Photography & New Media
Code: FDIN11-26
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
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Destination Workshops
Discover Ireland: Photography & Mindfulness Retreat
Aug 30 - Sep 6, 2026
9AM - 5PM
Concept
This immersive international retreat invites travelers to deepen their experience of place through photography and mindfulness. Set on Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula—celebrated for its striking natural beauty and enduring cultural traditions—the program encourages participants to slow down, observe closely, and engage more fully with the landscapes and communities they encounter. Photography and mindfulness work together to support presence, curiosity, and reflection.
Much of the Dingle Peninsula lies within the Gaeltacht, where Irish remains the language of daily life. The land carries visible traces of human history spanning thousands of years, from ancient settlements and monastic sites to working harbors and living craft traditions. Over the course of the week, travelers move between guided experiences and independent exploration, allowing space for both shared discovery and personal response to the rhythms of the land.
Daily activities weave together photography, walking, yoga, and mindfulness practices led by Andrea and Charlotte, alongside site visits with a local Irish guide. Emphasizing experience over output, the retreat invites travelers to consider how stillness, attention, and cultural context shape the way we see—and how photography can deepen our understanding of place rather than simply record it.
Faculty
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
Charlotte Roennau
Charlotte Roennau, once celebrated as one of Denmark’s fastest women with aspirations for the Olympic track and field, transitioned into a career that blends sports science, yoga, and mindfulness. She dedicated a decade to fostering peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, and reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. Her work with Cross Cultures Project Association (CCPA) and Global Education through Sports (GES) utilized the core values of sports to unite children, families, communities, and cities in conflict zones, promoting respect for diversity, religion, culture, and gender. After years of traveling, she returned to Denmark to pursue a career in sports politics, management, and consulting in culture and sports facilities. In the U.S., Charlotte used her extensive background in running, yoga, and mindfulness as the Director of Mindful Leadership and Guest Transformation at Run Wild Retreats & Wellness. She trained staff, developed curriculum, and led Mindful Running retreats worldwide.
Workshop Details
Lodging & Meals
Housing is limited and includes shared and private lodging options. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve housing, the better your chance of receiving your preferred option. Please note: Workshop costs do not include accommodations.
NEW: Course fees includes a welcome dinner and lunches. In our effort to foster a stronger sense of community and accessibility at Anderson Ranch, we include the welcome dinner and all lunches as part of course fees for summer workshop students. Our hope is that this adjustment will encourage all students to come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The Ranch Café Meal Plan, which is included with Room and Board fees, strives to provide healthy, creative meals that will nourish your artistic creativity. Learn more.
We have established a Business Safety Plan with added layers of precaution that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, students, faculty and guests while continuing to provide you with the Anderson Ranch experience that you know and enjoy.
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.
Don’t know where to start? View the skill levels for Photography and New Media workshops.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a historic, rustic campus that features gravel pathways and uneven terrain that may pose challenges for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. We strive to provide accommodations to ensure all guests can access and enjoy our programs and facilities. With advance notice, our staff can offer personalized assistance and coordinate access to studios and campus spaces. For questions or to request an accommodation, please contact us at (970) 923-3181 or [email protected].
Anderson Ranch is happy to extend a 20% tuition discount for summer one- or two-week adult photography and new media workshops for SPE, the Center for Fine Art Photography, and Colorado Photographic Arts Center members at the student membership level or above. Please email [email protected] with your SPE or CFAP membership information prior to registering and we will send you a promo code to complete registration with your discount applied. You are also welcome to call 970-924-5089 to register after verifying your membership with us. **Please note, this discount must be approved prior to registering and cannot be applied retroactively. SPE and Center for Fine Art Photography discount does not apply to Advanced Mentored Studies programs or Destination Workshops, nor can it be combined with any other discount, scholarship or special offer.
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.