10 Feb SOLD OUT | July | TEEN Workshop: The Mindful Camera – Photography for Teens
SOLD OUT | July | TEEN Workshop: The Mindful Camera – Photography for Teens
Date | Monday – Thursday, July 27 – 30, 2026
Time | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location | Colorado Photographic Arts Center
1200 Lincoln St., Suite 111, Denver, CO 80203
Cost | $375
Instructor | Debe Arlook
Ages | 11 – 17
Objective:
Students will explore the hidden-in-plane sight world around them during this four-day journey of discovery by learning to see with intention and experimenting with different subjects and visual styles, culminating in a curated 10-image portfolio.
Course Description:
Throughout this four-day, in-person workshop, students will develop fundamental skills in photographic observation, composition, and visual storytelling. Technical topics include in-camera framing, perspective, light and shadow, and the expressive use of color and black and white. Students will learn to think intentionally about what is inside — and outside — the frame, and how cropping and visual choices shape meaning. Presentations featuring both well-known photographers and teen artists will introduce a range of styles and approaches.
Students will also receive an introduction to Lightroom for basic editing and learn how to select and sequence images to create a cohesive body of work. The class includes daily shooting assignments, guided exercises inside and outside CPAC, at-home projects, and collaborative critiques that emphasize constructive feedback and openness.
By the final day, students will edit and sequence their 10 strongest images into a visual story or thematic series and present their work to peers, family, and friends
TOPICS COVERED
- Cultivating visual awareness by learning to see the overlooked and ordinary with a fresh perspective
- Understanding what makes a good photograph through intentional choices in composition, light, perspective, and design
- Developing critical thinking skills through constructive peer critique and thoughtful discussion
- Building confidence through daily practice across multiple photographic genres and presenting their work to an audience
- Creating a portfolio with compelling visual narratives by sequencing images that tell a story or a thematic collection
Materials Needed:
- Smartphone or Digital SLR Camera (CPAC has cameras available to borrow)
- Extra batteries,
- Memory card or flash drive,
- Laptops with any editing source, if they have them
- Note-taking materials
*Ask about our free loaner camera program by emailing edu@cpacphoto.org