2024 PICTURE EDITING WORKSHOP
Williamsburg & Whitley County, Kentucky
OCTOBER 22 - 26, 2024
One week. Fifty Photographers. Sixty thousand live images to debate.
If you are looking to jump-start your visual journalism career as an editor, 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 49th annual Mountain Workshops.
Registration opens
Payment opens July 1, 2025
April 15
Registration
Seat confirmed upon payment
SOLD OUT
Registration closes
Last day to apply/pay
Sept. 15
PICTURE EDITING WORKSHOP 2024
How do you manage the process of editing thousands of gorgeous pictures as they are unloaded off dozens of little plastic memory cards, while the creators of these images run off to their next assignment? Where do you begin when the photographer wants to take the story in one direction and you think it needs to go in another direction? How do you make good choices about content, layout and design across multiple platforms while keeping true to the story? This is where the editing begins.
With a coach-to-student ratio of approximately 1:4 the Mountain Picture Editing workshop participants, along with some of the best visual editors in the country, help guide a team of photographers through the storytelling process. They select photos, craft them into visual narratives and design the layout for a book publication.
To complement your days and nights of editing and collaborative production, each evening there are inspiring presentations by the coaches from all forms of visual journalism. Any downtime you may have is spent soaking up the knowledge of your passionate coaches and maybe getting a few hours of sleep.
With a coach-to-student ratio of approximately 1:4 the Mountain Picture Editing workshop participants, along with some of the best visual editors in the country, help guide a team of photographers through the storytelling process. They select photos, craft them into visual narratives and design the layout for a book publication.
To complement your days and nights of editing and collaborative production, each evening there are inspiring presentations by the coaches from all forms of visual journalism. Any downtime you may have is spent soaking up the knowledge of your passionate coaches and maybe getting a few hours of sleep.
Max Gersh, Senior Visuals Editor, The Indianapolis Star
"As the demand on people’s attention increases, the need to be concise and captivating is critical. We teach people how to distill a collection of images down to only those needed to get to the heart of a story. It’s a collaborative process that yields the understanding and context necessary to bring forward an emotive and engaging story."
MAYBE THE PICTURE EDITING WORKSHOP IS NOT FOR YOU?
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER OPTIONS!
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 or 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.
It’s a crash course in visual journalism.
Participants can choose from one of three options for the week. Photojournalism, Video Storytelling or 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
- The narrative organization and design for the annual Mountain Workshops book.
- 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, NGO, visual editors or commercial videographer 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 2023 MOUNTAIN
Video by Gabi Broekema
HEADQUARTERS LOCATION
HOUSING
You are required to provide your own lodging and dinning arrangements during the Workshops.
There are two hotels within walking distance from the Workshops headquarters. The faculty and staff are being lodged at the Super 8 by Wyndham. Next door is the Holiday Inn Express. Just across I-75 is Hampton Inn.
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 2024 participants. It is in this social space that many of our workshop attendees coordinate hotel and transportation arrangements. We will post on Facebook any private housing options as they become available from the community.
There are two hotels within walking distance from the Workshops headquarters. The faculty and staff are being lodged at the Super 8 by Wyndham. Next door is the Holiday Inn Express. Just across I-75 is Hampton Inn.
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 2024 participants. It is in this social space that many of our workshop attendees coordinate hotel and transportation arrangements. We will post on Facebook any private housing options as they become available from the community.
TRAVEL
You will need to have a vehicle for the workshops.
The Photojournalism and Video workshops requires each participant to work individually at various locations each day and it is mandatory to have your own transportation during the week as well as get yourself to and from your airport if you are flying in for the workshop.
The nearest airport is Knoxville, Tenn. (TYS) and is 82 miles from our headquarters. It is always worth looking at other airport options to perhaps find better prices or connections but it can come with double the driving distance. You can consider Cincinnati, Ohio (CVG) at 178 miles from our headquarters. Another option would be Nashville, Tenn. (BNA) at 185 miles away, Lexington, Ky. (LEX) at 109 miles or Chattanooga, Tenn. (CHA) at 170 miles away.
