Learn new photographic concepts and skills while promoting the work of a favorite non-profit or service organization. This advanced workshop will include both group meetings and individual mentoring; the former will allow us to review concepts and definitions that are central to advocacy photography, whereas the latter will allow Peter to meet you where you are in terms of your photographic skill level.

During the course you will have the opportunity to identify and engage with an organization or cause whose work you want to promote. You will then begin making advocacy photos of that organization or cause.

Course Schedule

Introductions: Meet classmates, get introduced to the concept of advocacy photography through a review of the history of it. Discuss the differences between advocacy and documentary photography. Group discussion of ideas for projects.

The Details: Review the importance of permissions and good data tracking in advocacy projects. In this session, participants will discuss challenges when dealing with HIPAA and privacy laws, minors, image licensing, and more.

Working Together: Discussion about partnerships, and the importance of understanding the needs of the organization they are working with. Guest speaker. Set up schedule for one-on-ones.

Project Time:

Individual one-on-ones: Peter meets individually with each student to share their progress.

Group session with speaker: Share progress, and get some perspective with a guest speaker who uses advocacy photography in their work.

Individual one-on-ones: Peter meets individually with each student to share their progress.

Group session with speaker: Share progress, and get some perspective with a guest speaker who uses advocacy photography in their work.

Individual one-on-ones: Peter meets individually with each student to share their progress.

Group wrap-up: Share your progress and challenges with the group. Discuss strategies to share or present work.

Workshop presented by The Image Flow Photography Center, providing photography classes, custom printing services, and fine art reproduction.

Instructor Bio

Peter Merts has been a photographer for 40 years, focusing on documentary, portrait, and fine art projects. His work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, The Huffington Post, Newsweek Online, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among others.

For the past 15 years, Peter has documented California’s Arts in Corrections program, visiting over 120 art classes in all 36 of California’s adult state prisons. He co-published, with Dr. Larry Brewster, the book Paths of Discovery: Art Practice and Its Impact in California Prisons (now in its 2nd edition).

Peter’s recent photography awards include the 2020 Critical Mass Top 50, and the 2021 CENTER Social Award.