Workshops


Each year I teach a few workshops and photo tours that focus on a variety of topics including adventure photography, digital workflow and artificial lighting. Below is a list of the upcoming workshops I will be teaching and seminars I will be giving. As you scroll down you can read descriptions about each of these workshops and find out how to register for each one. I am also offering an array of online workshops as well as in-person workshops.

Also, If you are interested in a private one-on-one workshop please contact me and we can discuss options and pricing. I also do one-on-one online consulting and tutoring on a wide variety of photography topics.

Here is a list of upcoming workshops and seminars–descriptions are below:

Rafting the Grand Canyon (12 days) – Visionary Wild – April 25 – May 8, 2027

Kenya Samburulands Portrait Masterclass – Andy Biggs Custom Safaris – October 15- 25, 2027

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Workshop Testimonials:

“Michael is the best instructor I have taken a workshop from.” – Participant, Cutting-Edge Lighting Workshop

“Michael certainly knows his stuff. From Capture to Print: The Complete Digital Photographer’s Workflow is delivered in an easy to follow and comprehensive manner that covers many things that you may not expect – such as how to choose proper lighting to view and evaluate your prints or what color shirt to wear when you’re correcting images. I really appreciated that this is a pro workflow course delivered by a pro photographer. Michael is also a superb teacher, a superb communicator, who is welcoming and inviting of questions from all his participants. I took this workshop in June of 2020, using Zoom software. I was really amazed by how Michael made it seem like he’s been doing these workshops forever this way! Thank you Michael! It was a great pleasure being part of this workshop with so many others amazing photographers and a great pleasure to meet you. I learned much which is valuable to me and enjoyed doing so at the same time.  And just to reiterate, as to the workshop: I’m impressed.” – Stephen Starkman, Toronto

“Within the short time I’ve been studying and practicing photography, I have had teachers who are good educators, but not great photographers, and vice versa, but few who are both. Count yourself in these narrow ranks…I went through 4 years of college and several careers getting less candid advice and encouragement than I got in 4 days with you. For what it is worth, thank you for that.” – Brandon McMahon, Adventure Photography Workshop, Spring 2015

“Michael set an incredibly high bar for his workshop. He gave 110%, covered a broad range of topics and did an outstanding job.” – Chris Council, Adventure Photography Workshop, Summer 2010

“Thanks for running such a great workshop. I couldn’t have chosen better photo shoot locations, and the post-shoot critiques were invaluable. It’s the first time I’ve had my work reviewed, and I learned a ton from each session. While I didn’t go into the workshop expecting to pick-up too many marketing and business tips, I’ve come out of last week inspired to set-up my photo website in earnest.” – Jeff Hylok, Adventure Photography Workshop, Summer 2010

“The recent Adobe Lightroom Intensive Workshop in Seattle was excellent. The two-day format was perfect–just enough time to cover all the important features but not so much time as to be draining or get in the way of work. Michael Clark was an outstanding instructor. Not only was he clear, concise, and comprehensive, but his manner was friendly and equable. The fact that he is also a working professional photographer made the instruction all the more relevant. I have used previous versions of Lightroom, but it had been a while and I had recently upgraded. I was able to review some things I knew, learn about new features, and change my perspective on some workflow steps. An absolutely great workshop that I recommend wholeheartedly.” – Karen Huntt, Lightroom Workshop, Spring 2011

“Thanks again for such a terrific workshop. I have taken one other two day Lightroom workshop, but your’s is the best!” – Vance Thompson, Lightroom Workshop, Spring 2011

“Just wanted you know how much fun I had during the workshop last weekend! I learned a lot a look forward to doing other workshops with you.” – Jason Quevedo, Philadelphia Mentor Series Trek, Fall 2009

“Your workshop at Santa Fe was too good and I came away with a lot of knowledge and renewed energy. The level of expertise that you and Michael shared was top-notch and I hope to repeat this experience again. Thanks for such a great workshop!” – Participant in the 2008 Balloon Fiesta workshop taught by Andy Biggs and myself.

“My mind is still spinning and I can’t help but smile every time I think of the wonderful experience garnered from our workshop. Between what I learned from the two of you, as well as from my talented classmates – this was a great experience, and I would do it again.” – Participant in the 2008 Balloon Fiesta workshop taught by Andy Biggs and myself.

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Rafting the Grand Canyon (12-days)

April 25 – May 8, 2027 — Visionary Wild, Arizona

Register for Rafting the Grand Canyon

A grand adventure with Justin Black and Michael Clark

This trip will be led by master landscape photographer Justin Black and top adventure photographer Michael Clark, both veteran Grand Canyon river runners. The planned itinerary absolutely maximizes the photographic potential and overall quality of experience to be had during twelve days on the Colorado River in the mile-deep Grand Canyon.

Applying our experience of our prior Grand Canyon raft trips, and in collaboration with our hand-picked boat crew from Arizona Raft Adventures (AZRA), we’ve developed an itinerary that takes advantage of favorable spring conditions and sets us up for the best landings for photo excursions and camps along the river. Detailed planning and the expert skill of experienced boat crews we’ve worked with before are critical, because there’s no going back upstream on the Colorado River.

Our itinerary starts in Flagstaff, Arizona, at the Little America Hotel. The day before our departure for the river, we will convene to get to know each other (and catch up with returning friends), and Justin and Michael will make a presentation to get your creative juices flowing and prepare you for photography in the Canyon. This will be followed by an orientation by AZRA staff to go over the game plan, safety, answer questions, and distribute dry bags for packing your personal gear. We’ll set off early the following morning for Lee’s Ferry, where our raft and crew will be waiting for us at our launch point.

