PHOTOGRAPHY and PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP STATE of the UNION 2026

Greetings from Tennessee!

I am not a photojournalist, wedding/event photographer, or advertising centric photographer (HIGHLY SKILLED PEOPLE). However, for over 30 years I’ve been a teacher and workshop leader. I can speak about the Photography Workshop topic. Below are a few thoughts on the “State of the Photography Workshop Union “going into 2026.

First, and most important, AI will NOT replace the experience. AI will not replace the reward of us photographers making images without the help of ancillary technology. This is “NOT A BASH AI DISCUSSION”…..! It’s here … deal with it.

WHY I BELIEVE THAT PHOTO WORKSHOPS WILL REMAIN VIABLE

I find it interesting that when the dust settles, wedding/event photographers and photography workshop leaders (at least the good ones) may be the last folks standing when it comes to making a viable living with photography.

Photo workshops, like the ones that I and others have led for many years seem to be tougher to fill these days. Travel has become less fun and more expensive. Airfares, hotels, and food have made it more difficult for some folks to be able to attend workshops as they did in the past. Places we would go that were very un-crowded are now destinations (thanks largely to social media) and are over-run with people who are in many cases trashing the area (another topic for another day). The inherent cost for me to put together a good workshop has increased. Some locations that I now charge much more today than 5-7 years ago are much less profitable than they were when the costs were much less. Go Figure!

I do believe that most people who have attended one of mine or one of the many other great leaders out there, (yes, there are a few… not all) will attest to the value of in-person learning from these leader(s) as well as the other attendees. FACT: This experience cannot be replaced.

Being in an amazing location, smelling the smells, feeling the wind etc. is still, for me, something extra special. The older you get the more you realize this. However, the number of people who understand this is declining. So why are they declining?

We live in an instant information world. I don’t need to go into this as we all know it already. The way people learn and get through life is quite different. Not to sound like the “Get Off My Lawn” or angry old guy, its plain obvious that certain age groups live and learn differently. I believe that people under 25 years old now go about their lives differently from those from 25-40. Again, folks between 40-60 live differently from those of us over 60 years. I accept this; however, I find it interesting that my clientele, and that of the many other workshop leaders I know, is over 55 years old. Occasionally there are a few folks between 45-55. I genuinely believe that those under 40 years old look to acquire knowledge quicker and in different ways, certainly as anything that has to do with becoming good at something. They have grown up in a different world and I get it. I kind of feel sorry for the young folks who will never know what it is like to experience what those of us over a certain age have.

I also know that if we could get a few of the under 40 crowd to attend an in-person, firsthand event, their eyes would open wide and enjoy it!

ALTERNATIVES to PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS.

THE INTERNET:

Today we can find (via social media, google maps, the internet etc.) the GPS locations, the remotest places as well as commonly visited locations, the right place to stand. Theres not a lot hidden anymore. Some photographers think this is all they need.

I had someone tell me once “You give me Art Wolf’s gear and get me to where he gets to go, and I’ll get the same images.” No Way! Can you imagine that comment? Knowing where to go and acquiring the most expensive and technical gear isn’t the answer, I think most of you know this! Some folks, of any age still think this…. Another topic for another day.

There is nothing that can replace learning and developing your craft with folks who have been there and done that.

YOU TUBE UNIVERSITY

Many younger photographers, under 45-50 years old (certainly not all) think they can acquire the knowledge they need via You Tube videos online. Others look for instant credibility by posing their own You Tube or other channels, thinking that they can make a living by the income that these avenues provide. Very few do. Many propagate false or misleading information when it comes to processing, gear, and technique. These folks ruin it for the photographers who offer some great videos with great informative content.

I have a photography based You Tube Channel. (Click HERE). I post some videos of places and not much in the way of technique. Most of what I would talk about has been said by others. I should do more, but I’d just be repeating what’s already been talked about.

THE CHANGING WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography is quickly changing more now than ever. AI is here. I would not want to be an advertising centric photographer today. You can tell AI to place a specific product or person in a specific environment and in a few seconds, you have an image or video perfectly acceptable for advertising purposes. We’ve all seen these already.

Below is a picture of my good friend John Pedersen I placed on the plane we fly into the back country in Alaska when we go to photograph the bears. This literally took about 30 seconds.

HERE is anothewr AI Creation… fun? but getting scary.

Journalistic photographers in many cases are being replaced by AI or by everyday people with mobile phones.

I just bought a new camera with amazing image reproduction. Here are a few of the specs:

High resolution images in 24MP or 48MP (HEIF Max or PRO RAW, for maximum detail)) as well as 12MP for standard shooting.
Main, wide, and telephoto capabilities utilizing a 48MP sensor for 48MP resolution at .05x, 1X, and 4X Zoom.
At 48MP allow for super high resolution and detail
A48MB RAW photo averages about 75MB, allowing for good printing capabilities.
2868×1320 pixel resolution at 460 ppi

Is this a Fujifilm, Nikon, Canon, or Sony? NO, IT’S THE NEW iPhone 17 pro max!

And. In a year there will be something better!!!

THESE IMAGES WERE MADE WITH THE NEW Iphone( RAW FILES-PROCESSED)

Smartphones have replaced dedicated digital cameras for daily use, causing a 94% drop in camera shipments between 2010 and 2023. 200 million iPhones were sold back in 2020 alone

Yes, things are changing rapidly. Recently DJI (yes, the drone manufacturer, who is really a camera/lens company) from China has become the majority owner of Hasselblad and has brought them back to a category leader. Leica is in the early stages of a sale to a Chinese company as well as a few other European suitors. Who knows?

SIMPLE CONCLUSION… no substitute for time, practice and learning from others.

Photography is a craft, just like a musician, writer, wood worker, chef etc. It takes time (and a lot of it) and practice. Are you willing to put in time or do you want to be just another camera owner, posting mediocre images on social media and having folks who know nothing about photography telling you how great you are? (and that’s ok too!).

If you do, get with someone who can deliver a fun and enjoyable experience and learn firsthand, not online, how to attain a level (no matter what level you seek) of competence that lets you consistently make the images you set out to make.

And have fun!