Cinematic Storytelling

Workshop with Todd Hido

Overview

This workshop is designed for photographers at all levels.

*BONUS: This workshop takes place in tandem with Christian Patterson and Antoine d’Agata workshops. Attendees of both workshops will have time to mingle and get to know each other during evening hangouts!

  • Portland Maine is a historic seacoast town with a funky vibe, working waterfront, and large art scene. Maine’s largest city (but still quaint by most standards) boasts plenty of art, food, and outdoor activities.

  • Schedule: Meets in Portland, Maine on Monday September 15, Tuesday September 16, Wednesday September 17, Thursday September 18 & Friday September 19 from 10am to 6pm (hours subject to change).

  • Early Bird $2400
    Previous Attendees: $2300

    DEPOSITS

    Selected applicants must confirm their participation by sending either a 50% deposit or full tuition payment.

    Flights, local transportation, accommodations and meals are not included in the tuition fees.

Limited to 12 participants.

This Workshop will be hosted at The Bakery Collective, a self-service darkroom and digital imaging facility with state of the art analog and digital facilities located near Woodford’s Corner. Attendees will have access to additional offerings for on location printing and darkroom services provided by partner The Bakery Collective.

The cinematic storytelling in Todd Hido’s work has been a staple in his images. He is known to be a master of nuancing dark light and creating a compelling narrative. In this workshop Hido will share his techniques and methods for photographing both people and places, as well as discuss his sources and influences. He has a generous teaching method that often propels students, even seasoned professionals, back into their work with a new sense of purpose.

The course will cover the experiences, strategies, and influences that form and shape a body of work. He will review portfolios and teach participants how to think about editing and sequencing a group of photographs. Each student will receive personalized feedback and tasks for improvement, and touch on the elusive questions all photographers ask themselves: Where does my work come from? What does it say? What does it mean—and how important is that? How can I express myself more effectively? Digital cameras and laptops are recommended to facilitate image production and editing, however overnight film processing and printing services are available (at additional cost) for those wishing to shoot and edit with analog processes.

ABOUT TODD HIDO

Todd Hido (born in Kent, Ohio, 1968) wanders endlessly, taking lengthy road trips in search of imagery that connects with his own memories. Through his unique landscape process and signature color palette, Hido alludes to the quiet and mysterious side of suburban America—where uniform communities provide for a stable façade—implying the instability that often lies behind the walls. 

His photographs are in over 50 private and public collections around the world, including the Getty, Whitney Museum of American Art, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Pier 24 Photography holds the archive of all of his published works. 

Hido has published more than a dozen books, including the award-winning monographs House Hunting(2001) and Excerpts from Silver Meadows (2013). His Aperture titles include Todd Hido on Landscapes, Interiors, and the Nude (2014) and Intimate Distance: Twenty-Five Years of Photographs (2016). A revised and expanded edition is coming in 3 languages in 2025.

He returned to the cinematic landscape photography that he first explored with Roaming (2003), as well as in Bright Black World (2018), and followed it up with The End Sends Advance Warning (2024). Hido is also an avid photobook collector, and in the last 30 years has created a notable collection of over 8,500 titles.

His work has influenced multiple Hollywood productions, such as Spike Jones's Her, Sam Levinson's Euphoria, Issa López's True Detective: Night Country, and the upcoming directorial project by Jason Momoa, Chief of War. He is also one of the subjects of Momoa's documentary project on creative makers, On The Roam.

Details

  • DAY ONE
    presentations of our work

    DAY TWO
    Storytelling presentation, portraiture demonstration & evening assignment

    DAY THREE
    attendee review and night photography demonstration

    DAY FOUR
    post production + lightroom demo, one-on-one meetings with each student.

    DAY FIVE
    photobook making discussion, final review of attendee work.

  • There is no fee to apply, and applications are open to photographers of all educational backgrounds and career stages. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. To be considered, applicants must submit a portfolio of 20–30 images focused on past and/or ongoing work, limited to no more than two distinct series or projects.

    If you are a previous attendee or a Chico alumni, there is no need to reapply—please simply email us at info@charcoalworkshops.com.

    Please note: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with regular email updates provided throughout the process. The full review and acceptance timeline typically takes 8–12 days from the date of submission. We encourage early applications to increase the likelihood of selection.

  • EARLY BIRD: $2400 USD
    [Deadline: Sunday June 22, 2025]

    PAST ATTENDEE: $2300 USD
    [Deadline: Sunday June 22, 2025]

    REGULAR: $2500 USD
    [Deadline: from June 24 until filled.]

    Please Note: Flight expenses, local transportation, accommodations, and meals are not included in the tuition or registration fees.

  •  A 50% deposit is required upon acceptance to confirm your participation. The remaining balance will be due in full by August 1, 2025. Early Bird pricing is available only to those who pay in full before the specified deadline.

    Payment plans are available upon request. Please contact us at info@charcoalworkshops.com. 

    Please note: payments made through the payment plan are non-refundable.

  • Upon confirmation, a comprehensive information packet will be provided to attendees which will assist in coordinating their stay in Portland. This packet will include details on accommodation options, transportation instructions, restaurant recommendations, available amenities, and general travel tips.

    We have partnered with The Longfellow Hotel to offer our attendees an exclusive 10% discount + complimentary upgrade (if available) on check-in. Discounts and rooms are first come, first served.

    Please note: flight expenses, local transportation, accommodations, and meals are not included in the tuition or registration fees.

  • The deadline to withdraw from the workshop and request a refund is 90 days prior to the start date. A cancellation fee of $600 USD will apply. Refund requests submitted after this 90-day period will not be considered.

    In the event that the program does not meet minimum enrollment or is canceled for any reason, paid tuition will be credited toward a future workshop or one scheduled at the same time as the original program.

  • For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at info@charcoalworkshops.com

Application