Tupper Lake Autumn Retreat
Special Note: With the popularity of the retreat, we are holding the majority of registration slots for previous attendees until January 15, 2026. After that, registration will be open to other intermediate to advanced level photographers.
The retreat program is our ultimate Adirondack photography experience; a classic artist's retreat for experienced photographers who want to immerse themselves in their craft. This is a time when all of your attention can be put toward realizing your vision and sharing the fruits of your creativity. As a participant you will be challenged to create a body of work based on your experiences during the week and share your results with the group. (We will be printing some of your work for display in the retreat space.) You will also assist in guiding your fellow participants toward their goals through your supportive suggestions and insights. You will be photographing a variety of Adirondack landscapes chosen for their diverse possibilities — scenic mountains, woods, and waters that make the Adirondacks so distinctive. Your activities will be planned to take advantage of all the little things that make the Adirondacks unique in the pantheon of American wild places.
Mark will play dual roles during the week: guide and participant. As a guide he has created activities and exercises designed to inspire and challenge you. He will also lead all field trips, discussions and critique sessions. As a participant he will be shooting along with you, sharing his work, and taking part in all creative activities. After the retreat he will assemble and share a representative selection of participants' work, as a memento of their experience.
Though there are no pre-planned instructional sessions given during the retreat, Mark is glad to help with any assistance that you may need, technical or otherwise. This is a great opportunity to expand your horizons while working alongside one of the region's premier photographers and teachers.
Camera Skills Needed
A basic understanding of digital workflow and some working knowledge of Lightroom, Photoshop or other image editing program will be helpful. A laptop computer with a program to store and view images is highly recommended. Mark will be glad to answer your image processing questions.
Description of skill levels - click here
Computer Skills Needed
Participants should be capable of performing the image processing steps necessary to take their images from capture to print.
Mark will be happy to assist you as needed.
Other Considerations
Locations visited during the retreat are easily accessible and do not require any strenuous hiking or climbing. However, participants must be in good physical shape and able to climb and descend moderate inclines. As with all outdoor pursuits, some risk is inherent; all participants will be required to sign a waiver prior to the workshop.
Group Size
12 participants max.
Registration Fees
$1350
Deposit of $250 required at time of registration. Deadline for early registration discount is July 20th. Click here for information on any other discounts that may be available.
Details
Retreat begins Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm and ends Friday, September 25, 2026 at noon.
Participants will gather in the lobby of Tupper Lake Motel at 225 Park Street, Tupper Lake.
Directions
Directions to the Tupper Lake Motel can be found on their website. Email them at tupperlakemotel@yahoo.com if you need further assistance.
Lodging
Lodging is the responsibility of the participant and is not included in the registration fee.
We suggest the Tupper Lake Motel for this event. The hotel is holding a block of rooms at discounted rates of $120/night (1 queen bed) and $140/night (2 queen beds) until August 1, 2026, so be sure to mention that you will be taking part in the Adirondack Photography Institute workshop.
Rooms are being held temporarily under Mark Bowie's name. We recommend making your reservation soon after registering for the workshop. Reservations must be done by email to tupperlakemmotel@yahoo.com or by texting Heidi at 315-262-4169. All Credit Card Transactions will incur a 4% processing fee. Cash is accepted.
Other lodging suggestions in Tupper Lake:
Trailhead - (518) 359-3384
Sunset Park Motel – (518) 359-3995
Red Top Inn - (518) 359-9209
Meals
Meals are the responsibility of the participant and their cost is not included in the registration fee. Mark will work with the group to organize meal times and locations.
Getting to the Event
The two nearest airports are the Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) and Albany International (ALB). Rental cars are available at both locations.
Transportation During the Event
Participants’ vehicles will be used for transportation during field trips. We are adamant about carpooling as much as possible to minimize the number of vehicles needed for any given field trip, as well as to lessen our impact on easily damaged roads and trails. Note that the instructor is not allowed to provide transportation for participants during the event.
Mark Bowie - mbowiephoto@gmail.com or call 413-442-9125