ABOUT MY WORKSHOPS
My workshops are about bringing my guests into highly photogenic locations where we gather together with locals of all kinds - from aristocratic landowners to farmers, shepherds, and fishermen. To artists, artisans, makers, and food producers. To monks or nuns, to subcultures like vintage car clubs. We spend a morning or afternoon that includes the rich shared experience of photography, learning about the place and the people, sharing ideas, perhaps food/wine, in an atmosphere of camaraderie, respect, laughter, joy, togetherness. My workshops are not about photographing people who routinely pose for photo workshops and tours.
An ideal experience is photogenic, inspirational, moving, fun, beautiful, emotional, and connects people with people in a way everyone feels comfortable and happy. Sometimes at the head of the operation is a woman with a passionate vision and is proud to share. There is a story.
We create long-lasting relationships. When we leave it was a beautiful experience for everyone involved. Kindness, joy, and good memories are essential. Everyone looks forward to the next visit.
I always share the photographs that we take, by giving prints, and sometimes large framed photographs of them and their family as well as digital copies to the people we photograph.
The mission of my curated, boutique photography workshops is for every workshop day to be sensational, in every way, for my guests. Their joy and happiness is paramount. On a workshop, there is nothing I love more than to teach, to inspire, to bring joy, learning and laughter into every day.
In my workshops, we concentrate on people photography. For me the most memorable moments in travel are those spending time with the people of that place. It's more than just connecting. As a venerable monk once told me, looking at my portraits, "it is like two rivers coming together as one."
Here are some more of what my workshops are all about.
small group sizes - maximum 8
access to all sorts of hidden gems, private places and inspiring people
traveling in comfort and style
minimum moving from hotel to hotel - sometimes staying put the whole time in one place
luxury hotels, and/or places with charm, character and in good taste
healthy, delicious food
close attention to the specific needs of each guest, such as food restrictions, hotel room preferences, mobility issues
these are photo workshops, not sight-seeing tours, which means real learning, encouraging class group projections, and motivational private critiques
photography experiences are designed to allow guests to spread out and photograph with space and freedom
the gift of time on location, to really dig deep and get immersed, and spend quality time with all kinds of people
Guests learn very carefully exactly how approach a shooting situation,which is often about much more than camera settings and lenses, how I compose images, and how to get that perfect shot.
carefully and intelligently planned out, well-organized schedules
well-researched locations, all photographed and vetted by me
philanthropy days, where we learn social documentary photography, how to interview and photograph people such as Agent Orange victims, landmine survivors, in their homes, in an intimate way, two guests per family, with translators
wide range of immersive emotional experiences: profound and meaningful, fun and whimsical, elegant, simple, meditative, thrilling.
intellectual stimulation: learning about history, culture, food, art from books, hand-outs, presentations from both experts and the subjects themselves.
all levels of photographers are welcome, even those with no strong interest in photography. Smartphones are fine.
with our guidance, guests advance at their own level - no competition, no judgment
lots of laughter and an atmosphere of camaraderie and support
much more than just a photography workshop in so many ways
