Flowers: Seeing Differently
with John Derryberry
September 14 – October 1, 2026
Course Description
If your goal is to create less literal, more imaginative flower photographs, then this workshop is made for you. Led by Dallas-based commercial and fine-art photographer John Derryberry, this new online workshop examines what makes a floral picture go beyond the cliched and move to the remarkable. John’s goal is to help each participant develop their own individual voices and establish a unique approach to flower photography. Together you explore all aspects of photographing floras from equipment choices, composition, focus, and aperture selection, subject and background options, to the all-important lighting choices. Additional topics covered include:
- History of flower photography
- Camera angles
- Design choices
- Culling and cropping
- Macro techniques
- Direct post-production techniques (not using filters or presets)
- Adaptation and use of vintage lenses on digital cameras
The six online group meetings include presentations/demonstrations from John, interactive image reviews of each assignment, and lively group discussions. Throughout your time together, this workshop offers you the opportunity to improve your technical skills and distinctive vision in flower photography.
Additional Information
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
What You Should Know:
Participants need to be technically self-sufficient, as this is not a workshop to learn how to use your gear or editing software, though there will be some lessons about specific techniques. Participants must be able to download, select, and transfer images to their own jump drive for class each day. Digital SLRs, mirrorless cameras, and iPhones are all welcome.
Participants should have some sort of macro equipment available to them in the form of either a macro lens, extension tube, or closeup filter. While iPhones are allowed, they are limited in their ability to control lens depth of field.
Special Notes:
Class will meet 9:30 – 11:30 am (Mountain Time) on Mondays and Thursdays starting September 14 and ending October 1 (six online group sessions). Enrollment is limited to 12 participants.
Zoom Video Conferencing software (available for no charge from Zoom.com) will be used to facilitate the class sessions. Further details will be emailed to registrants.
These live online sessions take place in the standard Zoom meeting format. Students can use their microphone and camera, see and hear the instructor and other students, and participate in live discussion and interaction throughout the sessions.
Santa Fe Workshops always aims to produce a high-quality experience for our online attendees. That said, variables including regional and local internet provider speeds, traffic on Zoom's servers, and your own computing hardware can contribute to a less-than-ideal streaming event. While we do our best to minimize the impact of these variables, they are outside the control of Santa Fe Workshops.
Policies:
View Withdrawal and Transfer Policies for online programs.
Recording class sessions using personal devices or third-party tools is not permitted. Session recordings are provided by Santa Fe Workshops and are available to enrolled students for two months after the class. This policy helps protect the intellectual property and privacy of both instructors and students.
about
John Derryberry is a well-known Dallas-based professional and fine-art photographer. In college, he apprenticed with master photographers while simultaneously studying Fine Arts and Anthropology at Southern Methodist University. After graduation, John moved to Japan, where he taught English and developed his artistic and shooting sensibility studying Kendo (Japanese fencing), Japanese woodblock prints, sumie ink drawings. He has photographed around the world in over 25 countries.
John is known for his arresting images which have appeared in books, magazines, and art exhibitions. His work blurs the lines between fine art, portrait, and commercial photography. John has worked with many well-known commercial (Neiman Marcus, JCPenney, American Airlines, Pepsico, Salesforce, William Sonoma), editorial (The New York Stock Exchange, Cowboys and Indians Magazine, Southwest Airlines, Texas Monthly, as well as philanthropic and private clients.
His current project, Alley Flowers, is centered around pollinator gardens, alleyways, and abandoned spaces. “I am challenging myself to bypass the cliched sort of beauty found in most flower photographs to find something unexpected, intimate and ephemeral, while referencing those aesthetics and skills I learned in Japan and art school,” John says of this new body of work.
Website: artworkarchive.com/profile/john-derryberry/portfolio
Instagram: @johnderryberry_art
