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-person 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% tuition deposit.

    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. Each participant will have 24/7 access to the lab which includes the use of a darkroom, computer, scanner and printer.

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?

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

  • Flights, local transportation, accommodations and meals are not included in the registration fees. A detailed information packet will be sent to confirmed participants to help coordinate their stay in Portland that will include a list of accommodations options (single or shared), local transportation directions, restaurants, amenities available, and general 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.

  • 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.

  • Applications are free (no fee to apply). Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Photographers from all educational backgrounds and at all career stages are welcome to apply. A portfolio of 20-30 images focused on past and/or ongoing projects must be submitted as a prerequisite for consideration (please include images from no more than 2 different series/projects).

    If you are a previous attendee or Chico Alumni, no need to apply! Just shoot us an email at info@charcoalworkshops.com

    Please note: Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis, with regular email communication from reception to final decision. The entire review and acceptance process usually takes 8-12 days from the day your application is received. Applying early is recommended for greater chances of selection.

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

    PAST ATTENDEE: $2300 USD
    [Deadline: Sunday July 20, 2025]

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

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

  • Selected applicants invited to attend are required to confirm their participation by paying half of or a full Early-bird, Returning Attendee or Regular tuition payment. The remaining tuition balance will then come due in full by August 1, 2025.

    Flexible monthly payment plans are also available to accepted applicants on request at no additional cost. If interested please email us at info@charcoalworkshops.com. Please also note that payment plan payments are non-refundable.

  • The deadline to withdraw your participation and request a refund is 90 days before the first day of the workshop. Please note a $600 USD cancellation fee remains applicable. Cancellation and refund requests received after 90 days will not be accepted.

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

Application Form