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 with an introduction to Mongolian traditional culture through immersive experiences. They will taste authentic cuisine, explore the Chinggis Khaan Museum, and take first steps in learning the Mongolian language. This foundation fosters a deeper connection with Mongolia’s history and way of life. At the same time, we will build technical photography skills by learning camera functions such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Through guided practice in varied lighting, participants will see how these settings shape light, motion, and depth. By the end, they will balance these elements to capture compelling images rooted in cultural storytelling.
Day 2
July 20
Chants, Colors, and Wild Horizons: A Journey from Gandan Monastery to Hustai National Park
We will begin the day at Gandan Monastery, the country’s most prominent Buddhist center. Here we will experience the calm rhythm of chanting monks, the scent of incense, and the atmosphere of deep devotion. The monastery’s striking architecture, with its detailed carvings and vivid colors, reveals centuries of spiritual artistry and craftsmanship. As we explore its halls and temple grounds, we will gain insight into Mongolia’s living religious traditions. In the evening, we will travel to Hustai National Park, where we will settle in for the remainder of the course and begin the next phase of our journey.
Day 3
July 21
Steppe Life in Motion: Wildlife and Nomadic Living Through the Lens
We will begin before sunrise in Hustai National Park for our first wildlife photography session. Early light offers ideal conditions to photograph the rare Przewalski’s horse and marmots while park biologists share insights into their behavior and conservation, enriching our storytelling. Later, we will spend time with local herder families, documenting morning chores, livestock care, and traditional food preparation. This hands-on experience will help you capture authentic movement and daily life while practicing Mongolian through real interactions. By day’s end, you will blend technical skill and cultural understanding to create meaningful visual narratives of Mongolia’s wildlife and people.
Day 4
July 22
Sunrise on the Steppe and the Colors of Tradition: A Visual Journey
We will begin at sunrise, heading into the park to photograph red deer and Mongolian gazelles. This season follows their birthing period, offering a rare chance to observe small groups in their natural habitat. If we do not find them immediately, we will wait quietly near rangelands or water sources, practicing patience, observation, and timing in wildlife photography. Later, we will experience either a Naadam festival or a nomadic lifestyle event, engaging with local people, practicing Mongolian, and photographing traditional games, horse racing, and community gatherings. This lively setting is ideal for developing documentary style skills and capturing natural moments.
Day 5
July 23
From Sand to Spirit: Capturing Life and Landscape in Khugnu-Tarna National Park
We will leave Hustai National Park for a scenic drive to Khugnu Tarna National Park, known for its mix of mountains, grasslands, and sand dunes. At the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, participants may hike or join a camel ride across the rolling sands. Later, we will visit Erdene Monk’s Monastery and hike to Uvgun Monk’s Monastery, both rich in spiritual heritage. Along the way, we can speak with monks and visitors to learn about their traditions. Our photography focus will be on capturing daily rhythms, reflective moments, and subtle details while practicing respectful composition, timing, and sensitivity in sacred spaces.
Day 6
July 24
Wild Majesty and Crafted Heritage: Photography of Wolves, Argali, and the Mongolian Deel
We will begin before sunrise, heading into the mountain steppe to photograph gray wolves and argali sheep, using early light to capture these elusive animals in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, we will visit a Mongolian woman demonstrating the traditional making of a deel, the national garment. This hands-on cultural experience offers opportunities to photograph intricate craftwork, explore fabric textures and colors, and practice storytelling through everyday life. By blending technical photography and editing skills with immersive fieldwork, you will deepen your understanding of both the creative and cultural dimensions of visual storytelling.
Day 7
July 25
Conclusion
On the final day, we return to Ulaanbaatar for a focused session on post-production and presentation. We will edit and curate your strongest images, refining compositions and applying color corrections to enhance mood and consistency. Next, we will prepare files for digital sharing, exploring how presentation shapes audience experience. The day will conclude with a mini-exhibit and peer feedback session, celebrating your work from the week. By the end, 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
