In Search Of The Sacred – A Conversation With Chris Rainier @ Santa Fe Workshops

Wednesday, May 13 @ 8pm EST, 2026

Register Now

Creativity Continues at Santa Fe Workshops with a conversation between two photographic masters, Chris Rainier and John Paul Caponigro.

Our hour of inspiration will begin with a short presentation of images by both artists – one focused on land and the other on culture.

Then, Chris and John Paul will share their journeys and insights. What is sacred? What does it mean to approach the sacred with photography? What does a sacred image look and feel like? Can one actually photograph what is sacred? What is a sacred journey? How can other cultures inspire our own sacred journeys?

We’ll finish with a lively question-and-answer session open to all participants.

Join Santa Fe Workshops’ worldwide community of photographers and writers as Creativity Continues.

Chris Rainier began his career as Ansel Adams’ last photographic assistant. Then he began a journey to explore the world’s most sacred places and cultures. That journey continues some thirty-five years later. Rainier is a National Geographic Fellow and photographic Explorer. From 2000 to 2015, he directed a number of Initiatives at the NGS focused on documenting Traditional cultures.  He is now the Director of Cultures Sanctuaries Foundation that helps traditional societies maintain and amplify their traditional knowledge.  His photography and books are a part of the Permanent collections of the George Eastman House, International Center of Photography in New York, The Australian Museum in Sydney, The Royal Geographic Society in London, and the Explorers Club in New York.

 

Register Now

 

View 12 Great Photographs by Chris Rainier

Read 24 Great Quotes By Chris Rainier 

Read His Short Q&A

View Chris’ National Geographic Video Cultures On The Edge

Visit Chris Rainier’s website.

 

Adventures In Ice – Webinar

CCIce_425

If you missed it the recording can now be viewed above.

The Camden Conference and Camden Public Library host internationally renowned photographer John Paul Caponigro, who will share his images from six voyages to Greenland and contrasts them with twelve voyages to Antarctica including his personal adventure stories, conversations with scientists, and facts about the region.

Live via Zoom on September 15 at 6:30 pm.

Find out more about Camden Conference here.

Celebrating The New Book Mask By Chris Rainier

Make_425

.

Get the Mask book here.

Visit the Mask website

.

Chris Rainier’s new book Mask is out!

Use these resources to find out more about the man and the book.

Enjoy!

.

View 12 Great Images From Mask.

View 12 Great Images By Chris Rainier

.

Read Chris’ Q&A

Read our Conversation

Read Great Quotes By Chris Rainier

.

View his TEDx talk

View his Aspen Institute talk.

View his National Geographic talk.

.

Visit Chris Rainier’s website

Visit his non-profit’s website Cultural Sanctuaries

.

Rainier_AncientMarks

Get Ancient Marks here.

Rainier_MasksStillDance_425

Get Where Masks Still Dance here.

Rainier_Keepers

Get Keepers Of The Spirit here.

.

12 Great Photographs From Chris Rainier's New Book Mask

01_#1 Mask front cover 02_#13 03_#2 NW INDIAN RAVENRainier_Bear_42505_#11 06_#10 07_IMG_9853 copy 08_#3 09_IMG_9851 copy 10_#16 11_IMG_9867 copy 12_#12
In his new book Mask, Chris Rainier focuses his lens on the uses of masks across cultures, religions, and eras to reveal something universal about humanity.
You’ll want to read this book twice. First, just look at it. Then, read the back matter.
The images are extremely powerful on their own yet the book takes us even deeper with the additi0n of ethnographer Robert L Welsch’s comments on the individual masks, traditions, and cultures.
Learn more about Mask and Chris Rainier here.
13_IMG_9859 copy
 

Chris Rainier's Cultures on the Edge: The Race against Time to Help Empower Traditional Cultures


“Using the power of photography, Chris Rainier, National Geographic Society fellow and photographer, takes us on a journey to cultures that are using computers, cameras, and video to archive and preserve their quickly disappearing ancient traditions. He will show clear examples of traditional communities using technology to revitalize and maintain their way of life. Traveling the planet for over 30 years, Rainier has been in a race against time — to document ancient communities struggling to save their ancient ways of living for future generations. Now, with the advent of technologically driven storytelling and social media, he focuses his energy on helping to empower indigenous communities to gather around the “fireplace” of the Web to tell stories — stories of what it means to be alive and human in the 21st century.”
Discover more by Chris Rainier here.

My Recommended Reading Lists

Reading_425
Looking for good books? Browse my Recommended Reading lists.
Topics include …
Creativity, Color, Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Photography Appreciation, Photography Theory, Photography Business, Important Thoughts, Cultures, Climate Change, Meditation and Journaling.
If you’re looking for great books on these subjects look at these books first.
Yes, these lists are missing some of the  important classics in these fields that are less accessible and require more effort. Essential, clear, actionable – these are the criteria I’ve used for this selection.
These are some of the books that have changed my life. One of them might change yours too.
Enjoy!