Field Workshops
Walk a little.
Work a lot.
Field workshops are where ideas meet experience. Small groups. Real guidance. Time to think, respond, and make photographs that feel like yours.
Not a location checklist. Not a pose-and-shoot tour. A creative conversation that happens to unfold in one of the most remarkable landscapes in the American West.
The workshop philosophy
Three words that shape every field session.
9 participants per workshop leader — every time. Not because we can’t fit more, but because this is the number at which real creative exchange becomes possible.
MPS field sessions involve short walking distances — under a mile in most cases — with uneven terrain and minimal elevation gain. The point is not to cover ground. It’s to stay with something long enough to actually see it.
Workshop leaders are not here to show you how they photograph. They’re here to help you understand how you do. The goal is to come home with work that is distinctly yours — not a version of theirs.
How the workshops work
Two workshops.
Two different leaders.
Both afternoons.
Every registered attendee selects one field workshop on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. You must choose a different leader each day — which means you get two distinct creative perspectives over the course of the symposium.
Workshops fill at 9 participants. Selection opens immediately after registration. Workshop leaders and their specific locations will be announced as the event approaches.
Selection note
Workshop placements are made in order of registration. Register early to maximize your chances of getting your first-choice leaders on both days.
Workshop structure at a glance
Workshop Leaders
Eight leaders.
Eight perspectives.
Each leader brings a different way of seeing, working, and guiding — which is exactly why the two-session, different-leader structure produces such varied and valuable experiences.
Candid, warm, and disarmingly honest. Colleen’s field sessions are known for their energy and their ability to help photographers cut through self-imposed limitations.
Patient, observational, and deeply thoughtful. Chuck helps photographers slow down and find what’s compelling in places that aren’t obviously dramatic.
Technically precise and creatively generous. David’s field time combines clear guidance on craft with a genuine interest in helping each participant find their own approach.
Question-driven and process-focused. Michael’s sessions ask more than they tell, creating space for photographers to understand their own instincts rather than follow someone else’s.
Nobody knows this landscape like Bruce. His field sessions combine deep local knowledge with decades of teaching experience and a genuine warmth that makes difficult creative questions feel accessible.
Curious, observant, and grounded in the natural world. Jennifer brings scientific attention and creative warmth to every field session she leads.
Light, weather, and place. Michael helps photographers read what’s in front of them more carefully and respond to changing conditions with more intent.
One more workshop leader will be confirmed as the symposium approaches. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified first.
“The goal is not to come home with the same photographs as everyone else in your group.” — MPS Field Workshop Philosophy
Practical details
What to expect in the field.
Physical considerations
What to bring
All workshops depart from
The symposium venue in Moab. Specific locations for each workshop will be shared with registered attendees before the event.
9 spots per leader · First-come
Workshops fill from the moment registration opens.
Register early to secure your preferred leaders on both Tuesday and Wednesday.