Location: Point Wilson Lighthouse, Port Townsend, WA
Dates: February 21-23, 2025
Hosted by: Point Wilson Lighthouse - Raw Art Collective Collaboration
AWAKEN YOUR CREATIVITY
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start? Craving something real, joyful, or inspiring? Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the magic of analog photography—a slower, more mindful way to capture beauty. Treat yourself (and a friend!) to an unforgettable experience that adds pizzazz to your creativity and invites you to savor the moment.
Discover the soul-nurturing art of pinhole photography* at the iconic Point Wilson Lighthouse in Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA. The weekend series offers five individual sessions, including a Friday night pinhole party with DIY camera building. On Saturday and Sunday, there are morning and afternoon sessions, each with a different theme. The weekend is designed so you can take a single session or join us for all five. Each session offers a unique opportunity to capture the rugged coastal beauty and historic charm of the lighthouse while learning to craft one-of-a-kind images with a pinhole camera. Let the experience awaken your creativity and well-being as you come away with more than just captivating photos –you’ll leave with a refreshed spirit and unforgettable memories. No experience? No problem!
*Pinhole photography is the oldest form of analog photography, capturing light through a simple hole in a box. This technique reveals often-overlooked details, transforming scenes into poetic moments.
OVERVIEW OF WORKSHOPS
Pinhole Party + Refreshments
Kick off the weekend with a Pinhole Party on Friday evening! This fun, relaxed gathering is the perfect introduction to pinhole photography and a great way to get into the creative spirit. In this interactive session, you’ll get hands-on experience building your own DIY pinhole camera. Whether it’s your first time experimenting with analog photography or you’re a seasoned enthusiast, this party-style workshop invites you to explore the joy of creating images from scratch. No experience needed. All materials provided.
What to Expect at the Pinhole Party:
DIY Camera Building: Learn how to craft a simple pinhole camera from everyday materials. Discover the basics of light exposure and how a tiny hole in a box can capture stunning images.
Shooting and Developing Your Photos: Once your camera is ready, take it outside to capture the beautiful evening light around Point Wilson Lighthouse. You’ll then experience the thrill of developing your photos on-site, watching your first images come to life in real time.
Social and Creative Atmosphere: Enjoy refreshments, meet other photography enthusiasts, and share tips and inspiration in a laid-back, collaborative environment. With music, laughter, and a spirit of experimentation, this evening session is designed to be a welcoming, no-pressure introduction to the weekend.
Pinsta Pinhole Adventure Sessions
The Pinsta Photo Adventures sessions at Point Wilson Lighthouse offer an extraordinary opportunity to explore analog photography with the unique Pinsta pinhole camera. Over the course of these 3-hour immersive, hands-on sessions, you’ll learn how to use a Pinsta pinhole camera and experience the fun and magic of making photos using a box with a tiny hole and developing them on the spot, without the use of a darkroom. Each day’s itinerary is designed to flow with the rhythms of light and tide, so every moment feels inspired and unique. Join us for one or more sessions to experience the enchanting shifts in light throughout the day. Each session features a unique theme, but participants are also free to create images inspired by whatever speaks to them. No experience needed. All materials provided.
What to Expect in Each Pinsta Photo Adventure Session:
Learn how to use a Pinsta pinhole camera.
Explore Unique Themes - each session has its own inspiring theme designed to bring out the best of the natural and historic surroundings:
Lighthouse: Capture the iconic Point Wilson Lighthouse as it stands against the morning sky, focusing on its timeless beauty and details.
Water: Let the dynamic interaction between waves, reflections, and shoreline scenes inspire your shots, capturing the serene or wild essence of the coast.
Trees: Photograph the graceful silhouettes and textures of the nearby trees, integrating them into the landscape for striking compositions.
Historic buildings: Step back in time and capture the charm of historic architecture. Explore the textures, lines, and stories etched into Port Townsend's historic buildings, creating images that blend past and present.
Take home one-of-a-kind images.
Opportunity to showcase your work at an upcoming exhibit at Fort Worden Historical Park.
Session Schedule
Friday, February 21
PINHOLE PARTY + REFRESHMENTS
DIY pinhole cameras: make, shoot and develop
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Price: $60 (includes materials)Saturday, February 22
PINHOLE PHOTO ADVENTURES WITH PINSTA CAMERA AT POINT WILSON LIGHTHOUSE
Morning Session: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (Theme: Lighthouse)
Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Theme: Water)
Price: $149 per session (includes materials)Sunday, February 23
PINHOLE PHOTO ADVENTURES WITH PINSTA CAMERA AT POINT WILSON LIGHTHOUSE
Morning Session: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (Theme: Trees)
Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Theme: Historic Buildings)
Price: $149 per session (includes materials)
Note: Sessions will occur rain, snow, or shine. Minimum of 4 participants per session required.
REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Payment Required: Registration is confirmed upon payment.
Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Take advantage of early bird special offers.
Exclusive Pinhole Photography Weekend for Two including 2 Nights in the Historic Keeper’s Duplex (February 21 & February 22, 2025) (Only 1 available - reserve early).
Gift Certificates Available: Treat someone special! Gift certificates are available for all sessions and make a memorable gift.
Refunds: Full refund if the minimum participant count is not met by February 2, 2025. No other refunds unless the organizer cancels the session due to unforeseen circumstances.
Transfer Policy: Contact us to transfer registration to another person or session if available.
10% of profits will be donated to Point Wilson Lighthouse through the US Lighthouse Society.
DISCOUNT CODES
We’re offering special discounts for early registration (before December 6, 2024), multiple session bookings, participants with their own Pinsta cameras, and group registrations. To learn more and for discount codes, email Jen at therawartcollective@gmail.com.
WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS
"The teaching was clear and hands-on, making it easy to pick up the process quickly. Seeing my first image develop was mind-blowing."
"The workshop was incredibly well-planned, and the instructors were so supportive and inspiring."
"A wonderful introduction to pinhole photography with hands-on experience and tons of laughs! I hadn’t made art in years, so this was a great way to reconnect with creativity."
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Martin Vanners and Jen Cohen have been leading pinhole photography workshops in the Pacific Northwest, earning rave reviews from participants who appreciate the blend of technical skill, creative exploration and fun they bring to every session.
ABOUT MARTIN (Breda, Netherlands): Martin’s journey with pinhole photography is all about connecting with light in its rawest form. Using his Pinsta camera—a simple box with a tiny hole—Martin captures fleeting moments directly onto photographic paper, inviting viewers into a world of mystery and beauty. His path has led him from roles at Nikon and Wacom to dedicating himself full-time to the endless possibilities of pinhole photography. Whether teaching workshops or capturing scenes across the globe, Martin brings a sense of wonder to his work, encouraging others to embrace the unexpected and rediscover the magic in everyday moments.
Artist website and social media
ABOUT JEN (Port Townsend, WA): Jen is the founder of Raw Art Collective, an incubator for creative projects fostering community engagement, including pop-up exhibits, workshops, an art vending machine, traveling camera obscura, and Port Townsend’s Artist Studio Tour. Jen’s work appears in exhibits, community projects, and public spaces, encouraging moments of wonder and curiosity. What excites Jen the most is sharing the awe and surprise of pinhole photography, inviting others to slow down, see beauty in imperfection, and explore their creativity.
Artist website and social media
