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Support the Conservatory ~ Make a gift today! Please help us keep the Conservatory a flourishing oasis and sanctuary in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. Your gift will help support numerous projects, including: * quarterly Showcase Garden exhibits Thank you ~ every donation is appreciated. Together we will fulfill our ongoing mission of providing a regional facility for inspiration, education, and entertainment. To learn more about the benefits of giving to the Conservatory, contact Linda Miller at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (260) 427-6454.
Desert Plant, Flower, and Garden Photography Conference in Phoenix, ArizonaMarch 19 to 23, 2023Photo by Sarah MarinoEXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY OVER 5 DAYS OF PHOTOGRAPHING DESERT PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND SMALL SCENES, WITH EXTENSIVE HANDS-ON LEARNING WITH A TEAM OF SUPPORTIVE INSTRUCTORS.Join us in Phoenix, Arizona for an immersive experience focused on photographing some of the best collections of unique desert plants in North America. This conference is limited to 45 attendees to make this a more intimate, personalized learning experience. We will spend most of our time together at the Desert Botanical Garden, which features 140 acres of desert plants, including cactus, succulents, trees, and flowers from around the world, showcased in cultivated outdoor exhibits and along naturalized trails. We will be timing our visit with the Garden’s spring flower season, with opportunities to photograph blooming cactus, an extensive range of colorful desert plants, butterflies, and possibly hummingbirds. This conference will also include an extended day trip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. During the conference, you will have extended time to work with each instructor, photograph on your own, and create a cohesive portfolio of desert plant and flower photographs. Deserts are sometimes perceived as dry, inhospitable places. This conference will challenge that perception through an exploration of these amazing, specially-adapted plants, with the gardens proving a broad range of inspiration for any nature photographer."Out of Chicago garden conferences are something not to miss. I have had amazing experiences learning new techniques and learning to be aware of what truly hits my heart. The instructors have always been first-class in their knowledge and incredibly kind and patient in their teaching. My photography has truly improved since attending these conferences."-GAILINSTRUCTORSPHOTOGRAPH ALONGSIDE SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST FLOWER, PLANT, AND GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHERSOut of the Desert Botanic Garden brings six leading creative flower, plant, and garden photographers together for an intimate conference experience. With guidance and coaching from the instructors, you will have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful landscapes of the garden, small scenes, and get up close to photograph macro images of flowers and plants. During the conference, you will spend one full day working with each pair of instructors, allowing for extensive hands-on, personalized instruction in a fun, supportive environment. You will also have the opportunity to meet for a scheduled one-on-one session with one of the instructors during our time together. This team brings together a broad range of photographic styles and diverse perspectives on photography in one place. "I have attended four in-person Out of Chicago conferences and every time I have been blown away by the quality of the programming and more importantly the instructors. All of the instructors are incredibly talented both technically and creatively. More importantly, they are invested in teaching. In fact, they genuinely seem to be as excited to be there as we are. They go above and beyond to ensure that participants are learning regardless of their level of expertise and that we leave the conference with a sense of accomplishment in addition to memory cards full of photos."– KIRAAnne BelmontSarah MarinoAlan ShapiroColleen MiniukChrissy DonadiGerri JonesHighlightsWhat makes this conference unique?Over five days, we will explore two of North America’s most impressive desert gardens, the Desert Botanical Garden and Boyce Thompson Arboretum, as you photograph alongside six of the best flower, garden, and plant photographers in the world. All field sessions are offered in a small group format, and your small group will spend one full day working with each pair of instructors. You will have ample time to receive personalized instruction and photograph on your own, with coaching always available when you need it. In addition to our time at the gardens, we will have group conference sessions together during the middle of the day, along with an in-depth online orientation session in advance and an online image review after the conference wraps up. This event is limited to 45 attendees. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN:
"A flower photography conference with Out of Chicago in a world-renowned Botanical Garden is like a week in paradise you get to bring home. The instructors, the staff, and the places they choose make these conferences my first choice as I plan my next year's adventures. They not only bring their heart and soul to the conference, they share them with us, helping us bring out our hearts in the artistry of photography."– ARIELCONFERENCE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)The Out of the Desert Botanical Garden Conference includes two online sessions (one before and one after the conference), extensive photography time in the gardens, group conference sessions, scheduled one-on-one time for personalized feedback, and informal time with other attendees and the team of instructors. Out of Chicago events are designed to provide a fun, encouraging, and immersive environment in which you can explore your creativity, experiment with new ideas, build your technical skills, create a portfolio of photographs you love, and build your photographic community. PRE-CONFERENCE ONLINE ORIENTATION* DAY 1 DAY 2 AND DAY 4 DAY 3 DAY 5 POST-CONFERENCE ONLINE PHOTO CELEBRATION* *Both the pre-conference and post-conference online sessions will be recorded and available to any registered attendee who is not able to attend the live presentation. Conference Location and AccommodationsPhotography Excursions: Desert Botanical Garden and Boyce Thompson Arboretum The conference will be based at the boutique-style Saguaro Scottsdale hotel, which is steps away from Old Town Scottsdale and its extensive range of excellent restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The Saguaro Scottsdale is a gem of the Sonoran desert, with a colorful, lively feel. It will serve as our place to stay, gather, and relax together on the hotel’s grounds during the conference. The Saguaro Scottsdale is a short 10-minute drive to the nearby Desert Botanical Garden. After you get your fill of photographing desert plants, two pools and a margarita will be waiting for you back at the hotel. You can learn more about the hotel here. The Saguaro Scottsdale Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Conference Price$3600 double / $4200 singleReserve your spot with a deposit of $1,500. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the event. This event is limited to 45 attendees. With the smaller group size than other Out of Chicago conferences, you will have ample opportunity to work with all of the instructors and build deeper relationships with fellow attendees. Choose single occupancy to have a room to yourself or double occupancy to be paired with another attendee of the same gender. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE?
