We had high expectations for this cultural photography experience, and JP and his team exceeded them!
- Adrianne Van Strander
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AN UNFORGETTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Travel photography often focuses on landscapes and cityscapes, but a country’s true heritage is its people. This 3 Day Workshop has been designed to help photographers looking to capture that human element that makes Mexico unique.
Based near Puerto Vallarta, I have established strong ties with the local indigenous communities. It’s these ties that allowed me to develop this unforgettable photographic and cultural experience.
Over the course of 3 days, you’ll learn and put into practice a range of new skills. We will start shooting indoors and then move to beautiful pre-scouted jungle and beach locations. On the final day, we will pick out your favorite photos and apply a range of Lightroom and Photoshop post-processing tricks to bring out the magic in them!
Read our Cover Feature on Good Light Magazine
In their recent Culture issue, I had the opportunity to chat with the team at Good Light Magazine about my photoshoot planning process. Read about how I take an idea from concept, planning and through to execution. Available on the blog or at Good Light Magazine.
WORKSHOP SYNOPSIS
There will never be more than 3 people on a Cultural Photography Workshop. These small group sizes are vital, as they ensure everyone has time to relax into the experience and get creative! Working with just 3 people also means I can customize each workshop: focussing on topics and photoshoots that best fit the group’s interests and experience.
These workshops are meticulously choreographed to ensure you walk away with a series of stunning magazine-quality photographs, a wealth of new knowledge and an experience you will never forget.
- JP Stones
1. Three half-day photoshoots with Azteca and Huichol models.
2. Photograph in gorgeous pre-scouted locations. From lush jungle to secluded black sand beaches.
3. Expert tuition with JP Stones on photography, lighting and posing.
4. Work with a full lighting kit: strobe-lights, wireless triggers, reflectors and a gorgeous 60” soft boxes.
5. Learn Lightroom and Photoshop post-processing techniques to make your photos really stand out.
6. Experience a side of Mexican culture most tourists never see.
DATES
November 11th - 13th 2020
DURATION
3 days.
LOCATION
Puerto Vallarta area.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
All levels.
WORKSHOP SIZE
Maximum 3 guests.
PRICE
$1,500 USD.
Limited Availability! Only 3 Places Per Workshop.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY
Every part of this Workshop is designed to help you to come away with your own stunning photos. The workshop is held over 3 days. Each day includes a 4-hour photo shoot with either an Aztec or Huichol model. For the first two days, we focus on learning skills that will improve the photoshoot experience. From external lighting to posing. The last day is all about post-production. We will pick everyone’s favorite photos from the workshop and, using Lightroom and Photoshop, learn how to make them truly magical.
Day 1
We start off with an introductory chat over a traditional Mexican breakfast. Next, we jump straight into a 3-hour tuition session. This session will cover photographic skills that will be put into practice in the afternoon photoshoot. You don’t have to worry about being overwhelmed, as all guests will be of a similar skill level.
After lunch, we will head over to our first outdoor (beach or jungle) location to set up our lighting gear and meet our model. We will shoot in several nearby locations throughout the afternoon before finishing the day’s shooting after the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Maybe a bit later if we decide to do some night shots.
Day 2
The second day starts with a quick Q&A over breakfast. Here we discuss the what we learned in the previous day’s photoshoot. I’m also on hand to help resolve any queries. Then we dive straight into the tuition session. All tuition is done in my studio. I’m a big fan of learning through practice so there is very little sitting down to learn theory. It’s a much more hands-on experience.
Over lunch, just like the day before, we’ll discuss the concepts for the afternoon photo shoot. I’ll share my planning methods, including how I find ideas, scout locations and everything else that goes into setting up a stress-free photo shoot.
Day 3
On the last day we turn things around. Kicking off with a morning photo shoot. The change of light at this time opens up new locations and opportunities.
But the bulk of Day 3 is set aside to for Post-Production. Editing is a huge part of my photography process. It’s vital part in helping tell the stories that these photos deserve.
I will spend an hour editing a recent photo I took, describing the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of every step. Each photo is different, but the skills that are covered typically include:
1. How to power through the photo selection process.
2. Frequency Separation to create natural looking blemish-free skin.
3. Editing eyes with Adjustment Layers so they really pop!
4. Liquify tool to adjust posture and body shape when needed.
5. Colour Grading to complete the visual story.
Then, you can select your favorite photo of the day and edit it using the simple but powerful Lightroom and Photoshop techniques we’ve just learned. I’ll be on-hand to help and guide you to a great final edit!
Before / After Edit: Drag the slider across the photos
TESTIMONIALS
Don’t just take my word for it. See what recent clients had to say about this workshop:
MY PHOTOGRAPHY IMPROVED SO MUCH!
JP is a great photographer and teacher. It was crazy how much better my photography became with his guidance on composition and lighting. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in photography. Nothing else compares! The Aztec headdress was even more beautiful up close than it looked in photos!
MAJOR HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP!
I feel very fortunate to have found this workshop. I got to have a deep experience learning about composition, lighting and Mexican culture! JP was patient with me every step of the way, finding a new way to explain something to me if I did not get it the first! The 3 days were terrific, as were the awesome photos I took!
THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE
I learned more about photography in a few hours than I ever did in a classroom setting. JP really cared about our experience and went out of his way, every step of the way, to make sure that we were loving our experience, learning new techniques, and coming away with some fabulous photos! JP was wonderful, absolutely wonderful. All in all, it was the perfect photography experience!!
Contact Us
Still have some questions? That’s fine, I’m sure we can answer them.
The Small Print
We have put together a comprehensive FAQ but contact us if you have any questions about this workshop. We reply to emails within 24 hours.
Registration
Our registration process is a non-binding expression of interest. It only takes a few minutes to complete, but gives us the information we need to contact you and progress your booking.
Payment
A 50% deposit is required to secure a booking. This deposit needs to be received a maximum of 7 days after a booking. This deposit is used to cover initial expenses for the workshop and as such is non-refundable.
The remaining balance must then be paid 90 days before the workshop date.
Refund Policy for 3 Day Group Workshops
If a conflict arises and you need to cancel your participation in a workshop, JP Stones Photography will try to extend every courtesy possible and grant you a refund. However, due to some non-recoverable costs incurred on our side, this may not always be possible. As a result, we have to implement a sliding refund scale based on the amount of time we are left with to attempt to fill a vacancy.
1. We provide a 1 day (24 hours) cooling off period on all bookings. If you cancel your booking during this period, you will receive a full refund on your payment (minus any fees).
2. We will provide a 50% refund of your total payment if you cancel more than 60 days before the booked date. We will provide a 25% refund of your total payment if you cancel more than 30 days before the booked date. No refund will be provided on cancelations less than 30 days before the booked date. If you do not turn up for the workshop, you will not get a refund or the opportunity to reschedule.
3. No refunds will be given for any accommodation, travel or any other costs incurred due to a cancellation.
Weather
Unfortunately, JP Stones Photography is unable to give refunds due to unforeseen weather events that occur during a workshop. If poor weather makes the outdoor portion of a workshop unsafe, then it will be moved into the studio.
If a weather warning is received a day (or more) ahead of the workshop, then the workshop may be rescheduled for a different date: if a new date can be found for all attendees. If no new date can be found the workshop will occur inside the studio.
Health & Safety
JP Stones Photography does not accept liability for any loss of camera equipment, personal possessions, valuables, bodily injury, illness, accidents, injuries, carelessness, negligence, lack of fitness, punctuality or death during the workshops.
The workshops are often outdoors and as such require some traveling to areas where medical and toilet facilities are not readily accessible. All bookings are accepted on the explicit understanding that you understand these potential risks.
All clients are responsible for ensuring they have the correct insurances in place.
What equipment do you need to bring for this workshop?
You will need to bring the following:
1. An SLR camera. If you have a high-quality mirror-less camera you should also have no problems. If you have any doubts about your camera, please contact us to discuss. A Canon 5D III is can also be used if your camera has compatibility issues with the lighting equipment.
2. This workshop contains a mix of up-close portraiture and environmental portraiture. As such, we suggest the following lenses (or a zoom lens that covers the focal lengths): 24mm, 35mm and 85mm. The wider the aperture on these lenses, the better. We can rent out lenses if required.
What is included in this workshop?
The following is included in this workshop:
1. Lunch, drinking water and snacks.
2. Transport to and from your hotel in Puerto Vallarta or local area (when purchased).
3. The use of our comprehensive equipment kit. From lights, triggers, tripods and reflectors to a smoke machine.
What is not included in this workshop?
The following is NOT included in this workshop:
1. Your flight or travel costs to Puerto Vallarta.
2. Hotels costs. Though we can, through our local partners, arrange great accommodation for you.
3. Insurance. We strongly suggest you carry Travel Insurance and Camera Equipment Insurance.
What level of photographer is this workshop targeted at?
The workshop is designed for anyone that wants to improve their photography while shooting the photographs of a lifetime.
While a basic understanding of photography and your equipment is assumed, the beauty of private tuition is that it is fully customizable. We can focus on whatever areas of your photography you feel needs improving.
How big are the group sizes?
Groups workshops are never more than 3 people. These small groups ensure you receive a customized experienced that will meet your interests and learning needs. It’s all about creating a low-stress environment so you can learn and have fun.
Can I bring a non-photographer to the workshop?
Absolutely, you’re welcome to bring a friend or partner. We just ask that they pay $25 to cover food, transport and other costs. Please contact us directly to discuss.
Many non-photographer spouses, partners and friends join us just to gain a greater appreciation for photography and be part of this unique cultural experience.
Who owns the copyright on photos taken at a JP Stones Photography workshop?
If taken with your camera you do. If taken with my camera, it depends on who took the photo.
All models have signed a model release form. For details of this agreement please contact me.
Unless requested not to, we may use photos to help promote the workshops in any way we feel appropriate. We will always try and give you credit, but it is not always possible to do so in promotional material, so in some cases, we may not give credit. We will never sell a photo you took.
If you have any issues with this, please tell us before your book the workshop so we can work something out.
Company Details
Registered Name: JP Stones Photography Workshops
Owners: JP Stones, Brei Barron
Address
Mexican Studio: 20 Guanabana Calle, Sayulita, Mexico
Contact Details
Mobile/Cell (Mexico): +52 1 322 779 4912
Email: Contact Page