Me working setting up the group laptops in Lisbon almost 10 years ago.
Every workshop has familiar rhythms. The early mornings, the controlled chaos, the moments where everything either comes together…or very nearly doesn’t. What’s different this year is who is helping hold it all together.
Daniel, Marvin, Aurora, and Valeria are back with us again, but this time they’re stepping into roles that go far beyond being returning students. Over the last few workshops, these four have quietly become essential: helping instructors work with groups, translating when needed, troubleshooting tech issues, and making sure things kept moving when the schedule got tight. This year, they’ve taken a huge step forward.
Valeria prepping the folders on the group computers for our 2026 Beginners class!
Daniel working with our new students on their first day as the try to come to grips with full manual control of their cameras.
For the first time ever, we have returning students serving as official group leaders. Daniel and Marvin are running nearly all of the technical operations, while Aurora and Valeria are leading student groups of their own. Together, they’re covering instructor-level responsibilities across tech, logistics, and teaching, rarely needing much more than basic observations or reminders. For much of the week, they’ve been doing everything needed to keep Wendy supported and happy!
Aurora quizzing the students on the effects of shutter speed on capturing motion or allowing motion blur.
Additionally, each of them will be teaching one component of the workshop curriculum, guiding students through specific tools, concepts, and workflows. Watching them step confidently into these roles has been one of the most rewarding parts of these last 13 years of workshop so far.
Marvin, studying to be a designer, talking through the rules of composition with this years beginner groups.
This is what we’ve been striving for. Of course we LOVE working with the students but a part of the long term goal of the workshops has alway been to work ourselves out of a job. We want these students to grow and that includes more than simply learning the craft, but learning how to lead, support others, and keep the whole machine running. We couldn’t be prouder of these four, and we’re excited to see where they take this next chapter. So if you notice a slightly different voice in our Blog this week, now you know why.
Gracias chavos! Es calidad!
