May 29–31, 2026
$500
Film & Light: Rochester, NY
What to Expect
A three-day retreat devoted to natural light, film photography, and the power of creative community. Co-led by Corinne Bowen and Susan Bryant.
the weekend blends gatherings, neighborhood walks, film practice, a guided tour of the George Eastman House Museum, and two intimate critique sessions to bookend the experience.
For beginners who want to build a film photography practice to experienced photographers looking for a unique experience to inspire and refresh their creative practice.
"Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography"
George eastman
PRE-RETREAT: Participant Submission
Each attendee submits 3 photographs (digital or film scans) one week before the retreat. These images will be used for the opening-night critique, allowing the group to begin with a sense of each photographer’s voice and strengths.
*Please let us know if you need us to provide a 35mm film camera (of course you are welcome to shoot digital as well).
RETREAT Activities: May 29 - 31, 2026
Opening and closing circles to ground the weekend, set intentions, and reflect on insights and growth
Guided group critiques offering thoughtful feedback on pre-submitted work and images created during the retreat
Foundational teaching and discussion on natural light, creative presence, and photographic voice
Neighborhood-based photo walks through varied Rochester areas, focusing on light, observation, and intuitive shooting
Visits to local cultural spaces and museums (The Eastman House and Museum), including guided exploration and time for independent wandering
Opportunities for informal conversation over coffee or tea, supporting connection and community
Dedicated shooting time balanced with rest, integration, and personal reflection
Film drop-off and scan coordination, with digital scans shared for group review
Group conversations on pattern, light, and artistic direction, supporting clarity in ongoing practice
Practical next steps and encouragement for continuing creative work beyond the retreat
Retreat Guides
susan bryant
Susan is a fine art photographer who lives in Clarksville, Tennessee. She is Professor Emerita from Austin Peay State University where she taught darkroom photography and the history of photography for 37 years.
Her work has been included in over 100 national and international juried and exhibitions, and over 25 solo exhibits in the United States. Her work is included in numerous public and private collections. Since retiring from full-time teaching, Susan has taught a series of online photography classes, one-on-one mentoring, and in-person photography workshops at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina, SxSE Workshops in Molena, Georgia, and Woodsmoor Studio in Tennessee, focusing on hand-coloring photographs and the 19th-century cyanotype process.
corinne bowen
Corinne is an artist and writer based in Rochester, New York, working primarily with analog photography to explore the sacred within the ordinary. Her practice centers on creative presence—how slowing down, paying attention, and engaging with the world through film can become a mirror for healing and awareness. Through light, texture, and the rhythms of daily life, she translates personal experience into a shared human experience.
With a background in psychology, studio art, and creative direction, Corinne approaches photography as both an artistic and spiritual practice—an act of devotion that transforms the familiar into the transcendent. Her work has been exhibited in local and online exhibitions, featured in publications including Create! Magazine and the Kinhouse 2025 Catalog, and shared through her Substack, zines, and limited edition prints.
reserve Your spot
Please fill out this form to reserve your spot.
Non-refundable $100 deposit (Due date TBD)
Remaining retreat fee is due March 31. (Please email corinne@corinnemakesart.com if you need a payment plan)
$500 Retreat Fee (total)
Travel, meals, and accommodations—not included
why Rochester, NY?
Film photography holds particular significance in Rochester, a city deeply intertwined with the history of image-making. As the birthplace of Eastman Kodak and home to the George Eastman Museum, Rochester has long shaped how photographs are made, shared, and understood. Working with film here carries both historical weight and contemporary relevance—honoring a legacy of craft while engaging in a slower, more intentional way of seeing that continues to evolve within the city’s creative community.