Out of Chicago Botanic
Flower & Garden Photography Conference
August 29-September 2, 2021
Image by Anne Belmont
Spark your creativity in a diverse, botanical paradise with 5 days of flower and garden photography, shooting side-by-side with the pros.
Immerse yourself in 385 acres of gardens as you photograph landscapes of contrasting colors, shapes and textures, including dahlias, cactus flowers, water lilies, lotuses, hummingbirds, butterflies, native plants and roses at the Chicago Botanic Garden. From the Japanese Garden to the Sensory Garden and English Oak Meadow, wander the garden paths as you push your creativity learning to capture flower personalities, use diffusers and reflectors, shoot garden landscapes, post-process textures and more.
INSTRUCTORS
SHOOT SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST FLOWER AND GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHERS
“It was an amazing week. In all different kinds of ways. You learn a ton of information from phenomenal photographers. It’s something for everyone.”
– – JEANINE
Anne Belmont
Harold Davis
Sarah Marino
Jackie Kramer
Alan Shapiro
Lou Nettelhorst
Todd Nettelhorst
Monica Royal
Gerri Jones
Chris Smith
Jamie Konarski Davidson
Highlights
WHAT MAKES THIS CONFERENCE DIFFERENT?
Over five days, explore 385 acres of gardens as you shoot side-by-side with ten of the best flower and garden photographers in the world. Each day choose who you want to learn from and where you want to go. From the Japanese Garden to the Circle Garden, Sensory Garden and more, you won’t want to miss out on this epic photography experience. The event is limited to 100 attendees. In-the-field sessions are in small groups, limited to no more than 10 participants per instructor.
- Learn creative techniques to capture flowers and gardens
- Learn to find compelling subjects that capture emotion
- Learn macro flower photography basics and effective camera settings
- Learn about light and how to work with it to create impact
- Compose for macro photography, small scenes and grand landscapes
- Slow down and practice mindfulness in photography
- Learn to use aperture creatively
- Discover workflow tips from capture to print.
- Get post-processing tips from the pros
- Experiment with new techniques such as light box photography and water drop refraction
- And much more
Photographing Small Scenes with Sarah Marino
Artistic Floral Images with Jackie Kramer
Using Lensbaby and Vintage Lenses for Still Life Floral Subjects with Gerri Jones
Photographing Flowers for Transparency with Harold Davis
Black and White Post-processing with Alan Shapiro
Textures and Impressions with Jamie Konarski Davidson
Macro Photography with Don Komarechka
Bring Impact and Emotion to your Images with Anne Belmont
Itinerary
Each day will be an adventure as you explore the Chicago Botanic Garden. Keep yourself immersed in photography, morning, noon and night. Push your creativity and technical skills with daily hands-on, in-the-field photography classes, discussions and small group critiques.
Day 1
Check in to Embassy Suites Northshore in Deerfield, IL (4pm)
Meet & greet reception
Group dinner
Welcome by Chris Smith, founder of Out of Chicago
Opening keynote presentation with Anne Belmont
Evening breakout sessions
Day 2, Day 3, Day 4
Cooked-to-order breakfast at Embassy Suites
Morning field sessions at the Chicago Botanic Garden/mini workshops at hotel
Group lunch/Group presentation
Afternoon field sessions at the Chicago Botanic Garden/mini workshops at hotel
Dinner with your excursion/workshop group at the Garden or area restaurants
Evening classes, image reviews
Scheduled time to work with an instructor one-on-one
Day 5
Cooked-to-order breakfast at Embassy Suites
Closing presentation
Check out of hotel (11am)
Photocrawl at Garden
Location and Accommodation
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, ILLINOIS
Experience 385 acres and 27 spectacular prized gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden, including the Japanese Garden, English Walled Garden and Oak Meadow. Classroom sessions take place at the Embassy Suites Northshore by Hilton in Deerfield, Illinois, an all-suite hotel that is set-up as a perfect basecamp for photographers, with first-class accommodations, conference facilities and an awesome happy hour! The Chicago Botanic Garden is conveniently located just down the road, where daily hands-on excursions take place. This is the perfect place to learn, play and be inspired.
“It was wonderful to be among so many people who didn’t think I was crazy for wanting to shoot all day, every day.”
– LINDA
Conference Price
$1800
Reserve with a deposit of $900. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the event. This event is limited to 100 attendees.
What’s included?
Opening dinner and 3 lunches
Hands-on instruction from the top photographers in the field
More than 75 scheduled sessions to choose from for a personalized learning experience
Daily hands-on workshops and in-the-field excursions
Personal one-on-one sessions and small-group image reviews
Private Facebook group to connect with your fellow photographers to coordinate carpools
What’s not included?
Hotel, Airfare and Transportation
Membership to the Garden
Most dinners are on your own so you can go out with fellow attendees and instructors