THE 2025 PHOTOGRAPHER'S RENDEZVOUS' October 24th, 25th and 26th 2025.

updated 04-26-2025

Early Bird Special..... Register by June 1st 2025

take $30.00 off are regular registration price per person.

Registration is now open for the 2025 Photographer's Rendezvous.
Click the above 2025 Rendezvous registration tab for registration the form.

You’re invited to the

  2025 Photographer’s  Rendezvous.

  St. Francis Retreat Center. San Juan Bautista, Ca.

            Friday October 24th. through Sunday the 26th. 2025.

The 2024 Photographer’s Rendezvous at St. Francis Retreat center far exceeded everyone's expectation last year with 40 attending. The work shown and our guest speaker Steven Johnson was outstanding. The food was excellent and to everyone's liking. The accommodations and meeting area were perfect for us and more than fulfilled our needs. Plus..... the Retreat Center is in a beautiful, secluded location, just minutes away from Mission San Juan Bautista.
This year the Retreat Center has upgraded our lodgings and meeting room to a more modern facility closer to the dining area. we’re planning a full itinerary for our weekend event. With what we all have come to expect from the Rendezvous; first and foremost, showing and viewing of portfolios. Plus, our guest speaker, group discussions and social events. We will also have the full run of the Retreat Center's extensive grounds and buildings to photograph and enjoy. With the only place being off limits the Friary.
If you're new to the Rendezvous, this is an opportunity to meet other photographers, exchange ideas, prints, and show your art work in front of supportive, non-judgmental group of fellow photographers. Looking around our group, there's over 2000 years of photographic experience in both darkroom and digital photography and all their exciting media crossovers. Have a burning photographic question? Ask around! And I'm sure you'll find the answers you're looking for. Most show exceptional photographic/digital prints and drone photography. Some show work that's wonderfully different in various media. All are extremely interesting and thought provoking. A few will take your breath away.

What to expect? This will be an “Original Formula Rendezvous” in the 30 years + of the Al Weber Rendezvous tradition. Your reservation fee includes:

2 nights double or single occupancy in a modern motel like room.
All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch.
Show prints, media and works in progress.
Individual portfolio presentations.
The Wild West table: Give away, sell or trade books, artwork & equipment.
Presentation of the $1,000.00 Baker Morrell Scholarship.
Print swap (optional).
Inspirational speakers.
Evening social events with refreshments and snacks.

We are limited to just 40 rooms his year and are expecting a full house.

Photographer's Rendezvous 2025 Itinerary

Friday October 24th. 2025.

4:00 pm. Room check in at St. Francis Retreat Center.
5:00 to 6:00 pm. Social hour. Gather in dining-room to meet old friends and make new ones. Refreshments (wine, beer, sodas and water) and snacks will be served.
6:00 pm. Dinner will be served in the dining room.
7:30 Discussion of future of the Rendezvous.
8:30 pm Baker Morell Scholarship award to recipient then start portfolio reviews until 10:00 pm.

Saturday October 25th. 2025.

8:00-9:00 am. Breakfast in the dining room (not mandatory).
9:30 am. Continue portfolio reviews until lunch.
12:00-1:00 pm. Lunch served, in the dining room.
1:30 pm. Rendezvous' group photograph. Continue portfolio reviews.
4:30 pm. Break until social hour.
5:00-6:00 pm. Social Hour in the dining room.
6:00 pm. Dinner in the dining room.
7:30 pm. Guest speaker, to be announced. Continue portfolio presentations until 10:00. If time permits, we can have a discussion about next year’s Rendezvous.

Sunday October 26th. 2025.

8:00-9:00am. Breakfast served in the dining room (not mandatory).

**10:00 am. Rooms must be vacated by 10am.

1000–12:00 am. Continue presentations and then print swap.
12:00-1:00 pm. Lunch in the dining room.

We must all leave the Retreat Center by 2:00 pm Sunday.