If you are in the Picture Editing workshop AND you book a room at the Holiday Inn Express or Super 8 by Wyndham in Williamsburg you will be able to walk to and from your hotel to our headquarters. If you stay at the Hampton Inn, walking will be dangerous and not advised due to the lack of sidewalks and the busy-ness of this major intersection. The participants in Picture Editing do not travel for their assignments but will need to provide their own transportation for all other activities as well as airport ground transportation.
The Photojournalism and Video workshops requires each participant to work individually at various locations each day and it is mandatory to have your own transportation during the week as well as get yourself to and from your airport if you are flying in for the workshop.
The nearest airport is Knoxville, Tenn. (TYS) and is 82 miles from our headquarters. It is always worth looking at other airport options to perhaps find better prices or connections but it can come with double the driving distance. You can consider Cincinnati, Ohio (CVG) at 178 miles from our headquarters. Another option would be Nashville, Tenn. (BNA) at 185 miles away, Lexington, Ky. (LEX) at 109 miles or Chattanooga, Tenn. (CHA) at 170 miles away.
If you are in the Picture Editing workshop AND you book a room at the Holiday Inn Express or Super 8 by Wyndham in Williamsburg you will be able to walk to and from your hotel to our headquarters. If you stay at the Hampton Inn, walking will be dangerous and not advised due to the lack of sidewalks and the busy-ness of this major intersection. The participants in Picture Editing do not travel for their assignments but will need to provide their own transportation for all other activities as well as airport ground transportation.
DINING OPTIONS
There are three fast-food establishments and two restaurants within walking distance of our headquarters. Dining options can be limited due to the nature of some our workshops locations. Your tuition does not cover any meal options.
2024 TENTATIVE PICTURE EDITING SCHEDULE
All times are local time.
TUESDAY | OCT. 22
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.
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Picture Editing Workshop Introductions
MICK COCHRAN Former DP, USA Today | PICTURE EDITING
Meet the coaches in the picture editing space; overview of the week, past, present, future.
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 Mountain Workshops Director
Join the photo and video 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 | SMALL GROUP SESSION
Picture Editing participants join their assigned photo team as it meets with its coach.
2:15 PM
2:15 PM
And it Begins
Return to picture editing room to begin the editing photo stories, InDesign instruction, exercises.
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
Coaches SCC Training
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening welcome and announcements
JAMES KENNEY Mountain Workshops Director
7:45 PM
7:45 PM
Evening Lecture Series "What Makes A Story?" #1
JACK GRUBER Photojournalists, USA Today
8:20 PM
8:20 PM
Evening Lecture Series "What Makes A Story?" #2
LESLYE DAVIS Independent Film Maker | Writer
8:55 PM
8:55 PM
Evening Lecture Series "What Makes A Story?" #3
BRIANA SANCHEZ Director of Photography, Austin American-Statesman
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Meet With Coaches
SMALL GROUP SESSION
Meet with Photo coaches and teams; prepare list of stories.
11:00 PM
11:00 PM
Workshops Building Closes
WEDNESDAY | OCT. 23
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Class Session
Meet in picture editing space; discussions around ethics, choosing pictures, storytelling.
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Progress Report
Check in with photo coaches to update progress of stories.
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Coaches Meeting
All photo coaches and picture editing coaches meet for daily agenda.
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Lunch
On your own.
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Editing
PICTURE EDITING
Editing exercises, discussions, beginning book layouts.
4:00 PM
4:00 PM
Progress Report
Check in with photo coaches.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening welcome and announcements
JAMES KENNEY Mountain Workshops Director
7:45 PM
7:45 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Finding the story within the story." #4
ERIKA SCHULTZ Staff Photojournalist, The Seattle Times
8:20 PM
8:20 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Finding the story within the story." #5
VICTOR BLUE Independent
8:55 PM
8:55 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Finding the story within the story." #6
KATHLEEN FLYNN Independent
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Group Photo Critique
Coaches will present your work shot that day and provide valuable feedback for all to hear.
