2024 Autumn in Acadia
SESSION #1
DATES: October 7-11, 2024
BEGINS: At 1:00 p.m. on October 7. Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.
ENDS: About 9:30-10:00 am on October 11. Hotel check-out is at 11:00 a.m.
COST: $2595/person
DEPOSIT: $500/person
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately strenuous. Best suited for mobile, sure-footed participants who are capable of hiking up to two-miles roundtrip on uneven, rocky terrain while carrying their gear. Some steeper, stair-step-like climbs involved. Participants may encounter slick, wet rocks along the coast and during inclement weather.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 10 people (co-ed)
SOLD OUT
Please email Colleen for waitlist
SESSION #2
DATES: October 14-18, 2024
BEGINS: At 1:00 p.m. on October 14. Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.
ENDS: About 9:30-10:00 am on October 18. Hotel check-out is at 11:00 a.m.
COST: $2595/person
DEPOSIT: $500/person
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately strenuous. Best suited for mobile, sure-footed participants who are capable of hiking up to two-miles roundtrip on uneven, rocky terrain while carrying their gear. Some steeper, stair-step-like climbs involved. Participants may encounter slick, wet rocks along the coast and during inclement weather.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 10 people (co-ed)
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
For photographers, there may be no better time than autumn to capture the magic of Acadia National Park!
Join acclaimed instructor and outdoor photographer Colleen Miniuk--the author/photographer of the award-winning guidebook, Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How and former three-time Acadia Artist-in-Residence--on this unforgettable educational photography workshop, where you’ll have the chance to capture photographs synonymous with Acadia at the height of fall colors. Colleen knows the park like a mother knows her child, so she'll get you in the right place at the right time to make a stunning collection of spectacular autumn and coastal photographs based on your unforgettable experience in Acadia!
In an learning-intensive, supportive, and small group setting, where pushing ourselves to try new things will be encouraged, attendees will learn how to:
Incorporate the creative process into your photography to make unique and meaningful images
Connect more deeply with Acadia's grand and intimate landscapes through mindful observations
Tap into visualization, visual language/composition, and lighting techniques to create unique and emotional visual expressions
Technically translate what you know, see, and feel into an effective photograph using exposure controls, depth of field, filters, etc.
Learn how to refine visual expressions through a processing techniques demonstration
Get immediate feedback on their work in the field and during an image critique session
You'll see a combination of classic and off-the-beaten path places to catch luminous fall colors, thunderous waves crashing against the rocky shoreline, and inspiring historical locations across Acadia. You'll also have the chance to put a new spin on favorite Acadian scenes like Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, and Boulder Beach. Explore the kaliedoscope of color as the season changes in places like the Tarn, Sieur de Monts, and Duck Brook.
**NOTE: Due to overcrowding at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse at sunset (typically 100+ photographers crowded around a 30-foot rock slab to "get the shot") and Cadillac Mountain at sunrise (where the parking lot fills two hours before sunrise and is now on a strict reservation system), the group will not be visiting these locations during the workshop. If photographing these two locations is important to you, please plan on adding a day before or after the workshop to do so on your own.**
WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
Photography instruction (classroom, field, and two critique sessions) plus handouts
Expert guidance to classic and off-the-beaten path locations within Acadia
Acadia National Park CUA permit & park entrance fees
4 nights OCEANVIEW lodging at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Event Center in Bar Harbor (double-occupancy; limited single occupancy available upon request for an additional $500)
Continental breakfasts from October 11-14 (provided by the Atlantic Oceanside)
A free autographed copy of Colleen's award-winning guidebook, "Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How (2nd edition)" and eBook (which will be emailed to all participants prior to the workshop to help prepare)
An invitation to join the closed "CMS Photography: Workshop Alumni Forum" Facebook group
WORKSHOP EXCLUDES:
Airfare to Maine (best airport to fly into is Portland-PWM or Bangor-BGR)
Transportation to/from/during the workshop
Participants' lunches and dinners
Trip insurance
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be provided in writing. Cancellations made:
At least 90 days prior to the workshop start date: A refund for the deposit paid, minus a $250 administrative fee, will be granted.
