Lens on Mongolia: Photography, Culture, and Language
7 Days ◦ 5 Instructors and Support Staff
No Prior Experience Required, All Instruction Will Be in English
Dates: July 19-July 25, 2026
Tuition and Fees: $2,500 (Fellowships Available)
Deadlines
Priority Fellowship Consideration: February 20, 2026 (know by March 20, 2026)
Fellowship Waitlist: March 20, 2026 (know by April 17, 2026)
Final Deadline (Self-Funded): April 17, 2026 (know by April 24, 2026)
Attend our info session! ACMS will host an informational webinar about the 2026 Mongolia Field Schools on Thursday, December 18 at 7:30pm EST. Register now to learn more about the courses, meet the instructors, and ask questions before you apply!
Embark on a seven-day immersive journey through Mongolia, where every moment becomes a story waiting to be captured. From the bustling streets of Ulaanbaatar to the sweeping steppes of Hustai and Khugnu-Tarna National Parks, this course blends wildlife photography, cultural exploration, and hands-on language learning. Photograph the rare Przewalski’s horse, elusive gray wolves, and graceful argali sheep in their natural habitats. Capture the vibrant energy of Naadam festivals, nomadic herder life, and centuries-old monasteries, all while learning to frame compelling stories with your camera. Gain practical Mongolian language skills through authentic interactions, enriching your connection to the people, landscapes, and traditions you photograph.
Course Overview
As part of a seven-day course exploring photography, culture, and language in Mongolia, this module focuses on the art of visual storytelling. We will begin in Ulaanbaatar, practicing street photography while capturing the vibrant pace of the capital and its everyday life. From there, we will venture into Hustai National Park where the vast steppe, wild horses, and dramatic skies create the perfect setting for wildlife photography.
Throughout this seven-day journey, participants will be fully immersed in Mongolia’s vibrant cultural heritage and everyday life. From exploring Ulaanbaatar’s museums and tasting traditional cuisine to witnessing the spiritual tranquility of Gandan Monastery, every experience offers a window into the nation’s soul. You’ll live alongside nomadic herder families, take part in local festivals. Through hands-on encounters such as traditional clothing making, camel riding across the dunes, and engaging with local artisans and monks, participants will gain a profound appreciation for Mongolia’s rich traditions, timeless landscapes, and the enduring spirit of its people.
Throughout the course, participants will be introduced to the basics of the Mongolian language, gaining practical skills to communicate and connect with local people. Beginning with simple greetings and expressions during the orientation in Ulaanbaatar, learners will continue to practice conversational Mongolian in real-life settings—whether speaking with monks at Gandan Monastery, chatting with nomadic herder families, or interacting with locals at festivals. This hands-on approach transforms language learning into a bridge of genuine cultural exchange, enriching participants’ understanding of Mongolia’s traditions and daily life while deepening their sense of connection to the people and places they photograph.
This course is designed for all skill levels. Whether you are a teacher with a cellphone or a professional with a DSLR, you will gain both technical and creative skills through a blend of classroom sessions, hands on practice, and critiques. By the end of the week, you will not only build a portfolio of striking images but also deepen your understanding of Mongolian culture and language, giving your photography greater context and meaning.
Also, everyone with an interest in Mongolian culture and language is welcome. No prior experience in photography or language learning is required—if you are curious about Mongolia, its traditions, and its people, this course offers an immersive and accessible way to engage with the country while developing your visual storytelling skills.
Recommended Photography Gear
- Camera body (DSLR or mirrorless, with charger and extra batteries)
- Lenses
- Standard zoom lens (e.g., 24–70mm or 18–55mm)
- Telephoto lens (e.g., 70–200mm or 55–250mm) for wildlife or distant subjects
- Optional: Wide-angle lens for landscapes or architecture
- Memory cards (multiple, high-capacity and fast read/write speed)
- Tripod (lightweight but sturdy)
- Camera bag (weather-resistant, comfortable for carrying long periods)
- Lens cleaning kit (microfiber cloth, lens pen, blower)
- Rain cover for camera and bag
- Portable external hard drive or SSD for backing up photos
- Laptop or tablet with photo editing software (e.g., Lightroom, Capture One)
- Card reader and necessary cables
** If you only have cellphone access:
If a student only has a cellphone you can still get very close to a “real” camera experience by using a dedicated manual camera app plus a lightweight editing app and a few simple accessories.
A manual photo app that works on both platforms and pairs nicely with add-on lenses, consider Moment Pro Camera which offers tactile exposure controls and easy RAW capture.
For editing and finishing on the phone use Adobe Lightroom Mobile for full RAW editing and consistent color work, or Snapseed for a free, powerful and beginner-friendly editor that opens RAW files. Either will let students turn camera files into polished images for the class critique.
Zoom Sessions
Before beginning the course, we will hold two targeted Zoom sessions designed to cover the fundamentals of photography. These sessions will introduce essential concepts and techniques, giving you a head start so that you can confidently begin capturing images from the very first day of the trip. By addressing key topics ahead of time, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on practicing your skills in the field and making the most of every photographic moment during our journey.
