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THE INTIMATE LENS -- ART FOR THE HEART: How to document and share your most personal stories.


Join Kerry Payne Stailey for a 5 week online workshop that will show you how to plan and develop projects, photograph intimate subjects with sensitivity, capture vulnerability, and understand how personal storytelling can be used as a tool of connection and authentic authorship.  

In this program, you’ll learn how to tell your most personal stories and harness the power of them to help others. 

The class will explore: 

  • planning and executing long and short term projects 

  • photographing intimacy, vulnerability, and developing trust

  • metaphor and allegory - representing abstract ideas or events in narrative, dramatic, and visual form

  • sharing challenging subject matter with a wide audience

  • establishing critical relationships and creating universal points of connection 

  • collaboration with other makers, creators, tools and platforms 

  • marketing and presenting the work in innovative ways

“What I learned and the connections I made during this workshop will really last forever, and it will forever be something that helped me reach new places in my career.  The work I made in Maine was selected to be in the StARTup Art Fair in Los Angeles, and those same photos caught the attention of the exhibition curators from Venice Biennale 2021 which led to many more opportunities.  I recommend Art for The Heart to anyone looking for new inspiration, community and a talented, kind teacher in the most beautiful location!”  — Lisa Praster, Amsterdam. 

Intended for amateur and professional photographers who would like to begin a personal project, are looking for new ways to present your most private stories, as well as those seeking a push or guidance for ongoing projects.  It is suited to those with a story to tell directly, as well as photographers who wish to share stories through their subjects.

Students can work on personal projects and will also receive assignments to produce work for the class to discuss and critique.  

Part photography, part storytelling and part exploratory workshop, this program offers you the freedom to push through your own boundaries and discover new possibilities in self discovery and personal expression, as well as camaraderie and industry relationships that will last a lifetime. 

“Many years ago I met Kerry Payne whose photography dealt with loss and bereavement and extraordinary pain. The work she produced and continues to produce addresses very intimate issues in the most tender and beautiful way without being saccharine. Everyone on earth should take her workshop. If you have suffered loss due to suicide or heartache due to lost dreams, come and be wrapped in hope and encouragement in a beautiful place by this extraordinary photographer. “ — Maggie Steber

We hope you’ll join Kerry for an inspiring class with likeminded artists to advance your artistic vision and ‘reset’ from the daily grind, while building lifelong connections with other artists who share your interest in creating this type of work.  

Instant Love Story: Kerry Payne Stailey

The Children (I Never Had): Kerry Payne Stailey

My Father’s Daughter: Kerry Payne Stailey

Left Behind, The Suicide Survivors: Kerry Payne Stailey

TUITION: $995 per person.

This is an online program. Class will meet Tuesdays from 4:00pm - 7:00pm (Eastern) for five weeks.

QUESTIONS? EMAIL WORKSHOP PRODUCER KERRY PAYNE STAILEY

STUDENT WORK AND BEHIND THE SCENES, ART FOR THE HEART, 2021

LIMITED TO: 15 PARTICIPANTS

DATE: Tuesday February 21, 2023 — Tuesday March 28, 2023.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Made possible through a partnership with Fujifilm I am thrilled to offer scholarship places to photographers identifying as BIPOC or LGBTQ+ who are working in the area of mental health or intimate storytelling.

To be considered, please submit a cover letter and a link to a gallery of 10-20 images. Submissions close January 27, 2023. Email to kerry (at) kerrypayne (dot) biz

CANCELLATION and WITHDRAWAL: If you are unable to attend the following cancellation policy applies:

  • Withdraw 45 days or more prior to the start of your workshop and we will refund all payments made, less processing fees paid to online service providers.

  • Withdraw less than 45 days, but more than 30 days prior to the start of your workshop and we will refund 50% of your workshop tuition.

  • Withdraw 30 days or less prior to the start of your workshop, we cannot offer a refund, however you may transfer your place in the program.

Art For The Heart Student Show