Leap of Faith 2023 Photo Workshop

Back by popular demand, 2023's brand new Leap of Faith workshop is located within a 30 minute drive of Hudson, NY. What's a Leap of Faith workshop? Over the past 6 years I've run workshops where the location is kept a secret until a week before the event. Past locations have included the Trolley Graveyard, a gorgeous abandoned church, an entire prison campus, an abandoned high school, a 7-story bank, and an amazingly preserved mill.

This year attendees will get access to what may be my favorite abandoned location of all the spots I've held events at since I started. It sounds like hype, but it's the truth. I've wanted to get into this place for nearly a decade and it was absolutely worth it. It's absolutely enormous, full of neat stuff to photograph, and not a place that photo access has been offered in before. My hunch is that people will want to revisit it multiple times as there is almost no way to see it all in one day.

Whether you want to spend the whole time asking questions and learning camera settings or prefer to go off on your own to explore, you're free to go at your own pace during the alloted time.

If you have questions or are thinking about signing up, please read the Workshop FAQ below! Send me a note at admin@abandonedamerica.org if you need to know anything else about how workshops run. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring a dSLR or mirrorless camera and tripod to the workshop - all are welcome but point & shoot cameras may be inadequate to photograph the space.

By signing up, you are stating that you have read and agree to the Refund Policy and Terms, found on this page, and that you are aware that no exceptions can be made.
Signing liability waiver is required for admission.
You must have a respirator for the event, the suggested model costs about $17.
If you sign up for both sessions you get a slight discount but also an extra hour in between sessions!

Please note if you can't select a date to the right of the image (and the option below it says "Out of Stock"), the workshop is sold out. Sign up for my mailing list and join the Facebook workshops group for alerts on future dates!

Address: In the Hudson, NY vicinity

Parking: Private lot
You must always pay careful attention to your surroundings. Following directions is critical and if you do not you may be asked to leave the site. You will need to sign a waiver before you enter acknowledging that you are entering a potentially unsafe environment and that you will not hold either the owners or myself liable for any harm that may befall you or your equipment. Obviously the first priority on the trip, even before taking great pictures, is making sure that you are safe - but you will need to be attentive and alert at all times.

Potential risks include but are not limited to uneven terrain, fall hazards, and airborn contaminants such as mold and dust. We take precautions to ensure the safety of participants but by signing up for the workshop you are acknowledging that you accept known and unknown risks are present and will not hold any organizations/individuals involved in the workshop liable for any injuries or damages that may occur. If you have questions, feel free to send them to me.
During the workshop I will be on hand to help you get better shots - if you'd like to learn. I know some of you are just taking the tour to see the location, and if that's the case I'll stay out of your way and let you do your thing. Learning to use a tripod, what file format to shoot in, how to compose shots better, what ISO, F-Stop, and shutter speed affect, and how to do things like exposure bracketing are very important to your results. As a trained architectural photographer I am able to help you get not just beautiful but technically correct images that you'll be amazed by. Don't feel afraid to ask me even questions that may seem silly to you. I want you to leave with pictures you're proud of. I've been doing this for a while and want you to learn from my mistakes and successes.
If you are unable to attend an event and notify me at admin@abandonedamerica.org more than 30 days prior to the event, you will be issued a full refund minus a $40 processing fee. Because of the extremely limited tour spots, if it is within 30 days of the event there are NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES except in case of workshop cancellation by Abandoned America.

You may give or sell a paid spot in the workshop to someone else if you are unable to attend but admission may not be transferred to another workshop or credit unless it is more than 30 days from the date of the workshop.

In the event that the workshop may need to be moved to a different date based on severe inclement weather, safety concerns, medical emergency, or site manager's limitations. notification will be given immediately and a refund will be offered if attendee is unable to make the alternate date. We cannot be held liable for travel, rental, or other costs incurred by attendee in the event of workshop cancellation. We do make every effort to ensure all events run on schedule. All sales are final.

