Every photographer has heard the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words.” For the documentary photographer, a single image can speak volumes and has the power to increase awareness, initiate discussion and inspire change. Having visually documented a wide range of stories in countries around the world, photographer Billy Howard is keenly aware of the power of a single image. Join Billy for a week of exploring the world of documentary photography as you prepare to embark on a project of your own.

Billy kicks off this mini-intensive by reviewing a variety of projects he has worked on throughout his career and offers his unique perspective on the impact each has had on his subjects, as well as himself. With your instructor and fellow classmates, you spend time brainstorming project possibilities and discuss the challenges associated with each. To gain perspective on what documentary work entails, you photograph in a variety of real-world situations during the week. An assisted-living center, a bustling truck stop and a studio shoot set the stage. You practice working with different subjects in challenging situations, while also recognizing and overcoming your own fears. Billy offers insight during group critiques and provides constructive support during one-on-one meetings, allowing you to further hone your project idea. In classroom lectures he discusses behind-the-scenes issues with documentary work such as funding, legal issues, model releases and maintaining your energy for a project when it has stalled. You learn the pros and cons of self-publishing and ways to market your work while remaining respectful to your subject. Billy rounds out the process with suggestions of possible venues that exist for showing your work once a project is ready to present to the world.