Photography Workshops
In one way or another, many workshops and training sessions tend to take on a personality.
We believe that the hosts or the instructors drive that for the most part and managed properly, it allows the participants to relax and be themselves. Even with a group of strangers.
How do we drive that? It’s a simple one word answer. PASSION. We are very passionate about sharing the art and technique of picture making. We look for the artist in each individual and nurture it through out the workshop, building confidence and know how. We know every one learns differently and we’ll work with you at your own speed to help drive the points home and establish good continual habits as you grow and learn.
Tony and Keith firmly believe that the learning environment is critical to the improvement of skills and growth. That learning is always easier when it’s fun. So while the topic may be a technical one and a requirement for moving on, they will present it in a stress free package and through an enjoyable style that keeps the fun in the session. Regardless of your pace, and your past experience, the design of the workshops are to ensure you have growth in your photographic ability, memory cards filled with images, and lasting friendships forged in fun and positive shared experiences.
Southern IL Fall Colors 2024 Oct 24th-27th
Join Keith for his 13th year hosting this fabulous workshop. Happening during the best time of the year, you see nature showing its best color explosions. This 2 1/2 day workshop will show you the magnificent beauty of Southern Illinois dressed in the rich colors of fall. Price includes instruction, lodging Thursday night thru Saturday Night, and lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday. This is a fantastic offering to explore and fill your portfolio with brilliant images.
It is a rain or shine workshop that will take you to very scenic areas. All of these locations have been prescreened to allow for the teaching of techniques while maximizing the seasons and weather while building your knowledge base of photography.
Some sites are on private property and coordination has already been made on participants' behalf to best utilize the time and offer everyone the best opportunity to take awesome pictures while you learn. Several locations are not on any tourism maps or nature guides, offering you a special treat you will not find on your own. Because of the size of the area and distances from major urban areas, you’ll rarely run into other individuals in the same places as you are photographing. In other words, you are not waiting for “tourists” to get out of your shots, or other such interferences. Capped at 10, this group is small so instruction is frequent, and rarely will you have to take turns taking the one point of interest photo at each location. It’s a small almost intimate setting. This workshop is geared toward total novices to professional photographers. No one is out of place.
The actual start time of the workshop is Friday morning as we prepare for a magnificent sunrise shoot if the forecast allows. However, the cabins are available from 5 PM Thursday, for meet-n-greet, camaraderie, and photographic "trade secrets” around the fire pit. Of course, we'll enjoy the traditional smores while we enjoy the fire pit. Our cabins are really two and three-bedroom full-service homes with washers and dryers as well as all the amenities found in nice hotels like towels and toiletries. Even hair dryers. We fill the space in a "hostel" format meaning there is a better than average chance you will have a roommate. Not to worry, though, we aren't in the cabins very often. Too much to do outside.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? and maybe, who shouldn't? (yikes)
Anyone who is comfortable outside and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty, a little damp, mind some intermittent vigorous walking and a slight possibility of some rock climbing (only if you want to). If you love the community of photography and can talk or engage in photography for 2 ½ -3 days… This is for you! You’ll rarely go “off-trail” but only a few trails are groomed. In most cases, the trails are a bit rugged with roots sticking up or hidden under fallen leaves. Some locations may not be suitable for mobility-challenged individuals. If you normally walk with a walking aid (cane, walker, etc.) this trip is NOT for you. Besides the higher probability of you getting injured, you would be holding back the group and while they will be polite about it, it is not fair to the group. There are several "staircases" cut into rocks and even an actual long wooden staircase. Please call or e-mail to get a further explanation if you are unsure of your ability. You do not have to be a triathlete to handle the hiking but it's moderate to challenging for some. Although we do not hike this far at any given stop, if you can routinely handle a 2-3 mile walk then you should have the stamina to handle what this workshop will present you with. If you are mobile but like to use walking poles for traction, this will be just fine for you.
This workshop is designed to accommodate all levels of photographic experience. Total beginners to full-time professionals have taken and enjoyed this trip. It is important, however, that participants be familiar with their equipment and its operation as best as possible. Bring your manual if you are not sure. Your host used to own a camera store and is very familiar with many cameras however recent changes in technology have added a new layer of unfamiliarity with certain brands. This workshop will emphasize practical applications and techniques for all cameras. Composition, layout, and HDR, After registration, e-mails will be sent out providing many details, and information about equipment recommendations.
Registrants are provided with much more information however if you are on the fence and have questions please call or e-mail.
