Photography & New Media
Photography has always been a vital part of Anderson Ranch, one in which students explore visual storytelling through a variety of contexts and concepts. The program has uniquely evolved to focus on both traditional photography and new media— making it one of the only workshop settings of its kind. Three floors of the Fischer Photography Center house state-of-the-art equipment, including three photography studios, two Mac labs, a traditional darkroom, and a lighting studio with strobe and continuous lighting for photography and video.
All Photography workshops are rooted in the same idea—powerful art requires rigorous inquiry of techniques and ideas. We focus on technical skills, content and critical dialog. Students have access to color-managed media labs equipped with 24-inch iMacs, flatbed and film scanners, Epson printers, and cutting-edge software including Adobe Creative Cloud. When appropriate, students utilize strobe and tungsten lighting equipment, seamless backdrops, green screen, audio and video recording equipment and Epson large-format printers.
The Ranch Photography and New Media team creates an inspiring environment, allowing artists of all levels to explore lens-based media and the journey of artistic discovery in the unparalleled setting of the Colorado Rockies.
Anderson Ranch is happy to extend a tuition discount* in one- and two-week adult photography and new media summer workshops** for members of SPE and the Center for Fine Art Photography at the student membership level or above. Please email reg@
Esther Macy Nooner
Workshop Program Manager; Studio Coordinator, Photography and New Media
Esther Macy Nooner received her MFA in Studio Art from the University of Arkansas School of Art. She has participated in the artist-in-residence program in the National Park System, and most recently at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan, Ireland. She has shown work nationally and internationally, and is currently the studio coordinator for Photography and New Media at Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Andrea Jenkins Wallace
Vice President of Artistic Affairs, Artistic Director of Photography and New Media
Andrea Jenkins Wallace earned her M.F.A. from the University of Colorado Boulder after completing her undergraduate degree in Communications Media. Prior to joining Anderson Ranch, she spent over a decade in academia, holding tenure-track appointments at Lake Forest College and Willamette University. She continues to teach courses at Colorado College and the University of Denver. An accomplished speaker, Andrea has presented at institutions such as the Denver Art Museum and the Stonewall National Museum. Her documentary film, Rochell and Brian, which explores teenage pregnancy, premiered at the New York International Independent Film Festival. Andrea’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with numerous shows across the Americas, Europe, China, and the Middle East. Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Anderson Ranch Campus
Upcoming Workshops
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Jul 14 - 18, 2025
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1PM-5PM
Opening the Door to Adobe’s Photoshop
Joe Lavine
Tuition $475
Code P0735-25
Bring your creative vision to life! Adobe Photoshop’s powerful tools can seem overwhelming, but this class breaks it down step by step. Students learn essential Photoshop features and non-destructive editing techniques to preserve image integrity. Designed for all skill levels, this course is perfect for anyone looking to confidently edit images in Adobe Photoshop—no prior experience is required! Students should bring a collection of images that are easily accessible and can be used to follow along and practice the workshop material. Anderson Ranch staff is available to support students prior to class during open studio time from 9 AM – 12 PM on workshop days. Please Note: The workshop meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 PM-5 PM.
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Ages 13-17
Jul 14 - 18, 2025
9AM-3PM
Picture This: Photography Essentials for Teens
Stephanie Lindsey
Tuition $805
Code P0717-25
Nurture a passion for photography in a fun and supportive environment that emphasizes exploration, practice, and play in this dynamic workshop. Teens delve into how captivating photographs engage their audience visually, emotionally, and intellectually. By focusing on both the technical aspects of photography and the underlying creative concepts, participants enhance their image-making skills in an encouraging atmosphere. The workshop emphasizes storytelling techniques, capturing the surrounding environment, and the creation of stunning images using Adobe Photoshop. Students edit and retouch images and discover innovative ways to combine, blend, and mix visuals, all while having fun and supporting one another throughout the creative journey.
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Level I
Students are new to photography and new media and have no formal training in photography, video, multimedia or animation. Students have basic computer literacy.
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II
Level II
Photography students have a basic understanding of photography principles and technology and are comfortable using an SLR camera in manual mode. New Media students have a basic understanding of video, multimedia or animation software. Students have basic computer skills and are comfortable using a Macintosh computer.
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III
Level III
Photography students have some formal training and significant experience making, capturing and digitally processing images using Adobe Lightroom and/or Adobe Photoshop. New Media students have some formal training in conceptual and technological aspects of video, multimedia, coding or animation and are versed in the appropriate software applications. Students have a portfolio of their artwork.
Jul 14 - 18, 2025
9AM-5PM
The Art of Visual Storytelling
Wayne Lawrence
Tuition $1,225
Code P0716-25
In-depth storytelling has never been more essential, and this workshop offers intermediate and advanced photographers a focused yet supportive environment for mastering the skills and techniques required to create a compelling image series. Designed for socially and culturally conscious storytellers, the course emphasizes documenting the human experience with the goal of informing or challenging perceptions through creative and thoughtful imagery. Through a combination of lectures, assignments, critique sessions, and class discussions, participants explore the ethical, social, and visual dimensions of environmental portraiture. The workshop delves into methodologies practiced by leading artists in the field, providing participants with the tools to develop their own long-term documentary projects. This comprehensive approach encourages participants to push their creative boundaries while deepening their understanding of the genre.