Sharpening Your Photographic Vision: A Master Class with Sam Abell (Five Sessions – In-Person Learning – San Diego, CA)
- Sunday (orientation)
March 22, 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Monday (workshop)
March 23, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Tuesday (workshop)
March 24, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Wednesday (workshop)
March 25, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Thursday (workshop)
March 26, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Friday (Workshop)
March 27, 2026
9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Friday (An Afternoon in the Park)
March 27, 2026
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
A Photo-Immersive Retreat Workshop in San Diego, CA
Join renowned photographer and teacher Sam Abell for an intensive one-week workshop in documentary photography. The week will be structured to take serious photographers further on their journey.
Limited to 12 students.
Tuition: $3,295 Non-Members; $3,195 Members; (Become a Member and save!)
Included with tuition:
• Opening reception/mixer on Sunday, March 22
• An Afternoon in the Park closing reception/slideshow on Friday, March 27
• Classroom rental/location in Balboa Park
• Instructor and course assistant(s)
• Morning coffee/pastries and lunch on all five workshop days, March 23-27
• One group dinner (date TBD)
• One group mixer / portfolio night (date TBD)
• One guided curator walk-through (date TBD)
Not included with tuition:
• Airfare (if applicable)
• Lodging accommodations (if applicable)
• All transportation, including to and from workshop location in San Diego (if applicable)
© Photo by Sam Abell
About
In-Person Learning
Join renowned photographer and teacher Sam Abell for an intensive one-week workshop in documentary photography. The week will be structured to take serious photographers further on their journey. The week will be divided amongst shooting assignments, portfolio reviews, and discussions all with one purpose: creating images that have more clarity while simultaneously developing a true, unique personal vision.
This course is strictly limited to 12 students.
PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY
A $500 deposit is required to reserve space in the workshop (you may also elect to pay the tuition in full). The balance is due three months prior to the start date. Refund requests arriving three months or greater before the start date will result in loss of deposit ($500). Refund requests arriving two to three months prior to the start date will result in a 50% loss of the workshop fee. No refunds will be provided for requests arriving less than two months prior to the start date. All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@lacphoto.org.
Sam Abell’s thirty-year career has been dedicated to achieving artistic expression through documentary photography. He has pursued his goals primarily through his lengthy, in-depth coverage for National Geographic magazine and its Book Division. At the same time, he has maintained a career as an artist, teacher and author. His numerous book credits include The Life of a Photograph, Seeing Gardens and The Photographic Life, to name a few. His most recent book Amazonia was published in January, 2010 to coincide with an traveling exhibition of images organized by the University of Oregon Art Museum. He is currently at work on a sixteen-volume set of books titled The Sam Abell Library.
Details
- Five Sessions
- Date: Sunday, March 22, 2 – 4 pm PST (Orientation), Monday through Thursday, March 23-26, 9 am – 4 pm PST; Friday, March 27, 9 am – 12 pm PST + An Afternoon in the Park, 4 pm – 6 pm
- Enrollment Limit 12 participants
- Skill/Experience Level: Open to all levels. Students must be familiar with their cameras.
- Tuition: $3,295 Non-Members; $3,195 Members; (Become a Member and save!)
- Location: San Diego – Balboa Park, Museum of Photographic Arts