Event Information
| Event Date | Oct-24-2024 |
| Event End Date | Oct-27-2024 |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Individual Price | $739.00 |
| Lodging | Willowbrook Cabins |
| Lodging Link | https://www.willowbrookcabins.com/index.html |
| Refund Policy | Refunds up to 120 days before event. More information below. |
| Experience Level | Novice, Beginner, Amateur, Advanced Amateur, Professional |
| Location | Southern Illinois |
Refund & Deposit Policy
The "hold my spot" deposit allows us to publish a workshop before all our final preparations have been determined. Usually, the cost of lodging is the biggest variable. We feel it is important for the lodging to be included because we know we can guarantee a better rate and because keeping the whole crew at the same hotel builds continuity and comrade. ~ Until we have the exact pricing we'll do this deposit to allow folks to register a lot sooner and get this in their planner. When we do have the exact pricing, we switch to a half-pay or full-pay option and apply the deposit toward that payment.
A full refund is allowed for up to 120 days before the workshop begins. Inside that time if you find a person to fill your spot, or if there is a waiting list and the spot is filled you will also qualify for a full refund regardless of when the spot is filled. Up to 90 Days you will receive a 75% refund, Up to 60 days you will receive a 50%, and up to 30 days you will receive a 25% refund. There is no refund within 30 days, except as mentioned above.
Workshop Reviews
One plus One Equals Three
One plus One Equals Three
Tony and Keith have taught groups as large as 50-100 people for organizations as large as Out of Chicago, or The Florida Camera Club Counsel but their real love is in smaller boutique groups of 10-12. Jointly, they have an overall combined photography experience of over 60 years and together over 20 years of teaching experience in such places as the East Coast and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the farmlands of eastern Iowa and Wisconsin, numerous venues in Illinois, around the Great Lakes, the ruins of North Dakota, Cowboy and Badlands photography in South Dakota, the coasts of Oregon and California, Southwest Colorado, and the area around Moab.
Keith’s style leans more on the practical and technical side since he owned a camera store and is a full-time commercial photographer. Tony’s forte is in acting as the field dog, once on site. He loves pointing out compositions, big or small, that the average person misses.
Each in their own way are fabulous and gifted instructors. Together, they bring different strengths, many years of teaching experience, and a true love of photography to anyone who signs up for the workshops.
Meet Instructor Tony Reynes
Meet Instructor Tony Reynes
As a kid, Tony built model ships and planes, was into ham radio and erector sets. He has always loved creating stuff with lots of parts. Therefore, it is easy to see how the digital darkroom was a natural for him. A second love was the outdoors, whether it was sailing, hiking or skiing. Tony’s affinity for landscape comes as no surprise. Lastly, he has spent the major part of his business career either consulting in business or counseling people on their careers. He has probably spent over 40 years helping and teaching others. When you add these three avocations together, you find a very good teaching photographer.
He has been really serious about photography for over 20 years. In 2006 he started a small side venture to sell his images and teach Photoshop. Shortly after the Great Recession, he sold his national search company and became a full-time photographer. Currently he wears two hats. The first is for the commercial side where he works with a global real estate investment organization, covering their conferences as well as producing landscape and architectural imaging. The second is teaching photographic composition and post production through presentations, workshops and one-on-one tutoring. In 2019, he moved from Chicago to the Northern California area. His new neighborhood images may reflect fewer corn fields and more vineyards. His teaching philosophy continues to be: “if we are not having fun as you learn, we are wasting time”.
Meet Instructor Keith French
Meet Instructor Keith French
Keith is currently a Commercial Photographer in the Greater Chicago Area specializing in visual communication for marking and advertising.
Many novices and amateur photographers begin their love affair with photography in nature. Keith was no different. After completing military flight school he realized he will be going to some interesting places and should probably learn to use a good camera. A few years after learning how to operate his camera Keith took a tour of the Smokey Mountains in the early spring, the camera opportunities were abundant in all directions. He was hooked. Not yet a full time photographer, Keith carried his cameras everywhere while on active military duty, Asia, Europe, Australia, both US Coasts, the desert southwest, and Canada. At the same time, Keith was getting requests to photograph people, products, and events, and saw each new opportunity to branch out into other aspects of photography. After 18 years of self-teaching, and mentoring under professional photographers, Keith became the owner of an existing retail camera store and photo studio in 2002 and used that opportunity to accelerate his now professional career in studio photography. It wasn't long before camera classes were being held at the store to share the passion on a regular basis. Comfortable in front of a class from his military days Keith has had hundreds of customers take his beginning photography class. An experienced outdoors-men and land navigator trained by the Marine Corps, and an experienced teaching photographer make the transition to this type of outdoor, moving classroom a natural progression.
©
2024
Keith French Photography