Sometimes—yes, sometimes—you get lucky. A tourist noticed me trying to take a picture of this writing on a building wall in Venice.

On the spur of the moment, she joined in and, of her own accord, made the appropriate gesture. Since she spoke English (American), I’ll probably never see her again. Still: „A heartfelt thank you.“

Morning View of a Mask in Venice: Carnival 2027

For ambitious photographers and models, the day starts very early. It kicks off at 6 a.m. The first photographers are already waiting impatiently for the models at that hour. And as soon as the first ones arrive, the whole crowd pounces on their „prey.“ Expect at least 20 photographers per masked performer. Twenty photographers also means 40 elbows—40 sharp elbows. So you’ve got to be able to take a thing or two if you want to take good—or even great—pictures. Pictured here is the “German” masked performer. Manu Miedl. Find out here how a mask photographer experiences a day at Carnival:

From the Diary of a Venice Carnival Photographer

Tuesday is Burano Mask Day

All the masked figures and photographers have known this for years: On Tuesdays, everyone gathers in Burano. The first masked figures arrive there as early as around 10 a.m. With every boat that arrives, more masked figures join the crowd.
When the weather is perfect for photos—blue skies—the vibrant colors of Burano’s houses really come into their own. Every mask-wearer and every photographer knows this. And depending on the weather, the appeal of taking a boat to Burano is either strong or weak. Find out everything about Burano Mask Tuesday here.

Carnival Masks in Burano

Every day at sunset on the monastery island of San Giorgio.

With this stunning skyline in the background, it's no wonder that so many masks gather at the monastery church every day San Giorgio Meet up at sunset. Just look over this way around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.—you can get here quickly and easily on Vaporetto Line 2.

This is very likely where you'll take your best photos of the carnival.
Here you'll find everything you need to know to plan your visit:

See the sunset photos on die San Giorgio Monastery Island

Thursdays for the group photo in front of La Salute Church.

Would you like to see how dozens of masks transform the monumental staircase of the Salute Church into a sea of color all at once? I'll show you when you need to be there to snag the best front-row seats.

Insider tip: Check out the big gathering in front of the Church of La Salute

Scala Contarini del Bovolo

At the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, too, you’ll frequently come across elaborately costumed masked figures. However, there’s no set date or exact time—these encounters happen spontaneously, in true Venetian style. Just stop by, let yourself be surprised, whip out your camera—or simply take your time enjoying the special historic charm of this enchanting place.

The Scala Contarini del Bovolo During Carnival Season—A Gathering Place for Masked Figures

The Masks: Types, Locations, Experiences

The Magic of Masks Up Close: Everything you need to know about costume types, the best photo spots, and how to handle the masks properly. Find out why communication is the key to the perfect photo—you’ll be surprised by a lot of things!

Your Guide to Mask Photography in Venice