Monhegan Island Photo Workshop
An educational photography retreat offering individualized instruction, gentle adventure, and endless photographic inspiration.
Escape into a photographer’s paradise on the Monhegan Island Photography Workshop—three days of pure, unhurried island magic. Explore the heartbeat of a unique island with just 65 year-round residents, no paved roads, and only a handful of motor vehicles. Every path feels timeless.
Why you’ll love the Monhegan Photo Workshop?
Monhegan offers endless photographic inspiration from quaint fishing shacks to historic homes, rugged cliffs to untamed gardens, hidden coves to harbor sunsets. The slow pace of an unbridged island community, 10 miles from the mainland, invites you to disconnect from your everyday life and reconnect with yourself. You will see more deeply and capture the stories hidden in every sunlit corner and shadowed nook.
Monhegan’s tranquility and natural beauty has drawn artists and travelers for many decades; Rockwell Kent, James Fitzgerald, George Bellows, Robert Henri, and Jamie Wyeth, to name a few. Come along and discover the magic for yourself.
MONHEGAN ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP INFO:
- perfect for all photographers & all camera types
- you’ll be met at your skill level with guidance to build on your camera-handling techniques
- expand your personal vision with tips on seeing and composition
- there will be demonstrations and discussions, hands-on exercises to practice techniques
- feedback and critiques
- group size will be small, and you’ll have a lot of individual attention
- take advantage of photo opportunities from sunrise to sunset and beyond.
“The pace of the tour was relaxing and we had all sorts of time to wander, explore different composition ideas, and experiment. Highly recommended!” – E .D.
DATES: July 7-10, 2026
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 6
TOUR PRICE: $750
- sign up with as little as a $300 deposit, balance due June 7
- includes photo instructor, lessons, critiques, and tour planning
- no fee for non-photographing companions who are welcome to join outings and group meals, but no access to photography sessions.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:
- parking at the ferry
- round trip ferry & luggage ticket
- lodging ($150 -$500) including breakfast (see FAQ’s)
- all lunchs, dinners, & snacks
- all beverages
“….Dee was quick to praise a good eye, quick to show us how to take the best advantage of a moment or a scene and ready with answers to all our questions. I couldn’t recommend her more highly. The tour was worth every penny.” P.F.
Monhegan Island Village Scenes:
MORE MONHEGAN PHOTO WORKSHOP FAQ’S:
Tell me about Monhegan Island?
MONHEGAN ISLAND:
- 1.7 miles long, 0.7 miles wide
- 2/3 protected as a nature preserve
- forest & meadow hiking trails.
- one-room school house
- rocky & sandy beaches
- ocean cliffs the highest on the coast
- friendly, helpful, and charming people
- artist community & galleries
- old shipwreck at Lobster Cove
- island brewery includes non-alcoholic
- visitors guide, https://monheganwelcome.com/
How do I get to Monhegan?
There are 3 ferry options: see map image in the previous FAQ.
Reservations required on all ferries. Each require that you purchase your departure and return ticket separately. You may need to pay for luggage if you have more than 2 items. I suggest that you attach your tripod to one of your bags otherwise you’ll pay extra for that. All rides are 1 – 1.25 hours.
Please note that on departure day, July 10, I do expect to have a half-day photo workshop day. So if at all possible, plan a late island departure on the ferry. I know your travel plans might not allow this.
Balmy Days Cruises:
- Leaves out of Boothbay Harbor
- One trip to the island in the morning ( 9:30 departure from the mainland)
- One trip returning to the mainland (2:45 departure from the island)
- $55 r/t + booking fee
- Park in town lot, make sure that they allow overnight stays, click here for further info & locations
Hardy Boat Cruises:
- Leaves out of New Harbor
- Two trips to the island in the morning ( 9:00am & 2:00pm departure from the mainland)
- Two trips returning to the mainland (10:15 & 3:15 departure from the island)
- $64 r/t + booking fee
- Free parking a short walk away
Monhegan Boat Line: (Best flexibility)
- Leaves out of Port Clyde
- Three trips to the island in the morning ( 7:00am, 10:30am, 3:00pm departure from the mainland)
- Three trips returning to the mainland (9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm departure from the island)
- $52 r/t + booking fee
- $10/day parking
What do I do about lodging?
LODGING OPTIONS:
Make your 3 night lodging arrangements with a July 7 arrival, and July 10 departure. See itinerary details in next FAQ.
All of the below options offer comfortable accommodations, some more modest and rustic, others have a bit more luxury. Prices range from $150 – $500. Call their numbers if you don’t see what you need. I don’t believe any have elevators. Your luggage will be picked up for you at the ferry by your lodging establishment, but only your luggage gets a ride. Make sure that you are aware of their cancellation policy which is independent of CMPT’s.
HOTELS-
- Monhegan House: hotel at the center of the village, rates vary, most rooms have shared baths at the bath-wing but private while you are using them (see image below), 3-course breakfast included, some suites with private bath, large price range with economical options.
- Island Inn: hotel overlooking the harbor, higher priced rooms, rooms with shared or private baths, suites with private baths, few rooms left at the time of this writing.
BED & BREAKFAST-
- Shining Sails: mid-range prices, studio apartments and rooms, two buildings in different areas of town.
- John Sterling Harbor House: Bed & Breakfast near ferry dock, 3 story house, shared and private baths.
- Trailing Yew: economical, bed & breakfast style with many options on a large property includes breakfast, rustic, cozy, 11 small and medium sized buildings, rooms with shared & private baths, some have two beds, some have no electric.
AIRBNB & VRBO-
- At the time of writing this, I did not find any options on short-term rental booking sites like Airbnb or VRBO. You can try there as well, though. Things do open up, but you may find that most are weekly stays, not nightly.
Bathroom wing at the Monhegan House.
Showers, and half-baths are separate, private rooms.
What will the daily schedule look like?
Sample Itinerary: Monhegan Photo Workshop
Our itinerary is dependent on weather and other unforeseen circumstances. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you wish.
July 7: Arrival Day
- 4:30pm meet & greet
- group dinner (not included in your workshop fee)
- walk through village and sunset shoot
Options for the rest of the week:
- Morning – sunrise shoot, breakfast on your own, mid-morning photo discussion, nature preserve hike and other nearby areas of interest
- Afternoon – mid-day break; lunch, nap, downloading, private meeting with Dee, group discussions, explore the village, visit a gallery, explore the cemetery, take a boat ride around the island to see the cliff side from the water.
- Evening – dinner break, sunset shoot, stroll the village after the day visitors leave, shoot evening light, image review.
July 10: Departure Day, but plan on this as a half- day workshop day and if possible, schedule your ferry departure for the afternoon.
What are the physical requirements?
This workshop will involve walking with your camera gear on gravel roads and nature trails. There are some short, steep hills, but we won’t be in a rush. I’m happy to address your concerns now, or on the workshop, to make sure that your needs are met and that you are safe and comfortable on all outings.
What is the Monhegan Island Photo Workshop Cancellation Policy?
WORKSHOP CANCELLATION POLICY:
- I will give a complete refund in the event that I need to cancel the tour for any reasons.
- If you cancel more than 30 days before July 7 (June 7), your tour fee will be refunded to you, minus a $95 processing fee.
- If you cancel 29 – 15 days (June 22) before July 7, 50% of your tour fee will be refunded.
- There is no refund if you cancel 14 days (June 23) or less from July 7.
- To cancel you must contact me to activate the cancellation and to make sure the refund goes through properly.
- I suggest that you consider Trip Cancellation Insurance. (Not offered by CMPT.)
