Set in dazzling New York City, this four-day photographic whirlwind takes us through a visual wonderland. December is one of the most spectacular times of the year in New York and the goal of this workshop is capturing the magic and the spectacle. The streets of the city are unsurpassed in their offerings of intersections and interplays of light, shadow, and energy.

We venture to fabled Fifth Avenue to capture the ice skaters, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and the legendary store windows. Then we shoot up 70 stories to photograph the sunset from the Top of the Rock. We travel to Little Italy and Chinatown to get a glimpse of the diversity of city’s holiday celebrations. A morning spent at the Union Square Holiday Market, surrounded by artists and their colorful wares, a night shoot in glittering Times Square, and a dinner at Devi, a Michelin star restaurant, round out our trip.

Photographers Ari Maldonado Espay and Liza Politi lead this hands-on workshop. Through lectures, critiques, demonstrations, assignments, portfolio reviews, individual attention and presentations of their own work, Ari and Liza encourage each participant to develop their own photographic style. As we progress at our own pace we discuss the technical and aesthetic issues that enable us to create more intimate and authentic images.