Landscape and the Story of Place

Santa Fe and surrounding areas of northern New Mexico sit at the transition between many beautiful and unique environments, from the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains to arid grasslands, forests, deserts, and wetlands. These places also face pressing challenges, including prolonged droughts, damaging wildfires, and the threat of species extinction as we navigate a hotter, drier future shaped by climate change.

In this in-person workshop, we explore three diverse landscapes around Santa Fe to understand the story nature wants or needs us to tell. Seeking beauty while also bearing witness to what may be broken, Christina guides participants through the process of developing a unique sense of place and telling nature’s story through practices that intertwine connection, personal reflection, creativity, technical skill, and time.

In the field, you engage with a variety of technical approaches essential for capturing the essence of these environments. Under Christina’s expert guidance, participants experiment with a range of photographic techniques, including landscape, macro, wildlife, and astro-photography. This workshop encourages you to push your boundaries and cultivate new skills that enrich your storytelling.

When we gather in the classroom, each participant works to transform a selection of their images into a compelling story of place. Participants are guided through a comprehensive Adobe Lightroom workflow from photo selection to post-processing, and practice writing captions that enhance their visual narratives. Christina shares examples of how impactful nature-based storytelling can support conservation efforts and inspire others to take action. We also discuss platforms for sharing and promoting your work and self-publishing options. On the final day, participants present their completed stories reflective of a deep exploration of place, newly acquired technical skills, and a rich narrative framework.

By blending skill development with personal reflection and storytelling, this workshop is designed for photographers seeking to enhance their technical prowess while forging a deeper connection to the natural world around them. This approach empowers photographers to convey the intricate narratives of nature, inspiring others to engage with and protect these vital landscapes.