workshops + online courses

learn your way—whether in a destination workshop or from the convenience of your computer

photographing close to home

online classroom | six weeks beginning April 8

A landscape becomes a place when we identify it and assign meaning to it. A place evokes memories and emotions. Exploring landscapes close to home can result in especially intimate and meaningful photographs because of the deep connections we have to them. Nearby landscapes are also more accessible, so we can visit there often—in different light, in changing seasons and over time. Photography is a great way to explore and get to know a new place better or to share our intimate knowledge of places we have known our entire lives. But how do we photograph the familiar? And overcome those things that keep us from getting out with our cameras? This six-week course offers an opportunity to slow down, overcome inertia, look at the place you live in new ways, develop strategies for developing meaningful bodies of work.

spirit of the garden

maine media workshops | rockport, me | june 24-28

A garden is a place for plants…and so much more. A garden enhances a home, creates an inviting space for outdoor living, provides nourishment for the body and soul, and helps us reconnect with nature. This workshop is about looking at gardens with an eye toward capturing a spirit of place and telling each garden’s story. We’ll visit different Maine gardens each day—a mix of public and private, large and small, in a wide range of styles, and with both interesting architectural elements and lush plantings. In these gardens, you’ll develop ways of working that will help you move beyond pretty pictures of plants to better convey the spirit of the garden and what makes it unique.

an intimate portrait of place: santa fe and beyond

santa fe workshops | santa fe, nm | july 22-26

To know a place, we must slow down—to see not only the big picture, but the intimate details that give it character. To observe not only the terrain and what grows there, but the history of the land and our connection to place. To become aware not only of what we see, but how a place makes us feel. In this workshop, we will step back in time to discover some of northern New Mexico’s Native American, Hispanic and Anglo roots—visiting cultural landscapes and historic sites ranging from ancient ruins and pueblos to historic ranches and churches to the walkable neighborhoods of Santa Fe. We’ll go beyond the single image to find ways of working that can be used to create publishable stories, photo books and exhibitions.

an intimate portrait of place: midcoast maine

maine media workshops | rockport, me | october 7-11

To know a place, we must slow down—to see not only the big picture, but the intimate details that give it character. To observe not only the terrain and what grows there, but the history of the land and our connection to place. To become aware not only of what we see, but how a place makes us feel. In this workshop, Midcoast Maine will serve as our classroom as we look at what gives a geographic location a unique sense of place and how you can convey that through images. We’ll photograph not only the landscape, but also designed and built environments that reflect the relationship between humans and the land over time. We’ll explore habitats such as the rocky shoreline, meadows, estuaries and woodlands, as well as working harbors, towns and historic sites.

advanced nature studio

online classroom | six weeks beginning january 8 | sold out

In this course, you will move beyond basic tabletop, flat-lay and lighting setups to focus on what matters most—making compelling images of plants and other natural objects in your studio—even if your studio is little more than a portable setup in a sunny windowsill.

  • Strengthen your compositional and arranging skills.

  • Work more effectively with light and color (even if your preferred palette is black and white).

  • Create more compelling nature photographs.

  • Develop or refine your unique sense of visual style.