Alain and Natalie Briot
Master Class
and Artist Retreat
An exclusive, 6 day photography Master Class to private locations
with Alain and Natalie Briot
Limited to 3 participants
Email us to inquire about attending the next Master Class:
alain@beautiful-landscape.com
Introducing the Master Class
The goal of the Master Class is to help go further with your work by completing a personal project focused on the areas you will photograph during the Master Class. To do so we offer you the opportunity to photograph locations that no one but Natalie and I know about. We also offer personalized guidance regarding the conception, the execution and the completion of your Master Class project.
The Master Class is different from the Little Known Workshops. If you attended a Little Known Workshop you photographed locations that were little known. By attending the Master Class you will photograph locations that are literally unknown, areas that were discovered and first photographed by Natalie and I. You will also focus on designing and working on a personal project during the Master Class.
To reach this goal we have designed a new type of workshop whose purpose is to provide you access to locations that are private because we own the land where these locations are found. The goal is also to provide you with an opportunity for creativity and exploration which we cannot provide in a large group workshop held in a location open to the general public. This can only be achieved with small group in a controlled environment.
Enrollment requirements
The Master Classe is open by invitation only. The invitation is sent to qualified participants who have attended both a regular workshop and a little known workshop with us previously. Having done consulting with us increases your chances of being invited.
About the Colorado Plateau Master Class
The Colorado Plateau area of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is one of the most photogenic and beautiful areas anywhere. It remains little known and little photographed because of its isolation and because few photographers are familiar with that area. Natalie and I lived on the Plateau during the summer months for several years in a row. During that time we explored the canyons as well as many other areas.
Most of the locations we know about are not adequate for a large group. However they are ideal for a Master Class because having only 3 students makes it possible to visit locations that cannot accommodate a large group.
During the 2024 Colorado Plateau Master Class we will visit, explore and photograph locations where we have never taken students before. Some hiking will be required, nothing extensive just hikes of a couple miles. Driving on dirt roads will also be our daily activity because most areas require that we get off the pavement. The rewards will be views of areas so remote they see only a few visitors each year, if that many. The benefits will be rarely visited slot canyons where we will be by ourselves, isolated from groups and tourists.
The Colorado Plateau is the place to create images never seen before because the locations we will visit are not known. You will see and photograph areas that photographers do not visit. Locations that Natalie and I discovered during the time we lived on the Colorado Plateau and spent each day exploring the remote canyons of this region.
About the Northern Arizona Master Class
Natalie and I own five 40 acre parcels in North-Eastern Arizona, a total of 200 acres. Two of these parcels are located just south of the Navajo Reservation and the other three are located on the edge of Petrified Forest National Park. These properties are roughly 25 miles apart. The Master Class takes place on these properties.
We purchased these five properties when we lived in Canyon de Chelly. They are all bare land and they all feature beautiful scenery. There are no man made structures on any of them, just natural features. We purchased them for their natural beauty and as a place to relax and get away from it all.
Some of our properties feature indian ruins and pieces of Native American pottery are found all over the place. Some feature petrified wood. Some feature mesas and other prominent natural features. Each of them is unique and each of them offers something different in regards to photographic possibilities. For these reasons each of them will inspire you in a unique and different way.
We go there regularly to photograph and spend time by ourselves. However it is only recently that we decided to lead a Master Class event there. We took this decision because we realized that these locations are ideal for an event that goes further than the Little Known Workshops. Because we structured it as a Master Class, and because it is held in North-Eastern Arizona, we call it the The North-Eastern Arizona Master Class.
During the Master Class we may also visit other locations to which we have been granted access by the property owners. For example there is a fantastic and extensive rock art site within a mile of one of our properties. It is accessible by car plus a short hike and we have permission from the owner. We may also visit the Zuni reservation which is within 10 miles of one of our properties. We may also photograph other interesting landscapes such as areas in the vicinity of Petrified forest National Park accessible by roads not featured on National Park maps.
Below are photographs that I took on our five properties. These photographs will show you the photographic possibilities better than a written description can. We named these ourselves by giving a Hopi name to each of our properties. We will tell you the stories behind these names during the Master Class.:
http://beautiful-landscape.com/Portfolio-Moonlight-Mesas.html
http://beautiful-landscape.com/Portfolio-Kyatataypi.html
http://beautiful-landscape.com/Palavayu.html
http://beautiful-landscape.com/Portfolio-Hoklum.html
http://beautiful-landscape.com/Portfolio-Painted-Desert.html
http://beautiful-landscape.com/Portfolio-Painted-Deser2t.html
Master Classes Photographs
You can also see photographs taken during the previous Master Classes at this link.
Kyaatataypi Night
Creative possibilities
The creative possibilities offered by these locations are huge. Since no one has photographed them except me, your images will be unique and without competition. You are free to do what you please with your photographs, we put no restriction on their use and you will have the right to sell them, exhibit them or use them in any way you want. We just ask that the locations be kept private, that you do not share them with others, and that you do not record the GPS points or route.