Anticipated Course Activities
Day 1
July 19
Step into Mongolia: Cultural Immersion and Photography Fundamentals
Participants will begin their journey with an introduction to Mongolian traditional culture, gaining a deeper appreciation through immersive experiences. They will taste authentic Mongolian cuisine, explore the world-class Chinggis Khaan Museum, and take their first steps in learning the Mongolian language. This cultural foundation offers a rare opportunity to connect with Mongolia’s history, heritage, and way of life—beyond the classroom. At the same time, we will build a solid technical foundation in photography by getting familiar with your camera’s essential functions: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These three settings form the exposure triangle, controlling how light, motion, and depth come together in your photos. We’ll start by walking through how each setting affects an image and then move into hands-on practice, adjusting them in different lighting conditions. By the end of the session, you will understand how to balance these elements to achieve the look you want—whether freezing motion, creating background blur, or capturing detail in low light—preparing you to combine cultural storytelling with strong photographic technique.
Day 2
July 20
Chants, Colors, and Wild Horizons: A Journey from Gandan Monastery to Hustai National Park
We’ll start the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the country’s most prominent center of Buddhism. We’ll immerse ourselves in the serene atmosphere of chanting monks, the scent of burning incense, and the deep sense of devotion that fills the air. The monastery’s majestic architecture, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant colors, reflects centuries of religious artistry and craftsmanship.
In the evening, we’ll travel to Hustai National Park, where we’ll stay for the remainder of the course.
Day 3
July 21
Steppe Life in Motion: Wildlife and Nomadic Living Through the Lens
Start the day before sunrise as we head into Hustai National Park for our first session of wildlife photography. The early morning light is ideal for spotting and photographing both the rare Przewalski’s horse and marmots. As we capture these remarkable animals, park biologists will share insights into their behavior, conservation, and habitat, helping us understand how to tell richer stories through our images. Building on this connection between people, animals, and the land, we’ll shift our focus to lifestyle photography. We’ll spend time with local herder families, documenting daily routines such as morning chores, livestock care, and traditional food preparation. This immersive experience will allow us to explore how to capture movement and authenticity in natural settings while engaging with the rhythm of nomadic life. Throughout the session, we’ll discuss how to frame and sequence images to tell a human story that feels alive and connected. You’ll also have the chance to practice your Mongolian through genuine interactions with the families you photograph. By the end of the day, you’ll have deepened both your technical and cultural understanding—blending timing, composition, and emotion to create visual narratives that reflect the harmony between Mongolia’s people, wildlife, and vast landscapes.
Day 4
July 22
Sunrise on the Steppe and the Colors of Tradition: A Visual Journey
We’ll start the morning at sunrise as we head into the park to photograph red deer and Mongolian gazelles. This time of year follows their birthing season, offering a rare chance to observe small groups of antelopes in their natural environment. If we’re unable to locate them immediately, we’ll spend time quietly waiting near rangelands or water sources—learning the value of patience, observation, and timing in wildlife photography. Later in the day, we’ll immerse ourselves in the rich culture and energy of either a Naadam festival or a Mongolian nomadic lifestyle event. This experience will allow you to engage directly with local people, practice your Mongolian language skills, and photograph vibrant scenes of traditional games, horse racing, and community gatherings. It’s an ideal opportunity to practice documentary-style photography in a lively, authentic environment, focusing on capturing natural moments as they unfold.
Day 5
July 23
From Sand to Spirit: Capturing Life and Landscape in Khugnu-Tarna National Park
We’ll depart Hustai National Park for a scenic two-hour drive to Khugnu-Tarna National Park, home to striking contrasts of mountains, grasslands, and sand dunes. Our first stop will be the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, where participants can enjoy an exhilarating hike or take part in a memorable camel group ride across the rolling sands—a true taste of Mongolia’s desert landscape. Later, we’ll visit the historic Erdene Monk’s Monastery before hiking to the nearby Uvgun Monk’s Monastery, both sites rich with spiritual heritage and stunning views. Along the way, there will be opportunities to engage in quiet conversations with monks and visitors, gaining insight into their daily routines and traditions. From a photography perspective, this session will emphasize capturing the rhythm of daily life—from moments of reflection and prayer to the subtle details that define these sacred communities. We’ll practice working respectfully within religious and public spaces, focusing on composition, timing, and sensitivity to create images that feel both genuine and reverent.
Day 6
July 24
Wild Majesty and Crafted Heritage: Photography of Wolves, Argali, and the Mongolian Deel
For our last day in the park, we’ll begin before sunrise as we journey into the mountain steppe to photograph gray wolves and argali sheep, taking advantage of the early light to capture these elusive and majestic animals in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a Mongolian woman as she demonstrates the traditional process of making a deel, the national garment. This hands-on cultural experience offers the perfect opportunity to photograph intricate craftwork, explore the textures and colors of fabrics, and practice storytelling through everyday life. By combining technical photography and editing skills with immersive fieldwork, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of both the creative and cultural aspects of visual storytelling.
Day 7
July 25
Conclusion
On the final day of our course we will return to Ulaanbaatar for a focused session on post-production and presentation. This will be a time to bring the week’s experiences together and shape them into a cohesive visual story. During the first hour we will work on editing and curation, selecting your strongest images, refining compositions through cropping, and applying thoughtful color corrections to enhance mood and consistency. Next, we will prepare files for digital sharing, discussing how presentation choices affect how an audience experiences your work. We will conclude with a mini-exhibit and peer feedback session, celebrating the images created throughout the week. By the end of the day you will have a polished short portfolio or narrative series that reflects your growth as a photographer and the unique story of your time in Mongolia.
Instructors
Dr. Tsermaa Nyamdavaa
Batzaya Tsogt
Corey Norman
Uuganbayar Ganbold
Testimonials
