Commercial & Outdoor Photography: From Foundation to Client Delivery

with Sofía Jaramillo

July 6 – 10, 2026

Tuition $2295.00

(includes meal plan, see below)

Model and Location Fee $465.00

Standard Deposit $400.00

Course Description

Join photographer and director Sofía Jaramillo for an action-filled week exploring what it means to create commercial and editorial outdoor imagery with intention and creative impact. Designed for emerging photographers, this workshop invites you into both the field and the classroom to practice crafting visual stories that blend adventure, lifestyle, and portraiture.

This workshop includes on-location shoots with lifestyle models and the opportunity to partner with local brands to create professional imagery in real-time. Under Sofia’s guidance, participants photograph authentic products in real scenarios while learning how to collaborate, communicate, and build trust with clients. Sofía guides you through her process of working with commercial and editorial partners—identifying their needs, meeting them creatively, and shooting ethically.

Technical instruction covers natural-light strategy, shooting action and lifestyle on location, directing, assembling a creative team, shaping mood on set, and problem-solving quickly in dynamic situations. Just as importantly, Sofía shares the business foundations every commercial photographer needs: budgeting, pricing, breaking down a production plan, creating deliverables, and navigating the professional expectations of brand partnerships. We also touch on what it means to create a sustainable business and how to keep your passion for photography alight as you progress in your career.

By the end of the week, participants walk away with a new portfolio of images to share with future clients, a deeper understanding of ethical outdoor storytelling, and a toolkit for working confidently in the commercial outdoor industry.

Additional Information

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

This workshop is designed for advanced amateurs and early-career professionals. One spot in the workshop will be offered at a discounted price of $350 (plus applicable taxes) for an emerging photographer between the ages of 18-35. To apply for this spot, please complete the following form by March 30th, 2026: bit.ly/ScholarshipJaramillo

What You Should Know:

Working knowledge of digital workflow and manual mode on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera. Participants must be able to download and select images using image editing software for class sessions.

Experience with portraiture and a basic working knowledge of natural light is helpful, but not required.

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 including off-trail walking on uneven terrain including sand, dirt, and loose rock. 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 housing 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

Sofía Jaramillo

Sofía Jaramillo is a Colombian-American commercial photographer based between Sun Valley, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming. Her work focuses on the intersection of outdoor athleticism and the environment. Her mission is to tell the stories she wished she’d seen as a kid. Sofia got her start in photography working for media outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and the Associated Press. She has worked for brands such as The North Face, Ford, Patagonia, Free People, Keen, Arc’Teryx, and Stetson. Based in the Mountain West and working internationally, she creates images rooted in connection—whether documenting communities for The New York Times and National Geographic, partnering with outdoor and travel brands, or developing conceptual fine-art projects.