Our Vision
Every passionate photographer follows a path that starts with curiosity. Advances come through experimentation, investigation, discovery, and reflection. One step leads to another, but mentorship helps guide and focus the process. I’m fortunate that some extraordinary mentors and peers have contributed immeasurably to my growth as a photographer, and I find the challenge of opening new pathways to others to be deeply gratifying. It’s inspiring to witness a photographer’s growth over time. – Justin Black
What does it mean to create world-class photographic experiences that empower passionate photographers to advance their work in meaningful ways? We begin with a philosophy of generous guidance and inspiration, as well as thoughtful service to the goals of our participant community.
Visionary Wild mentors are carefully chosen from among the very finest photographers working today for their skill and generosity as teachers, welcoming and gregarious personalities, and dedication to effectively sharing, with every participant, the benefits of their expertise, insights, and unique vision developed over decades of professional experience. We work in settings that are rich with photographic opportunity; conducive to experimentation, discovery, and growth; and encouraging to positive group dynamics and bonding. Our expertise in workshop and expedition logistics is applied to organizing itineraries, field locations, lodging, catering, and support amenities that best serve the program in question and deliver a superb experience overall.
We also aim to help our participants photograph with purpose by identifying and facilitating outlets for their work. Partnerships with galleries, publications, conservation organizations, and other institutions provide our participant community with ways to connect with an audience and make a difference through their photographs.
Finally, to build on the bonding that occurs during photo workshops and expeditions, we’re creating mechanisms to facilitate ongoing communication, growth, richness, and vitality for our community of friends and colleagues. We invite you to join us on the journey!
Values
• Generosity – Instructors are open, accessible, responsive, and eager to share their knowledge, vision, and expertise.
• Efficacy – Clear, concise, useful, practical instruction is designed to empower clients to take their photography to the next level.
• Responsiveness – Low instructor-to-student ratios ensure everyone gets the time and hands-on attention they could hope for.
• Feedback – Thoughtful, useful, and honest critique, advice, and direction advance the personal vision and goals of the client.
• Creativity – Visual exploration, experimentation, and personal discovery are at the heart of teaching how to see beyond the ordinary and obvious, develop personal style, communicate themes, and tell visual stories.
• Purpose – Move beyond photographic competence to artistic expression and communication with audiences and outcomes in mind.
• Satisfaction – Exceed expectations and deliver superlative experiences that reward our clients over the long term.
• Service – Provide informative marketing, responsiveness to client needs, and proactive support, all with thoughtful anticipation.
• Conservation and humanitarian ethics
• Honesty and integrity
• Risk mitigation – Minimize variables for the benefit and safety of all concerned.
• Fun – We take what we do very seriously, but our photographic experiences are fun! We always offer a warm welcome and an upbeat, collegial, and inspiring experience.
• Community building – We’re on a journey together, participants and mentors alike.
History
Visionary Wild co-founders Justin Black and Barry Andrews first met in 2007 at a workshop that Justin was leading with Jack Dykinga at Galen Rowell’s Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop, California. Barry, a brilliant product development expert and entrepreneur, was also a gifted photographer eager to move beyond the fundamentals of composing pretty pictures. Over the course of several workshops the two became friends. In early 2011, Justin discussed the concept for Visionary Wild with Barry, who was excited by the idea of providing world-class photographic learning experiences designed for the many passionate photographers who have become competent image makers but struggle to further develop their vision and technique, find a personal style, an expressive voice, purpose, and deeper meaning in their work.
Barry had given a great deal of thought over the years to what advanced photographers like himself were seeking in new learning experiences, and Justin drew upon his diverse expertise as a professional photographer, gallery curator, conservation communications professional, workshops organizer, and teacher to create new models to match the advanced objectives of more experienced photographers.
Barry, Justin, and Lena Black, Justin’s wife and Visionary Wild’s Director of Operations, established Visionary Wild in Washington, DC in early spring of 2011. In consultation and collaboration with top-notch instructors, Visionary Wild has designed a full program of photographic experiences, paving the way for discovery, advancement, growth, purpose, and meaning in our clients’ photography.
All of us welcome you aboard for our adventure into the Visionary Wild!