Please note: The itinerary will change as we get a clearer view of the coming Rendezvous and how many people will attend.

The Retreat is in a secluded, serine area just minutes away from San Juan Bautista Mission and town. Meeting rooms are spacious and well lighted. The grounds are extensive, easily accessible and offers us motel style rooms with two beds and a full bathroom. Included are, three daily meals, 6 in all, served at 8-12-6 O’clock. And….. We’re free to photograph anywhere we please as long as we respect the privacy of other’s. For those of us who like to photograph elsewhere or dine out, we are free to come and go as we please from the Retreat 24/7. For more information about St. Francis Retreat Center…….. https://www.stfrancisretreat.com/.

I dropped by the St. Francis Retreat Center in June, after this Winter’s rains, the Retreat Center looked amazing, if full bloom. The lake was full to overflowing with most of the center island submerged (photos below).
Any questions... please contact me Bruce Carter at [email protected]

The Rendezvous was held November 3rd,4th and 5th 2023.

After over two years in Pandemic Purgatory, we had our 2022 Rendezvous in October. Twenty-four of us met at St. Francis Retreat Center (https://www.stfrancisretreat.com/). to celebrate photography and to see one another again. The work shown was excellent with the added bonus of having a private photo-shoot of Mission San Juan Bautista (thanks to Martin!!).
St. Francis Retreat Center far exceeded everyone's expectation last year. The accommodations and the health conscious food were excellent and to everyone's liking. So we booked it again for this year's Rendezvous.
The meeting area was perfect for us and more than fulfilled our needs. Plus..... the Retreat Center is in a beautiful, secluded location, just minutes away from Mission San Juan Bautista.
This year we're planning a full itinerary for our weekend event. With what we all come to the Rendezvous for; first and foremost, showing and viewing of portfolios, our guest speaker, scholarship award, group discussions and social events. We will also have the full run of the Retreat Center's extensive grounds and buildings to photograph and enjoy (the only the Friary is off limits).
If you're new to the Rendezvous, this is an opportunity to meet other photographers, exchange ideas, prints, and show your artwork in front of supportive, non-judgmental fellow photographers. Looking around our group, there's over 2000 years of photographic experience in both chemical and digital photography and all their exciting media crossovers. Have a burning photographic question? Ask around! And I'm sure you'll find the answers you're looking for. Most show exceptional photographic/digital prints and drone photography. Some show work that's wonderfully different in various media. All are extremely interesting and thought provoking. A few will take your breath away.
What to expect? This will be an “Original Formula Rendezvous” in the 30 year + Al Weber tradition. Your reservation fee includes:

Two nights, double or single occupancy in a motel like room.
All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch are included.
Show prints, media and works in progress.
The Wild West table: Give away, sell or trade books, artwork & equipment.
Print swap (optional).
Inspirational speakers.
Evening social events with refreshments and snacks.

Schedule of events for the 2023 Photographer's Rendezvous

Friday November 3rd.

4:00 Pm. Room check in at St. Francis Retreat Center.
5:00 to 6:00 Pm. Social hour. Gather in dining-room to meet old friends and make new ones. Refreshments (wine, beer, sodas and water) and snacks will be served.
6:00 Pm. Dinner will be served in the dining room.
7:00 Rex Naden will give a presentation on a group participation book honnering Al.
8:00 to 10:00 Start Portfolio reviews. Plus...our Monday night Speaker, Debra Achen.

Saturday November 4th.

8:00-9:00 Breakfast in the dining room (not mandatory).
9:30 Start our portfolio presentations.
12:00-1:00 Lunch served, in the dining room
1:30 Rendezvous' group photograph by Larry Angier. Continue portfolio and media presentations.
4:30 Break until social hour.
5:00-6:00 Social Hour in the dining room.
6:00 Dinner in the dining room.
7:00-8:00 Our guest speaker Debra Achen will give her presentation.
8:00-10:00 Continue portfolio presentations, with a break to discuss the future of the Rendezvous.

