THE MARFA WORKSHOP
THE MARFA WORKSHOP
To the Creative Spirits, the Curious Eyes, & the Bold Photographers,
This is your invitation to step beyond the ordinary and into the extraordinary.
The Marfa Photography Workshop is not just an event—it’s a transformative experience.
In the enigmatic landscape of Marfa, Texas, you’ll explore photography as more than a skill; it becomes a way of seeing, a way of being.
On November 11-13, 2025, four world-renowned photographers—Simon Devitt, Stephen Karlisch, Ema Peter, and Edmund Sumner—will converge in Marfa to guide, provoke, and inspire you. Together, we intend to create a dynamic and immersive workshop that will redefine the way you approach and perceive photography.
Why This Workshop?
Photography is not simply the act of capturing—it is the act of discovering.
Through a carefully designed series of exercises, challenges, and discussions,
this workshop will strip away traditional paradigms, encouraging you to embrace
the unknown and see the world through fresh eyes.
Simon Devitt
will take you deep into the narrative of architectural photography, revealing how stories unfold in built
spaces and how light and shadow shape emotion.
will take you deep into the narrative of architectural photography, revealing how stories unfold in built
spaces and how light and shadow shape emotion.
A distinguished New Zealand-based photographer specializing in architectural imagery, with an international practice extending throughout Australasia and beyond. Born in 1973, his passion for photography was influenced by his father, who always carried a 35mm SLR camera during family outings. Devitt has authored award-winning photobooks, including “Rannoch” and the “All Things Considered” series, and his work has been featured in numerous publications such as Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Dwell. In addition to his photography practice, he has lectured in Photography of Architecture at the University of Auckland and established the annual Simon Devitt Prize for Photography in 2008.
Ema Peter
will guide you to push boundaries, using natural
and artificial light to highlight unexpected details
and evoke visceral reactions.
Based in Vancouver, Ema Peter Photography was founded in 2005 to bring Ema’s creative vision to architectural photography. Ema’s training in both the visual arts and photojournalism, with experience at the Magnum Photo Agency in Paris, created the foundations for her approach to lighting and composition. With over 20+ years of experience and shear determination, she has photographed internationally renowned projects and received countless awards. Ema deeply believes that a space has life and she makes it her mission to harness that character in every photograph.
Stephen Karlisch
will challenge your understanding of light, blending commercial precision with an editorial spirit to help you see beauty where others see limitation.
An interior photographer working in the genre for over 20 years. Based in Texas, Stephen works throughout the United States for an extensive list of top Interior Designers. Published consistently for over two decades has led Stephen to a path of education with Karlisch Workshops which he and his wife Kristen founded in early 2023. With children off to college they can focus on both the creative side of photography as well as teaching the next generation of photographers how to survive and thrive in this field.
Edmund Sumner
will open the door to the global language of architecture, inviting you to explore the interplay between culture, structure, and artistry.
An architectural photographer, based in London, with a global clientele spanning four continents. Architects, publishers, government departments and curators alike have, for the past two and a half decades, turned to Edmund to give meaning and context to architecture and design. His work is recognised for its commercial and creative qualities, visualising the formal and spatial aspirations of Modern architecture, sustaining style and environment in equal measure.
Sumner collaborates with many of today’s leading architects, including Tadao Ando, Foster + Partners, Fernanda Canales and Gianni Botsford. A strong advocate for emerging architectural talent, he contributes his photographic and curatorial expertise to prestigious design festivals such as the Sharjah Architecture Triennial and Arab Design Now.
Sumner’s photographic commissions are complemented by ongoing dialogues with leading publishers. The studio has successfully produced four major publications on Edmund’s work within the context of global cultural narratives. A fifth major book is slated for release with Thames & Hudson in 2025.
Beyond his commissioned work, Sumner maintains a personal, creative photography practice. This has led to a portfolio of solo exhibitions and gallery representations in both London and the US.
What Sets This Workshop Apart?
We are not here to teach you how to take photos. We are here to challenge you to think,
see, and feel differently. Through immersive exercises—from dawn explorations to hands-on
critiques—you’ll experience photography in a way that moves beyond traditional instruction. You will learn to embrace imperfection, seek out the unexpected, and create work that resonates deeply.
This is not just about mastering technique; it’s about finding your photographic voice.
Why Marfa?
Marfa is a place of contradiction and creativity, where the vastness of the landscape meets the
precision of modern art and architecture. This unique environment will inspire you to step out of
your comfort zone and see the world—and your craft—differently.
Turn ON the Volume
Who Is This For?
This workshop is for photographers at all levels who are ready to:
• Let go of preconceptions and embrace new ways of seeing
• Challenge themselves to experiment, fail, and grow.
• Work closely with some of the world’s leading architectural photographers.
The Time Is Now
This workshop is more than an opportunity—it’s a moment to transform your perspective and elevate your craft. Space is limited, as this experience is designed to be intimate, allowing you to engage deeply with the instructors and the landscape of Marfa. Are you ready to redefine how you see and how you create?
We can’t wait to see you in Marfa,
Simon Devitt
On behalf of
Stephen Karlisch, Ema Peter, and Edmund Sumner