Small-group photography workshops in Maine
Led by world-class photographers. Designed for those ready to go deeper with their work.
Limited to small groups. Designed for emerging to advanced photographers.
Workshops range from $900–$5,500 depending on program length and instructor.
Featuring Greg Gorman, Cig Harvey, Aline Smithson, Maggie Steber, Sarah Leen, Pamela Springsteen, Rob DeMartin, Simon Lewis, Kerry Payne and Claire Rosen.
“This was truly a magical experience. Grateful for the infinite wisdom, experience and creativity everyone brought to our time together.”
Creative Renewal: A Maine Retreat with Cig Harvey
Join us at Blenheim Park Maine for an extraordinary photography workshop with the acclaimed Cig Harvey. Known for her lush, cinematic imagery and evocative storytelling, Cig’s work transforms the everyday into the extraordinary. This immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most poetic visual artists of our time, as she guides participants in discovering their unique photographic voice. Against the stunning backdrop of Maine’s only ornamental cherry blossom orchard, attendees will explore creative techniques, personal narrative, and the magic of light. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or an emerging artist, this experience promises inspiration, growth, and a deeper connection to your craft. Don’t miss this chance to refine your vision, explore new perspectives and capture the extraordinary in everyday life, in an unforgettable setting.
Best for: Photographers looking to reconnect with their creative voice and explore more intuitive, personal ways of making work
You’ll leave with: A renewed sense of direction, a collection of new images, and practical tools to sustain your creative practice
Elevate- A Commercial Photography Masterclass WITH SIMON LEWIS
If you’re ready to elevate your photography business — securing brand partnerships, commanding stronger rates, and delivering refined, professional work — this immersive workshop led by Simon Lewis is designed for you. Created specifically for working photographers, the program combines real-world client briefs, hands-on production, and thoughtful critique within a focused, retreat-style environment that encourages clarity, confidence, and creative growth — all set on a stunning lakeside estate in Maine.
Best for: Working or aspiring commercial photographers looking to strengthen their client work and professional positioning.
You’ll leave with: A portfolio of polished, client-ready images and a clearer understanding of how to approach briefs, production, and brand collaboration.
“A joyful, collaborative space filled with creativity and openness. I left inspired—and already missing it.”
Maggie Steber With Sarah Leen & Kerry Payne: The Secret Garden Workshop
Step into a world of imagination at Blenheim Park Maine, where the ethereal meets the extraordinary in The Secret Garden of Lily la Palma. Join legendary National Geographic photographer and Guggenheim Fellow Maggie Steber, alongside Sarah Leen, National Geographic’s Director of Photography (Emeritus), and Lucie-awarded photographer Kerry Payne Stailey, for an immersive four-day workshop that will transform the way you see and create. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Maine’s only ornamental cherry blossom orchard and private lakeside estate, this experience will push your storytelling beyond limits, guiding you to explore photography as fiction, as poetry, as dreamscape.
Best for: Photographers drawn to surreal, cinematic, and character-driven storytelling, and interested in expanding how they use narrative, metaphor, and visual imagination.
You’ll leave with: A bold new body of images, a deeper understanding of how to construct layered visual narratives, and greater confidence in bringing your own ideas to life.
Developing Photographic Work With Purpose with aline smithson
Join renowned artist, editor, and educator Aline Smithson for a four-day immersive workshop designed to help photographers bring greater intention, clarity, and meaning to their work. Through guided exercises, thoughtful critique, and conversations about idea-driven image-making, Aline will help you explore the concepts, personal stories, and deeper questions that give your photographs resonance.
Whether you're developing a new project or refining an existing one, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to strengthen your artistic voice, deepen your practice, and create work with purpose—supported by Aline’s generous teaching style and the inspiring landscape of Blenheim Park.
Best for: Photographers developing a project or seeking clarity around the direction and meaning of their work.
You’ll leave with: A stronger, more cohesive body of work and a clear framework for continuing your project beyond the workshop.
Imaginarium: Cultivating Your Artist’s Practice with Claire Rosen
Discover the imaginative heart of your creative practice in this four-day immersion with photographer and author Claire Rosen. Rooted in Claire’s celebrated Imaginarium philosophy, this workshop invites you to slow down, look inward, and reconnect with the ideas, influences, and instincts that shape your artistic voice. Through guided exercises, hands-on exploration, and thoughtful conversation, Claire leads participants through the full arc of the creative process—from uncovering sources of inspiration and generating meaningful concepts to planning effectively, problem-solving with intention, and refining your work through reflection and critique. You’ll leave with practical tools to sustain a vibrant creative practice and a renewed confidence in bringing your ideas vividly to life.
Best for: Photographers interested in conceptual storytelling and working with animals to create imaginative, narrative-driven images.
