Focus on the Story International Photo Festival

Under the guidance of three award-winning photojournalists, students in this intensive, hands-on workshop will learn the power of the visual narrative and how to create compelling picture stories and photo essays

On day one, students will receive group portfolio critiques, learning not only how to improve their work, but what they are doing right and how to keep doing it. Afterwards, they'll break into teams to brainstorm ideas for photo essays that can be shot that afternoon. Before heading out into the city, instructors will coach them on approaching their assignments as photojournalists -- preparing for the unexpected, recognizing different story angles and entering an unfamiliar scene with confidence.

Participants will return on day two for edits of their individual assignments that will help them think critically about their process. The editing process will be done in an open critique and will be open to all festival goers.

This workshop is sponsored by the Iris Photo Collective and is taught by its founders, André Chung, a former photojournalist at the Baltimore Sun where he won the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy and George Polk journalism awards; Pablo Martínez Monsiváis, photographer for the Associated Press, where he won the Pulitzer Prize in Photography for coverage of the Clinton Impeachment; and Carl Juste, a veteran photojournalist, who has reported from conflict areas around the world and who was part of a team that won the Pulitzer for coverage of Hurricane Andrew.

Cost: This is a free workshop, with a maximum of 21 participants.