OM SYSTEM Nature Adventure (Post Retreat Extension) September 9th and 10th 2025 (Maine)
Where to stay: Lots of places to stay: Hotels, motels, Airbnbs, VRBO’s, campgrounds in North Berwick, Rochester (NH), Wells, Ogunquit, See list for some options.
Photo Workshop
🌿 Nature Extension (Post Retreat Extension)
Post Zoom Session
Online image review, plus an image and menu discussion with Tom and Steve
Dates: Tuesday, Sept 8 – Wednesday, Sept 9
Small Group Size: 1:3 instructor to participants
Price: $999
Imagine two days of pure photographic immersion designed to inspire you. With a very small participant-to-instructor (1:3) ratio, this intimate adventure into Maine’s wild beauty is a chance to learn side by side with Tom and Steve, to chase birds and waves in the morning light, and to capture seascapes and lighthouses as the sun dips low. The pace is unhurried, the instruction personal, and the moments unforgettable.
Birdsong & Long Lenses – Walk quietly along the paths to Drake Island, where egrets, shorebirds, and deer put on a show for those patient enough to watch. With Steve guiding your vision, your longer lens becomes a window into feathers, wings, and fleeting moments of flight.
Explore Wells Preserve, Great Bay Refuge, Perkins Cove, and York Maine — places where marshes, beaches, trails, and a lighthouse provide fresh opportunities for discovery.
Magic of Computational Photography – With Tom’s playful expertise, you’ll uncover the secrets of OM SYSTEM’s creative tools: Hi Res Mode, Live ND, Live Composite, and more. Each feature is a doorway to seeing the world differently, transforming ordinary scenes into art that pulses with imagination.
Seascapes & Lighthouses – Standing at the edge of Maine’s coast, wide-angle lens in hand, you’ll photograph the iconic Nubble Lighthouse as waves crash and light changes by the minute. It’s the perfect stage for experimenting with creative techniques — and for letting your artistry flow.
Shared Meals, Local Flavor – Between adventures, you’ll enjoy local delicacies — from a catered riverside lunch to the charm of Maine’s legendary diners and seafood shacks. These breaks are more than meals; they’re time to share stories, connect, and refuel your creative spirit.
And beyond the retreat itself, a post-retreat journey awaits: a Zoom session to revisit your images with Tom and Steve,
This is a chance to slow down, connect deeply with nature, and grow as a photographer in the company of mentors who care about your journey. With such a small group, every question is answered, every image considered, and every moment infused with inspiration.
Tuesday, September 8th
7:00–11:00 AM
Group 1 (with Steve): Nature (Birds, Wildlife, etc.)
Meet at Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, ME
Nicely maintained trails, easy walking. The trail out to Drake Island has some nice lookouts for birds in pools in the marsh normally with lots of Egrets and shorebirds, might be some ducks there in September. The same trail leads to the beach on Drake Island (this trail is about 1 mile in length total, round trip) which hopefully have some lingering shore birds and definitely gulls.
Group 2 (with Tom): Computational Technologies
Meet at Perkins Cove (Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907)
Let’s get creative with OM SYSTEM’s Computational Technologies
Hi Res Mode
Live Time
Live Composite
Live ND
Graduated ND (OM-1 mark II, OM-3)
11am Lunch (meal included, alcohol not included)
Group 1 Maine Diner or similar
Group 2 Barnacle Billys
2:00 PM Depart for York (Carpool, 4 per car)
3:00 PM Dinner (not included) at Fox’s Lobster House 8 Sohier Park Rd, York, ME
4:30–7:30 PM – Computational Technologies at Nubble Lighthouse 11 Sohier Park Rd, York, ME
Tom and Steve
Wide-angle lenses recommended
Seascapes
Hi Res Mode
Live Time
Live Composite
Live ND
Graduated ND (OM-1 mark II, OM-3)
Wednesday, September 9th
7:00–10:00 AM
Group 2 (with Steve): Nature (Birds, Wildlife, etc.)
