OM SYSTEM Macro and Close-Up Photography RETREAT (Sept 2026)
Join us for this immersive hands-on photography retreat featuring six OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Macro and Close-Up Nature Photography with dedicated sessions on: Woodland Close-Ups (new), River Close-Up investigations, in-camera focus stacking, True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology, plus additional sessions at the beach and at night for Close-Up, Macro and Nature photography, plus demonstrations, camaraderie, immersion, and more. This is an “in the field” hands-on macro photography retreat, a complete immersion into Close-Up and macro photography with six OM SYSTEM ambassadors. You will demystify camera settings, learn macro lens best practices, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Sept 4-7, 2026 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday). See details here: https://www.omsystemretreats.com/macro-close-up-photography-retreat-2025
Friday to Monday, complete immersion into Macro photography.
Want to see more quintessential Maine? Sign up for the Nature Adventure, post macro retreat extension. More details and Register here: https://www.omsystemretreats.com/register-here/p/septnature
Want to learn how to create refraction water drops? Emilie is offering an extension Monday 2-5pm. More details and Register here:
The workshop is located at the wonderful Little River Photo in North Berwick, ME
36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport.
FYI, there is also a bus from NYC
Retreat Cost (includes 2 lunches, 6 instructional sessions, 2 bonus sessions) $1499
WHO: All skill levels & ages are welcome (17 & under must be accompanied by an adult)
Any camera model is welcome, but for some of the sessions utilizing computational technologies you will place your SD card into a loaner OM SYSTEM camera.
What: An immersive hands-on macro and closeup photography retreat with multiple OM SYSTEM ambassadors and a low participant-to-instructor ratio
How: Six OM SYSTEM ambassador retreat leaders. The Retreat will be run with six small groups of participants and every participant will rotate each of the six sessions (each participant will have each topic/each instructor).
When: Sept 4-7, 2026 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday). All times are Eastern time.
Where: 165 Little River Rd, North Berwick, ME 03906. BOS, Logan Airport in Boston is the closest large airport. The workshop is located in North Berwick, ME — 36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport. There are lots of places to stay: Hotels, motels, Airbnbs, VRBO’s, campgrounds in North Berwick, Rochester (NH), Wells, Ogunquit,See list for some options.
When: Sept 5-8, 2025 (1pm Friday to 11am Monday). All times are Eastern time.
Each participant will rotate through six different instructors/topics, plus two bonus sessions.
Chris:
True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, field craft, finding insect subjects
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Chris McGinnis in the field for a hands-on 1:1 macro photography, where you will demystify camera settings, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details
Eric:
River Close-Up investigations (new); Focusing, Depth of Field
Join OM SYSTEM Ambassador Eric Rock in the field (offsite at the nearby river) to help you explore the techniques learned during these sessions to develop your fieldcraft and take your macro and close-up photography skills to the next level.
Lisa:
Story, Pareidolia, in-camera focus stacking, best practices for your 60mm and 90mm macro lenses, etc.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Lisa Cuchara will introduce you to the magic of focus stacking, be forewarned, it is addictive as you learn how to create images with detailed f32 looking subjects with f2.8 soft and dreamy non-distracting backgrounds. She will show you how to look for "wonky" subjects, pareidolia, and Wabi Sabi Subjects for story and impact.
Tom
Lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Tom Cuchara will launch your love of daylight live composite and immerse you in the nuances of lightpainting.
Emilie:
Join Emilie Talpin in the Lower Little River for Close-Up photos of lichen, moss, ferns, sori, spores, pollen, pine cones, leaves, flowers, dewdrops, snails & other woodland critters and more!
Learn to slow down to find river and forest subjects and photograph them close up. These images will be created at a narrow aperture, single image, with a macro lens, a flash, and a flash diffuser. All camera systems are welcome for this session!
Steve:
Renaturalizing, Composition for Impact; Beyond the Exposure Triangle
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Steve Morello will discuss in the field techniques to apply the concept of photography as storytelling, and giving our images the vocabulary to do just that.
Bonus session 1
One morning with 6 instructors at the beach for Close-Up and Macro Nature photography, Pareidolia, Story, Depth of Field, Focus stacking, etc. Master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Bonus session 2
One evening after dark for Close-Up, Macro, and Nature photography with flash & flash diffusers. Learn to get up close and personal with elusive live subjects, and light them in a pleasing manner with flash macro diffusers.
Pre-Retreat
Live Zoom: go over gear list and logistics, Q&A
Six Pre-Retreat Zoom teaching sessions
Plus demonstrations, access to loaner equipment, camaraderie, immersion, and more!
