Frequently Asked Questions

There are a lot of workshop companies out there. What makes Momenta different?

Plenty! First, we have a very low student to instructor ratio. You won't have to worry about fighting for face time with an instructor. Second, we believe in one-on-one daily editing with our students in periods between shoots. We don't just go over your selections; we look at the whole day's work to help you get better exponentially. We know our trips are intentsive, but we mean for them to be. Finally, our goal is teach you to be a better visual journalist. Plain and simple. We throw everything we have at every trip and find that many people come back again and again for ongoing training. We will help you in every way we can from basics to help getting your work published. From the student goodie bags to the personal attention each student gets before, during and after our workshops, we strive to be a better workshop company than the others.

Your trips are rather expensive. What am I getting for my money?

Oddly enough, its not as expensive as it seems. We keep our profit margin low and many of our instructors volunteer their time. We try to keep the cost of workshops to an amount not much more than trying it on your own. We are able to get group rates you can't get as a single photographer and, since we pay fixers/guides/some meals out of trip funds, its actually quite comparable to individual travel. Of course, Momenta does make a little out of each trip, but that pays costs to initiate the next workshop, hire guides, pay staff, give scholarships, etc.

In the final analysis, we feel the only way to teach documentary photography is to send people out to be documentarians and be ready to help guide them along the way. We believe the other guys tend to focus on more of a travel-oriented crowd instead of training people for real world experiences. We try to keep our costs to a point that is both rational for this dedicated group but also allows us to provide the most insightful and comprehensive experience possible.

Do you offer discounts or payment plans?

Yes. At Momenta we value and recognize the importance of the educational growth for our customers while also understanding the budgetary constraints for working photographers and students. We give students and working professional photographers an automatic 10% discount on any workshop if requested. Likewise, we have discounts for professional groups such as NPPA, ASMP, PPA, ASPP, etc. Please email our offices at info@momentaworkshops.com for these discount codes.

Likewise, you can start a payment plan after the initial deposit to work out a monthly payment structure and reach your total tuition costs. Our online, third party provider RegOnline.com allows students to make installments on their tuition after the initial deposit. Once you have completed your registration and reviewed your payment options, please contact us with any further questions.  

Does Momenta offer any scholarships?

We offer partial scholarships over and above the usual discount to a select individual on every workshop in order to reduce the cost for aspiring photojournalists or students. Our scholarships are usually awarded to candidates who submit promising portfolios, full time students or emerging professionals with 1-3 years experience working in the field. We normally look closer at individuals who have a CV or resume that shows a focused trajectory in photojournalism or documentary photography. 

We ask that prospective scholarship applicants provide us with a sample of their work (preferably an online portfolio website), a CV or resume and a statement of need. For the latter, we don't need a book but rather one page describing your goals in documentary photography and the value of attending a specific workshop in relation to fulfilling these goals. References are encouraged but not required. Please email our offices at info@momentaworkshops.com for more information or to submit your portfolio for consideration.  

What kind of instructors are on your workshops?

At Momenta, we strive to find the best photographers AND the best teachers in the field to make your learning experience more valuable. We realize some well-known photographers might be very good at their job but can't teach. Every Momenta instructor goes through intense interviews and training to make sure your experience is the best you've had on a workshop! Our instructors are all accomplished professional journalists and creators experienced in the subjects they teach. Often we ask past students to come back as assistant mentors on later trips. These individuals have shown a desire to be mentors and we teach them to work with us to train students and mentor local photographers.

What kind of clients attend these workshops?

Anyone with a passion for photography is invited to come and learn with us. We all have a love for travel and a sense of adventure. We cater to all types of clients, regardless of skill level or equipment! Click here for an explanation of all our levels of workshops.

What type of photo gear do I need to bring?

See our technology and travel tips for a short guide to our technology views.

I don't have any formal training in photography. Can I still attend a workshop?

Absolutely! Our workshops range from beginner to advanced levels. We have weekend training workshops to get you ready for an overseas trip as well as beginning international trips to help you build your skills and portfolio. Contact our office or look at our various workshops for more information.

I went on a group trip and we had to stick together at all times. Is this what a Momenta workshop is like?

