During my Mountains of Montenegro photography workshop, we were photographing fall colours in Durmitor National Park. As we were driving around in the late afternoon, we stumbled upon a herd of horses grazing freely in the mountain meadows. The light was beautiful, so we stopped to photograph them.
While we were taking photos of the horses, I noticed a bright red tree in the distance. It stood out against the background, its fiery red colour lit by the low sun. It was too far away, and it looked difficult for my group to reach. The sun was already low, and we would probably miss the light by the time we got there. So instead, I included the tree in my wider composition, with the horses in the foreground—a beautiful shot.
When we got back to our hotel, I searched for the tree on Google Maps. It was clearly visible on the satellite view. I saved the location and added a reminder note on my phone. I promised myself to return and photograph that tree next time I visit Montenegro.
When planning my workshops for the following season, I allowed myself two extra nights in Durmitor after finishing with the group. I returned, booked a room in Žabljak, and drove out to find the tree. I saw it from a distance — glowing red again! How amazing.
I parked my van by the roadside and started walking up the hill. Soon I reached the tree. I had been wondering all year what kind of tree it was — to my surprise, it was a pear tree! A few pears were lying on the ground. I tasted one — bitter and sour, wild fruit. Not suitable for eating, but maybe great for making rakija.
The light kept getting nicer, and just as I was looking for the perfect angle, I heard sheep in the distance. A whole herd was running towards me and the tree. As they arrived, they suddenly noticed me — all stopped and looked at me at once. At that exact moment, the shepherd walked into the frame. Click!
After taking a few more photos, I greeted the shepherd. He invited me to his hut for a glass of rakija. I accepted, but said I would come after sunset. Later, I joined him and his brother at their small mountain cottage. They were preparing an evening meal. We shared a few shots of rakija and chatted about their life in the mountains, their sheep, and my photography. I also tried some fresh skorup — or kajmak, as it’s more widely known. It was delicious! What a wonderful conclusion to my Mountains of Montenegro workshop.
Experiences like this are common during my workshops, as we travel with small groups around the Balkans. My knowledge of the area and local languages helps me connect with people who are happy to share a bit of their life with us.
Check out our collection of photography workshops in Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and many more.
