Rio Helmi Masterclass
Develop Your Inner Lens
Deepen Your Creative Confidence. Tell Stronger Stories. Make more Impact.
Break through your limitations with this 7 week online Masterclass on authentic creativity, so you can choose the right projects, overcome creative blocks, and make more emotionally evocative photos that cut through the noise
True Mentorship
Honest Feedback
Better Results
Meet Your Guide, Rio Helmi…
A documentary photographer and Buddhist teacher, born to an Indonesian diplomat father and a Turkish mother, Indonesian photographer and writer Rio Helmi has been capturing images of Asia and writing since 1978.
His work can be seen in magazines, documentaries and more than 20 large-format photographic books. Solo exhibitions of Rio’s still photography have been held in Bali, Jakarta, Madrid, Miyazaki, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Sydney, and his works are held in private collections around the world including in London, Rome, Boston, Washington and Tokyo.
Rio worked as a photographer/writer and associate editor in the Indonesian media (Bali Post, Mutiara, Sinar Harapan, Tempo). Since 1983, Rio has freelanced for many regional and international magazines (Asiaweek, Geo, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Times, New York magazine, Tempo [Indonesia], Time, Vanity Fair, and Vogue). He has published several large format photo books – among others ‘River of Gems, a Borneo Journal’ (text by Lorne Blair), and ‘Bali Style’.
He teaches creativity and visual storytelling through his unique philosophical perspective.
As Featured In
A Journey Through the Archetypes to Arrive at Creative Freedom
Module 2: The Initiate
Understand yourself, understand your role as a photographer, understand your subject. Know what you want to set out to do, articulate it to yourself and those important to your project – these are the foundations of your own clarity and will be your inner support when the unexpected arises (and it does!). This the key to your access, and it makes all the difference between creative satisfaction and giving up. Never give up.
Module 4: The Samurai
In the field, enhancing not only personal but also situational awareness. Becoming one with the circumstances but still be aware of the bigger picture. Trained, the instinctive understanding what you see is the picture. The shutter button is just the capture.
Module 6: The Magician
Understand and deliver the important, crucial elements of your story. One good picture 95% of the time is NOT enough to tell the story. One truly great one maybe powerful, but great stories are constructed from several strong key elements. Delivering what you saw.
Module 1: The Scholar
Photography is a movement, is a lexicon, is a key to transformation. Good photography is being aware of the history of photography, is becoming fluent in the language, and to learn to be the eyes for others. And when your own eyes are open, to touch the heart of others. Mastery begins here.
Module 3: The Apprentice
Skill sets: your camera is just your tool - what makes the difference is you. Learn to use your equipment to the point it becomes second nature. Practice, practice, practice. Get it in your blood. Learn in new ways of seeing - play with light, composition, colors/monochrome, , angles, timing, symbolism, and much more.
Module 5: The Monk
What are the key elements to your story? The epitome of mindfulness. The power of self-discipline and introspection – ethics is not constraint it is liberation. Judge your performance and results fairly, objectively. Analysis and honest self-critique is the path of improvement.
Module 7: The Architect
An Architect creates spaces and identity that speak of an inner truth. When an inspired architect works with materials, he goes beyond craft, and architect transforms them from mere matter into true art - a ‘spiritual’ force. The impact of this architect’s creation is powerful, it’s direct.
PREVIOUS STUDENTS WORK
-
![]()
Martino
-
![]()
Martino
-
![]()
Sandy
-
![]()
Sell it.
-
![]()
Alida
-
![]()
Alida
-
![]()
Dominika
-
![]()
Dominika
-
![]()
Jasminah
-
![]()
Jasminah
-
![]()
Olha
-
![]()
Olha
TESTIMONIALS
-
My mentorship with Rio was instrumental in successfully completing my art project on the Balinese offerings. I’m an MFA Photography student at Parsons in NYC and currently developing work based on spiritual art forms across Asia. Rio was insightful and provided valuable connections within the community. His keen observation helped me to edit my photos in a meaningful way. He was supportive of the direction I wanted to pursue and encouraged me to be true to myself. I highly recommend photography mentorship with Rio.
Kelly Han
-
Rio’s photography masterclass is about much more than just taking good pictures; Rio teaches you how to become a visual storyteller. His process pushes you to reflect on how you move through the world, how you engage with life and what you want to say about it.
Rio mentored me from the sidelines of Bumi Sehat and back at his studio each day, guiding me on how to better translate the beauty and profoundness of what I was witnessing into a compelling visual story. Each day I took a huge leap forward.
I am very grateful for the experience and am certainly inspired to keep capturing more of life’s bright spots and everyday miracles.
Jasminah Woodhouse -
"This workshop totally opened a new perspective and provided a previously inaccessible depth of understanding of documentary photography. It also lit up the passion to tell visual stories in a mindful, empathetic and authentic way. It was very inspiring to spend a week working together with exceptionally talented and creative photographers and learn from Rio. Thank you so much for sharing your unbelievable knowledge."
Mark Ostrovsky
What’s Included:
-
1-1 call, where we assess your portfolio, get clear on your needs, and discuss the bigger goals of you joining the Masterclass
-
7 Modules guiding you through the Archetypal stages to develop your inner Lens
-
Once a week group sessions on Zoom, limited to 15 people in each cohort for each participant to get maximum value.
-
Over the 7 weeks, feedback from Rio, and the group is available on each Group Call in a QnA format.
-
Exclusive Access to Rio and the other participants in your cohort, through Whatsapp.
WHAT’S TO GAIN FROM THIS MASTERCLASS
Immersion : Develop a more sophisticated awareness of the world of photography. The ability to communicate with creative images that speak to the heart.
Access: Tap into your true potential, inner strengths, and transcend your perceived limitations
Awareness: Understand yourself, understand what you are seeing.
Impact : Learn how to put together a powerful visual story. Go beyond mere craft, make it resonate.
