Kiki Photo Tours is run by expert photography teacher Pieter Janssen, who worked as a commercial photographer for 20+ years. These days he prefers to teach photography on his own tours. Tours started in Vietnam in 2013 and in 2024 he continued in Porto, Portugal.
Photo tour recap
Photo Tour Recap
A Big Thank You
First of all — thank you for choosing Kiki Photo Tours.
During the tour, you probably heard dozens of tips, tricks, and stories — more than anyone could remember in one go. To make things easier, I’ve written a series of posts that revisit many of the topics we covered (and maybe a few we didn’t quite get to).
These articles will help refresh your memory and strengthen your foundation so you can keep practicing what you’ve learned. Everything is explained in a clear, down-to-earth way, so you can follow along with confidence.
Two Sections
Photography Basics
That’s where you are now.
This section covers the more technical side of photography — simplified and broken down into easy-to-understand parts. You’ll also find a few general topics I often talk about on tour.
This project actually started around 2013–2014 as a big PDF guide I used to send to my clients. Later it moved online. When I closed my business in Vietnam, that website disappeared — and now I’m rebuilding it here, piece by piece. Each article is reviewed, refreshed, and updated for this new version.
The second section focuses on the creative side — the art of making a photo.
It’s all about the decisions that shape your composition: what to include, what to leave out, and how to tell a story through your image. Some concepts are simple, others need a bit more thought — but all are part of the process.
Click on “Creating images” or on the image and you will be transported there immediately.
Access
All posts are password-protected.
You’ll receive the password when you join a tour — and if you’ve ever joined one of my tours in Asia, good news: it’s still the same!
If you’ve enjoyed my tours, I’d greatly appreciate a review on TripAdvisor, Google, or Trustpilot. Positive reviews are vital for this new chapter — they build trust and help future guests find me. Your support means the world. If you are curious, my reviews of my tours in Asia are here: Tripadvisor and Google.
Pieter Janssen – Kiki Photo Tours
Street art in Porto
Street art in Porto
Street Art in Porto: A City Painted in Colors
Walking through Porto, you’ll quickly notice that creativity spills onto the streets. Walls, doors, corners, and even abandoned houses become open-air canvases. From large-scale works like those of Brazilian-Japanese artist Mura to something as simple and charming as a painted cat, the city’s street art is always evolving—transforming Porto into a living gallery.
Where to Find Street Art in Porto
The artworks are scattered across the city, often in unexpected places. The best way to discover them is simply to wander with your eyes wide open—look up, down, and even behind you. Some murals are so well hidden that you might walk past them countless times before noticing. (It took me over a year to spot the giant cat tucked between two buildings!)
Exploring Porto’s street art is like going on a treasure hunt—enjoy the surprises along the way and, most importantly, have fun!
The best parks in Porto
The best parks in Porto
There are many parks in Porto. Some of them are quite big and you can spend a lot of time there. I want to mention a few that I like most. If you are traveling with children there is one you should not miss.
Parque de São Roque
Looking for a park that’s perfect for young kids? Look no further, as this is the one. Just 800 metres west of Dragao Stadium, this is a very quiet suburban gem featuring woodland trails, an Art Nouveau grotto, a labyrinth and some swings and slides. Perfect for some peace and quiet and certainly perfect for children. They will love the labyrinth.
Parque Oriental da Cidade do Porto
East of Dragão Stadium lies a great area for running and cycling. From only about 150 metres north of the Douro River, the paths extend for roughly 4 kilometres straight north—completely uninterrupted. And unlike much of Porto, the terrain here is flat!
Parque da Cidade do Porto
Its name may sound similar to the first park, but the experience is completely different. Bordering Matosinhos to the south, it invites you to explore a maze of winding paths—perfect for long walks or runs into all directions. Serious runners can extend their exercise (without traffic interruptions) for another 3 kilometres via the coastal road and go south to Foz. Or even on to the centre of Porto, another 5 kilometres, all flat.
Locals like to play volleyball – on the northeast side – , have picknicks or just go on a stroll.Â
Do a sweaty workout, and finish your day with a plunge into the adjacent ocean.
Parque Infantil da Quinta do Covelo
Stroll the shady paths, and when the little ones need more action, head to the family area—complete with slides, tunnels, bridges, swings and sand areas. It will keep kids of various ages entertained.
Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
This park combines peaceful garden walks with stunning views. On its southern edge, you’ll overlook the Douro River, while the Superbock Arena offers an even higher perspective from its rooftop—if you’re willing to splurge on a ticket. Afterwards, grab a drink downstairs and enjoy it outdoors, whether basking in the sunshine or relaxing in the shade.
