Join world traveler and renowned workshop leader Jennifer Spelman during this visually rich “festival week” in San Miguel de Allende. The streets are alive with colors, aromas, and sounds, and the endless drama of Mexican life is evident around every corner in this colonial town over 400 years old and one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Jennifer’s workshop is scheduled to coincide with one of the most important traditions, from colonial times to the present—the 100-year celebration of the patron saint San Miguel Arcángel (St. Michael). This three-day festival begins in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning with a long parade of enormous stars made of colorful paper around the main plaza. Afterward, the most important event is La Alborada (it roughly translates to “attack the dawn”, a pyrotechnic spectacle that represents the fight of Archangel San Miguel against Lucifer. It is a fierce battle of good against evil!) It begins at the cathedral around 4 am and lasts about an hour. So, be prepared for an all-nighter and serious loud, fiery fireworks.
The festival continues through the weekend with a wide variety of events including “the blessing of the horses”—hundreds of riders amass at the Parroquía to receive a blessing from the high priest. Later in the day is the “Entrance of the Xúchiles”—a unique parade where the “concheros” show their native dances to offer “xuchiles” (beautiful offerings).
The first two days of the workshop include lectures and demos by Jennifer to spark your creative photographic juices and prepare you for working in low light and quick action during the three days of the festival. Jennifer also leads you on photographic excursions around San Miguel and offers practical and technical solutions to enhance your photographs. She discusses ways to approach and photograph people and work in all lighting and environmental conditions. She also leads group and individual image reviews.
The emphasis of this workshop is on elevating your creative vision and expanding your photographic technique, all while remaining fleet-footed and agile. It is important that you are in good shape and willing to work late nights on your own in crowds. This workshop is not for the inactive. It requires a very early morning event that is not for the faint of heart as the fireworks are intense. The days are long, but there are amazing photo opportunities. This is a perfect workshop for photographers who want to experience a robust festival with Jennifer as your guide and mentor.
Proficient in digital workflow, custom functions on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera, and a working knowledge of Adobe Lightroom (or a similar program). Participants must be able to download, select, and submit images for class each day.
Participants should plan to travel to San Miguel no later than Wednesday, September 24. Workshop check-in will be on Thursday morning, followed by breakfast and a brief orientation. The workshop ends on Monday evening with a final dinner and image presentation.
Visit the San Miguel Campus page on our website for details on accommodations, meals, transportation, and more.
Specific festival events are subject to change and availability.
View Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies for this International Program.
We encourage participants to stay on campus at Hotel Posada de la Aldea for ease of proximity to retreat activities and well-priced rooms. Double accommodations (for couples or friends taking the workshop together) are $415 per person for 6 nights (approximately $70 per person, per night), Wednesday through Monday, or $830 per person, single accommodations for 6 nights (approximately $140 per night), Wednesday through Monday. Additional nights at the hotel can be arranged for participants; please discuss needs with the Administration Office in Santa Fe.
$2,995 (USD) includes tuition, breakfast Thursday through Tuesday, lunch Thursday through Monday, final dinner on Monday, and model/location/materials fees if applicable to the class. Hotel accommodations are not included in the package price; see details above.
Jennifer Spelman is a documentary photographer. She is co-publisher of CubaSeen, a quarterly magazine showcasing photography and writing about Cuba.
Jennifer received her photographic training as an assistant with Santa Fe Workshops, working with some of today’s most preeminent photographers: Jay Maisel, Norman Mauskopf, and Joe McNally.
A sensitive photographer of people, Jennifer strives to create portraits with energy and insight. She is most at home on the streets of Havana and has worked with Santa Fe Workshops across Cuba since 2011. Jennifer is a patient educator who has co-instructed with National Geographic Expeditions and taught workshops in Morocco, India, Turkey, Romania, Mexico, Japan, in addition to Cuba.
A popular workshop instructor, Jennifer is also part of our Mentorship Program »
Website: jenniferspelman.com
Instagram: @jennifer_spelman