The Photography Master Retreat photographers bond with each other and forge deep friendships.
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“I knew I would bond with the participants, but I did not anticipate that we would connect so personally with the mentors. I value the community we have created.”
“Everyone brought something to the table and with great diversity. I’m looking forward to keeping in touch with everyone.
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“The structure of this program is intense and liberated me from my previous vision of my project. ”
Catherine Talese is a photo editor and photographer living in New York. Catherine came to The Photography Master Retreat with a very large body of work which had been buried in a box for 3 years. At the beginning of the retreat she opened the box and went home a week later with an entirely new vision, structure and edit for ‘Lapland’, as well as a book proposal to send to publishers.
“Working every day with the artists in my core group also improved my eye and see the strengths in work very different than my own… and I think this actually helped change my view of teaching and editing as well as making pictures.”
Alyona is a journalist as well as a photojournalist working as a media delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross- ICRC. She has been working on a project on the wives and mothers of Palestinian detainees in Israel. Alyona first published this work in Aljazeera. During the retreat, she developed clarity and confidence.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for someone who already has something that they are working on, either something that is in progress or project they think that they have finished. But, they need to finalize, to fine tune, to edit, to evaluate, to test before they take it somewhere to show out in the world.”
#TPMR Past RETREATS
#TPMR2020
Due to COVID-19, The Photography Master Retreat 2020 was conducted on Zoom from July 5 to 10, with a select group of participants.
“ I have never felt more comfortable naked in front of strangers.
When the Retreat went into virtually reality mode I experienced trepidation.
How could I possibly achieve my goals over the internet?
However, my fears were unwarranted as I achieved them and so, so much more; and all in the comfort of my home.”
“For me it was learning about the photographic edit. I’d gotten so lost in chasing reviewers and clients expectations for what they wanted to see, that I’d forgotten what I create and what is special about the way I see things.”
#TPMR2019
“My work progressed back into my own vision during this retreat. I went from a place of confusion to clarity. The daily discussions about different styles and manors of creation helped guide my creative soul back into a place where I could start my work anew, with joy.
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“Under the wisdom and guidance of the mentors and the community of fellow participants… I took a photo-based project and made it into a multimedia projection for my final presentation.
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#TPMR2018
“TPMR was exactly what anyone whose wheels are spinning needs. This experience allowed me to trim the unnecessary noise and focus on what is important… As anecdotes go, when a mentor suggests that you try to get William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, or Robert Adams to write an introduction to your book, you can’t help but feel like you’re doing something right.
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“This is an amazing chance to really evaluate where you are and where you are going next as a photographer. This retreat will change not only how I plan but also how I present my work - for showing and sale.
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#TPMR2017
Photo by Wolfgang Strassi
“It felt like time stood still here in Esparon. I could explore the depths of my work in ways that I have not experienced before. I expanded my photographic community with wonderful mentors and photographers. Doing this workshop is a reminder that we are not alone as photographers and that our work can only improve and grow if we open it up for others to see and respond to.”
“Yes, a great group of people – mature, thoughtful, committed with lots of good ideas and feedback, very supportive in a beautiful setting. I also like that it was a neutral, non-competitive environment in a hard-working group and individuals. ”
#TPMR2016
Photo by Gerard Turnley
“By the end of the week, I felt empowered, reinvigorated, energized!”
“In a short week, epiphanies happened in the daily shifting around of people and perspectives. The process worked so well: small circle meetings complemented by widening circles. And particularly the progression of voices from each mentor. Time to think. Unforced.”
#TPMR2015
Photo by Jeff Weddell
“The experience of sleeping, working, eating (and drinking!) all together made it easy for us to get to know each other.”
“I’m French and live in India, so I’ve long felt isolated in my creative process. But this feels like a new beginning. I’ll never be alone again. ”
#TPMR2016 FIELD notes
Flipbook Video: Reflect, Rethink, Refocus 2016 – Field Notes from The Photography Master Retreat. Our limited edition #TPMR2016 book. Designed by Christina Labey. Published by Conveyor Arts. Creative direction by Aleya Lehmann Bench #TPMR2016. The first edition is sold out.
Quotes & photos byThe Photography Master Retreat participants.
Creative direction: Project Buchanan.