Sunday November 4th.

8:00 Breakfast served in the dining room.
9:00 Until noon, finish presentations, Print Swap.
10:00 Room check out.
12:00-1:00 Lunch in the dining room.

We must all leave the Retreat Center by 2:00 Pm Sunday.

Please note: The literary will change as we get a clearer view of the coming Rendezvous.

 

The 2022 Photographer's Rendezvous

Was an unequivocal success.

I couldn't be happier!

The 2022 Photographer's Rendezvous was so successful that all attending unanimously voted to hold it at St. Francis Retreat Center next year. Consequently, I've booked the Center for our Rendezvous next year. Dates and more information will soon be announced.

Barbara and Fernando Retire!

What's next for the Rendezvous?

Barbara, Fernando and I met at Scotty’s Café in Vallejo (a 1930's coffee shop) to discuss the future of the Rendezvous Post Pandemic and their retirement from actively planning, managing and schlepping things around the Rendezvous. They’ve been taking very good care of us ever since Al’s departure and now it's time for them to take a step back into an advisory role and take care of each other. We can all agree that without Barbara and Fernando there would have been no Photographer's Rendezvous. Al would have been very proud of their dedication to his vision of teaching and the quality of speakers, events and programs that they put together for our benefit. We’re all are looking forward to having them as our honored guests at future Rendezvous.

     To be honest, Barbara and I are the same age and going through many of the same adventures in ageing. When the Batista-Moons decided to retire I came very close to joining them. It’s clear to me that I can't handle all that's involved with the Rendezvous by myself. I will need the help of new partners and new ideas from our group to keep the Rendezvous going. To that end, I've reached out to several in our group who Barbara, Fernando and I thought could be part of a new Rendezvous partnership. In addition to one or two more principals, we’ll need additional volunteer help in other areas and on the ground during the Rendezvous.

    A terrible lot has happened in the last two years, dramatically changing many people’s lives and locations. We all need to take the time to update the Rendezvous contact list. It’s our only ways of contacting you with the latest information about the Rendezvous, either by email, USPS mail or our website www. photographersrendezvous.com. Therefor, it’s critical we have your up-to-date contact information to keep you informed.

  Please help us stay in touch by updating your email and USPS mailing address. Let us know (Yes! No! or maybe?) if you would like to attend the October, 2022 Photographer’s Rendezvous in King City.

Sincerely,

Bruce Carter

    Please send us your current contact information. Name, email, USPS mail address and optional phone number plus your plans for the 2022 Photographer’s Rendezvous.

  Email to   [email protected]

  Or Mail to --------        Photographer's Rendezvous
C/O Bruce Carter
144 Fleming Ave.
Vallejo Ca.94590

We want to thank all those who participated in our 2020 online portfolio presentation.

All the work presented was very good (I hope you've had a chance to take it in). I'm looking forward to more of our group joining us in our digital presentations.
The digital portfolio opens up many possibilities for our upcoming
2021 Photographer's Rendezvous on Zoom.
P.S.
If you missed the 2020 portfolio presentations scroll down to our list of 2020 presenters and click their links.

The high point of the Rendezvous has always been the portfolio presentation, seeing new work, improved craft and inspired imagery. There's nothing better than a stunning image on a beautifully executed print.
  But what about the digital images ??
This past year we had the opportunity to begin exploring digital imagery for our portfolio presentation. We posted the links on our website of those who wish to present a digital portfolio of their work.
Even though only a small number of our group could post links to their portfolio on such short notice. The presentations were a glowing success.
Thank you to all who made presentations!
For leading the way to our 2021 Photographer's Rendezvous Zoom presentations.

2020 presenters and their portfolio link below.

1.) Sherry Hayne     www.carrizozoarts.com/sherry-hayne.