Please make sure you check the email associated with your payment account for confirmation/updates! Your receipt is your confirmation, and an email will follow with further details within a week of signup. You will need to sign a waiver to participate in this event.

Any theft or willful damage to property during the workshop will be taken very seriously. Either will result in your immediate removal from the property, a ban from future workshops, and possible legal action. LEAVE THINGS AS YOU FOUND THEM.

By signing up for this workshop you agree not to use information attained before or during the workshop to illegally trespass or set up alternate workshops/events. If you attempt to do so you will be barred from all future Abandoned America workshops and further action may be taken.
Q: Will you tell me what this location is or give me a hint? What if I think I know where it is?

A: Nope. No hints aside from what is in the workshop sign up material.

Q: Has it been a previous workshop location? How do I know if I’ve been there or not?

A: No. It is an entirely new location as of 2023. Unless you’re a hardcore explorer who sneaks into a lot of buildings in the general vicinity the workshop is in, you have not.

Q: When will the location be revealed?

A: You will receive a list of recommended places to stay in the area and other things to do on signing up and a link to the waiver which you must sign to attend. The Monday before the workshop you will receive more information including the address. Please be sure to check your spam folder and email on Tuesday if you have not received the information.

Q: What will I need for the workshop?

A: Gear preferences are a personal thing, but at minimum you must have a respirator, a flashlight, your camera/tripod, sturdy boots (no sandals/flip flops) and a fully charged cell phone. I recommend a wide angle and mid-range lens, water and a snack, extra memory cards/batteries, and your camera’s manual if you may need help. I also recommend pants versus shorts.

Q: May I bring someone extra (an interested significant other, someone to help me carry gear, a non-photographer friend who just wants to see the building, etc.)?

A: Anyone entering the property must have signed up, paid the entry fee, and signed the waiver. There are no exceptions.

Q: What safety concerns should I expect?

A: While this list is by no means complete and attendees are signing up with the understanding that they are entering the property at their own risk, the primary risks are trip and fall hazards, airborne contaminants such as dust/mold, uneven/unsafe floors, and potential wildlife/insect encounters.

Q: What conditions should I expect on entering the property?

A: The property has no power and is dark in places. There are no working elevators or accessibility features, and the area is quite large, so participants will need to be able to handle moderate exertion levels and carry their own gear. Cell phone reception is poor. The grounds are overgrown and poorly maintained.

Q: I’ve been on previous Abandoned America workshops – how does this compare to others?

A: This location is one of the best I’ve arranged access to. It is large, there are a lot of varied environments, and some incredible photo opportunities. If you are taking even a moderate amount of time with your photos it will take quite a while to fully explore. In that sense I believe it is comparable to Scranton Lace in that it is somewhat mazelike, much more than you’ll see in one session, and like the Lonaconing Silk Mill in that there is quite a bit left behind. There is some heavy vandalism in areas but many other areas are left as they were when the property was vacated. I am expecting people will want to return multiple times.

Q: Are minors permitted to join the workshop?

A: At this point in time, no.

Q: Will this workshop be offered again in the future?

A: It is always my hope that I will have long term relationships with property owners that will allow groups to keep coming to the site for years to come. As long as I have people signing up for a workshop and access to a site I plan to continue offering it. However, things can change quickly and with little warning due to circumstances beyond my control, so it is not always best to assume that because something is available now it will be in months to come.
A respirator, to be worn while onsite

A flashlight

Bottled water/snacks

A whistle for emergencies

Sturdy, water-proof boots that protect your feet

Weather-appropriate clothing

Your tripod

A fully charged cell phone

Extra batteries and memory cards

Your camera manual if you're unsure how to change settings.

$175.00

Quantity

ABANDONED AMERICA

by Matthew Christopher

Leap of Faith 2023 Photo Workshop

Location and Parking

Safety Risks

Workshop Details

Refund Policy and Terms

FAQ

What To Bring