Project
The focus of the Master Class is the creation of a personal project. This project must feature photographs taken during the Master Class. It must also feature writing done during the Master Class.
You will need to bring examples of your current work to present and discuss during the Master Class. Instructions regarding which prints to bring will be emailed after you register for the Master Class.
Consulting
Because the focus of the Master Class is a personal project Natalie and Alain will be available for informal consulting during the entire class. The goal of this consulting format is to give you the opportunity to explore your personal goals and Master Class project ideas.
A life changing event
Because of this focus the Master Class offers a life changing opportunity as well as the opening onto a new career and life path.
Length
The Master Class is a 6 day event. In addition to the lectures and project planning sessions we will spend one day photographing each of our 5 properties. We may also visit nearby attractions as described above.
Travel and Lodging
We will meet in Holbrook, Arizona, and travel to St Johns, Arizona, during the Master Class. We will stay in motels in the towns of Holbrook and St Johns. We will drive to the locations during daytime as well as for sunrise and sunset. This is basically the approach we follow on our regular workshops except that the locations here will be unique and that there will be fewer participants.
Vehicle
Access to our properties is by dirt road and two-track roads. Off road driving is required to reach one of them. For this reason a high clearance SUV or a four wheel drive vehicle is necessary. A passenger car will not do.
Invitation
We are inviting you to this unique event because we know you will enjoy this experience. Needless to say we are very selective about who we invite. This invitation is sent only to a very small number of students that we selected on the basis of their commitment to fine art photography. We want to make sure that students who attend the Master Class are motivated, resourceful and willing to be challenged in regards to their photography. For these reasons each Master Class participant must have attended at the very least one of our regular workshops and one of our Little Known Workshops.
How to join us
If the Master Class has your name on it and you would like to join us, just drop us a line at alain@beautiful-landscape.com with the words Master Class in the subject line. Upon receipt of your email we will add you to the pre-registration list.
Kuwanatutskwa
Policies specific to this event
The Master Classes are open by invitation only and only to previous Little Known Workshop participants.
If you have not taken a workshop with us before you need to attend one of our regular workshops and one of our Little Known Workshops before you can be invited to our Master Class.
Be aware that this is a Master Class, meaning an advanced Little Known Workshop, that the workload is larger, that the registration fee is higher and that this event is more challenging in many ways, as described here and above.
The Master Class dates and itinerary are not announced on my site so the only way to get this information is through the pre-announcement list email. It is also not announced in my regular newsletter (the one to which you subscribe with the Subscribe button at the top of this page). It is announced only by private invitation.
Cancellation policy
All monies are non-refundable. Because of the unique nature of this event if you cancel participation in the Master Class your registration fees may cannot be transferred towards registration in another Beaux Arts Photography or Little Known Workshop, or the Fine Art Summit, or the purchase of Beaux Arts Photography products. Your registration is guaranteed only when we have payment in full. If this workshop is cancelled by us you will receive a full refund. By registering for this workshop you agree to this policy.
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Palavayu
Liability Limitation
Beaux Arts Photography, Beautiful-Landscape.com, Alain Briot, Natalie Briot, guides, and cooperating agents aim to provide every participant a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. We act solely as agents for you regarding accommodations, special activities, and travel, by any means, and assume no liability for any act, error, omission, injury, loss, delay, mishap, or damage to persons or property arising from any cause during the course of the workshop or in transit thereto. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances. In the event that we deem it necessary to cancel the workshop we will provide a full refund which the participant(s) acknowledges as full and final settlement. In the event of a workshop cancellation airline tickets, car rentals and hotel reservations associated with participation in this workshop will not be refunded. We recommend you purchase refundable airline tickets and make refundable car and hotel reservations. We recommend you purchase refundable airline tickets and make refundable car and hotel reservations. We also recommend you carry travel and camera equipment insurance in case your camera is stolen or damaged during the workshop or in case you are physically unable to attend, or transfer to another workshop. Purchasing travel and gear insurance will cover your financial loss in case you are unable to attend, unable to transfer to another workshop or have to purchase new camera gear or repair existing gear.
As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read this form carefully. This liability release will certify that the participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.
Meeting times, meeting places and itinerary are subject to changes dictated by the weather, the road conditions and other imponderable variables that are part of doing landscape photography. We do not carry cell phones. You are responsible for being at the meeting place at the designated time and have your photographic equipment with you.
By joining this workshop I acknowledge that I have read the above information concerning responsibility and release Beaux Arts Photography, Alain Briot, Natalie Briot, their guides, instructors and any cooperating agent from any liability. Beaux Arts Photography, Alain Briot, and Natalie Briot will assume no liability for injury, illness, or loss of personal property or expenses thereof associated with workshop participation. I also acknowledge that Alain and Natalie Briot have the right to refuse service to anyone at anytime and that workshop policies are subject to change at any time.
