Very simply, this workshop is for anyone who wants to become a better photographer. Photographers of all levels are welcome. Probably the most satisfying experience will be had by owners of a DSLR camera, as you want to be able to manually adjust your f-stops, shutter speed and ISO settings. Having said that, if you want to do this workshop with only a smartphone camera, I would welcome that challenge (as long as you wouldn’t mind all the discussion of manual photography) – that could be a wonderful photographic experience for sure. I will try to make the challenge for each participant personal and appropriate to their level and interest.

Due to the challenges presented by a location at a higher altitude (Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet above sea level) and the walking/hiking it may entail, we recommend that attendees have a moderate fitness level and mobility.

All participants must be fully vaccinated (including boosters, in accordance with the CDC definition of fully vaccinated at the time of the workshop). We are excited to be back out doing in-person workshops again but the health and safety of our staff and attendees will always be our first priority.

Covid protections and requirements are subject to change depending on the current circumstances at the time of the workshop. Masking and social distancing will be required as deemed necessary by CDC and local government guidelines and recommendations at that time.

Travel Insurance is recommended. (If you’re looking for travel insurance with protections for a wide range of travel emergencies and trip interruptions including those due to Covid-19, check out SquareMouth.)

We require a minimum of 6 participants to attend to make it cost effective for us to put on this workshop.

This has been a popular location in the past and we’ve easily exceeded that number so we anticipate reaching this requirement with no problem. However, in the unlikely event that we don’t get 6 participants registered we will cancel the workshop and refund your full registration fee. We will keep all registrants up to date on the participant count until we have 6 confirmed registrants so you will know where the workshop stands at all times.

We recommend that you don’t make any non-refundable travel or housing plans until we have confirmed the workshop is a go. But, given the popularity of this location and the (bucket list!) Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, we expect to be able to do that pretty quickly.

And your workshop fee will be 100% refundable up until 120 days prior to the start of the workshop (June 12, 2023) so you can register now risk-free!

The workshop fee includes:

• Three-day photography workshop with hands-on instruction, assignments, photo review, and editing instruction. (Purchase the Add-On Day Option to turn it into a four-day workshop.)
• Pre-workshop Zoom consultation & photo review with Nick to assess your photography, discuss your goals and get personalized advice on how to prepare for the workshop.
• Bonus Camera Settings Checkup with Nick if you arrive early on Tuesday. The first 5 people to register will be guaranteed an individual session, and other sessions will be “first come, first served” (individual or small group by camera brand) as time allows.
• Nick’s Basic Photography Course (self-study)
• Nick’s Going Manual Course (self-study version)
• Bonus Portrait by Nick at the workshop (you get edited/retouched digital files)
• A welcome dinner on Tuesday evening, all breakfasts, and the closing lunch in Santa Fe on on Friday.
• All admission fees for any attractions we visit on the group photo tours
• Transportation during the workshop
• Follow-up webinar after the workshop for photo review and editing instruction

Not included:

• Hotel accommodations in Santa Fe and Albuquerque are not included and must be booked separately (See next question for housing details.)
• Flights and Airport transfers
• Any meals not mentioned above.

In Santa Fe, we will be headquartered in a lovely inn or AirBNB rental home just a short stroll from the famed Santa Fe Plaza. Room choices will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices will range from approximately $140 – $325, depending on room selection and single/double occupancy.

For those attendees choosing to include the Add-On Day experience at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, we will be staying at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North.  Nightly rates range from $139 to $279 depending on whether you prefer a shared or private room.

Rooms in both locations will be reserved through us. As we will be attending both the morning and evening sessions of the Balloon Fiesta, we will stay at the Marriott both Friday and Saturday nights.

Workshop registrants will receive detailed pricing and reservation information after registering. For double-occupancy rooms, let us know if you have a roommate request – otherwise, we can match you with a roommate or you can seek your own roommate through discussions in our workshop private Facebook group which you’ll get access to soon after registering for the workshop.

Yes! We’ll appreciate you sharing accommodations with friends or fellow participants, as most rooms will need to be booked on a double occupancy basis. Rooms will be booked first come, first serve, so if you and a friend register for the workshop at the same time, you’ll be able to book a room together. After you register for the workshop, you’ll be invited to join our private Facebook group for attendees, and you can find a roommate there if you don’t already know one. If you don’t book with someone you know and do not choose a private room, you’ll be assigned a roommate if available … a great way to make new photo-friends!

Yes, absolutely! It’s great to take advantage of such an opportunity to share such a trip.

We realize, though, that many of you will be looking forward to focusing on yourself and your photography during the workshop—and bonding with fellow participants—so we will all, of course, respect that as the goal of our group. However, traveling companions will certainly be welcome to join us for meals and touring activities as space allows.

To bring a guest simply add the appropriate Workshop Guest Package option to your cart at checkout:

3-Day Workshop Guest Package is $395

4-Day Workshop Guest Package is $495

If you’re choosing the Add-On Day to turn your workshop into a 4 day experience be sure to add that to your cart first, the the 3 Day Guest Package option will be switched to the 4 Day Guest Package Option.

Guest Registration Package covers the same meals/admission fees/transportation as workshop attendees—but does not include any participation in photography instruction sessions.

