My Portrait Class in Santa Fe
They say there’s “good energy” in Santa Fe. Well, from my perspective, the energy was electric last week. As you might know, I just finished teaching a very intense workshop in New Mexico. 14 students from Boston to New Zealand. It was a tiring but glorious week. We did a LOT of work! We covered more in 7 days than I did in “months of study” during my college years. For me, seminars are a challenge because I try to give 100% of myself and it’s very emotionally draining, but in a good way. I really love to help people, but everyone sees the world differently and it’s just a hard thing to teach. The week started at my friend Elias Rivera & Susan Contrera’s home where they hosted a lovely dinner for us. Both are magnificent artists lucky enough to live and work in Santa Fe. Day ONE of class was lots of discussion, critique and my perspective on making a good photograph. That afternoon was the class first assignment….street portraits around Santa Fe. Quite a challenge photographing strangers on the first day. Day TWO we shot at the former state penitentiary. A huge complex with amazing light, TONS of character, and a great gatekeeper named Rick. What a face on Rick, with plenty of great prison stories. Day THREE was in Galisteo shooting cowboys on an old John Wayne movie set. 60 degrees and stunning beauty. What an experience. My friend Pow Carter, who appeared with me on the America’s Heartland show arranged the wonderful location and the great looking cowboys. Thursday, the class photographed a group of bikers from around the Santa Fe area. The faces were perfect. Right out of Easy Rider. By weeks end, the class had taken well over 15,000 photographs and exhaustion was clearly setting in. Backs were sore, knees were achy but creative spirits were sky high. I think we were all stunned as to how far creatively we had traveled in such a short time. I couldn’t have been more proud. As my assistant Memphis Barbree and I prepared the final show. I realized that this clearly WAS a workshop. Meaning it was a lot of “work”. As the lights dimmed and all the weeks work hit the big screen I realized again what I love about photography. It’s the PEOPLE. The people you meet, the people you photograph, and the human connection that comes from being a portrait photographer. I’m honored to have taught this class, and am simply amazed at the work that was created during our time together. Santa Fe is special in so many ways. Last week it was the 14 friends I made and the memories we created. I will miss them. Thanks to Reid, Memphis, Brooke and all at the Santa Fe Workshops who made it so special. Until we meet again, Adios Santa Fe!
Here’s a photo of the group shot on the Galisteo ranch.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great time in Santa Fe! The story behind the picture is often quite funny. We all sat in the sun while Paul did his directing of the subjects. I happened to be lodged on a log ahem… ahh.. well let me say after a short time, feeling in my legs was a distant memory. But look at the photo! It was worth it. Thanks Paul for a wonderful experience and see you soon.
Thanks Paul and all in this workshop for a memorable experience. It was indeed a most special week for all of us on staff at the Workshops. Best Wishes, Reid
Paul, you gave us 150%, and it showed in the incredible shift in our work -Thank you!! I’ve been shooting every day since then, and will probably continue to do so.
This looks like it was an awesome week….
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