2.) Andrew Orr https://www.andrew-orr.com/california-condors

3.) Annie Pike    https://avpike.com/covid-covids/

4.) Javier F Alonso http://javiersphotographystudio.square.site/

5.) Karen Howard    https://youtu.be/UcsFCxZCXPU
Karen requests that only members of our group share in her work.
6.) Larry Angier https://lazo-lightwriter.myportfolio.com

7.) Elisabeth Sillars https://photos.app.goo.gl/eACbmdYZKXcup3bH6

   8.) Paul Sillars https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZv2HWQZbQcFXmtS8

  Our friend Jan Pietrzak passed away unexpectedly
Monday in his sleep, during a short hospitalization.

  We ask that you give his wife Gail the time and space she need.

If you have questions? Please feel free to contact us.
Contact us at [email protected]
Or Barbara at ...... [email protected]

The 2019 Rendezvous

group shot

Mission San Antonio de Padua

We have a winner for the 2019 Baker/Morrell Scholarship

Sylvia Gardner

Sylvia will be presented with the award at the Rendezvous. Then give a brief presentation of her work and where she wants to take it.
More information, samples of her work, click on Sylvia's pull down under the Scholarship button above.

 Back by popular demand !

Ted Orland & Mark Citret in Conversation.

"The Artist in Residence"

Mark and Ted will hold an open conversation about artist in residence programs. Both have a wealth of information, personal experiences. And, I'm sure, witty repartee to share about their own residencies. Ted and Mark will be available to answer your questions at times during their program.

Both Mark and Ted have extensive expertise in photography with a life times worth of experiences.
Please take time to look at their accomplishments and photographs through the pull downs under the speaker tab.

         This years guest speaker

  Richard 'Rick' Murai

Rick's ongoing fascination with world religion and culture has generated repeated visits to sacred sites within Asia, Europe, India, the Middle East, Russia, and South America. And given rise to several major portfolios.
His work has been exhibited widely and garnered awards from All About Photo, Center for Photographic Art, Spider Awards and Travel Photographer of the Year (UK). And has been featured in respected publications including B&W Magazine, Photographer’s Forum, Silver Shots International, Shots, and multiple issues of Lenswork print and special editions.

  Rick will be hosting the enticing "The Three Kingdoms" workshop in South East Asia, February, 2020.
Join Rick on an inspiring photographic journey to the magical and sacred sites of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, February 10-24, 2020 (by the Center for Photographic Art). For information: https://bit.ly/2MZATgM

To view more of his work: richardmurai.com

For Ricks work and more information use the pull down under the speaker tab above.

$1000.00 award for aspiring photographer
  for more information click on 'Scholarship' above.
The Scholarship is open to anyone who uses the photographic process in their work
  and needs a economic boost to help it happen.
Deadline for the scholarship applications has been pushed back to September 7th.
So that new matriculating students will have a opportunity to apply.

     For registration forms please click "Signup" pull down on the above toolbar.

2019 Photographer's Rendezvous

Your invitation letter has been mailed !

   By a overwhelming show of hands, our group voted to hold the 2019 Rendezvous at Mission San Antonio de Padua, California.   http://missionsanantonio.net
Barbara, Fernando and I have been working hard to make this a reality, hammering out the final details for this years Rendezvous.

The Rendezvous at the Mission presents several challenges. It's isolated location means that there are no services. Closest motels, restaurants, groceries, gas, etc. are 26 miles away in King City (an hour plus round trip). We are providing Rooms and all meals with this years Rendezvous reservation. Please no exceptions

What's included with this years Rendezvous :

1.) Camping...Yes!...
  The site is more primitive than San Lorenzo Park. No water or electric hookups are available at this time. So... You'll need to be self contained. Port-O-Potties on site. ADA compliant Bathroom facilities with showers are included and are available in the Mission.

2.) Rooms at the Mission:
  Thirty double or single occupancy rooms will be available at the Mission with shared bathrooms, which are ADA compliant. Each room has been restored and has it's own lavatory.