Friday
1pm Arrive (Eat lunch before your arrival)
1:30-2:00 Meet & Greet
2-3pm Camera setup (button optimization, settings)
3-6pm Session 1
Dinner on your own
Saturday
7am-9:30am Footbridge beach (all groups)
10:30am-1:30pm Session 2
1:30pm-3:30pm
Camaraderie
Lisa demonstrates Focusing Rail, AK flash diffuser, Platypod, tripod, monopod
Next Group preparations
Lunch (included in the retreat fee)
Door Prizes
3:30pm-6:30pm Session 3
7:30pm Dinner Mike's Clam Shack
Sunday
7am-10am Session 4
10am-12noon
Camaraderie
Next Group preparations
Chris demonstrates Helicon focus stacking software
Lunch (included in retreat fee)
Group Photo
Door Prizes
12pm-3pm Session 5
4pm Group dinner (not included in the workshop price, link will be sent before the retreat for this dinner)
7-9pm Optional night session (need a flash, a flash diffuser, and the little battery listed on the gear page to power the LED light inside the diffuser).
Monday
After the Retreat
Participant image sharing
Live post-retreat image review session
Want to see more quintessential Maine? Sign up for the Nature Adventure, post macro retreat extension https://www.omsystemretreats.com/register-here/p/septnature
OM SYSTEM Macro and Close-Up Photography RETREAT (Sept 2026)
Join us for this immersive hands-on photography retreat featuring six OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Macro and Close-Up Nature Photography with dedicated sessions on: Woodland Close-Ups (new), River Close-Up investigations, in-camera focus stacking, True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology, plus additional sessions at the beach and at night for Close-Up, Macro and Nature photography, plus demonstrations, camaraderie, immersion, and more. This is an “in the field” hands-on macro photography retreat, a complete immersion into Close-Up and macro photography with six OM SYSTEM ambassadors. You will demystify camera settings, learn macro lens best practices, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Sept 4-7, 2026 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday). See details here: https://www.omsystemretreats.com/macro-close-up-photography-retreat-2025
Friday to Monday, complete immersion into Macro photography.
Want to see more quintessential Maine? Sign up for the Nature Adventure, post macro retreat extension. More details and Register here: https://www.omsystemretreats.com/register-here/p/septnature
Want to learn how to create refraction water drops? Emilie is offering an extension Monday 2-5pm. More details and Register here:
The workshop is located at the wonderful Little River Photo in North Berwick, ME
36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport.
FYI, there is also a bus from NYC
Retreat Cost (includes 2 lunches, 6 instructional sessions, 2 bonus sessions) $1499
WHO: All skill levels & ages are welcome (17 & under must be accompanied by an adult)
Any camera model is welcome, but for some of the sessions utilizing computational technologies you will place your SD card into a loaner OM SYSTEM camera.
What: An immersive hands-on macro and closeup photography retreat with multiple OM SYSTEM ambassadors and a low participant-to-instructor ratio
How: Six OM SYSTEM ambassador retreat leaders. The Retreat will be run with six small groups of participants and every participant will rotate each of the six sessions (each participant will have each topic/each instructor).
When: Sept 4-7, 2026 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday). All times are Eastern time.
Where: 165 Little River Rd, North Berwick, ME 03906. BOS, Logan Airport in Boston is the closest large airport. The workshop is located in North Berwick, ME — 36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport. There are lots of places to stay: Hotels, motels, Airbnbs, VRBO’s, campgrounds in North Berwick, Rochester (NH), Wells, Ogunquit,See list for some options.
When: Sept 5-8, 2025 (1pm Friday to 11am Monday). All times are Eastern time.
Each participant will rotate through six different instructors/topics, plus two bonus sessions.
Chris:
True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, field craft, finding insect subjects
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Chris McGinnis in the field for a hands-on 1:1 macro photography, where you will demystify camera settings, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details
Eric:
River Close-Up investigations (new); Focusing, Depth of Field
Join OM SYSTEM Ambassador Eric Rock in the field (offsite at the nearby river) to help you explore the techniques learned during these sessions to develop your fieldcraft and take your macro and close-up photography skills to the next level.
Lisa:
Story, Pareidolia, in-camera focus stacking, best practices for your 60mm and 90mm macro lenses, etc.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Lisa Cuchara will introduce you to the magic of focus stacking, be forewarned, it is addictive as you learn how to create images with detailed f32 looking subjects with f2.8 soft and dreamy non-distracting backgrounds. She will show you how to look for "wonky" subjects, pareidolia, and Wabi Sabi Subjects for story and impact.
Tom
Lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Tom Cuchara will launch your love of daylight live composite and immerse you in the nuances of lightpainting.
Emilie:
Join Emilie Talpin in the Lower Little River for Close-Up photos of lichen, moss, ferns, sori, spores, pollen, pine cones, leaves, flowers, dewdrops, snails & other woodland critters and more!
Learn to slow down to find river and forest subjects and photograph them close up. These images will be created at a narrow aperture, single image, with a macro lens, a flash, and a flash diffuser. All camera systems are welcome for this session!
Steve:
Renaturalizing, Composition for Impact; Beyond the Exposure Triangle
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Steve Morello will discuss in the field techniques to apply the concept of photography as storytelling, and giving our images the vocabulary to do just that.
