Munson Photographic offers photography workshops providing a wide range of instruction in various aspects of photography. We structure the workshops to be informative and quite enjoyable.  You will be challenged both technically and artistically to move you to the next level in photographic expertise.

Who Can Attend?

Photography workshops are open to anyone.  If you are a novice or a professional photographer you will garner new techniques and insights that will propel your photography to new levels.  We can assist you with using any type of camera equipment, ranging from 35 mm to large format.  We can also provide you with substantial insight into creative use of your digital camera equipment..  So, whatever equipment or experience you bring to our seminars will provide a basis for an exciting, rewarding, fun, and creative instructional experience.

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Who are the Instructors?

Instruction is provided by Richard and/or Nancy Munson, an experienced husband and wife team with many years of experience photographing in the great outdoors.  They are experienced with digital, 35 mm, medium format, and large format photography and with the techniques and strategies necessary to obtain outstanding nature photographs.

When Are the Workshops?

Our photography workshops are held periodically throughout the year.  Many are single day or evening workshops in interesting locations so that participants can minimize time and cost commitments yet still receive effective instruction and photographic insight. Other workshops may be several days or even a week or more in duration.  This workshops are often in more remote locations and cover a broader range of photographic concepts and techniques.  Review our Photography Workshop Schedule.

Where are the Workshops Held?

The vast majority of our workshops are held on location in some scenic outdoor location.  A few seminars are held in our studios or other indoor locations, but these are less prevalent.  Our outdoor workshops generally include locations throughout the western United States.  Since we live in the Spokane, WA area, our shorter workshops tend to be held at visually interesting spots without a few hours drive of Spokane.  Workshops of a longer duration are often held in locations ranging from Washington to New Mexico and from California to Montana. 

What Equipment Do I Need?

Equipment requirements for most photography workshops are really quite modest.  Typical minimal requirements include a camera (digital, film, medium format, large format, and consumer cameras are all welcome), one lens, memory card(s) or film, and a tripod. The workshops are much more about learning to see through your camera than they are about the level of sophistication of your equipment.  For a few workshops that address more advanced or technical topics there may be additional minimal requirements that will be listed in the notes section of the workshop description. If the notes section does not list additional equipment requirements, then the minimum equipment listed above will do quite nicely.

For each workshop we also recommend (in an email that you will receive after registration) additional equipment you might consider.  This equipment is always non-essential and is divided into two major categories;  beneficial equipment and optional equipment.  Beneficial equipment consists of items that will both improve your photographic experience and offer additional learning experiences.  Optional equipment consists of those items that would be nice to bring, but  that will provide only marginal improvements in your experience.

The list of beneficial and optional equipment will vary from one workshop to another.  If you do not have one of the items on the list, then come without it.  These are, after all, non-essential items.  We do not recommend that you hurriedly dash off to purchase equipment you will seldom use or that you will not have time to gain experience with before the workshop begins.  In general, keep things modest - you will have less equipment to lug around.  Besides, you will have plenty to learn without also trying to learn how to use new equipment.  On the other hand, if you have equipment on the list and are familiar with its use, then feel free to bring it as it will usually prove beneficial during the workshop.

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How Many Participants are in each Workshop?

The number of participants in a workshop varies, depending on the location (some spaces simply won't accommodate many people), the workshop duration, and the type of material being covered in the workshop.  A typical workshop will range from five to ten attendees, with an average of about seven attendees.  This provides excellent one-on-one instruction without you feeling that the instructor is hovering over your head.

What is Provided?

In general we do not provide food or lodging for our workshops, though we do try to provide a list of lodging and dining facilities in the area so that it is easier for your to make arrangements.  We will provide information about hotels if we have experience with staying there.  By not providing lodging and food we allow you to select accommodations that best fit your budget and lifestyle.

For a few workshops we will include lodging and/or food in the price of the workshop.  This is generally done when accommodations are limited in an area or when we wish to make a special package trip for a workshop.  These fully paid workshops are rare, but we do offer them on occasion. The seminar description or notes will describe these accommodations if they are included in the workshop price.

Workshop participants are expected to make their own provisions for water, lunch, snacks, clothing and the like.  Our workshop descriptions discuss the typical weather conditions at a given workshop location to help you plan what to bring.  Please be aware that these are typical conditions and that extreme weather conditions can happen at any time and in any season of the year.  You should be prepared for any weather eventuality.

What Happens After I Sign Up?

After you have successfully registered for a photo workshop and paid your registration fee we will send you an email confirming your registration.  Approximately two to three weeks prior to the workshop we will send you a rather lengthy email that provides additional detail about the workshop.  This email will cover topics such as what equipment to bring (we are very reasonable about equipment needs), what clothing to consider, directions to the workshop location, the goals and objectives of the workshop, lodging and dining options (where appropriate), and a variety of additional information to make your workshop more informative, comfortable, and enjoyable.  The email is sent early enough so that you have sufficient time to address any deficiencies or concerns raised by the email. 

In the email we will provide you with cell phone and email contact information so that you can reach us should you need additional directions, wish to inform us of a delay, or simply want some additional information. The email will also contain a link to our Liability Waiver Form , which must be completed and signed by each participant prior to the start of each workshop. 

We will then hold our initial meeting at the time and location identified in the last email, provide necessary introductions, offer ground rules, discuss safety issues, review the goals and objectives of the workshop, and discuss the schedule of events for the duration of the workshop.  Then we're off to take some fantastic images and gain significant insight into photographic concepts and practices.

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What if I Forget Something?

We try to bring extra items that are commonly left at home by participants or that participants might want to experiment with as a new photographic challenge.  Please do not rely on us bringing items that you could pack - there are no guarantees we will have what you need once you are on location.  Items we typically bring as backups are batteries (typical batteries, not specialized batteries), water bottles, jackets (sure to be ill-fitting), hats, film, photo filters, tripods, etc.  We must charge for consumable items (e.g. batteries and film) and for any item that is borrowed but not returned.

What is Your Refund Policy?

Full refunds are offered if we are notified of the cancellation two weeks or more prior to the workshop.  A 50% refund is provided if a cancellation occurs within the two weeks prior to a workshop.  Refunds are not provided for non-attendance without cancellation.

How Do I Get More Details?

You can get more details about a workshop by either calling us at (509) 465-1641 or by clicking on the email request link included in the workshop description.  Email requests allow us to provide you with more specific information about the workshop and the area(s) we will visit.  To sign up for a specific workshop, please call us at (509) 465-1641 to enroll.

Notes:

1. The minimum equipment needed for any seminar is a digital or film camera, a compatible lens, and a tripod. You may bring any additional equipment that you are willing to carry.

2. Since workshops are often held in the great outdoors and can span from morning to evening, please be prepared for any type of weather.  Bring appropriate jackets, wear layers and bring plenty of water.  You may also consider snacks and a box lunch for some workshops.

3. All associated fees must be paid in full no less than 7 days prior to the seminar start date.

4. Please bring spare batteries, film, disks, and other supplies so that you are not frustrated by lack of these spare items in a remote location. Murphy just loves unprepared photographers in the great outdoors.
   

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