We live in a world where we are more connected than ever before, yet this constant connection can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and others. Through inspiring images and personal reflections, this presentation invites you to step away from the constant noise of the online world and spend more time in nature, with or without a camera, and rediscover the connections that help us to feel more present, grounded and human.

Dark skies are critical for the best experience of viewing and capturing the awe and wonder of the cosmos. However, the importance of darkness goes far beyond the joys of photographing the night sky; darkness affects every aspect of life, from wildlife and human health to public safety and energy conservation. Learn how you can reduce light pollution to protect dark skies in your community and around the world for the well-being of all life on earth.

Filled with beautiful and inspiring Milky Way photographs, this presentation covers everything you need to know to confidently photograph the galaxy. In this clear and practical process, you will learn how to plan your shoot, find the Milky Way, choose the right location and conditions, set up your camera, select the best camera settings, and more. Carmen will also demo how to use a planning App and how to edit your images to bring them to life.

From stars and the Milky Way, to aurora and noctilucent clouds, there is so much beauty to photograph under a dark sky. Through this presentation, you will learn everything you need to know to successfully start capturing the night sky including the required gear, what settings to use, how to plan your night shots, how to focus and create strong compositions in the dark. You will come away with a clear understanding of how to start capturing your own unforgettable night sky images.

Learn essential techniques for capturing accurate, high-quality images of 2D artworks with a camera or cellphone ensuring your art is represented with impact and at its best in every context. Discover how to take photographs that are true to the original and preserve the color, detail, and texture of the art. Following this presentation you will have the skillset to create images suitable for websites, social media, gallery submissions, publications, and possibly even print reproductions, .

This presentation explores the concept of flow state and how photographers can move beyond simply taking photographs to becoming more intentional, expressive and fully engaged in the creative process. We will explore the stages of the creative journey including visualization and planning, strong image capture through awareness the visual elements, and thoughtful editing that can bring images to life and help express a photographer’s unique voice.