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
"I was introduced to Out of Chicago a few years ago and have attended 5 conferences. I’ve never been disappointed, my expectations were high and the conferences surpassed everything I dared hope for. Instructors are gifted and talented and take genuine pleasure in seeing you learn a new technique or master a new skill! An added bonus is all the new friendships I’ve formed with instructors and attendees, friendships that continue long after the conference ends."– THEAFrequently Asked QuestionsHow do I get to the hotel from the airport? We will have a bus to pick up attendees at the airport several times during the day on Sunday, March 19th. The bus will also be available to take you back to the airport after the conference finishes on Thursday, March 23rd. Details on times will be available soon. You are also welcome to rent a car at the airport and drive yourself. What if I live in the Phoenix area and cannot stay at the hotel? We’re excited for this smaller conference format experience, including everyone staying together at the Saguaro Hotel in Old Town Scottsdale. Our hotel contract requires us to fill our room block, which is why we are including the hotel price in the ticket. We may be able to offer a conference price without hotel for a limited number of local attendees. If you live in the Phoenix area and hope to stay off-site for the conference, email for availability. What should I expect after I register? After registering, you will get an email with details about the conference including key dates, hotel information, and more. Be sure to stay connected via email to receive crucial event communication including surveys about your preferences and updates as needed. What fitness level is required for this conference? As with visiting any garden, this conference will include walking to access photography locations, carrying your gear, and being on your feet for extended periods of time. Most photography locations are accessible from paved paths. There are some hiking-style trails for those who choose to visit them. Who is this event for? All levels of passionate photographers are welcome, from photography enthusiasts to working professionals. Just be ready to eat, sleep and drink desert plant photography for five days. What photography equipment do I need to participate? You’ll want a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a tripod, and lenses for plant photography. While no specific lenses are required to participate, we encourage a mid-range zoom, a macro lens, a telephoto lens, and specialist lenses like Lensbabies if you use them. We’ll share detailed equipment recommendations before the event. We also suggest bringing a laptop so you can work on your images during the post-processing and critique sessions. Will there be time to hang out with instructors? Yes! Throughout the week, you will be working together in the garden for extended photography sessions. During the day, there will be opportunities for one-on-one sessions with instructors, along with time to enjoy meals together. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and get to know your favorite photographers. While our instructors sometimes take out their cameras to help with teaching, their main goal is to help you create photos you love, improve your technical skills, work on composition, and help answer any questions you have. Will I be sitting in classes all day? No, the most important part of this conference is the ample time you will have working with instructors in the field twice a day. Time for presentations, one-on-one sessions, and other activities will be at the hotel around lunchtime, with photography time in the morning and afternoon. How will I get my individual conference schedule? Your schedule will be available in the weeks leading up to the conference. You will be assigned to a group with interests similar to your own that you will stay with all week for the field excursions, and your group will rotate through each team of instructors, working with each instructor team for a full day. This schedule is one of the main benefits of this conference format, since you will have extended time to work with each instructor in the field, with a lot of time for hands-on, personalized attention. Can I bring a non-photographer friend or family member with me? Of course! They are welcome to join us for the group presentations at no charge. The in-the-field teaching excursions are reserved for conference attendees only. A meal pass will be offered at an additional charge so that they can join us for group meals. What are Out of Chicago’s COVID policies? With the evolving COVID pandemic, we continue to observe recommendations by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and local guidelines for events. This includes physical distancing, masking, health screening, and sanitation protocols. We may require proof of vaccination to attend the event, as we have for our previous events, along with required masking during indoor conference sessions. This will be determined once we get closer to the event and you will receive any information about COVID requirements in advance of the conference. How long does it take to go through the Desert Botanical Garden?On average it takes about an hour and a half to two hours to walk the Garden trails. All the trails combined are about a mile and a half total. Our trails are split into roughly 1/4 mile loops that all link up to a large main trail. We hope to see you soon!
How big is Desert Botanical Garden?Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from all around the world spread across 55 acres in Phoenix, Arizona.
How long is the Chihuly exhibit in Phoenix?The current Chihuly in the Desert exhibit continues through June 19, 2022, so there is still plenty of time to take in the phenomenon. Here are eight of my favorite Chihuly pieces at the Desert Botanical Garden.
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