The key is how to make someone else who wasn’t standing next to you when you took that image of the elephant in the middle of the Serengeti, feel the same way about it that you do. You have your emotions already tied up in that image because you were there when you took it. You remember the long flight, the sound of the elephant's legs swishing through the grass, the heat of the African sun, the smells. How do you create an image so impactful that it communicates the emotion of how you felt when you shot it to someone who wasn't there?

When you have mastered the elements that go into creating emotion-driven images, traveling becomes a thrilling exploration of your own vision. This is the main focus of my workshops. Purposeful seeing. Purposeful vision. Creating images for the purpose of not showing someone what you saw, but rather generating an emotional response in them. A snapshot documents the information about a subject, but not the emotion. However, the purposeful use of various elements (frame, light, technique, moment, etc.) can transform that image into what a great photograph, in the end, should be: a communication of your personal vision that has the ability to impact someone emotionally. In effect, you are using your vision, technical knowledge and unique point of view to create an image that transcends the subject. An image that moves beyond just communicating to someone about another culture or place and resonates with them on an emotional level.

This is the thrust of the workshop. Learning how to shoot emotion, not information. Learning how to shoot with a lyrical eye instead of a literal one. Learning how to create these kinds of images consistently.

During the workshop a heavy emphasis is placed on creating images with "purpose." We will look at how you approach your image-making and what the basic elements of a successful image are. Portfolio reviews and learning how to critically analyze images are an indispensable part of this skill set. In the end, it's about finding your vision and voice.