PHOTOJOURNALISM WORKSHOP 2023
Paris and Bourbon County, Kentucky
OCTOBER 24 - 28, 2023
Come for the experience. Enjoy the community.
If you are looking to jump-start your visual journalism career, or if you need to rejuvenate your passion for storytelling, spend a week with us in the Bluegrass State for a week of immersive learning, inspiration, and community interaction at the 48th annual Mountain Workshops in Paris, Kentucky.
Registration opens
Portfolio required
Now
Registration
Tuition
SOLD OUT
Registration closes
Last day to apply/pay
Sept. 15
PHOTOJOURNALISM WORKSHOP 2023
Do you think your images lack that “special something?” After all, you understand exposure, composition and light, yet your images still don’t stand out from the crowd.

This is where we come in. With a coach-to-student ratio of approximately 1:6, the Photojournalism Workshop can bring you to a new level of storytelling, one you never thought you could reach. You will form a close bond with your story subject while telling their story; to this end you will immerse yourself in the storytelling process, getting up early and staying out late to capture meaningful moments, as well as receiving feedback about your work from your supportive coaches. Along with your fellow workshop participants, you will ultimately contribute to a memorable and enduring narrative about the community of Paris, Kentucky.

Mountain is all about building relationships and using meaningful photographs to tell a story. If you want to be a photojournalist, your coaches – among the most outstanding visual professionals in the nation – will give you a motivating push in the right direction. To complement your days and nights of shooting and editing, each evening includes inspiring presentations by the coaches, as well as critiques of a selection of images taken that day. If you find any down time, it will be spent soaking up the knowledge of your passionate coaches and perhaps sleeping a little bit.
Rick loomis, Independent Photojournalist
"There is a spirit here that lifts people up and pushes them toward successes in their photography that they might not have achieved on their own."
MAYBE THE PHOTO WORKSHOP IS NOT FOR YOU?
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER OPTIONS!
WHAT WE DO
Each October, a group of visual journalists set up shop in a different community in Kentucky to document life and culture in a unique way. Raw and live, it’s all about the people and their stories, not the institutions. It’s called the Mountain Workshops, and dozens of students and professionals from around the country swoop in for a week every year to garner new skills and fresh inspiration.

It’s a crash course in visual journalism.

Participants can choose from one of three options for the week. Photojournalism, Video Storytelling and Picture Editing. Three workshops held in one location, in one week, with a constant flow of new ideas and one-on-one guidance by the top professionals in their fields, all add up to an intense five days of high-octane education in visual communication and storytelling.
1
What you create
  • Images that will be considered for use in the Mountain Workshops book, website and gallery.
  • A visual and written story, along with captions, that reveal your subject’s true character.
  • Moments of learning that rapidly propel your skills forward.
  • A network of friends, colleagues and connections that will remain a part of your life throughout your career.
2
Who should attend
  • Pre-professional or early professional visual storytellers looking to increase their knowledge in the art of storytelling.
  • Any visual journalist or commercial photographer in need of inspiration or a week away to experience visual immersion to rejuvenate their passion.
  • College students interested in documenting communities and the people who live in them.
A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE 2022 MOUNTAIN
HOUSING
You are required to provide your own lodging and dinning arrangements during the Workshops.

In Paris, the only hotel is a Best Western and it is selling out quickly. There are several hotels 15 miles away at the intersection of I-64 and US Highway 27 and 16 miles away at I-75 and Paris Pike. The county is dotted with many Air BNB options as well as magnificent horse farm bed-and-breakfasts. Some of the local farms are blocking the dates hoping to get as many of you to stay within the county.

Once you have been accepted AND paid to attend the workshop of your choosing, you will be invited by your registration email to join a PRIVATE Facebook group for all the 2023 participants. It is in this social space that many of our workshop attendees coordinate hotel and transportation arrangements. We will post any private housing options as they become available from the community in this space.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

This year the Mountain headquarters is just a handful of furlongs away from Keeneland Racetrack and the Fall Meet will be in its final week at the same time as the Mountain. Hotels can fill up quickly in the area, especially on the weekends.

It is important that you giddyup and reserve your room as soon as possible (we suggest as early as July) to guarantee you have housing close to our headquarters. We do not offer refunds due to lack of nearby available housing.
TRAVEL
The nearest airports are Lexington (LEX), a 25-mile drive or Cincinnati (CVG), an 80-mile drive. We have noticed drastically different rates depending on where you are coming from, so be sure to shop around for the best deals.

You will need to have a vehicle for the workshop and there are car rental places at the airports.

If you are in the Picture Editing workshop you may be able to share a car rental with others in that workshop to commute from nearby hotels, restaurants, and ground transportation from the airport to the headquarters and back. The participants in Picture Editing do not travel for their assignments but will need to provide their own transportation for all other activities.

Keep in mind that the Photojournalism and Video workshops will require working individually at various locations each day and it is mandatory to have your own transportation during the week.
DINING OPTIONS
The Mountain headquarters is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Paris. The area has plenty of cafés and dinners, so your culinary needs will be easily satisfied. Just keep in mind that places tend to close earlier in smaller towns.
HEADQUARTERS LOCATION
Paris Middle and High School
304 W 7th St, Paris, KY 40361
GOOGLE MAP LINK

We will be using the football/track stadium parking located behind the school, off of Park Ave. Please do not use the 7th St. parking lot directly in front of the school. This is an active school. There will be only one door that we will have access to for the safety of the students. On the opening day, we will have staff members posted to make sure you find the correct way to enter the building for the week.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All times are Eastern Daylight. This schedule is tentative and is intended to give you an idea of what you may be doing each day.

