The Arizona Photographers Workshop was developed to promote the Art of Photography in Northern Arizona by Matt Santos, a local photographer based in Chino Valley, Arizona.
For most of his life, Mr. Santos has been fascinated by photography of all disciplines- from portraiture, to photojournalism, to landscape scenery. At an early age he was fortunate enough to study under the watchful eyes of many gifted photographers that opened up their studios and photo labs for him to learn and develop his skills. As he gained experience, he was determined to do the same.
While the equipment and processes have changed drastically in the decades that passed, one thing has remained constant: photography is a way to record and experience life at all of its stages.
Whether the medium is traditional film or the new standard of digital, Mr. Santos believes that the means and ability to capture life should only be limited by ones own creative desire.
His goal, and the goal of this organization, is to make available to all who are interested the time, knowledge, and equipment to capture life with a lens.
In recent months the Arizona Photographers Workshop has been meeting weekly in Chino Valley, AZ to shoot, critique, and trade ideas in many different styles of photography ranging from traditional portraiture, action and sports photography, scenic and nature photo outings, and digital editing techniques.
We are currently searching out new members to participate as students, contributors, advisors, and mentors to assist us in our mission.
We hope to provide a forum for families and friends to explore the Art of Photography and experience the joy of learning together, hopefully bridging the generation gap by way of common interests.
Any and all who are interested are welcome to contact the Arizona Photographers Workshop via our Contacts page.
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote the art and technology of photography through education at the community level.
To welcome and support all that have an interest in photography, whether as an avocation or as a vocation.
To stimulate an interest in photography and recognize that good subjects are everywhere.
To offer technical assistance, either personally or by forum.
To allow members an opportunity to display their works in competitions or programs.
To schedule programs that will improve the photographic skills of members of the AZPW.
We value the worth and dignity of each individual, acknowledging that artistic expression is an extension of that individual and is, by nature, both unique and intensely personal.
For over 20 years, Matt Santos has been wholly involved with the world of Photography at a variety of levels. He transitioned a serious school age hobby, bordering on obsession, into a lucrative career at an early age.
Beginning with the first wedding he photographed for a friend at the age of 14, to working for a well established San Francisco Bay Area photo studio, to providing local sports coverage to his local home town paper- all while still in high school. He landed his first staff photographer position at the age of 17 for a local Bay Area weekly, and soon was covering many major events on a contract basis for various outlets. He has a strong background in photo journalism, portraiture, and stock photography. After a short hiatus from the business, Matt relocated to the Northern Arizona area and re-discovered his love for the medium.
His current work may be viewed within this site, as well as through the pages of The Chino Valley Review, where he is on contract to cover local sporting events, both in words and images. Many of his Images are available for purchase in a variety of sizes and finishes via this site and also through his Commercial Website M. Santos Photographer.
Having an intense enthusiasm for Computers and Technology since he was a child, Tony Proano has pursued a wide variety of careers both inside and outside of the Technology Field. His interest in the internet began with Bulletin Boards many years before the World Wide Web came into being. Bulletin Boards lead to Newsgroups. Newsgroups lead to IRC (Internet Relay Chat).
The natural progression of his passion eventually lead him to the World Wide Web. Tony combined his enjoyment of photography and his love for computers when he began creating Websites for himself and his friends (both Real and Virtual). Once a simple hobby, this creativity has grown into a prosperous outlet for both graphic and photographic expression.
