Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lot of experience or expensive gear to take this workshop?

No! You can make great images right away with simple equipment, and that’s what this workshops aim to teach you. If you have photographed before and aim to update yourself on the latest techniques in digital photography, this is definitely for you. If you are just starting out and have a new camera you want to learn, this is for you, too. If you are a seasoned veteran who doesn’t need much help, just wants to go to great locations and have fun with like-minded individuals, well, this is for you, as well!

What does the itinerary look like?

Our itinerary can and will change due to the weather and other factors. Our goal is to get you in the best possible locations to match the conditions. That said, here’s an idea of what each day might look like.

Sept 16 / Day 1: We will base in Brunswick for the first three nights. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 PM for orientation and Q&A before going out for dinner and an evening photography session, likely at Lookout Point in Harpswell.

Sept 17 / Day 2: Sunrise/morning field session at Five Islands, Georgetown, breakfast, afternoon presentations, dinner and sunset field session on Bailey Island, Harpswell.

Sept 18 / Day 3: Sunrise/morning field session at Portland Head Light, breakfast, afternoon image reviews and post processing training, dinner and sunset field session at Marshall Point Lighthouse.

Sept 19 / Day 4: Sunrise/morning field session at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, breakfast, move to Acadia, afternoon group image reviews, sunset field session at Jordan Pond, dinner.

Sept 20 / Day 5: Sunrise/morning field session at Boulder Beach, breakfast, afternoon group image reviews, dinner and sunset field session in Bass Harbor.

Sept 21 / Day 6: Sunrise/morning field session at Sand Beach, breakfast, group image reviews, debrief and conclusion. Workshop ends at noon.

Possible locations might include but are not limited to:

• Portland Head Light

• Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

• Portland Harbor

• Lookout Point Harpswell

• Garrison Cove Bailey Island

• Mackerel Cove Bailey Island

• Giants Stairs Bailey Island

• Five Islands Georgetown

• Popham Beach

• Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

• New Harbor

• Marshall Point Lighthouse

• Port Clyde

• Camden Harbor

Possible locations in Acadia:

• Sand Beach

• Lesser Known Spots on Ocean Drive

• Boulder Beach

• Otter Cliffs

• Sieur De Monts / Jesup Path

• Eagle Lake

• Jordan Pond

• Bass Harbor (not the lighthouse)

What are the fitness requirements?

Minimal: There will be no strenuous hiking involved during the workshop and most locations will be close to the road.  Some locations, however may involve a short hike of less than a mile with no serious elevation gains.  We will be spending a lot of time shooting along country roads, beaches and coastal trails that will require scrambling over rocks and down hillsides.  The terrain along the coast can be very uneven and sometimes slippery so caution is always a prudent consideration.  Hiking boots and a modest level of health and fitness will greatly enhance your experience.

What equipment do you recommend I bring?

• DSLR or mirrorless camera

• Lenses to cover 16-200mm on a full frame sensor are recommended, 10-150mm on a crop sensor.

• A sturdy tripod and ballhead

• Circular polarizing filter and neutral density filters

• Waterproof camera bag (a shoulder bag is not recommended)

• Waterproof covering for your camera and lens

• Laptop Computer with editing software, preferably Adobe Lightroom Classic

• Card Reader if your computer doesn’t have one

• Extra Batteries

• Extra Memory Cards

What about transportation?

Flights: We recommend flying into Portland, Maine (PWM) for the start of the workshop. Participants may choose to fly out of Bangor, Maine (BGR) at the end of the workshop. It will be slightly closer, but likely more expensive. Flying out of Portland is still a good option.

Car Rentals and Carpooling: Participants will need to rent a car to participate in the workshop. We encourage carpooling to reduce our environmental impact, the amount of space we take up, and especially to encourage camaraderie and fun times with other participants. Arrangements can be made ahead of time if you indicate a willingness to be a driver/passenger.

What about lodging?

Hotel information will be provided upon registration. We’ll start the workshop in Brunswick, which gives us great access to locations from Portland to Port Clyde. We’ll head over to Mount Desert Island on Day 4, and end the workshop there on Day 6.

What should I wear?

• Temperatures on the coast of Maine in September range from cool 50’s to sometimes very warm days near 90 degrees. For that reason we recommend bringing a range of clothing from shorts and short sleeves to long pants and long sleeve shirts along with sweaters and a light jacket.

• Sturdy Hiking Shoes for grip and balance on rocks

• Waterproof and Windproof Shell

• Light Insulating Hat

• Headlamp

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

• Bad weather is good weather to landscape photographers. If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes. There are many idioms that apply to the weather, and if you don’t already know, being out in all weather usually leads to great photo opportunities! Safety will remain a top priority.

What does my tuition cover?

• Your tuitions covers all fieldwork, group instruction, and classroom time. We will also stock emergency first aid kits. It does not include travel insurance, transportation, meals and lodging.

What are your terms and conditions?

• A $500 deposit is due at the time of booking to hold your spot, the full payment is due 45 days ahead of the workshop start date.

• Cancelations: Cancelations made 45 days in advance will receive a full refund. Cancelations less than 45 days before the start of the workshop will receive no refund. If a canceled spot is able to be filled before the start date of the workshop a full refund will be given, including the deposit.