89-61 days prior to the workshop start date: A full refund, minus the $500 deposit paid, will be granted. If the vacated spot happens to fill prior to the workshop, then a full refund, including any balance paid and the deposit minus a $250 administrative fee, will be granted.
60 days or less prior to the workshop start date: No refunds will be issued. If the vacated spot happens to fill prior to the workshop, then a full refund, including any balance paid and the deposit minus a $250 administrative fee, will be granted.
Any requests to transfer a participants registration to another CMS Photography workshop will be treated as a cancellation. The above policy will dictate which monies, if any, shall transfer.
Although rare, CMS Photography reserves the right to cancel a workshop for any reason at our discretion. Should we decide to cancel a workshop, we will refund your registration fees in full.
Also, CMS Photography also reserves the right to modify a workshop itinerary based on local or federal restrictions beyond our control (e.g. COVID-19 restrictions, government shutdowns, closed sites). Should a registrant choose to cancel because of these changes, our standard cancellation policy outlined above applies.
There are no exceptions to these policies.
CMS Photography strongly encourages you to purchase trip insurance with a "Cancel for Any Reason" clause immediately after paying your deposit to protect yourself in the event of unexpected circumstances preventing you from attending our workshops. Consider contacting AAA, your credit cards, or other notable trip insurance companies for appropriate policies.
TESTIMONIAL FROM PAST ATTENDEES
"There is a huge difference between a photography workshop and a photography tour. Colleen runs workshops. It's the emphasis on learning that takes place which makes it a workshop, in addition to Colleen getting us to the right places at the right time (tour). While capturing beautiful images was my ultimate goal, it was her classroom presentations and in the field feedback I benefited from most. I'm very excited to apply what I learned to my photography and post processing! Plus I cannot say enough about how enjoyable and fun Colleen is! She really is quite the character!" ~Judy G.
"There is no one better equipped to take you on a photographic journey through Acadia than Colleen. Colleen is truly an inspiration and is there for you—whether you want help with composition, camera settings, post processing, or working with you to capture what inspires you at each location. I am looking forward to attending more workshops in the future." ~Pam T.
"Colleen is a warm, humorous, present, down to earth human being who knows Acadia cold and is an excellent teacher. She encourages and facilitates people to stretch and to keep learning." ~Andrew G.
"Recipe for the perfect Acadia photo workshop: Colleen's expert knowledge of the terrain, her flexibility in modifying the itinerary as weather changes, her artistic clarity in image-review sessions, & Acadia's exquisite beauty." ~Fred O.
"Your workshops are so different from others I have attended. The time spent slowing down and paying attention to mindfulness has been invaluable. Writing a haiku was quite the challenge but so worthwhile. Thank you for the wonderful company and the special and thought-provoking assignments, not to mention “critingo!” --Toby S.
"Whether a beginner or advance photographer, Colleen has the knowledge and patience to help you truly experience what it is to photograph the beauty of Acadia national Park in its fall colors. Without a doubt, I will be attending another workshop by Colleen!" --Lindsay G.
"Colleen's experience with photography equipment and approaches will motivate you to know more and to learn from guided practice. She is one the most effective teachers of photography we know."--John and Kathy W.
"Colleen is extremely knowledgeable about Acadia and the best sites for photography, including many that are not very crowded. The size of the group is small and so there is a lot of one on one time for everyone with Colleen in the field. I would highly recommend the Acadia workshop for all levels!" --Sharon P.
"Colleen is very knowledgeable about Acadia National Park due to her times of residency there. I would recommend attending any of her workshops there or elsewhere that she offers a workshop." ~Steve B.
"Colleen Miniuk-Sperry is the consummate artist minus an attitude. She loves to teach and she loves Acadia. This workshop is a happy combination of her talents and interests." -- Martin H.
"As a beginner, I worried the instruction would be "over my head" but Colleen was a great teacher and included information for all experience levels in our workshop. I am definitely a better photographer after this workshop and it was fun!" --Cathy N.
"This workshop was truly outstanding - a great balance between classroom work and mentoring in the field from a charismatic instructor." -- George B.
“I’ve been to many workshops but this one was the most fun and provided me with a wealth of knowledge on how to improve.” -- Chris S.
"I really appreciate the critique sessions. Colleen gives excellent advice while valuing the work that you have already created." -- Carlene D.