MATA HATI

THE EYE OF THE HEART

5 Day Photographic Masterclass in Seeing and Visual Storytelling

OCTOBER 26-30, 2026

Led in person by Rio Helmi in Bali

Creative Confidence. Tell Stronger Stories.

Make more Impact.

Learn to understand what you see to recognise its visual potential to convey what you feel, and to use the photographic tools available to you to refine those images and reveal their meaning to your viewers.

At the heart of this masterclass is the human act of seeing and making images.

No generative AI. No prescribed formulas. Just curiosity, observation, experience and the photographic process.

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

WHAT — The Essence

WHO — The Seeker

First and foremost, this masterclass is for those who are passionate about or at least intrigued by using photography as a medium for telling stories.

Participants should have basic photography skills and some experience with image processing, either in Lightroom or Photoshop.

You don't have to be an expert.

Amateurs, serious enthusiasts and working photographers are all welcome.

What matters most is curiosity, commitment and a willingness to explore.

The Mata Hati Masterclass is a distilled and immersive five-day experience based on Rio Helmi’s long-term online masterclasses and mentorships.

During Mata Hati, participants will be introduced to the essential ideas and practices of the seven-module course, and encouraged to experiment, explore and develop their own ways of seeing and working.

The emphasis is on freshness and quality rather than fixed outcomes.

These are to be stories from the heart. Come with a project in mind. Don't come with the answer.

WHY — The Seeing

  • To heighten and sensitise our awareness.

    To overcome creative blocks and limitations.

    To tap into our own ability to see, interpret and convey the stories that matter to us and to communicate them with greater clarity and power.

 

HOW — The Practice

By being prepared.

By being ready to move beyond our creative comfort zones.

By being open to what unfolds rather than being too attached to what we expect.

By being considerate.

By being honest with ourselves, with our subjects and with our photographs.

WHEN — The Beginning

As soon as you make up your mind to join, you should begin thinking about what your project might be.

Research possibilities. Look around you.
Follow your curiosity.

Begin to ask yourself: What is it that I want to say, and why?

You don't need to have the answers before you arrive.

But you should arrive ready to explore them.

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.

MATA HATI

The Eye of the Heart

5 Day Photographic Masterclass in Seeing and Visual Storytelling

October 26-30, 2026

Early Bird — €377
Reserve your place by 15 September 2026

Regular — €440
Registration closes 18 October 2026

PREVIOUS STUDENTS WORK

  • Martino

  • Martino

  • Sandy

  • Sandy

  • 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