You’ll leave with: A series of distinctive images and a stronger understanding of how to plan, direct, and execute concept-based shoots.
“I arrived nervous as a beginner, but immediately felt I belonged. A supportive, one-of-a-kind experience—photographing live music alongside world-class photographers.”
Access All Areas: Photographing Musicians On Stage & Off with Pamela Springsteen & Rob DeMartin
“This workshop sparked something in me—both creatively and personally. There’s no other place I feel as safe and inspired to grow as a photographer as I do at Blenheim Park”
From quiet portraits to electrifying performances—learn to tell a musician’s story in a single frame.An immersive, hands-on experience with two masters of the craft.
This October 2-7, join Pamela Springsteen—renowned for her portraits of music icons like Keith Richards, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen—and Rob DeMartin, longtime tour photographer for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, for a 5-day immersive workshop at Blenheim Park Maine.
Together, they’ll guide you through the art of music photography—capturing intimate musician portraits and the electrifying energy of live performances at venues and events in Maine’s vibrant music scene. From the quiet anticipation backstage to the rush of the encore, you’ll hone your skills with access to real musicians in authentic settings.
Best for: Photographers interested in music, portraiture, and working in dynamic, real-world environments
You’ll leave with: A portfolio of live and behind-the-scenes images, along with practical experience navigating access, lighting, and artist interaction
Photo: Calla Fleischer
“Another exceptional workshop. Greg is a remarkable teacher and mentor—I’d return in a heartbeat.”
The Fine Art Nude and Connected Portrait With GreG Gorman
Join legendary Photographer Greg Gorman in beautiful midcoast Maine for a 5 day Fine Art Nude and Portraiture Masterclass. Greg has photographed most of Hollywood’s icons over the past 4 decades, and is known for his stark use of light and uncanny ability for getting inside the heads of some of the entertainment industry’s most complex personalities.
Capturing the soul of a person in a photographic portrait is the central theme of this intimate hands-on workshop in which Greg shares his vision and his process from both the intuitive and technical perspectives. Each student will have an ample amount of time daily to photograph professional models under Greg’s guidance.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to study with a legend of the industry in a beautiful private lakeside estate setting.
Best for: Photographers ready to refine their portraiture and explore the relationship between subject, light, and form.
You’ll leave with: A series of striking, professionally lit images and a deeper understanding of how to direct, connect, and shape light with intention.
“A deeply human experience that expanded my ideas and reminded me what’s possible. My work felt truly seen—and a year later, I’m still building on it with renewed purpose.”
“Kerry’s work deals with loss and extraordinary pain with honesty and beauty—never saccharine, always true. Everyone on earth should take her workshop. If you’ve suffered loss, come and be wrapped in hope and encouragement by this extraordinary photographer.”
THE INTIMATE LENS - Art for the Heart: How to plan and document your most personal stories.
Photography has always been more than craft.
It is memory, emotion, identity—an unspoken language that allows us to express what we struggle to say out loud. Images have the power to reveal patterns, revisit history, make meaning, and open gentle pathways through the complex terrain of being human.
For many artists, the most personal stories are the ones they feel least prepared to tell. This workshop is an invitation to begin.
Join award-winning photographer and storyteller Kerry Payne Stailey for a four-week online experience designed to help you explore, articulate, and visually express the stories that matter most to you—whether rooted in grief, identity, longing, healing, or legacy. Through a supportive, reflective, and creatively rigorous process, you’ll learn to shape personal truth into resonant photographic work.
Best for: Photographers ready to explore personal, emotionally resonant work and deepen their ability to photograph intimacy, vulnerability, and meaning.
You’ll leave with: A clearer connection to your own voice, new images rooted in personal storytelling, and practical tools for developing more honest and compelling work.
Who
we are
Maine Workshops are hosted at Blenheim Park Maine, a lakeside orchard and creative estate in midcoast Maine, where we’ve been bringing photographers together for immersive, small-group experiences for over seven years.
The program was founded by photographer Kerry Payne, whose work explores themes of identity, intimacy, and personal narrative, and has been recognized internationally, including a Lucie Award for Photographer of the Year. Her background spans roles with the International Center for Photography, the Amsterdam-based agency NOOR, and leading photography programs such as Maine Media Workshops.
Since inception, Blenheim Park has hosted world-class photographers and hundreds of students from around the world—many of whom have gone on to exhibit, publish, and deepen their creative practice in meaningful ways.
What we’ve built is intentionally different. Workshops are small by design, allowing for real access, conversation, and one-on-one guidance. Days are shaped not only by the curriculum, but by light, landscape, and the evolving energy of the group.
You won’t sit on the sidelines here. You’ll be making work, refining your ideas, and seeing your photography differently—often from the very first day.
“This was my fourth workshop—and I’ll keep coming back. There’s something truly special about what’s been created here. It’s a place to explore deeply, create freely, and carry that energy long after you leave.”
