Every day we are overwhelmed with an avalanche of individual images, most of which have little meaning.

One of the most powerful ways to establish your visual voice and distinguish yourself as a photographer is to conceptualize and shoot a photo essay, a simple and compelling way to communicate and tell a story. 

The day will begin with approx. 90 min of introduction, guidance and encouragement. We’ll discuss how photographers can use photo essays to tell the story of any subject using your own unique point of view and in ways of keeping yourself inspired and organized.  Each participant will then spend the next 3 hours to go off and illustrate a story idea of their choice. Either something they’ve already given thought to or prepared in advance, or they can simply spend their time in and around the picturesque village of Broadway. The goal is to come back with between 3 and 5 images. Oftentimes the best work comes from the simplest of ideas.

Once participants sign up (purchase their ticket) they will be put in direct contact with Peter to discuss ideas, prepare, and inspire them for creating their visual story on 6th June. He will be available up until the day of the workshop to discuss projects and help guide each participant.

This workshop is aimed for all levels of ability, and everyone will be shooting digitally, but this workshop is not about using a computer to manipulate your images or how to use Photoshop.  It’s about how to look for, see, and evaluate your images.

At the end of the workshop, each participant will present their work. Peter encourages a very constructive and helpful spirit among everyone in the workshop. There is no sense of competition and participants are encouraged to take risks to make interesting photographs. There will be both gentle, supportive criticism and praise of your work.

Peter is a highly experienced editor and has a unique ability in helping participants relax and find a sense of purpose in the process of looking at their own work with new and fresh perspective.

Included in the ticket price, each participant will receive an A3 sized archival print of their choice from the day’s shoot. (Note: Prints will be available a few weeks after the workshop).

Please Note: This is a rain or shine workshop! Please come prepared to photograph in the rain.

Participants also have the opportunity to shoot all the festival activities on the village green during the day and be in with a chance of their resulting work being promoted and featured during the festival (with permissions sought, of course).

About Peter Martin:

Canadian born Peter became a professional at 16 when a photo was published on the front page of a Toronto daily newspaper. Over the last 40 years Martin has worked in over 30 countries accumulating well over 10,000 credited assignments as both freelance and staff photographer for various newspapers, news outlets and publications including the Montreal Gazette and the Washington Post.
His varied and diverse portfolio of work includes major sporting and entertainment events, international fashion shoots, Popes, Presidents, Royalty and the fall of the Berlin Wall. His work has been displayed in several solo and group exhibits and in 2008 his photograph of Terry Fox was voted #4 of the Top Ten Historical Photos That Changed Canada. In 2015 he opened his own gallery (Peter Martin Gallery) in Stow-On-The-Wold, in the Cotswolds.

Peter is also the sponsor and judge for the three photographic prize categories in the 2021 open art competition

This event will take place in the Lifford Hall parlour room in Broadway.

Materials required for the workshop:

• Digital Camera
• Laptop computer to download and organize your photographs
• Optional: Spare battery, Spare SD Card, Extra Lenses
• Inspiration and enthusiasm!

Tickets £150 – Limited to 6 exclusive places

Ticket prices includes pre-workshop planning via email with Peter Martin, a light lunch (sandwiches, salads and a soft drink from Cotswold’s Baguettes) and an archivally printed A3 print of your best image taken during the day.