Welcome to My View

My Teaching Style

One of my passions is teaching and inspiring others to be their highest vision of themselves as artists. I pursue this passion by teaching the art of photography, working with each individual to educate and motivate. In addition to the technical aspects, one of my objectives is to encourage photographers to capture the spirit and energy of a place or person in photographs.

My teaching style includes classroom lectures, presentations and demonstrations, as well as plenty of field shooting sessions and constructive critiques of images. I am 100% available to my students both in the classroom and in field. I never shoot for myself during a workshop. I fully understand the amount of time, money and energy it takes to attend a workshop. My goal is to make each workshop as educational, inspiring and fun as possible for those participating in my workshops. I am extremely grateful to those who have attended my workshops in the past and the future as they allow me the chance to do what I love.

My Pledge to You

Thank you for considering a workshop with The Mindful Eye.

The Mindful Eye offers workshops that are of extremely high value. Our average student to teacher ratio is one of the lowest in the business. Our instructors are working professional photographers who have an intense passion for sharing and inspiring. We fully recognize the commitment of time, energy and money it takes for you to attend a workshop. So we work very hard to be the best at intimately knowing our locations, providing a wealth of high quality information via excellent presentations and one on one help in the field, presenting extremely supportive and highly detailed image reviews, and doing all of this in an energy rich, supportive environment where inspiration and having fun never take a back seat to anything.

During the workshops, our complete focus is on you, the participant.

Our instructors do not shoot their own work when they are with students during the workshops.

If you see an instructor photographing, they are either shooting images of the participants engaging in the workshop for public relation purposes or shooting something that is to be used for educational purposes during the workshop.

We fully realize that in addition to the education business we are in the inspiration business, the fun vacation business, and ultimately, we are a service business. We are here to serve you. Your complete satisfaction with your workshop experience is our pledge and guarantee. After all the majority of our workshop participants are repeat customers and we know as well as anyone that we only get one chance to make an awesome first impression.

Testimonials from Previous Workshop Participants

“This is my second workshop with Craig and Marti. On the day I came back, I signed up for another one for next year. Craig and Marti lead very special workshops: They are made of several key ingredients, that make the workshop a wonderful experience: They know the area very well and selected great places to shoot; the time during the day when shooting conditions were not good, were dedicated to photography education and image critique, that I think was CRITICAL to the success of the workshop, and finally, the group of participants, all devoted followers of THE MINDFUL EYE, were great caring people and excellent photographers that have learned a lot from – each with a different personality and style of photography. I highly recommend the workshops led by Craig and Marti for anyone looking for inspiration and great learning experience.” (Yair, Big Bend National Park, 2009)

“The Big Bend workshop was a phenomenal experience. Craig and Marti taught, inspired, and guided us through an amazing week in a very special place. They are caring and knowledgeable instructors, and they helped me to better my photography and my experiences outdoors photographing the landscape. Our short week together felt like a month, and the learning and guidance I experienced felt like a year’s worth of photography. Many thanks to them! No matter where you are with your photography, I think you will benefit greatly from a TME workshop.” (TJ, Big Bend National Park, 2009)

“I have a lasting feeling of gratitude from my Death Valley workshop experience with Craig and Marti. The location is profoundly “other worldly” and its beauty and spirit are readily tapped into by the experienced field guiding of Craig and Marti. The class was composed of seasoned and playful students. The instruction was inspirational, but practical as well. The concept of building a composition from one element that catches my eye will be a change in my field approach and vision in the future. The gifts of encouragement and support that I received at this workshop are deeply appreciated.” (Doug K. Death Valley National Park,2009)

“Thank you for providing an excellent workshop and the opportunity for me to meet and connect with all the wonderful people who participated (including Craig and Marti.) I enjoyed the challenges of the assignments as well as the challenge to reach beyond my own perceived limitations and embrace The World with a renewed appreciation for the miracle of life. The assignments and exercises gave me the opportunity to reach out and connect with others outside my own little sphere of existence. I came away with renewed self-confidence, a reawakened sense of my own self, a sense of connection to others, an openness to infinite possibilities, and the feeling that maybe I DO have a place in the world and a reason and purpose for being here now.” (Jan, Next Step, 2009)

“I came to the workshop looking for a greater understanding of how to assess a scene, understand compositional relationships and combined with the right light “make” rather than “take” photos. Along the way though I received other intangibles, the ability to see through other photographers eyes the same scene captured by their experiences, the camaraderie of good people and a personal appreciation for the vistas that our locations opened to us. In the end I received a greater insight into myself, what I wanted out of photography and the workshop pushed me to think about the impact my photography might have upon others as a I progressed through my journey. I don’t think anyone could ask for anything more from a workshop, at least I can’t.