What People Are Saying
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“A beautiful and deeply human experience—one that expanded my ideas and reminded me that anything is possible. My work felt truly seen and understood. The workshop gave me the clarity and encouragement to continue my documentary work. A year later, I’m still building on what I learned—and moving forward with renewed purpose.”
— Arianna Todisco, Milan
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“As I developed my exhibition, so much of what I have learned at Blenheim Park came together. The experiences with you continue to shape my work—and I find myself returning again and again.”
— Benita Mayo, Virginia
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“Wow… what an incredible couple of months learning from Maggie, Cig, Greg, Justin — and you. Being with all of you at Blenheim Park is always a highlight for me. You’ve created such a magical corner in this big, wild planet, and I’m so grateful you open it to all of us photography people.”
— Laura Warren, New Jersey
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“An intense and deeply rewarding experience. The feedback, creative community, and opportunity to explore meaningful work helped me grow—both personally and professionally.”
— Bella Tozini, Brazil
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“It took me weeks to process the magic—the intensity, the joy, and the real sense of self-discovery. Even now, I’m still thinking about it… and asking myself, can I afford to do this again? What the heck—I’m doing it.”
— Jackie Middleton, United Kingdom
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“A wonderful workshop. Greg is an exceptional teacher and mentor, and I felt incredibly grateful to learn from him alongside such a talented group. An experience I’d return to in a heartbeat.”
— Stephanie Middlebrook
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“I was nervous signing up as a beginner, but from the moment I arrived, I felt I belonged. The environment was incredibly supportive, and I learned so much while living out a dream—photographing live music alongside world-class photographers. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience.”
— Eugene Choi, New York
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“This workshop changed everything for me. I created work that felt deeply personal and meaningful, and I left with a sense of pride and clarity I hadn’t experienced before. Kerry’s guidance and the community made it unforgettable.”
— Manuel Enrique Garcia, Virginia
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“It was such a joy to be part of this group—so much creativity, generosity, and openness. The workshop created a space to explore, collaborate, and really go deep with the work. I left inspired and already missing it.”
— Angela Rowlings, Canada
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“Maggie’s workshop pushed me to think differently and reach further. I left full of ideas—and haven’t stopped creating since. The inspiration came not just from the mentors, but from the incredible work of everyone around me.”
— Leslie Kiefer, Washington D.C.
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“Kerry’s workshop gave me the space to create more freely and with greater intention. The collaboration, critique, and guidance pushed my work forward in ways I couldn’t have reached on my own.”
— Regan Ryder, California
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“This experience helped me move through creative doubt and into something deeper. I found the courage to face personal themes in my work—and discovered new directions I didn’t know were possible.”
— Tracey Tomtene, Spain
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“This workshop changed the direction of my photography. It gave me the structure to complete my first project and the courage to explore deeply personal work. I left with both creative clarity and a renewed sense of possibility.”
— Ami Ocampo, Chicago
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“This program created space for diverse voices and personal stories to be seen and honored. It helped me reconnect with my work, my identity, and a deeper sense of belonging.”
— Alesia Hsiao, California
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“This workshop pushed me out of my comfort zone and rekindled my creative process. Through thoughtful guidance, hands-on practice, and an inspiring setting, I was able to reconnect with my artistic vision and create deeply personal work.”
— Robin MacGregor Nolan, Maine
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“I was deeply moved by this experience. The creative energy, encouragement, and openness of the group pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. Kerry has created a truly safe and inspiring space to explore and grow.”
— Linda Coffey, New York
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“This was my fourth workshop—and I’ll keep coming back. There’s something truly special about what’s been created here. It’s a place that invites you to explore deeply, create freely, and carry that energy with you long after you leave.”
— Lisa Fischer, Connecticut
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“In this workshop, I was challenged to explore what lives in the ‘gardens of my heart.’ It led me to create work rooted in identity, history, and the stories I had never been told.”
— Tiffany Luong, California
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“This experience gave me new ways to approach my work and the space to develop a meaningful new project. Being surrounded by like-minded creatives in such a beautiful setting was both refreshing and deeply inspiring.”
— Margaret Albaugh, Washington
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"What I learned and the connections I made during this workshop will really last forever. The work I made in Maine was selected for the StARTup Art Fair in Los Angeles, and later caught the attention of the curators from Venice Biennale 2021. I recommend Art for The Heart to anyone seeking inspiration, community, and a kind, talented teacher.”
— Lisa Praster, Amsterdam
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“Kerry’s work deals with loss and extraordinary pain with honesty and beauty—never saccharine, always true. Everyone on earth should take her workshop. If you’ve suffered loss, come and be wrapped in hope and encouragement by this extraordinary photographer.”
— Maggie Steber, Florida
