Experience the satisfaction of creating meaningful portraits while learning to overcome the anxieties inherent in the process of photographing people. Through daily assignments, participants learn best practices for putting people at ease, working with models, posing, lighting naturally, and other essential portraiture techniques. Participants learn to be sensitive to their subjects while endeavoring to create images that are interesting, compelling, and evocative.

We discover how to approach a subject with an alert eye, heart, and mind, ready to observe and capture the moment. Special emphasis is given to applying an easy workflow that includes using available light, movement, depth, and an awareness of the surrounding environment. We also explore the basics of Adobe Lightroom, including using general controls, managing color, correcting color cast, evaluating images, and choosing different paper qualities for the printing process.

Mornings are dedicated to critiques and lectures. In the afternoon, we explore a variety of locations, photographing in New Mexico’s extraordinary fall light. Santa Fe and northern New Mexico feature a diverse population, providing a wealth of unique portrait opportunities to both inspire and challenge our newfound skills.