By Hand: Photographing Artists and Makers at Work

Photographers of all levels with any camera (including phones) are welcome to expand their visual toolbox through this three-part class with professional travel photographers John and Lisa Merrill.

Using examples from their assignments and adventures around the world, John and Lisa will share tips for creating compelling photographs of artists working in a variety of media and settings. They’ll explore the transformative power of light, provide visual design tips to help you intentionally compose intriguing images, and share techniques for capturing artists in action.

Developing positive rapport is essential to portraiture, and the Merrills will share approaches for doing this with respect and curiosity. They’ll discuss how to select vantage points and occasionally blur backgrounds while working in busy studios and workshops, and how to combine a variety of images (including artists’ tools) into a captivating visual story.

You’ll have opportunities to apply what you learned in BARN studios photographing makers like woodworkers, jewelry makers, glass artists, weavers, and possibly other creators. You’ll circulate between studios in small groups as the Merrills provide on-location photo coaching to help you solve challenges.

A week later, you'll reconvene over Zoom to share images, give and get supportive feedback, and be inspired by what others created. 

Details

• Bring a camera (phone, mirrorless, DSLR, etc.)
• To ensure personalized instruction, this immersive workshop is limited to 12 people.
• Class Structure:
  • Session 1: Presentation in the Great Room 10 AM - 12 PM, lunch break (bring a bag lunch, there's a microwave and refrigerator on the lower level) 12 - 1 PM, photography practice in studios 1 - 3 PM.
  • Session 2: Photo review and feedback, online.

Class Policies

Instructors or Guides