A Sense of Place: The Desert Landscape

How can we, as photographers, transcend the travel snapshot to truly capture the poetry of place? Certain external elements help us develop an intimacy with a location: the people and culture, the sights and sounds, and, of course, the land itself. But authenticity and emotional connection are what lie at the heart of every successful image we create, and these elements are only found within.

Over five days together, participants uncover and identify their own unique interpretations and styles to create images that communicate a deeper meaning of place, irrespective of genre—be it landscape, still life, portraiture, nature, abstraction, photojournalism, self-portrait, or documentary—and whether it’s their first time visiting a location or their 20th. Through on-site exercises, classroom discussions, group critiques, and portfolio reviews, we explore the many ways in which self and place can interact, learning to connect our personal narratives to our external surroundings.

Join Susan for five days of inspiration and discovery in Santa Fe. As we make our way through the city and its distinctive high-desert surroundings, you learn to create meaningful images that reach far beyond a mere travel photograph.