Absolutely — and honestly, beginners are our favorite students.

The BPW was built around the idea that great photography is accessible to everyone. You could arrive with a camera still in the box and we'd be thrilled to help you create something incredible. No judgment, no jargon, and no one left behind.

IWe break everything down into bite-sized, step-by-step guidance that makes even the most technical settings feel approachable. Most students are creating images on their own within the first hour of Night 1.

The only real prerequisites? A willingness to learn and the ability to stay up past 10pm. If you have physical considerations, bring a folding chair — our locations are accessible and we'll make it work.

Still on the fence? Reach out — we're happy to help you decide if this is the right trip for you.

A full gear list is shared with every registered participant, but here's a general sense of what to plan for:

For photography:

· DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls

· Wide angle lens (12–20mm, f/2.8 or faster ideal)

· Sturdy tripod · Remote shutter release

· Extra batteries and memory cards

For the field:

· Headlamp or red light

· Warm layers (Maine nights can be cool even in August)

· Bug spray — trust us on this one

For the editing session:

· A laptop with Lightroom Classic installed is ideal. Tablets and iPads work well for basic editing and are a solid alternative. If you'd prefer not to travel with a computer, we rent laptops for a small fee — just let us know ahead of time.

The editing session is optional but highly recommended. Seeing your images come to life in the field is one thing — learning to finish them is what completes the experience.

We love all cameras — including smartphones. For the daytime and travel photography portions of the trip, any camera you're comfortable with will do just fine.

For the astrophotography sessions, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls will give you the best results. If you have one, a wide-angle lens in the 12–20mm range with an aperture of f/2.8 or faster is ideal for capturing the night sky — but we've helped students create stunning images with far less. Gear matters less than you might think when you have the right guidance.

A full gear list is shared with every registered participant. And during our pre-trip Zoom session, we'll get familiar with what everyone is working with so there are no surprises once we're in the field.

Not sure if your kit makes the cut? Reach out — we're happy to take a look and give you an honest answer.

Generally speaking this is a very accessible workshop — no hiking, no difficult trails, and no location that requires more than a short walk from the parking area.

Portland Head Light, Jordan Pond, and Schooner Head are all flat and easy to navigate. Pemaquid Point offers a little of everything — a flat grassy area with open ocean views for comfortable shooting, and an optional brief rocky descent to the shoreline for more dramatic angles. Anyone who'd prefer to stay on the grass is in great company — some of our best Pemaquid images have been made right there.

Most locations have picnic tables nearby for resting between shots. Good supportive shoes are the one thing we'd genuinely insist on.

We recommend an early dinner before sunset, then gather for an optional golden hour shoot near the night's location. After a short break to let the skies darken, we meet indoors to review gear, dial in camera settings, and answer any last questions before heading out together.

Once at the location we kick off with a group setup session for anyone who wants it — or if you'd rather just start shooting, that's completely fine too. Instructors circulate continuously, checking in 1:1 with everyone throughout the night.

In summer, shoots typically begin around 9:00 PM and wrap around midnight — though night owls are always welcome to stay out longer. Since everyone drives themselves, you're free to head back whenever you're ready.

We say it early and mean it: you're here to enjoy yourself, not be held prisoner by your instructors. If you need to skip a session for sleep, we fully support it. Process over product — always.

Honestly? Sometimes it rains. Sometimes the coast gets foggy. That's Maine — and it's part of what makes it beautiful.

In the event of clouds or less-than-ideal skies, we always have a creative backup plan ready. Light painting, long exposure nightscapes, and moody coastal photography are just a few of the directions we'll explore if the Milky Way decides to hide for a night. Some of our most memorable workshop images have come from exactly these moments.

We've run BPW travel workshops in all kinds of conditions and have only ever canceled once — when a hurricane made it genuinely unsafe to be outside. Short of that, there are always photos to be made.

Part of learning photography is learning to adapt to what nature gives you. We'll show you how to do exactly that.

You'll be in good company — literally. About 75% of the people who join our travel workshops are solo travelers, so walking in alone is the norm, not the exception.

Our pre-trip Zoom call is where the ice usually breaks. By the time everyone arrives in Portland, familiar faces and first names are already in place. From there it happens naturally — shared goals, a lighthearted atmosphere, and a group of like-minded people who are all there for the same reason.

We set the tone early: this trip is about enjoyment and process, not perfection. That tends to bring people together faster than anything else we could plan.

Absolutely, and you wouldn't be alone. A significant number of our travel workshop participants are returning BPW students, and many have joined us multiple times.

The two workshops share a similar philosophy and beginner-friendly approach, but this trip offers something the Pemaquid weekend can't — four different locations across six days, each with its own terrain, lighting conditions, and creative challenges. Applying what you know to a new place is one of the most valuable things you can do as a photographer, and Maine gives you a lot to work with.

Many returning students tell us they pick up their camera again specifically for these trips — using the workshop as an opportunity to shake off the rust, refine their eye, and shoot alongside people who share the same enthusiasm. With small group sizes, instructors always have room to help more experienced students push a little further.

If you loved Pemaquid, this trip was practically made for you.

Transportation to, from, and between locations is the responsibility of each participant. This is a self-driving workshop — we travel as a group but in our own vehicles, making our way up the coast together at a relaxed pace.

Our first meeting point is the hotel in Portland on arrival day. From there, we move as a group with plenty of advance notice before each departure.

If you're interested in carpooling with another participant, we're happy to help make that connection — just let us know when you register or reach out ahead of the trip.

Yes, with a few things to keep in mind.

Since this is a self-driving workshop, guests are welcome to join the trip as long as they're making their own way between locations. They're warmly welcome at meals, group dinners, and social moments throughout the week — that's part of what makes these trips special.

During the night shoots and photography sessions however, guests would be on their own. Our shooting time is focused and instruction-driven, and we want to make sure every registered participant gets the attention they came for.

No additional fees apply — since everyone books and pays for their own accommodations, bringing a guest is simply a matter of letting us know ahead of time.

Have questions about whether this setup works for your situation? Reach out and we'll help you figure it out.

We understand that life happens and we've tried to build a cancellation policy that's as fair and flexible as possible.

· More than 60 days before departure: Full refund of paid tuition, minus the deposit.

· 59–30 days before departure: 50% refund of paid tuition, minus the deposit. Your deposit can be applied toward any BPW workshop within 4 years.

· Less than 30 days before departure: No refund available. All tuition and deposits can be applied toward any BPW workshop within 4 years.

If you have an unusual situation or a question about your specific circumstances? Reach out — we're always willing to have a conversation.

Please note that hotel reservations are managed separately and are subject to each property's own cancellation policy.

For complete details please review our Terms and Conditions.