Architectural Photography: Beauty and Structure

with Nick Merrick

July 7 – 11, 2025

Tuition $2095.00

(includes meal plan, see below)

Location Fee $155.00

Standard Deposit $400.00

Course Description

Master photographer Nick Merrick is well known for moving beyond mere documentation of buildings and interior spaces to create beautiful photographs that merge the visual structures of the building and the design of the photograph.

In this five-day workshop in Santa Fe for photographers with experience in architectural photography, we discuss the aesthetic issues of image design and its relationship to the architectural subject matter. We cover both the technical and aesthetic issues of lighting; how light direction and intensity creates a sense of movement within the visual illusion of 3-dimensional space and moves us toward the creation of interpretative photographs. Nick shares his working philosophy and photographic techniques through digital demonstrations that utilize Capture One software, and guides participants in lens selection, composition, and styling decisions.

The distinctive architecture of Santa Fe provides ample and diverse subject matter for daily assignments that put into practice information acquired during classroom lectures and demonstrations.

By the end of the workshop, participants have moved their architectural photography to a higher level, finding the interpretative point of view and a new beauty in their vision.

Additional Information

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Professionals

What You Should Know:

Proficient in digital workflow and custom functions on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera, solid foundation in location lighting techniques

Portfolio Required:

Please see the Portfolio Section of Registration Information for guidelines on your submission of recent architectural images.

Activity Level:

To get the most from your workshop experience, participants should be in good physical (mobility, stamina) and mental health. Come prepared for the high elevation of Santa Fe, long days, and seasonal weather including high temperatures. You must be able to carry your own photographic and personal gear at all times, both on campus and on location. You are responsible for being open and honest about your physical fitness, and we reserve the right to remove you from the workshop if we find your fitness to be less than that which you have described.

Participants should be able to engage in moderate outdoor exercise for up to an hour or more at a time. Location work is likely to include early morning and/or late evening shoots.

Policies:

View Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies for domestic workshops.

Accommodations:

Participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements in Santa Fe. On-campus accommodations are not currently available.

Meals:

Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner before the Friday evening Image Presentations, and daily beverage service are included.

about

Nick Merrick

Nick Merrick gained notoriety as a long-time senior photographer and principal at the renowned photography studio Hedrich Blessing. Over his career, Nick has established long collaborative relationships with clients and takes great pride in becoming a part of their team. His work has ranged from photographing the world’s tallest building, The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to performance halls, research labs, corporate headquarters, hotels and residences worldwide.

Considered among the leading photographers in architecture and design, you can find his photography in the collections of the Library of Congress, the Chicago History Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the George Eastman House as well as published in prestigious design journals and firm monographs.

Nick is a highly respected instructor at the Santa Fe Workshops and holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA from the University of Michigan. When not out on assignment, he lives with his wife Shaun in Galisteo, New Mexico in an adobe under the cottonwood trees next to the Arroyo de Los Angeles.

View article from Architectural Photography Almanac about Nick and his life as an architectural photographer.