Meet at Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, ME
Highlights: Drake Island Trail → marsh pools, Egrets, shorebirds, ducks, gulls
Flexible timing (not a strict “end at 11”); more organic exploration
Nicely maintained trails, easy waling. The trail out to Drake Island has some nice lookouts for birds in pools in the marsh normally with lots of Egrets and shorebirds, might be some ducks there in September. The same trail leads to the beach on Drake Island (this trail is about 1 mile in length total, round trip) which hopefully have some lingering shore birds and definitely gulls.
Group 1 (with Tom): Computational Technologies
Meet at Perkins Cove (Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907)
Let’s get creative with OM SYSTEM’s Computational Technologies
Hi Res Mode
Live Time
Live Composite
Live ND
Graduated ND (OM-1 mark II, OM-3)
11am Lunch (meal included, alcohol not included)
Group 1 Local fish shack or Maine Diner (famous chowder, non-seafood options too)
Group 2 Barnacle Billys (non-seafood options too)
12:00–3:00 PM – Nature Photography Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Dover, NH)
Tom and Steve
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Dover, NH)
Easy trails, short drive from Wells
Potential: Herons, ducks, songbirds, maybe deer
Post Zoom Session
Online image review, plus an image and menu discussion with Tom and Steve
OM SYSTEM Nature Photography RETREAT — May 2, 3, 4 2025
Alexandria VA. Nearby Airports: are Ronald Reagan Airport [DCA] and Dulles [IAD]
Join us for this immersive hands-on NATURE photography retreat featuring OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Nature Photography and provide fodder (insight, instruction and inspiration) for some of the computational technologies like in-camera focus stacking, bird AF subject detection, Pro-capture, and depending on the conditions computational technologies like live neutral density, sequential and overlay multiple exposure, Live Time, daylight light painting using Live Composite, graduated neutral density (OM1 mark II or OM3), and more. Any camera model is welcome.
Join us for this immersive, hands-on photography retreat featuring FOUR OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders.
Small group environment
Low participant-to-instructor ratio
Students rotate through each instructor/topic
In-depth instruction and inspiration with Four OM SYSTEM ambassadors: Frank Smith, Chris McGinnis, Tom Cuchara, and Lisa Cuchara
Pre-Retreat Zoom 4/29
Friday 5/2
Meet and Greet, Discussion, Camera Setup 1pm
Session 1 3:30pm to 7:30pm ET
Saturday 5/3
Session 2 5:30am to 9:30am ET
Discussion, Camera Setup 1pm to 3pm
Session 3 3:30pm to 7:30pm ET
Optional dinner* (not included in retreat fee)
Sunday 5/4
Session 4 5:30am to 9:30am ET
Post Retreat Image Sharing
Show and Tell — Share your images with retreat leaders and participants
Optional: Submit 1-3 images for Critique
This retreat will focus on Nature Photography:
Bird photography
Bugs (Macro/Close-up Insect and Flora Photography, flash, focus stacking, focus bracketing, etc.)
Beautiful Landscapes (Creative Nature photography, Creative Compositions, Frogs, mushrooms, focus stacking, patterns, cloud stacking, pareidolia, etc.)
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: water drop refraction, in-camera focus stacking, True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology, and more.
Retreat fee $999 (lodging, transportation, meals not included except for Friday meet and greet). Hotel suggestions. Sept 6-9, 2024 (5pm Friday to 4pm Monday). 165 Little River Rd, North Berwick, ME 03906
There are no refunds. You may have someone attend in your place if you are unable to attend, just let us know omretreat.macro@gmail.com
The liablity waiver must be acknowledged, by signing up and paying for the retreat shall be deemed to constitute consent to the conditions therein. You may download the form https://tinyurl.com/OMretreat-waiver.
