its labyrinthine souks, dazzling palaces, tranquil gardens, and the legendary Djemaa el-Fna square.
• Ait Ben Haddou: Step into history at this UNESCO-listed ksar, famed for its ancient mudbrick architecture and film backdrops.
• Chefchaouen: Get lost in the enchanting blue-washed streets of Morocco’s most photogenic mountain town.
• Fez: Explore the winding alleys of the medina and witness the vivid spectacle of its centuries-old leather tanneries.
• Volubilis: Walk among the remarkably preserved Roman ruins, with intricate mosaics and panoramic views over rolling hills.
• Essaouira: Experience the charm of this breezy Atlantic port — whitewashed medina walls, vibrant fishing boats, and a blend of Moroccan and Portuguese heritage.
• Sahara Desert: The grand finale — golden dunes, staged camel shoots at sunrise or sunset, and a magical night under the stars, with rare new moon conditions and mild October temperatures for once-in-a-lifetime astrophotography.

Travel & Comfort:

• Carefully selected 4-star hotels and upscale traditional Moroccan riads
• Private transportation with a local driver
• Estimated cost: €4,500–5,000 per person (final price will be set closer to official booking)

If this sounds interesting — or if you’d like to give input or be the first to hear when bookings open — just hit reply. Your feedback helps me fine-tune this unique crossover tour for both photographers and travelers!

🎁 Question for You: What’s the Best Gift You’ve Received on a Photo Tour?

I’m always looking for ways to make my tours even more memorable. Whether you’ve traveled with me or with other photography tour companies, I’d love to know:

• What’s the best gift, keepsake, or surprise you’ve received on a photo tour?
• Was there something you really appreciated — big or small — that made you feel special?
• Have you ever received something unique from another company or guide that you wish more tours offered?

Your feedback helps me add more value and create better experiences for future guests.

Just hit reply — I’m genuinely curious!

✨ Inspiration: Czech Republic in Pictures

Here are a few of my favorite moments and images from our recent Czechia Photo Tour — proof that great light, good company, and a sense of adventure always lead to memorable shots.

The first photo of the tour and the Old Town Bridge Tower was illuminated. My excitement from a change faded a couple of weeks ago on a morning tour and the lights were off as usual. Nice change, though!82 mm, f/16, 25 sec, ISO 50.

We started our visit of Prague Castle with the Golden Lane and it was a good call. We were among the first ones to enter and had it all to ourselves for some minutes!17 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec, ISO 200.

My new favorite view of Český Krumlov.25 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO 160.

Canola & windmill in South Moravia. 177 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec, ISO 640

Červená Lhota was a new addition to the photo tour.16 mm, f/11, 1/160 sec, ISO 200.

Smetana Hall from above. Last year, we could not enter this area because of an on-going exhibition, but it worked this year.Panorama stitched from 9 photos. 16 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO 3200.

Wrap up

Thanks for reading, and for being part of this community.

Wishing you a summer full of light, inspiration, and unforgettable adventures—wherever your travels (and your camera) take you!

PS: How do you like my new profile photo? Guess what, my wife Carolina took it with my iPhone 13 Pro using the 3x portrait mode.