I had the great pleasure of finally meeting Bill Schwab at the Filter Photo Festival in Chicago last October.  Bill is a one of those photographic divining rods–a talented and masterful photographer, the publisher of Northlight Press, and a popular workshop instructor.  Today, I am sharing Bill’s new incarnation as creator of a magical photographic retreat center in Northern Michigan, Photostock….and he needs our help to make it a reality through his Kickstarter campaign.  I’m going to let Bill do the talking…..

Some time ago, I purchased 10 acres of beautiful Northern Michigan woodland with a dream to develop the property into a photographic retreat. Complete with camping, rustic cabin lodging and a permanent workshop facility, it would be a place where photographers would come from far and wide to share in the unique beauty of the area. Devoted to traditional, alternative as well as modern digital photographic processes, it would be a place to calm the soul and let the creativity flow.

 In 2006, I sent out an invite via an online photography forum and 11 brave souls took me up on it, camped out in my woods and shared all things photography. Photostock was born and is now as much a state of mind as it is a place where photographers meet for three days each year surrounding the summer solstice.

Although part of the dream has been realized, what still eludes us is a permanent workshop facility on the grounds. This is most important in expanding our reach in that we could go beyond one weekend a year and offer regularly scheduled workshops and events all year long. People will be able to visit in all seasons to learn new creative skills while taking in one of the most beautiful places the country has to offer. 

The Plan:What I am proposing is a virtual barn raising of sorts and through crowd funding, I am hoping to be able to complete the structure. We already have a builder chosen and a detailed quote has been provided for the money I am seeking. Once scheduled and begun, it will take approximately two weeks for the shell to be completed and contributors will be able to witness every step of the way.