We’ll start each session with a brief welcome and centering to get us all “in the room.” Then we’ll move to discussion of the month’s topic. Beth will facilitate a conversation that invites everyone to offer their experience and ask questions. This is followed by skill-building time, during which we introduce/explore a particular abstract or experimental technique. We’ll take a short bio break, and when we come back together, each member will share images related to the month’s topic. Finally, sessions will close with members sharing their progress on their personal projects, getting input on any challenges that have come up, and offering commitments before the next month’s meeting. This structure will be subject to minor adjustments based on the group and what we learn about what works and what doesn’t as we go. Most of our time will likely be spent as a full group, with occasional use of breakout rooms as needed.

The program is designed to “meet you where you’re at,” making space for the abstract newbie as well as the more experienced practitioner. There will be a combination of technical and artistic learning as the program progresses. It’s critical you have a basic working knowledge of your camera and its capabilities. We’ll be deviating from the norm, but first knowing what the “norm” is helps you to more easily experiment and make progress. Since not all camera systems have the same in-camera capabilities, we’ll be learning about creating abstracts both in-camera and in processing. If you’re committed to exploring alternative techniques and building a personal photography project around them, you will find this to be an encouraging space.

This group welcomes anyone who is interested in deepening their abstract and photographic practices. Whether or not your end-goal is to make your living from photography, you will find the program offers support, accountability, and artistic clarity. While individual goals for the experience will vary, everyone shares a desire to do a deeper dive into their creative expression and habits. The intensity with which you take on any creativity and photography exercise is up to you. The intention is to offer questions and talking points broad enough that you can respond to them in a way that aligns with your goals for the program.

During our orientation session, we will establish some group agreements about how we want to work together. Among those will be a decision whether to record the monthly group sessions. This will provide a way to catch up on any sessions missed. These recordings will be available via our private online community platform, only accessible by the members of your cohort. If any member wishes for a recording (full or a portion of one) to be deleted for any reason, those wishes will be honored. Ideally, you would be able to attend every session live. Knowing that life, travel, and the unexpected happens, however, that’s not always possible. You can miss a few sessions over the 12-month period and still maintain a connection with the program if you commit to watching the recordings and engaging via the online community platform. If you anticipate missing more than three, it’s suggested you wait for a future cohort to join us.

There will be time during monthly group sessions to share member work that responds to the In-between-session exercises and prompts. In addition, as your personal project progresses, you might decide to share images with the group in the spirit of accountability or receiving feedback. Important note: this is NOT a formal critique group. If you have a desire for aesthetic feedback (re: mood, story, how much an image reflects your intention for it), that can be requested at appropriate times in the group and during 1:1 coaching. If you have questions about technical aspects or gear, there will be an opportunity for that during the skill-building time. You can also ask the group for resources via the online community platform. Additionally, the three Image Coaching Clinics provide a setting through which to share and receive coaching on the artistic aspects of your work.

Prior to each monthly session, you’ll have topic-related “homework” to complete in preparation for the next month’s session. It might be a short video to watch, a post to read, a podcast, or an image review. In addition, there will be a related creativity exercise (with or without your camera). You can spend as little or as much time as you wish on it. In addition, the participant survey you’ll receive before the program starts will ask about your interest in having a “buddy” in the cohort to connect with outside the monthly sessions. This person might be your accountability partner, someone to brainstorm with, or a sounding board to discuss your images, projects, website, business ideas, or portfolio. You’ll only be paired up if you indicate an interest. Members will also have access to a private online community through which you can share wins, ask questions, provide resources, and post project and photography updates.

Yes! There will be at least two opportunities to engage with one another: a shared online community that includes both current and alumni cohorts, expanding your access to like-minded photographers; and the Image Coaching Clinics. This is a new component for 2026-27, so more information will be available as the program gets underway.

You receive three 60-minute 1:1 coaching sessions as part of the program. These sessions can be used in any way that supports your goals. We can discuss any opportunities or challenges you’re having, talk about your photography as a whole and your intentions for it, discuss your personal project, build on themes from the group sessions that piqued your interest… it’s all on the table! As a coach, Beth’s priority is supporting you in sifting through mental clutter; building awareness of your thoughts, patterns, and beliefs; developing practices that move you forward; and highlighting resources that set you up for success. If asked, she’ll offer experiences, ideas, and feedback; mostly, however, she’ll be asking you a lot of questions intended to facilitate new ways of thinking/seeing and increase your clarity and awareness.