Develop your portfolio with class discussion, fieldwork, and lab time.

There are no available registration dates at this time.

This workshop is a part of the 2024 summer Academy program.

Book before December 31st, 2023 and save $300 on any 2-week Academy workshop or $1000 for the 6-week summer school programs. Early Bird discounts will be applied automatically & cannot be combined with any other offers.

Filmmaking

Note: Workshops can also be taken individually.

6-Week Summer Film School (Jun 24 - Aug 2, 2024)

  • 2-Week Film School (Jun 24 - Jul 5, 2024 - SOLD OUT)

  • 2-Week Advanced Film School (Jul 8, 2023 - Jul 19, 2024)

  • Finishing Strong: Editing & Post-Production (July 22 - August 2, 2024)

Photography

Note: Workshops can also be taken individually.

6-Week Summer Photo School (Jun 24 - Aug 2, 2024)

  • 2-Week Digital Photography (June 24 - July 5, 2024)

  • 2-Week Advanced Digital Photography (July 8, 2024 - July 19, 2024)

  • Scholastic Portfolio Development (July 22 - August 2, 2024)

Book Arts & Design

Midcoast Maine Summer Arts Expedition (July 22 - August 2, 2024)

The key component of any body of work are clear – concise vision supported by digital craft. This advanced course for teens focuses on developing a high-quality, cohesive portfolio of photographs. Designed to help students understand photography and their own creative process, participants create a group of photographs that will impress college admissions boards and the art world alike. The process of creating work is as important as the final product.

Receive personalized guidance from a professional photography instructor.
Maine Media Academy with Foley - by Aidan Bliss
Work with your peers to better understand the composition of your portfolio.

Through class discussion, fieldwork, and lab time, participants spend two weeks defining an idea, photographing, editing, printing, and asking questions. From portfolio presentations to letters of recommendation, and contemporary trends to possible schools, the instructor assists students creatively and technically. Students develop their printmaking craft in the digital lab, making fine portfolio prints for presentation. Students not only learn how to print a cohesive collection of images but also develop skills to write and speak about their work. Through lectures, slideshows, assignments, and critiques, students take their work to the next level and prepare to pursue academic applications.

By Max Soley
Maine Media Academy Student Work - By Will Sutton
By Will Sutton

Prerequisite:

This two-week program is designed for high school students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are about to prepare their college portfolio submissions. Students must have completed an Advanced Digital Photography course or equivalent, as students are expected to enter this workshop with a solid foundation in either fine digital or traditional black-and-white printing.

What you will learn:

Students leave this workshop with a portfolio of 10-15 images, and a greater understanding of the academic application process.

What you will need:

Students should bring a body of images (25-50), DSLR / mirrorless camera, lens, memory cards, and a minimum of 120GB Hard Drive. We have cameras and accessories available for loan for the duration of the workshop if needed.

By Yasmin Smeets.
Maine Media Academy Student Work - By Jasper Lazor
By Jasper Lazor
Maine Media Academy Student Work by Molly Darcy
By Molly Darcy
Maine Media Academy Student Work - By Erin Burnett
By Erin Burnett

Testimonials:

“MMW has taught me so many things not only about media but also about myself as an artist and a person in general.” – Alicia Price, Lebanon, NH

“To any young artist looking for a chance to enrich their passion, Maine Media will provide the perfect environment and allow for great connections and inspirations to be made.” – Justin Schwartz, Nelson, NH

“It was such an enriching experience that really helped me master photographic skills.” – Meghan Prior, Westport, CT

“These workshops are always amazing and I know I’ll be back next summer.” – Thomas Earle, Concord MA

“MMW has been such a life-changing experience for me.” – Lily Plstein, Los Angeles, CA

Examples of Student Work:

Header image by Ryan Hoff.


About the Maine Media Academy

For over 30 years, each summer the Academy at Maine Media cultivates the next generation of photographers, filmmakers, and book artists through expert learning opportunities. Academy students join a longstanding community of artists and visual storytellers committed to building a legacy of mentorship and lifelong creative learning. Instructors in the program are accomplished working artists and professionals who are dedicated to the personal success and artistic journey of their students. Students will be surrounded by peers who share their passions and are guided by working artists who encourage creativity as they instruct them in the latest skills and techniques and help create portfolio-level work.

Brief Academy Overview:

  • Student days are comprised of both classroom and field/location work: lectures and critiques, demonstrations, shooting, editing, writing, computer workflow, and/or digital lab work, depending on the workshop. All instructors are talented industry professionals as well as experienced educators, and each works with a teaching assistant, providing additional support for their class. The students are busy all day and into the mid-evening hours.
  • All students reside in our campus residence, occupying the lower floor. Rooms are all private baths with a maximum of three students per room (most will be doubles). Resident Advisors (RAs) also reside on the same floor to monitor and supervise. The upper floor is occupied by non-Academy adult workshop attendees who will have little exposure or direct interaction with the Academy students.
  • During the week, all meals are taken together in the dining facilities directly across the street. Weekend meals are taken in the local economy and transported by the RA’s – or sometimes do cookouts. This cost is included in the tuition package. Parents may indicate any special dietary needs upon registration.
  • RAs supervise the students when not in class and help make group decisions about weekend activities which may include swimming, bowling, movies, and hiking. Coin laundry facilities are available on campus.
  • A lobster dinner is served (there are other choices) on the last Friday night of each workshop, and all Maine Media students gather for an evening presentation of highlights from the week’s work. Parents are welcome to attend, and meal tickets may be purchased in the Registration Office.
  • We recommend students have access to $150 over the two-week period for incidentals, snacks, movies, field trips, etc.
  • Check-in is on Sunday, between 3 and 6 and departure is on Saturday morning.
  • Tuition includes accommodation, access to campus amenities, transportation once the workshop has begun, meals (including a lobster dinner!), Resident Advisors, and Teacher’s Assistants.
  • Students may request a transcript be sent to their high school for possible credit.

Questions or Need More Information?

We have the answers to your questions and are here to help! You can give us a call at 877-577-7700, email us at [email protected], or get in touch online.

Share This

Instructor: Renée Dennison

“Yá’át’ééh shik’éí dóó shidine’é (Hello my relatives and my people). Renée Dennison yinishyé (Iam called Renée Dennison). Lók’aa’ Ta’neeszahnii (I am of the Tangle clan). Áshįįhi Kinyaa’áanii (I am born of the Towering House clan). I am a member of the Diné (Navajo Nation) and grew up on the Navajo Nation.”

In May 2018, Renée received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography from ASU’s School of Art, Herberger Institute for Design & the Arts. Her MFA Thesis Exhibition entitled, “Kinyaa’áanii, Towering House”, chronicled her experiences with her 106-year-old grandmother and her own exploration of identity.

Before graduating from the fine arts program at ASU, Renée spent over twenty years working for Native American organizations and tribal governments. She received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. in Finance and Investments from George Washington University in Washington, DC.