OM SYSTEM Macro and Close-Up Photography RETREAT (Sept 2025)
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: River Close-Up investigations (new), water drop refraction, 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 for a hands-on macro photography retreat, a complete immersion into closeup 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 5-8, 2025 (1pm Friday to 11am Monday). More details here: https://www.omsystemretreats.com/macro-close-up-photography-retreat-2025
Friday to Monday, complete immersion into Macro photography.
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.
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 5-8, 2025 (1pm Friday to 11am 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.
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.
Emilie:
Water drop refraction, focus stacking, patience, creativity
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Emilie Talpin will show you how to have fun with waterdrops and diffraction.
Lisa:
in-camera focus stacking, best practices for your 60mm and 90mm macro lenses, Story, Pareidolia, 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.
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.
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.
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!
After the Retreat
Participant image sharing
Live post-retreat image review session
See more details here: https://www.omsystemretreats.com/macro-close-up-photography-retreat-2025
Questions? Contact us
Nature Photography RETREAT — April 18, 19, 20 (2026) Alexandria VA.
Nearby Airports: Ronald Reagan Airport [DCA] and Dulles [IAD]
Join us for this immersive, hands-on NATURE photography retreat featuring OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Nature Photography and provide fodder (insight, instruction and inspiration) for some of the computational technologies like in-camera focus stacking, bird AF subject detection, Pro-capture, and depending on the conditions computational technologies like live neutral density, sequential and overlay multiple exposure, Live Time, daylight light painting using Live Composite, graduated neutral density (OM1 mark II or OM3), and more. Any camera model is welcome.
Join us for this immersive, hands-on photography retreat featuring FOUR* OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders.
Small group environment
Low participant-to-instructor ratio
Students rotate through each instructor/topic
In-depth instruction and inspiration with Four* OM SYSTEM ambassadors: Frank Smith, Chris McGinnis, Tom Cuchara, and Lisa Cuchara
Tentative Schedule*
Pre-Retreat Zoom
Day 1
Meet and Greet, Discussion, Camera Setup 1pm
Session 1 4:30pm to 8:00pm ET
Day 2
Session 2 5:30am to 9:30am ET
optional excursion 1pm to 3pm
Session 3 4:30pm to 8:00pm ET
Dinner (not included in retreat fee)
Day 3
Session 4 5:30am to 9:30am ET
Breakfast (not included in retreat fee)
Post Retreat Image Sharing
Show and Tell — Share your images with retreat leaders and participants
Optional: Submit 1-3 images for Critique
This retreat will focus on Nature Photography:
Bird photography
Bugs (Macro/Close-up Insect Photography, flash, focus stacking, focus bracketing, etc.)
Beautiful Landscapes (Creative Nature photography, Creative Compositions)
Creative photography (Frogs, mushrooms, focus stacking, patterns, cloud stacking, pareidolia, multiple exposures, Orton effect, ICM, live composite, etc.)
Retreat covers:
pre-retreat zoom
4 hands-on sessions with instruction
post-retreat zoom
private Facebook group for Retreat participants only
Retreat does not include
Lodging
meals
transportation (carpooling is highly recommended, Uber from airport and to from hotel is possible here if you flying in and don’t want to rent a car)
Travel Insurance.
We understand that life happens and that sometimes unfrozen circumstances may necessitate the need to cancel or reschedule. Unfortunately, we can not offer refunds unless we are able to fill your spot with someone on the waiting list. We can however recommend travel insurance to cover your costs if you have to cancel. There are many travel insurance companies available, but one we have had experience with is Travel Guard https://www.travelguard.com, they offer different insurance options, we recommend looking into the choices.
*A Note About Flexibility.
Please note that our retreat schedule may shift slightly based on weather, light, or other conditions that help us give you the best photographic experience. We also tailor our instructor team to the size of each group. As registration fills, additional OM SYSTEM Ambassadors or instructors may be added; if a group is smaller, the number of instructors may be adjusted accordingly. Either way, you’ll always receive plenty of personal attention, hands-on guidance, and a supportive learning environment.