In Search of the Sacred: Creating a Way to Explore and Photograph the World

Chris Rainier has spent the past forty years exploring the planet to document endangered cultures and landscapes. In this three-session program, he offers insightful tips on building a career in photography that allows you to travel the world while creating meaningful images of your own. As he charts the evolution of his professional path, Chris gives a behind-the-scenes look at preparing and completing expeditions.

His photographic passion has always been to look below the surface of what he sees and connect deeply with the sacred in everything. Slow down, stay longer, connect intimately with people and place, and refine a visual message that creates a powerful connection between the viewer and the spiritual presence within a photograph is how Chris has traveled the world.

Chris has focused his camera more and more as a social tool in the fight for the preservation of our fragile planet. This work was underwritten by the National Geographic Society, where Chris as a NG Fellow co-directed a global program focused on documenting traditional cultures and their languages.

On Day One, participants discover what Chris learned working as an assistant to Ansel Adams and the skills that allowed him to serve as a documentary photographer for the UN, UNESCO, and global NGOs. Chris talks about how to use your photography as a social tool and shares a variety of field projects, including one documenting tribes in New Guinea.

For Day Two, Chris takes participants on assignment traveling the world completing assignments for Outside magazine. Conde Nast Traveler, Vanity Fair, New York Times, and Time magazine, illuminating the process of acquiring magazine work and detailing the ins and outs of long-term book projects, from preparation to funding to on-time delivery (not to mention getting paid).

During Day Three, we examine the finer points of securing a book deal or an exhibition at a museum or gallery. Finally, Chris goes in-depth about what makes a powerful and meaningful image, so you can ensure that the photographs you make are well-composed and resonate with a spiritual presence and sense of place.

Participants finish this program with a clear understanding of how to forge a career creating personal photographs while simultaneously fulfilling the requirements of a magazine or client.

A 10 to 15 minute Question and Answer session follows each daily presentation. Questions from the participants will be reviewed and a few selected during this informal wrap-up conversation.