Questions &
answers.

MPS is a creative photography gathering held every other year in Moab, Utah. It brings together a deliberately small group of 72 photographers for four days of inspiring presentations, small-group field workshops, evening PhotoJAM gatherings, and a final collaborative session called The Closing Process. It is not a gear workshop, not a location tour, and not a portfolio factory. It is a place for photographers who want to think more carefully about what they make and why.

MPS was originally created by Bruce Hucko — a photographer, arts educator, and longtime Moab resident — as a small, thoughtful gathering for photographers who wanted something more than a typical workshop. The symposium has been supported throughout its history by a close-knit group, including Lora and Steve, who continue to help bring it together. Today, MPS is led by David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick, carrying forward the original spirit. Bruce, who created the event, joins the 2027 symposium as a presenter, and the spirit of the original event is very much intact.

MPS runs biannually by deliberate choice. The gap between editions gives the program time to evolve thoughtfully, keeps the event feeling special rather than routine, and allows the team to put real care into each iteration rather than simply repeating a formula. After MPS 2027, the next symposium will be in 2029. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified when registration opens.

72 is not a venue limitation — it’s a creative one. The number comes directly from the workshop structure: 8 leaders × 9 participants per group. At this scale, real creative exchange is possible. Presenters actually get to know attendees. Field sessions feel intimate rather than crowded. The community that forms over four days has genuine depth. More people would make all of that harder.

PhotoJAM is the name for the two evening gatherings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hosted by Mike Hayden, it’s also dinner — pizza, pasta, salad, and non-alcoholic drinks are provided; BYOB if you’d like something stronger — and a relaxed communal event where attendees can share short image sequences, slideshows, or work-in-progress, or simply show up, eat, and enjoy the company. It has a looser, more communal energy than the daytime sessions, and participation is always welcome but never required. It consistently turns out to be one of the most memorable parts of the week.

The Closing Process is the final session of the symposium on Thursday. Participants work on a single fresh image made during the symposium — editing, processing, thinking. All presenters circulate through the room, looking at work, asking questions, and offering perspective. The session closes with a shared group viewing and a brief discussion of what everyone made. It is collaborative, reflective, and — for many attendees — the session they talk about longest afterward.

MPS is designed for intermediate to advanced photographers who have moved past the basics and are ready to think more carefully about their work, their vision, and their creative process. This is not a beginner’s workshop. Participants should be comfortable with their camera and more interested in ideas and creative development than in technical instruction. That said, “advanced” does not mean professional — MPS welcomes serious enthusiasts alongside working photographers.

Not at all. MPS is explicitly not a gear-focused event. Attendees photograph with everything from phone cameras to large format film. The equipment in your bag is of no interest to us or to your fellow attendees. What matters is your curiosity, your engagement with the creative questions, and your willingness to slow down and think carefully.

MPS is rooted in landscape-based fine art photography — that’s the soil it grew out of, and it shapes the field workshops and the conversations. But the creative questions at the heart of the symposium — about vision, process, personal expression, and meaning — apply across almost any genre. If those questions resonate with you, you’ll find the experience valuable regardless of where your own work usually sits.

Not at all. MPS doesn’t care how you learned — it cares how you think and how you engage. The community that forms at MPS tends to be generous, curious, and genuinely interested in each other’s work. If you’re willing to participate openly and bring real curiosity to the experience, you’ll feel at home.

As soon as you complete registration, you’ll be taken straight to a workshop selection page where you rank your preferred leaders for Tuesday afternoon and a different leader for Wednesday afternoon. Assignments happen on a first-come, first-served basis as rankings come in — so the sooner you register and submit your preferences, the better your chances of landing your top picks on both days. Final field session placements and the rest of your symposium details are confirmed closer to the event.

You’ll be placed with your next available preference. The ranking on the selection page is there precisely because some leaders fill faster than others. We do everything we can to honor first choices, but with 9 spots per leader and 72 attendees, not everyone gets their first pick on both days.

Experiencing two different leaders with two distinct approaches over the course of the symposium is one of the most valuable parts of MPS. Each leader has a genuinely different way of working and guiding — the contrast between your Tuesday and Wednesday experiences tends to be illuminating in ways that a single session with the same person wouldn’t be.

The motto is “walk a little, work a lot.” Most field sessions involve less than one mile of walking over 3–4 hours on uneven terrain with minimal elevation gain. The emphasis is on staying with a place, not covering ground. Sessions are accessible to anyone in reasonable physical health. If you have specific mobility considerations, contact us before registering and we’ll help you find the best fit.

Yes — all eight presenters give a talk during the symposium AND lead two afternoon field sessions, one Tuesday and one Wednesday. The Thursday morning closing presentation is given by one of those eight; the specific speaker and title are announced closer to the event.

The experience is identical. The difference is timing and price: the early bird rate ($1,795) is available through July 31, 2026 — register before that date to lock it in. Beginning August 1, 2026, registration moves to the standard rate ($1,995). Both rates include the same symposium experience; field workshop leader selection is based on registration order, not rate type.

A $595 initial payment reserves your spot and is applied to your total. The remaining balance is automatically charged to the same card 120 days before the event (we send a reminder first). A 5% processing fee applies to any refund.

More than 120 days out: initial payment refunded, less the 5% fee.
90–120 days out: initial payment becomes non-refundable; any additional payments are refunded less the 5% fee.
Within 90 days: all payments are non-refundable. If we’re able to fill your place, we refund your payments less the 5% fee — we’ll make a reasonable effort but can’t guarantee.

Transfers to another person are permitted with our written approval. Contact us before making arrangements.

No. Lodging is not part of the registration fee. A block of rooms is held at the symposium hotel for MPS attendees at a group rate. Booking details and the group code are shared in your registration confirmation. See the Travel & Lodging page for the full range of options.

Morning coffee and light refreshments are provided in the MPS Room each day. A continental breakfast is included for guests staying at the Moab Valley Inn (the venue hotel). The Monday welcome reception includes light bites and non-alcoholic drinks (BYOB welcome). Both PhotoJAM gatherings on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings include dinner — pizza, pasta, salad, and non-alcoholic drinks; BYOB welcome. All other meals are on your own — Moab has a good range of restaurants within easy reach of the venue.

Yes. All registered attendees must sign a standard liability and participation waiver before arriving at the symposium. The waiver covers participation in field workshops, outdoor activities, and the symposium generally. You’ll receive your copy digitally with your registration; it will also be included in your final symposium details closer to the event. If you have questions about the waiver, email us before registering.

Yes — MPS runs every other year by design. After MPS 2027, the next symposium will be in 2029. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified when registration opens. Past attendees receive early notification.