If you are looking to grow as a photographer, truly be challenged on a workshop and want to experience great locations with good people then in my opinion, you cant get any better for your dollar than with the The Mindful Eye workshops.” (Marq, Grand Teton National Park, 2009).

“I had an amazing time at the Foundation experience. I loved learning with other women and I loved having the time and the opportunity to learn, shoot and critique images over five days. Marti and Susan were magnificently supportive and encouraged us all to take new steps forward in our photographic journey. I can’t thank you enough!”
Janet, (Foundation in Photography for Women Only, 2008)

“I was sure that attending the Street Portraiture Workshop would help my photography skills grow. I could never have expected the amazing experience which unfolded. Craig and Marti have designed a workshop that will expand you as a person and open you up to creativity in a whole new way. There is no way to describe what you can expect as the experience will be unique for everyone. I can tell you that if you go to Savannah and open yourself to this journey, that Craig and Marti will guide you through experiences that will spark your creativity and photography, and quite possibly open you to look at the world with wonder again.” Kate L. (Street Portraiture May, 2008)

“The Next Step workshop was a wonderful experience fun, and highly educational. It really made me think a lot about what it means to be creative, and how to improve my personal creativity. Amazing teachers, and a highly supportive and motivated group of participants. I can’t wait for my next RV workshop!” Jennifer B. (Next Step Workshop, March 2008)

“The Foundation for Women Workshop worked for me on many levels, not the least of which is that the basics of photography finally seemed to click. I liked the fact that we had classroom instruction and then went out in the field shortly afterwards to practice what we’d just been taught. It also helped tremendously to have Marti and Susan available to answer questions while shooting. I absolutely loved the comraderie.”
Terri, (Foundation in Photography for Women Only, 2008)

“The Death Valley National Park workshop was my second workshop with Radiant Vista and it won’t be my last. Craig and the other instructors have found their passion in teaching and it shows. Anyone looking for exceptional photographic instruction, a break from the every day and an unforgettable experience should attend a Radiant Vista workshop.” Joshua W. (Death Valley National Park Workshop, 2008)

“There is no question in my mind that the Next Step Workshop has changed my life. I experienced connections and personal growth that I never thought possible. This experience uncovered courage and emotion in me that I had not previously acknowledged. Highly recommended for anyone looking to push their personal limits – only to be rewarded by limitless possibilities as an artist and human being. Thank you, Radiant Vista, Craig Tanner, Marti Jeffers, and the 10 other brave photographers who shared it with me.” Scott F. (Next Step Worksho , March 2008)

“I feel that I made much progress in defining my purpose with my photography and have exciting new projects in mind. I learned how to be more creative through my environment and mind set – something I can do anywhere! I took the magic home!!!” Lucy D. (Next Step Workshop, March 2008)

“This was a very special experience for learning about my camera, figuring out who I am as a fledgling photographer, and actually thinking that I might have some creative instincts in me! The information presented was vast, and clear and at a pace that worked for all of us. But the internal work was even more, guided by two very bright, intuitive and gentle (but not coddling!) teachers. I lapped it up until I couldn’t hold any more, and eagerly back again the next day ready for more. It was a marvelous four days and I came away excited to go out every day with my camera.”
Ruth, (Foundation in Photography for Women, 2008)

“The Next Step workshop started out as a way for me to become a better photographer by breaking down unknown barriers that limit my creativity. It transformed magically into a deep reflection of who I am as a person and how these very same barriers limit me in the rest of my life. I am forever thankful to Craig, Marti and my fellow participants for encouraging me to jump to the next step. My journey continues…. “Steve B. (Next Step Workshop Sept 2007)

“I came away from the Next Step workshop a better person and photographer. I was given the chance to test my own courage and creative limits. I would recommend this workshop to anyone who cares about life and all it’s interesting and magical moments that we seem to allow to fly by and go unnoticed. This workshop is a gift to yourself, you will learn so much more than simply taking a shot…you will go deeper into your inner being. Learn learn learn, feel feel feel, experience experience experience. I can’t thank the leaders enough for this wonderful experience.” Jim P. (Next Step Workshop, Sept 2007)

“I would be ungrateful if I didn’t write and express my feelings and impressions of your first Women Only Foundation in Photography Workshop The challenge is in putting into words what adequately describes that wonderful experience!

The 4 1/2 days in Savannah were filled with personal and knowledgeable attention to each of us attending. Marti and Susan were incredible in keeping up with the pace and diversity of all of us. They taught with patience, passion and respect, encouraging us to stretch beyond our comfort level. Their talent and desire to share it is inspiring!

Being with a group of only women was a unique experience. It was fun! There was a comfort level that I had not felt before in a previous workshop. A camaraderie developed and friendships were formed at the same time all of this expanding and learning was taking place. The time flew by and the workshop ended much too soon!” Wendi (Foundation in Photography for Women, 2008)