Photo Retreat in Rockland, Maine

Rockland: Maine’s Art Capital Meets Working Waterfront

Known as the Art Capital of Maine, walkable Rockland offers photographers a rare combination of world-class cultural institutions and gritty maritime authenticity. A walk to the harbor at dawn and you’ll see boats heading out — by afternoon, you might find yourself in the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA), or one of the town’s many shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. In the compact downtown you’ll be wandering alongside old brick facades, while the South End reveals a more industrial character: working boatyards, abandoned grain silos, and a museum celebrating the local maritime heritage. This is a place where commercial fishermen and contemporary artists share the same streets.

Explore Vinalhaven Island by Ferry

We’ll visit the island of Vinalhaven by ferry — a slice of authentic old Maine with quiet roads winding past stone walls and weathered barns, protected coves, working wharves, and a timelessness that looks much as it did decades ago. It is also the home of the artist Robert Indiana (1928–2018) who spent the last 40 years of his life in the “Star of Hope,” a former 19th-century Odd Fellows Hall that he transformed into a combined home, studio, and personal museum. Now in disrepair and closed to the public (as well as tied up in lengthy litigation), we’ll have special and rare access to photograph inside the building in his living space.

Also on the island, in the small village of Carver’s Harbor, you’ll see a fascinating working wharf. Roads beyond town lead to abandoned granite quarries, old cemeteries, coastal landscapes, and views across Penobscot Bay. This is a working fishing community, not a tourist destination.

Work with a Master Printer + Exhibition

  A special part of this retreat is that you’ll work with local master printer Jim Nickelson on images you’ve just created. He’ll make a presentation on the myriad types of paper available now (ranging from delicate Japanese papers to heavyweight cotton rags to glossy surfaces), and how to find the perfect paper for your specific images. We’ll also discuss how best to prepare files for printing. He’ll print two images of your choice that you’ll be able to take home with you — and also show in the one-night exhibition (with reception) that we’ve organized for you to share your new work with each other and the local arts community.

  Anja will meet with each student individually, helping you select and adjust your images to prepare for the printing session and exhibition.

Backyard Lobster Bake

We’ll gather for a traditional Maine lobster bake — fresh-caught lobster, steamers, corn, and all the fixings as the light softens and the day winds down, all included in the retreat.

Photography

Support: This retreat can be a great opportunity to work on compositional ideas and storytelling. If you’re interested in working on a project, we can discuss ideas before the trip begins. Anja will have specific assignments ready at each location for those who would like individual guidance, and there will also be time for you to explore on your own if you like.

Growth: Perfect for those looking to improve on their basics or for more advanced photographers who are seeking a creative recharge, this retreat provides an immersive and enriching experience in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Feedback: After you return home and have a chance to reflect on the photographs you made, we’ll gather online for a show-and-tell and constructive group critique with Anja.

What’s Included

• Pre-meeting on Zoom for all participants to prepare for the retreat and ask questions.
• Photo exploration of the town and waterfront.
• Visit by ferry to the island of Vinalhaven.
• Photography storytelling and composition coaching.
• Working with a master printer to create two prints that you’ll take home with you.
• One-night group exhibition with reception.
• Traditional Maine lobster bake!
• Entry fees on our group outings.
• Online group critique session two weeks after the retreat.

What’s Not Included

• Airfare
• Transportation to/from airports
• Accommodations are not provided, but we’ll provide several hotel suggestions
• Meals — except the lobster bake — are not included, but we’ll provide a list of excellent local restaurants.

Terms & Conditions / Cancellation Policy

• To reserve a spot in the workshop, a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required. If you cancel 90 days or more before the beginning of the workshop, your payment, minus the deposit, will be refunded. If you cancel less than 90 days before the workshop, there will be no refund. Cancellation requests must be sent by email.
• Payment in full is due by June 20, 2026.
• Travel insurance is recommended. The fee for this retreat is non-refundable.
• You are responsible to book and pay for your own travel to and from Rockland. Please book your flight so that you arrive in Rockland the afternoon of Wednesday, September 23, 2026 — we’ll meet for dinner together at 6pm. The retreat ends on Sunday, September 27, with the exhibition in the afternoon; you might plan to depart the next day, Monday.
• All registrations are accepted in the order received. Early registration is strongly recommended since space is limited.
• Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian for the entire trip.
• Partners are welcome to join us in the evenings, but only workshop participants can be with us during the day.
• We reserve the right to cancel the workshop for under-enrollment. If the workshop is canceled before departure, you will be refunded the full amount of the workshop, including the deposit.
• If you leave the workshop after it has started for any reason, you will not receive any refund.
• Itinerary is subject to change.