If you’re looking for a creative jolt in your photographic journey, then grab your camera—and your sense of adventure—and head to the magical Madeline Island for this transformative creative landscape photography workshop led by Colleen Miniuk. 

This five-day immersive workshop blends exploration with hands-on instruction, field exercises, and image reviews, aiming to empower photographers of all levels to connect with their life experiences, embrace their authentic voice through their own lens, and “make”—not “take”—personally meaningful photographs. From sandy beaches to red rock cliffs, from lagoons to lighthouses, from lupine blooms to gardens, you’ll have the opportunity to actively engage with our surroundings via short hikes, canoes, and a boat tour (optional activities). Awe, wonder, and ample fodder for our visual expressions await on the scenic shores of Lake Superior!

In a safe and supportive environment, attendees will learn how to: 

• Use visualization and mindfulness practices to approach ideas with curiosity, to pay attention to details (and invisible gorillas!), and to establish a deeper relationship with the land—before pressing the shutter.
• Simplify compositions into lines, layers, and light to convey personal meaning and the illusion of depth.
• Recognize the importance of lighting throughout the day in creating depth, visual weight, mood, and story.
• Express narratives through a variety of lens perspectives (broad, vignette, and detail).
• Incorporate metaphorical association and special techniques (e.g. intentional camera movement, multiple exposures) to interpret the landscape’s palette beyond the literal.
• Deliberately and technically translate your visual message through your camera’s controls.
• Build confidence in your definition of what makes a great photograph in YOUR eyes.

Along the way, you’ll be encouraged to try new concepts free of expectations and perfection.

This workshop is best suited for life-long learners who are interested in discovering more about expressive landscape photography, their creative talents, and the world around them—and not on making a portfolio of trophy or copy-cat images of iconic locations. Come ready to see differently, feel deeply, and create photographs that reflect not just what you saw—but what YOU experienced on Madeline Island. 

Workshop Schedule:
Sunday Night: Welcome Reception at 6pm
Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm

*Subject to change*