10:30 PM
10:30 PM
Editing Strategy
PICTURE EDITING
Meet with Photo coaches and teams. Work on list of stories and/or book layouts.
12:00 AM
12:00 AM
Workshops Building Closes
THURSDAY | OCT. 24
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Sequencing of Images
PICTURE EDITING
Storytelling workshop, continue book layout and revisions.
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Progress Report
PHOTO ROOMS
Check in with Photo coaches.
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Coaches Meeting
All photo coaches and picture editing coaches meet for daily agenda.
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Lunch
On your own.
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Design Continues
PICTURE EDITING
Photo editing exercises, continue layouts
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening welcome and announcements
JAMES KENNEY Mountain Workshops Director
7:45 PM
7:45 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Making the Story Visually Unique." #7
BEN C. SOLOMON Senior Video Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal
8:20 PM
8:20 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Making the Story Visually Unique." #8
CAREY WAGNER Independent
8:55 PM
8:55 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Making the Story Visually Unique." #9
CHRIS JANJIC Independent Cinematographer
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Group Photo Critique
Coaches will present your work shot that day and provide valuable feedback for all to hear.
10:30 PM
10:30 PM
Progress Reports
PHOTO ROOMS
Meet with Photo coaches and teams. Work on list of stories.
12:00 AM
12:00 AM
Workshops Building Closes
FRIDAY | OCT. 25
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Layouts continue
PICTURE EDITING ROOM
group discussion, photo yoga, continue page edits
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Progress Report
PHOTO ROOMS
Check in with Photo coaches.
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Coaches Meeting
All photo coaches and picture editing coaches meet for daily agenda.
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Lunch
On your own.
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Discussions Continue
PICTURE EDITING ROOM
Photo editing exercises, continue layouts.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Dinner
On your own.
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Evening welcome and announcements
JAMES KENNEY Mountain Workshops Director
7:45 PM
7:45 PM
Evening Lecture Series " Why Do We Do What We Do?" #10
TANNER CURTIS Styles Photo Editor, The New York Times
8:20 PM
8:20 PM
Evening Lecture Series " Why Do We Do What We Do?" #11
MAX GERSH Senior Visuals Editor, The Indianapolis Star
8:20 PM
8:20 PM
Evening Lecture Series " Why Do We Do What We Do?" #12
SARAHBETH MANEY Photojournalist, ProPublica
9:30 PM
9:30 PM
Progress Report
PHOTO ROOMS
Meet with Photo coaches and teams. Work on list of stories.
1:00 AM
1:00 AM
Workshops Building Closes
SATURDAY | OCT. 26
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Workshops Building Opens
Vendors tables are open.
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
The Final Touches
PICTURE EDITING
Meet in picture editing room; finish page edits.
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Ceremonial Closing of Content Gathering
Some fun with your new friends, group photo.
12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Sponsor Equipment Return Deadline
If you borrowed equipment from our sponsors, all equipment should be returned. If possible, please return as you can throughout the morning.
12:45 PM
12:45 PM
Lunch
On your own.
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Cleaning Up
PICTURE EDITING
Final touches done to page layouts.
3:30 PM
3:30 PM
Deadline
All page design and final edit deadline
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Welcome and Announcements
JAMES KENNEY Mountain Workshops Director
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Where Do We Go From Here?"#13
JACQUELINE BAYLON Independent Film Maker
7:05 PM
7:05 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Where Do We Go From Here?" #14
ROBERT SCHEER Visuals Deputy ME, Post and Courier
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
Evening Lecture Series "Where Do We Go From Here?" #15
ED OU Independent Visual Journalist
8:15 PM
8:15 PM
Pizza Party
Sponsored by Canon and Sony
9:00 PM
9:00 PM
Presentation Viewing
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
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 opens April 1 and will continue until all seats for each workshop sells out or by September 15, whichever comes first. Our payment window opens July 1. 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.