A little about the rafts: We will travel aboard two 32-foot-long motorized rafts built around a strong aluminum frame with a below-deck cargo hold for important items that tolerate getting wet, like camp chairs and cans of beer. Personal gear and camera bags will be stored in drybags strapped down on the deck above the waterline. A crew of two expert AZRA guides will crew each raft,  equipped with a quiet four-stroke Honda motor for steering purposes. The motor is shut off as we drift with the current down the river in stretches of calm water. We will be running a great deal of whitewater, and where you sit in the raft and how you dress will determine whether you get soaked or stay dry (or dryish). In the mid-afternoon sun, getting soaked by a big splash is a great way to cool off. What are the chances of taking an unexpected swim in the river? Slim to none, if you follow your guides’ instructions. On our many prior raft trips using AZRA’s large, stable motor rafts and their immensely experienced boat crews, we have never flipped a boat, only one participant has ever gone for an unintentional swim, and he wasn’t following orders to hold on in a rapid. The fellow in question was picked up in the next eddy, a little embarrassed, but just fine.

Once on the Colorado River, we quickly enter Marble Canyon and from there the canyon rim towers higher and higher as we pass through ever more ancient rock strata. From the raft, we’ll take in the stunning mesas and rock formations all around us, watch bighorn sheep just a few meters away at the water’s edge, marvel at condors soaring and ravens playing overhead, and watch the light and shade play across the water and reflect in hues of gold and red on the canyon walls. Landings at some of our favorite side canyons waterfalls, and rock formations along the way will provide the opportunity to stretch our legs and explore Grand Canyon’s intimate landscapes. Each afternoon, we’ll pull into riverside beaches, which will serve as our camps. These are selected in advance for group comfort and excellent photo opportunities close to camp in the evening, and to position us strategically to target the next morning’s photography location.

As we arrive in camp each afternoon, we’ll form a “bag line” as a team to unload personal gear and camp equipment from the raft to the beach. This group bonding experience is not to be underestimated. After that, we each locate a nice personal piece of Colorado River beach to put down our tarp, comfy sleeping pad, pillow, sheet, and sleeping bag (all provided, as are tents, though few seem to bother with tents after a night or two). Then, while the boat crew prepares a fabulous and well-deserved dinner, we’ll photograph in the evening light. Otherwise, choices of camp activities are up to you. We’ll gather the camp chairs in a circle to chat over a beer or glass of wine, have a rinse in the river, or just relax and enjoy the peace, solitude, and crystal-clear night skies.

When our time on the river comes to an end, it will be too soon. We will have been away from computers, smart phones, and traffic for twelve days. AZRA will pick us up at Diamond Creek for the trip back to the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, stopping off on old Route 66 at Delgadillos Snow Cap in Seligman for a milkshake. Back at the hotel in Flagstaff, after a proper shower and calls to loved ones to confirm that we’ve reemerged into civilization, we’ll meet for a final celebratory dinner with our boat crews at one of Flagstaff’s finer restaurants. After breakfast the next morning, we’ll meet for a classroom session to edit and project images for review. Wrapping up by mid-afternoon, we’ll say “until we meet again,” and our merry band will part company with hard drives full of amazing images, heads full of incredible memories, spirits uplifted by the experience, and hearts just a little bit sad that our adventure had reached its conclusion.

We hope you’ll join us for this trip of a lifetime!

Arizona Raft Adventures is the raft trip outfitter and is an authorized concessionaire of Grand Canyon National Park.

Workshop Costs: $10,595 to $10,995 depending on lodging. 

For all the details and logistics and to register for this adventure visit the Visionary Wild website.

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Kenya Samburuland Portrait Masterclass

October 15 – 25, 2027 — Andy Biggs Safaris, Kenya, Africa

Register for Kenya Samburuland Portrait Masterclass

In October 2027 we have a very unique safari experience lined up, which will be a cultural photography trip to northern Kenya and home to the Samburu. This trip combines a heavy dose of instruction, as well as setting up photographic scenarios. The Samburu are a beautiful semi nomadic tribe, similar to the Maasai, who live in some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes on the African continent. We will split our time between two different camps, which are remote, yet authentically luxurious in a timeless way. Our days will be filled with cultural immersion, taking photographs as bystanders, as well as inviting those we meet along the way to do some formal sit-down portraits in any place that is photographically rich. One day it may be on top of a hill at sunset and another day it may be an impromptu backdrop at camp and we have Samburu warriors drop by to have their portraits taken with natural or artificial light. The goal is to have a great time and to have unique moments with new friends that we meet along the way. And of course going home with photographs that go alongside these wonderful memories. This is a once in a lifetime experience. This trip is visiting areas that we know well and have experience working in.

Image by Andy Biggs

Guest instructor Michael Clark will be joining us, making this a teaching workshop for those who want to learn flash photography. We are bringing along studio lighting equipment, so you only need to bring your cameras and lenses. We will be teaching studio lighting for two days at the beginning of the trip, so show up and learn in a controlled environment before we head into the field.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

  • We will visit two camps in different regions of Samburuland

  • A two-day hands-on Portrait Lighting class at the beginning of the tripInformal and formal portrait opportunities

  • This itinerary focuses on a real cultural experience in very remote areas

  • The camps visited are a balance between luxurious, yet rustic accommodation

THE COST

The cost of this all-inclusive safari is $15,950 per person. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals.

Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share a room and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged $1,800 (please contact us if you would like to have your own accommodation as we have a very limited number of single slots available).

What Do I Do Next?
This group will be super small so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you’re excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they’re spoken for, that’s it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to hello@andybiggs.com.

For the full details on this exciting adventure please visit Andy Biggs website. 

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Stay tuned for other workshops coming in 2026 and 2027…