3.) All meals included:
In addition to our Saturday Night Barbecue. All meals breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Friday evening through Sunday morning. Catering by Cork & Plough.
Yes! We do speak Vegetarian.

4.) The Wild-West Table rides again!
Unencumbered and without restrictions, bring what you want to give away, trade or sell (or ....donate to our Scholarship Fund).

5.) Dogs... Yes! and No!
The Mission has a strict No dog policy for Mission buildings, courtyard and grounds.
Dogs are welcome only in the campgrounds and surrounding open space.   Remember.... The Mission is on the edge of a
wild area, predation of your pet is possible. We love our pets ... Keep 'Em Safe!

6.) The Scholarship award:
The Scholarship fund will be awarding $1000.00 to a aspiring photographer. The award is open to all who wish to apply.
For more information and to apply for the Scholarship please contact us at [email protected]

Please be aware that our plans may change as they develop. We'll keep you informed.

Special note:
Your reservation package includes your choice of room with meals or camping with meals. You can opt out of staying or eating at the mission. But, you'll still have to pay for the whole reservation package (room or camping plus meals), no deductions, no refunds. If you plan to stay somewhere else, chose "Camping", it's your least expensive option.

Cancellation Policy:
We Know that sometimes things just don't work out the way we plan. If something comes up and you need to cancel your reservations this is what you can expect:
You can expect a refund of your reservation fee if you cancel one month or more before the Rendezvous, minus a $25.00 admin fee. If you cancel your reservation less than one month before the Rendezvous, you can expect a refund minus $180.00 to cover our non refundable costs.
  All refunds will be mailed out shortly after this years Rendezvous.

For more information. Please contact us at > [email protected]

Thank you Larry for this years group photo

Thanks to your generous donations,

The Baker Morrell Scholarship

will give a $1000.00 cash award to an aspiring photographer at

The 2019 Photographer's Rendezvous.

For information about or to apply for the scholarship please contact me at.

[email protected]

Thank you all for attending

  this years Rendezvous.

Without each one of you participating, there would be no Rendezvous.

A special thanks to everyone who contributed to the Scholarship Fund.

This year we awarded the Baker/Morrell Scholarship to Carlos Castro, a aspiring young photographer documenting the struggles and hopes of his transitioning community.
  With the Scholarship Fund we were able to introduce two new photographers to our group. Offering them the combined wealth of our photographic knowledge.
Our recipients were Blown Away by the open acceptance, quality of work and diverse photograph styles that we showed.
Without your help, much would be lost to younger photographers as photography makes it's transition into the instant (or faster) digital age.

I wonder what Quantum photography will be like?

Nolan Preece:
This year's guest speaker, Nolan Preece's presentation was nothing short of amazing. He creates some the most enchanting imagery I'v seen, using a camera less photographic process. Please check out his website for a real visual treat. http://www.nolanpreece.com


   See you next year at the

2019 Photographer's Rendezvous.

For more information about this years Guest Speaker, click

Nolan Preece on tool bar above.

Click here for Nolan's website http://www.nolanpreece.com

His ongoing show in New York

www.walterwickisergallery.com/upcoming1804-nolanpreece

Thank you for all your hard work!

.... Barbara, Fernando, Bruce, Virginia, Jack and the volunteers
who made this years Rendezvous such a success.

Special thanks to Joe Enos

for taking on and mastering the Al Weber Memorial project.

Al's Memorial Portfolio

After months of anticipation.... Finally!.... We got to see the portfolio first hand.
And it did not disappoint

Kudos for Joe Enos who took on the portfolio project with great passion, for all us to contribute to a fitting memorial to Al Weber. With a little guidance from Larry Angier and the loving support of his wife Rosie and of course, all who contributed photographs, Joe organized and produced a stunning commemorative portfolio for Al.
As we all know, getting any group of photographers on the same page is like trying to herd hungry cats through a fish market.