TUESDAY | OCT. 24

7:45 - 8:45 AM
7:45 - 8:45 AM
Workshop Registration
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Vendor's Open
Visit our national, regional and local sponsors. Equipment from Canon, Sony, Tamron and Midwest photo will be available to check out for the week.
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Photography Workshop Introductions
James Kenney, MWS Director | AUDITORIUM
Overview and individual coach assignments.
9:45 AM
9:45 AM
Production and Workflow
Tim Broekema, MWS Production Director | AUDITORIUM
Camera settings, ingest guidelines, story and caption writing, image database and other notes.
10:15 AM
10:15 AM
Meet Your Coaches
3rd FLOOR PHOTO ROOM
Small group session. Tips on how to make initial contact with your subject. Secure the deal.
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Lunch
Visit one of the local downtown restaurants or spend more time with the vendors.
12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Welcome and Community Comments
James Kenney, MWS Director | AUDITORIUM
Join the video and picture editing workshop participants for our grand opening of the 2023 Mountain Workshops. Photo and Video participants will draw their subjects name out of the hat.
1:30 PM
1:30 PM
First Read
Your individual coaches |  3rd FLOOR PHOTO ROOM
Meet with your small team's coach to discuss your story and receive further instruction and tips. Your coach will need to log what story you drew,
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Cut the Deal
Make the call, meet your subject. The ball is rolling!
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #1
TBD | AUDITORIUM
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #2
TBD | AUDITORIUM
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Coaches Meeting
Meet with your coaches to discuss the day's events.
11:00 PM
11:00 PM
Workshops Building Closes

WEDNESDAY | OCT. 25

Sunrise!
Sunrise!
Fieldwork
Shooting schedules are built by interaction with you, your subject and your coach's guidance.
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Ingest Station Opens
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Lunch
On your own.
Afternoon
Afternoon
Fieldwork
Continue shooting features and story; write story and captions; meet with coaches.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #3
TBD | AUDITORIUM
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #4
TBD | AUDITORIUM
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Group Photo Critique
AUDITORIUM
Coaches will present your work shot that day and provide valuable feedback for all to hear.
10:30 PM
10:30 PM
Coaches Meeting
3rd FLOOR PHOTO ROOM
Meet with your coaches to discuss the day's events.
12:00 AM
12:00 AM
Workshops Building Closes

THURSDAY | OCT. 26

Sunrise!
Sunrise!
Fieldwork
Shooting schedules are built by interaction with you, your subject and your coach's guidance.
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Ingest Station Opens
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Lunch
On your own.
Afternoon
Afternoon
Fieldwork
Continue shooting features and story; write story and captions; meet with coaches.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #5
TBD | AUDITORIUM
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #6
TBD | AUDITORIUM
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Group Photo Critique
AUDITORIUM
Coaches will present your work shot that day and provide valuable feedback for all to hear.
10:30 PM
10:30 PM
Coaches Meeting
3rd FLOOR PHOTO ROOM
Meet with your coaches to discuss the day's events.
12:00 AM
12:00 AM
Workshops Building Closes

FRIDAY | OCT. 27

Sunrise!
Sunrise!
Fieldwork
Shooting schedules are built by interaction with you, your subject and your coach's guidance.
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Ingest Station Opens
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Lunch
On your own.
Afternoon
Afternoon
Fieldwork
Continue shooting features and story; write story and captions; meet with coaches.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #7
TBD | AUDITORIUM
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #8
TBD | AUDITORIUM
9:15 PM
9:15 PM
Evening Lecture Series #9
TBD  |  AUDITORIUM
10:00 PM
10:00 PM
Coaches Meeting
3rd FLOOR PHOTO ROOM
Meet with your coaches to discuss the day's events.
1:00 AM
1:00 AM
Workshops Building Closes

SATURDAY | OCT. 28

Sunrise!
Sunrise!
Fieldwork
Shooting schedules are built by interaction with you, your subject and your coach's guidance.
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
8:15 AM
8:15 AM
Ingest Station Opens
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Ceremonial Closing of Content Gathering
Some fun with your new friends, group photo
12:45 PM
12:45 PM
Lunch
On your own.
4:30 PM
4:30 PM
Deadline
All photo selections, captions, story and headlines complete; review checklist with coaches before you leave for dinner.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Evening Lecture Series #10
TBD | AUDITORIUM
6:45 PM
6:45 PM
Evening Lecture Series #11
TBD | AUDITORIUM
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series #12
TBD  |  AUDITORIUM
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
Pizza Party
AUDITORIUM LOBBY
Sponsored by Canon and Sony
9:00 PM
9:00 PM
Presentation Viewing
AUDITORIUM
Sit back and enjoy - dare we say revel, in your success as you present your work and get a chance to see all the photo stories, videos and page design produced this week.
11:30 PM
11:30 PM
Closing Comments
AUDITORIUM
Canon, Sony and Tamron door prize winners announced. Closing overview video you do not want to miss!
12:00 AM
12:00 AM
Workshops Concludes
Ready to Apply?

The application process is open and will continue until all seats for each workshop sells out or by September 15, whichever comes first. Acceptance into each workshop will be based on various factors, including your portfolio, resumé and additional information you may supply.


Interested participants must fill out the online application to start the process to be considered for the Mountain Workshops. Once accepted, you will be notified by your registration email (be sure to monitor your SPAM folder) and instructed on how to pay to reserve your spot. This workshop can sell out. Your seat is not confirmed until you pay. Registration and acceptance alone does not guarantee a seat.