A Picture- Perfect Vacation

Smartphones have made everyone a photographer, but how do you progress from taking ordinary snapshots to frameable memories? A new camera won’t necessarily help, with all the buttons, tabs, and settings they offer. Incorporate a photo workshop into your travels if you want to master the art and technology offered today. 

Photo workshops last anywhere from a few hours, like a walking tour, to multiple days, depending on your plans and skill level. Some offer camera, lens, or technique-specific instruction such as iPhone, mirrorless, Lensbaby, or more advanced skills like photo stacking or time-lapse photography. Many avid amateurs include or even plan a vacation around a photo workshop.

So, how do you choose? 

First, consider your goals. Do you want to learn new skills, or do you want to capture iconic shots from a specific location? Many resident professional photographers supplement their income by offering on-location tours. They know the lay of the land, the must-see spots, the hidden gems, and the correct time of day for capturing the best images. These group workshops often feature photo walking tours within a city — think Charleston, New Orleans, or Savannah. Others include transportation, a real bonus if it’s difficult for you to arrange your own. Some destinations, like rural Alaska or African safaris, even include domestic flights.

Many multi-day photo workshops transport you to exotic locations, perhaps places you’d love to see, but not on your own. Joining a workshop once you get there (the instructor can offer recommendations) becomes a blessing, especially for solo travelers who enjoy the safety and company of fellow enthusiasts.

Before deciding on your vacation, catalog the types of photos you want to shoot: landscape, nature, wildlife, street scenes, architecture, local landmarks, or people. Time your adventure carefully to capture special events — like cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., or Japan, or Fourth of July fireworks.

​Consider weather conditions too. Places like Alaska or Yellowstone bring entirely different views from summer to winter. Birding enthusiast Carol Skipper signed up for a winter workshop to study with wildlife expert and photographer Jared Lloyd in Yellowstone National Park. ​

​“For this Florida girl, minus 20-degree temps were not my cup of tea,” says Skipper, who was nudged out of her comfort zone. “But bison, coyotes, pronghorns, elk, white long-tailed weasel in the snow… it was magical. Jared taught me so much, and Yellowstone remains my all-time favorite workshop.”

If you are considering multi-day, on-location training, be sure to thoroughly research options. Study the instructors’ websites to see their work and investigate their credentials. Do they specialize in a particular style or technique? Top pros will be well established with long records of success.     

Bryan Peterson, a professional photographer and author of 10 books on photography spends his days offering workshops around the world. His focus depends on the location, such as street photography in Miami, tulip fields in the Netherlands, and people and colors in India. Bryan is known for encouraging creativity and moving his students beyond the iconic shot to creating something unique to show their friends.

“When looking for a great workshop experience, ask three important questions,” advises Peterson. “First, will the workshop cover camera basics, such as exposure fundamentals and compositional principles? Many workshops present a ‘tour’ of a given location, with hardly a hint of photographic instruction.”

​ Peterson says other questions should include the number of years the instructor’s been offering workshops. Has he or she won significant awards, garnered a large following on social media, or been published?

​ “The more years an instructor has been in business speaks volumes about his or her success,” says Peterson.

And, finally, will the workshop teacher provide the specific instruction you’re looking for and answer your burning questions? “Speak up and ask if he or she will invest the time in meeting your needs and concerns,” Peterson advises.

Renowned flower photographer Kathleen Clemons, a master with the Lensbaby soft-focus lens, adds another critical recommendation. “Ask about the student to instructor ratio,” she says. “Be sure the workshop is not so large that you won’t get the individualized attention you need.”

During multi-day workshops, instructors like Clemons often ask students to bring laptop computers. They share their images and critique each other’s work during class time. Many instructors, such as Clemons, teach post-processing techniques; her specialty involves compositing or blending two photos.