Artists don't often have the opportunity outside formal school to learn from other artists with experience. There is a long history of apprenticeship within the arts that seems to have fallen out of favor these days. And yet, some of the richest knowledge comes from observing the craft of an experienced artist. The DONMA workshop's goals include not only the opportunity to work in an environment that many individual artists don't have access to, it also is intended to be a learning experience, an opportunity to learn from others in the arts community with whom we don't often interact. It is for this purpose that we have created the new class of workshop attendee called "auditor."

As a workshop auditor, you will not be photographing models yourself. You will be observing the techniques of the working artists and acting as "assistants." You will be able to see firsthand the actual work that goes into directing a model's poses, setting up lighting, managing camera equipment, and all the support tasks that are the reasons photographer's have their own assistants. If you have had a fantasy about working on a photoshoot with a nude model but you don't know where to start, here's how you can get some firsthand experience. Talk to practiced photographers and models and ask those questions that you've wanted to get answered. See what goes on behind the scenes to achieve those breathtaking photos you admire. Learn tips and tricks for better lighting, finding the right angle, and knowing where to tell the model to look. Find out how to better communicate to get the shots you want to produce. You may have been taking photos on your own with limited success. This is an opportunity to get a boost with some firsthand participation assisting an experienced photographer.

This is a unique opportunity not offered before at most workshops like this, and is not for everyone. There are a very limited number of auditing slots open during the workshop. You will want to register early if you decide you will benefit more from auditing the workshop. Please remember that you will not be photographing any models if you are auditing. And you will be required to work throughout the day and assigned to a specific photographer. You will have less freedom than regular attendees and will not have the option to leave a session that you are assigned to work. This is the best way for you to get firsthand experience, but you should look at it as a job, not an opportunity to goof off and ogle models. You will learn just how much work goes into producing quality nude male photos.

The auditor positions only become available when a registrant with an exclusive arrangement requests they be assigned an assistant. Auditors will not be billed at the time of registration, but will be put on a waiting list and contacted in the order registration was received to fill any auditor slots that are created.