No! Herd mentality is not our style nor is it conducive to documentary work. You can be certain our workshops are flexible and we will treat you like an adult. Our maximum group size is 15 which is ideal size to get one-on-one time with our instructors and also be small enough to venture out on your own.

Can my spouse/friend/companion/children come on this workshop?

We have to charge full student prices for spouses or non-photographer companions of students due to limited space availability. This could be the start of a great new adventure! Many spouses/companions enjoy our audio training to assist their photographer partners with multimedia package. Please contact our offices and see if special arrangements can be made for specific learning styles.

Can you help me plan a workshop for a group?

We would be happy to devise a program to suit your groups' travel interests. We offer a range of logistics and partner workshop solutions to a variety of professionals and organizations. These services are available to any individual or group. Please feel free to contact our offices with details and we will be happy to advise you on your plans and give you an estimate.

Do you have a client age limit?

You must be 18 years old or over to accompany us on international workshops. Our domestic and weekend workshops have a more flexible age policy providing a guardian is accompany an underage student.

How physically fit do I need to be to take one of your workshops?

Our workshops can be undertaken by anyone in a good state of health and fitness. Some of our workshops will require hiking long distances, camping and various degrees of physical activities. We recommend that you read our itinerary thoroughly to recognize any possible challenges. Individuals with special needs, allergies, or physical conditions that might affect their experience are asked to discuss this with Momenta staff prior to registering.

How safe are your workshop destinations?

Our first concern is your well-being and safety on all workshops. Our staff constantly reviews every aspect of your adventure to ensure your safety and our expert guides are fully conversant with the demands of traveling in remote regions.

What kind of lodging options are available on these workhops?

We are cognizant that comfortable lodging makes long days of photography and editing more pleasant and productive. We search in advance for the best lodging available in each country. Often in cities its 4-star hotels or eco-friendly lodges when available. In remote locals, you can expect simple, clean yet more basic facilities.

How will I know if a workshop is filled already?

When you sign up for a workshop, you will be notified via e-mail immediately with an answer. If the workshop is full, your name will be added to a waiting list. Most workshops fill up quickly due to our unique, small group philosophy so it is best to get your deposit in quickly.

Do you have a cancellation and refund policies?

In the event a workshop must be canceled, due to inadequate enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, all fees and deposits will be refunded in full or may be transferred to a future workshop. We reserve the right to cancel the workshop or your reservation at any time.

If you are unable or choose not to attend a workshop you have registered for, a refund schedule will apply not inclusive of an office-processing fee. No partial refunds are made for any unused portions of services for any reasons. Please contact our offices for more details.

When we are in country, what kinds of transportation do we use?

We take domestic flights when necessary in certain countries with poor road systems. Generally travel by cars, small vans, mini coaches and trains that are air-conditioned whenever possible. We enjoy this time for students and instructors to get to know one another and to have time to just "talk photo."

How do I know what immunizations to get for my trips?

Many of the foreign countries we visit have specific immunization requirements for entry, such as the yellow fever immunization for Uganda. We provide suggested health care tips for each workshop. However, we suggest you investigate the CDC's suggestions for each country where we will be traveling and also speak to your travel doctor prior to your trip.

Do single people attend these workshops?

Absolutely! At Momenta the atmosphere is very warm and social and singles quickly become part of a congenial group. This kinship has resulted in many long-lasting friendships. In fact, many students currently attend workshops with friends whom they first met on a previous workshop.

Is it possible to have a single room accommodation?

Sure! Most international trips offer single room accommodation options at an additional cost. Please review the page for the cost and availability. We can't guarantee a single room for all of our programs, but if you request one, the program coordinator will make every attempt to accommodate you.

What is a Project workshop and how are they different from the rest?

Momenta believes local and international outreach is the single most important thing visual professionals can do with their work. We have an entire line of trips which introduce photographers to non-profits and produces work for publication after every trip. These "Project" workshops lead to ongoing relationships between photographers and NGOs and help build community while showcasing this noble work.

I have heard you might have the BBQ Pilgrim teach a workshop. Is that true?

We are currently trying to lure the Pilgrim to teach a weekend workshop for us with spare ribs and savory sauces. We will keep you posted when the BBQ Workshop will happen in 2009! See more about the BBQ Pilgrim and his disciples.