Like many events held during the pandemic, the Sedona Photography Symposium is almost entirely virtual. On Aug. 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to midafternoon Mountain Standard Time, attendees can watch professional photographers who hail from all over the world discuss topics that relate to the symposium’s overarching theme of “Unleash Your Inner Artist.” Nikon ambassador Deborah Sandidge will open the symposium with a keynote address “The Essence of the Image.” On the symposium’s website, the description for her event says “My goal is to share with you a sense of what it feels like to be there in the moment.”
Following her one-hour presentation, participants enjoy a one-hour long Q&A break, which is the same structure for the rest of the sessions. Additional topics include “Talent is Over-Rated: Unlock Your Creative Potential” with Dan Ballard; “What Makes an Image Successful?” with Mike Moats; “Finding Your Signature Voice in Photography” with Karen Hutton; “Enhancing Creativity, the Natural Way” with Brenda Tharpe; and “Dream – Believe – Create” with John Barclay.
The symposium was started in 2019 and was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Look forward to learning more about photography and collaborating with other photographers of varying skill levels. “First of all, you’re mingling with other like minds. You’re mingling with people who love photography, who want to learn and who want to enhance their skill set. Also, you’re dealing with master photographers. This is what they do. It’s a good learning ability for you. Every presentation, you’re actually fascinated. You’re looking at these photographers saying, ‘Wow. I want to do that,’” says Carol Kahn, the marketing director and a member of the board of directors of the Sedona Photography Symposium. “There’s camaraderie.” The symposium’s in-person workshops include “Magic of the Monsoon” part one from Aug. 16 to 18 and part two from Aug. 18 to 20 where professional photographer Adam Schallau will teach participants how to photograph the Grand Canyon. – Teresa K. Traverse
workshops. Tickets cost $99 for the two-day virtual workshop. Visit sedonaphotosym.org for more information.
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