There’s something exceptional hidden away in the foothills of Santa Fe—something that has drawn people to our city for almost three decades. Travelers have come from all over the world—Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombia, Israel, India—to work, to study and to teach at a modest little campus on Carmel Road. Some students come again and again to restore their creative vigor. And what is the mysterious allure that draws people from the four corners of the globe to a humble retreat center in the high desert? The quiet magnetism of Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. Aspiring photographers, beginner hobbyists and emerging professionals from thousands of miles away make the pilgrimage to the Workshops to refill their inspirational cup.
As a member of The Workshops fulltime staff, I’m often surprised by the many locals who are unaware of this invaluable resource. We have a cutting-edge printing studio and a lighting studio, and both overflow with a panoply of high-end gear that participants can practice on. There’s also a superb Nikon camera-lending library that would make any gadget geek weak in the knees. And yes, the workshops are taught by talented, world-renowned photographers. You have the chance to have a margarita with Joe McNally, to ask a National Geographic photo editor what she thinks of your work, or to get advice from Sam Abell. Instructors like Arthur Meyerson, Jock Sturges, Sam Abell, Nevada Wier, Kurt Markus, Marco Grob, Paul Mobley, Julieanne Kost, Joe McNally, Greg Gorman, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Gregory Heisler, Sylvia Plachy, Joyce Tenneson, Andrew Hetherington and Arno Minkkinen are carefully selected not only for their technical expertise and professional experience but also for their genuine willingness to nurture the craft of others and help them discover their own vision.
The Workshops also have Santa Fe’s timeless charm working in their favor. The campus is surrounded by stunning landscapes, rich culture and heritage, and is bolstered by a healthy dose of “good vibes”—Santa Fe’s trademark enchantment. To get the most out of this location, most workshops photograph “on location” in areas that even longtime Santa Fe residents either don’t know about or can’t access. Past photo locales have included the Algodones Power Plant, The Scottish Rite Temple, secluded landscapes in Los Luceros and Plaza Blanca, Eaves Movie Ranch and even private residences and working ranches.
But ultimately, it’s not really about the gear or the location or even the information being taught. Fundamentally, what makes Santa Fe Workshops so special is something far less tangible. The crux of it is how a workshop can profoundly impact participants’ lives. The transcendent power of learning is at the heart of why Director Reid Callanan founded the workshops in 1990. He recalls, “In 1975, I went to Maine Photographic Workshops and I was exposed to a community and an environment—a whole world—that I had no idea existed. It was a revelation to me. I knew then and there I wanted to share that experience with as many people as possible.”
Over the past 26 years, he’s done just that for the tens of thousands of people who have passed through the doors of Santa Fe Workshops. With guidance and encouragement from their instructors, participants are supported, but also challenged. Over the course of five days, students learn about both sides of photography. As Reid points out, “Photography is a wonderful marriage of technical and creative. You can learn the technical aspects of photography pretty easily, and then you can learn to be creative with it.”
But more significantly, participants learn to see—really see—and to welcome creativity into their lives. As Reid observes, “Lots of people come here and say they aren’t creative, and then during their workshop, they discover that part of themselves. That’s one of the wonderful things about photography, it’s really open to everybody.”
When someone finds their inner creativity, an exquisite transformation happens. “I truly value the importance of having creativity in your life,” Reid muses. “Creativity sparks our curiosity and our imagination. It fuels our lives as humans. Imagination gives you hope. It lets you imagine a new life for yourself, a new world; it helps you try new things.”
For first-time workshop participants, the journey can be an intimidating process, often fraught with uncertainty and strong emotions. It’s not uncommon to see tears, frustration, self-doubt and soul-searching right alongside elation, laughter and epiphanies as students are pushed to see the world in a new way—to engage with the world more fully and, most importantly, to find their authentic point of view.
The intensity of the experience creates camaraderie and a strong bond between attendees. A group of strangers spend five days together being creative and vulnerable, and they share in the journey as the brume of their fear gives way to newfound purpose and clarity.
People cry. People laugh. People get frustrated and tired. People have breakthroughs. People are inspired. People find their voice. That’s the real secret of Santa Fe Workshops. It’s not really about photography or even about the workshops; it’s about the human experience that occurs here.
People connect. People grow. People discover new parts of themselves. People learn to see and to let themselves be seen— truly seen. Now that’s a secret worth sharing.
Santa Fe Photographic Workshops is a year-round photographic education facility that offers workshops for all skill levels, from beginner to professional. It is located at 50 Mt. Carmel Road in Santa Fe. 505.983.1400, ext. 111, santafeworkshops.com.