Thank you Joe! For a job well done.

The Foundation for

Photographic Preservatio

FfPP
www. foundationforphotographicpreservation.org

Ben Garfinkle is spear heading FfPP'S drive to raise awareness and money to identify and preserve photographic collections that might otherwise be lost to to future generations. And to help locate suitable institutions that would accept those collections.
As we can all recall, this was Al's pet project to preserve these priceless personal photographic collections from forever disappearing into landfill.
It is important to preserve our photographic heritage so that others can see the lives that we've lived and the changes that we've seen. And ... hopefully.... learn from them.

Please contact Ben Garfinkle if you wish to donate money, equipment.
.....or if you have questions about FfPP.

FfPP
c/o Ben Garfinkle
8386 Capwell Dr.
Oakland, CA 94621
[email protected]

It's been over a year since

The call I never wanted to get:

Saturday, February 27th , Suzie Weber called to tell me Al had passed that morning at 2:15 from complications of Diabetes.

Al did so much for so many.

Happy Trails Al's

BC

Susie has so much to deal right now with Al's passing. We're asking that you hold off on condolences and give Susie the personal space she needs to morn passing her husband, soulmate and best friend.

Their will be no funeral service.
We do plan to have a memorial gathering for Al at the Rendezvous, for all to attend.

'Together again in Paradise' By PAUL CHRISTEAN

I know that by now Al Weber, Don Cameron, Wynn Hutchings, and Dick Baker are lifting a glass to us all with a little something Dick mixed up for the occasion (I'm guessing the best Martini in Paradise).

       American Flat Missing!!

I was on my back from a trip up 395 in the Eastern Sierra's and decided to show my son Ben and fellow photographer Susan How American Flat (where the first rendezvous was held in 1982).
   After traveling out on the mining road and expecting to see the familiar sight of the skeletal remains of my beloved, abandon, cyanide reduction mill. I saw nothing. Just the unbroken valley below me. I thought some how I had missed the turn or was on the wrong road. Traveling further down the road I realized the the mill was missing, completely gone, as though some giant alien hand had snatched it up and taken it away.
   There was literally nothing left but the end wall of one small concrete building with pitched roof and wide window, leaning back against dirt covered rubble. Above the window was written in big black painted letters was " F___ " and on a sheet of plywood behind the window opening was painted "Never Forget". All else was a nicely contoured slope.
I'm guessing, using the Overbearing from elsewhere with rubble from the mill buried beneath) and think the local kids wrote "Never Forget".

I'm with the kids on this one.

  "NEVER FORGET !!"

The Photographer's Rendezvous 2016

invitations have been mailed.

If you didn't get an invitation and would like one please contact us at( [email protected] )
Please note the Rendezvous sign up form is available for self printing on our website under 'Sign Up'> 'Sign Up form 2016' on the above tool bar.

Recently, we've lost two well known luminaries in our group:
Wynn Hutchings (Dec 14th, 2015)
Don Cameron (Jan 18th 2016)

For more information.....Please click their names under Al Weber's on above tool bar.

You're invited to:

The Photographer's Rendezvous King City

2016 October 14th through 16th

Put it on your 2016 Calendar and plan to be there.

The Rendezvous is stirring after a long Winter’s nap. The staff , Barbara, Fernando, Virginia and I are hard at work, making sure that this year’s Rendezvous (October 14th-16th) will be the best we've ever presented. Your official mailed invitation will be on it’s way soon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 2022 Photographer's Rendezvous Was an unequivocal success. I couldn't be happier!

Both Mark and Ted have extensive expertise in photography with a life times worth of experiences.Please take time to look at their accomplishments and photographs through the pull downs under the speaker tab.

The 2022 Photographer's Rendezvous

Was an unequivocal success.

I couldn't be happier!

Both Mark and Ted have extensive expertise in photography with a life times worth of experiences.
Please take time to look at their accomplishments and photographs through the pull downs under the speaker tab.