Tuesday’s welcome dinner, daily beakfasts, and a closing meal on Friday are provided.  Other meals are at your own expense—feel free to go out on your own, or you’re welcome to join Anne and me in a group.

Yes, there will be high speed WiFi access in the Santa Fe house and the Marriott Albuquerque Hotel.

Your airport options are the Santa Fe Municipal Airport or the Albuquerque International Sunport.  If you are participating in the Add-On Option of the Balloon Fiesta, you will want to fly out of Albuquerque at the end of the event.  You can find information about ground transportation from Albuquerque to Santa Fe on the airport’s website.  You may also be able to share rides with other attendees and organize those arrangements through our private attendee Facebook group.

You will be responsible for getting yourself to and from the airport to the workshop, but we will arrange for all other local transportation for the group during the workshop.

Please let us know if you have any special dietary or mobility needs.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Santa Fe is located at a height of 7000 feet, and we will likely be doing some walking along trails.  Therefore, we recommend that participants have a moderate fitness level.  You can email Anne at info@HowToPhotographYourLife or let us know if you’d like a phone call to discuss how to accommodate any concerns.

Bring your camera and all the lenses you may want to use. If you have a tripod—and it’s not a hassle to bring—bring it. (Many folks in the past have brought their tripods and ended up not using them. It’s your call. It’s NOT mandatory. However, they are helpful for photographing during the evening session of the Balloon Fiesta.) If you own a detachable “speedlight” you can bring that, too.  (Although, again, past participants have ended up not using them, so you decide.) And, of course, chargers, portable batteries, a flash drive.

When you pack your equipment for our photo-tours, try to keep yourself light and mobile. Your choice of camera bag is important. There will be some walking involved — and for the most part you’ll be using your camera and whatever lenses you own.

Bring your laptop for post-processing your photos. We will do some editing work onsite during the workshop. I use Lightroom for editing and I’m going to suggest you do, too. If you plan to use Lightroom it would be good to have it installed before you get there.  If you need help learning to use it before the workshop, here’s a great course I recommend. 😉

Nick Kelsh’s Photo Editing with Lightroom Interactive Course

Comfortable walking shoes are mandatory.

Bring layers to adjust for varying degrees of cold or warm. A raincoat (which we hope you won’t need!) Rain/sun hat. Jacket or coat for nights. You may want to look half way decent for eating in a big city restaurant, but certainly relaxed casual. Average temperatures for that time of year in Santa Fe are mid-60’s-70’s days / 40’s nights—but anything can happen weather-wise these days!

Keep in mind that you could end up in photos taken by me or others throughout the weekend (which I may share in my blog or facebook page), so keep that in mind—seasonal city clothes, avoid t-shirts with logos, etc.

*And for the bonus portrait sessions, remember to bring whatever clothes you want to be photographed in. If you’re wondering what’s best to wear for that, ask yourself what you want these photos for… a nice personal photo for your family or social media? A business headshot for your work?  With your camera for your photography page? Just dress accordingly. In terms of colors, black isn’t great, bright white is the worst and solid colors are always the safest way to go. 

Of course we hope it will be picture-perfect but we have to be prepared that anything can happen weather-wise. (Our itinerary will be flexible to accommodate weather and light and we will shift outdooor/indoor shoots accordingly.)    Santa Fe’s weather can change rapidly and often. Average temperatures in Santa Fe in October are highs in the mid-60’s to 70’s, and lows in the 40’s/high 30’s.

A good weather service to check for greatest accuracy is AccuWeather (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/santa-fe-nm/87501/october-weather/329558)

and your iPhone weather app is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information. With down-to-the-minute forecasts, you’ll know exactly when the rain will start or stop, right where you’re standing.

Your workshop fee will be fully refundable if you cancel your registration up to 120 days prior to the workshop start date (June 12, 2023). 

This will allow you to secure your spot now—to take advantage of the early registration discount and special bonus—but be risk-free, with time afterward to be sure you can get travel arrangements in place. [email protected] if you’d like help with arrangements.)

*Please remember we advise not committing to any non-refundable travel or housing expenses until we’ve confirmed that we’ve got our required minimum of 6 participants and the workshop is a go. We will keep all registrants up to date on the registration number. 

If you need to cancel within 120 days of the workshop we’ll make every effort to refund your fee (less $100 administrative fee) if we can resell your spot, or you can apply your fee to another workshop within two years.

Our visit will include both the morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday, to give us the best chance to see – and photograph – the inflations, ascensions and glows of the balloons. Please note that we cannot guarantee that balloons will inflate and/or fly during the times we are at the Balloon Fiesta, as inflations and launches are determined by the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and are subject to wind and weather conditions and other factors beyond our control. The fireworks show is also subject to the same conditions.  While our photography day with Nick will end Saturday evening, you may choose to extend your stay and return to the Balloon Fiesta for additional sessions on subsequent days – however, those accommodations and excursions will be at your own expense, as they are not included as part of the workshop’s Add-On Day.

We’ll be happy to address any questions you may have by phone or email.  We can help you determine if this workshop is right for you and offer advice about transportation, rooming and other logistics to help make the trip manageable, affordable and possible for you.

For questions about workshop details and travel/housing logistics contact Anne at 917-703-3479 or [email protected].

For questions about your photography goals and whether this photography workshop is right for you contact Nick at 215-817-5262 or [email protected].

You can also email us at  [email protected].