Bonus session 1
One morning with 6 instructors at the beach for Close-Up and Macro Nature photography, Pareidolia, Story, Depth of Field, Focus stacking, etc. Master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Bonus session 2
One evening after dark for Close-Up, Macro, and Nature photography with flash & flash diffusers. Learn to get up close and personal with elusive live subjects, and light them in a pleasing manner with flash macro diffusers.
Pre-Retreat
Live Zoom: go over gear list and logistics, Q&A
Six Pre-Retreat Zoom teaching sessions
Plus demonstrations, access to loaner equipment, camaraderie, immersion, and more!
Friday
1pm Arrive (Eat lunch before your arrival)
1:30-2:00 Meet & Greet
2-3pm Camera setup (button optimization, settings)
3-6pm Session 1
Dinner on your own
Saturday
7am-9:30am Footbridge beach (all groups)
10:30am-1:30pm Session 2
1:30pm-3:30pm
Camaraderie
Lisa demonstrates Focusing Rail, AK flash diffuser, Platypod, tripod, monopod
Next Group preparations
Lunch (included in the retreat fee)
Door Prizes
3:30pm-6:30pm Session 3
7:30pm Dinner Mike's Clam Shack
Sunday
7am-10am Session 4
10am-12noon
Camaraderie
Next Group preparations
Chris demonstrates Helicon focus stacking software
Lunch (included in retreat fee)
Group Photo
Door Prizes
12pm-3pm Session 5
4pm Group dinner (not included in the workshop price, link will be sent before the retreat for this dinner)
7-9pm Optional night session (need a flash, a flash diffuser, and the little battery listed on the gear page to power the LED light inside the diffuser).
Monday
After the Retreat
Participant image sharing
Live post-retreat image review session
Want to see more quintessential Maine? Sign up for the Nature Adventure, post macro retreat extension https://www.omsystemretreats.com/register-here/p/septnature
Image 1 of 131
Image 2 of 131
Image 3 of 131
Image 4 of 131
Image 5 of 131
Image 6 of 131
Image 7 of 131
Image 8 of 131
Image 9 of 131
Image 10 of 131
Image 11 of 131
Image 12 of 131
Image 13 of 131
Image 14 of 131
Image 15 of 131
Image 16 of 131
Image 17 of 131
Image 18 of 131
Image 19 of 131
Image 20 of 131
Image 21 of 131
Image 22 of 131
Image 23 of 131
Image 24 of 131
Image 25 of 131
Image 26 of 131
Image 27 of 131
Image 28 of 131
Image 29 of 131
Image 30 of 131
Image 31 of 131
Image 32 of 131
Image 33 of 131
Image 34 of 131
Image 35 of 131
Image 36 of 131
Image 37 of 131
Image 38 of 131
Image 39 of 131
Image 40 of 131
Image 41 of 131
Image 42 of 131
Image 43 of 131
Image 44 of 131
Image 45 of 131
Image 46 of 131
Image 47 of 131
Image 48 of 131
Image 49 of 131
Image 50 of 131
Image 51 of 131
Image 52 of 131
Image 53 of 131
Image 54 of 131
Image 55 of 131
Image 56 of 131
Image 57 of 131
Image 58 of 131
Image 59 of 131
Image 60 of 131
Image 61 of 131
Image 62 of 131
Image 63 of 131
Image 64 of 131
Image 65 of 131
Image 66 of 131
Image 67 of 131
Image 68 of 131
Image 69 of 131
Image 70 of 131
Image 71 of 131
Image 72 of 131
Image 73 of 131
Image 74 of 131
Image 75 of 131
Image 76 of 131
Image 77 of 131
Image 78 of 131
Image 79 of 131
Image 80 of 131
Image 81 of 131
Image 82 of 131
Image 83 of 131
Image 84 of 131
Image 85 of 131
Image 86 of 131
Image 87 of 131
Image 88 of 131
Image 89 of 131
Image 90 of 131
Image 91 of 131
Image 92 of 131
Image 93 of 131
Image 94 of 131
Image 95 of 131
Image 96 of 131
Image 97 of 131
Image 98 of 131
Image 99 of 131
Image 100 of 131
Image 101 of 131
Image 102 of 131
Image 103 of 131
Image 104 of 131
Image 105 of 131
Image 106 of 131
Image 107 of 131
Image 108 of 131
Image 109 of 131
Image 110 of 131
Image 111 of 131
Image 112 of 131
Image 113 of 131
Image 114 of 131
Image 115 of 131
Image 116 of 131
Image 117 of 131
Image 118 of 131
Image 119 of 131
Image 120 of 131
Image 122 of 131
Image 123 of 131
Image 124 of 131
Image 125 of 131
Image 126 of 131
Image 127 of 131
Image 128 of 131
Image 129 of 131
Image 130 of 131
Image 131 of 131