About M.A.R.S.
So much more than just a classroom
The MARS Experience?
As an all-inclusive, the overall MARS experience is unique, and unlike any other event of its kind. MARS is a certified PPA Community Network School, offering five days of immersive training, in an intimate, boutique environment. Classes have limited enrollment, so you are assured an exceptional learning experience. Some of the world’s most respected photographers and instructors come to teach at MARS. Talking one-on-one with your instructor, and getting to know your classmates, is incomparable. They’ll share their skills, life experiences and lessons learned during this week-long symposium.
Elevate Your Craft in a Community That Inspires
At MARS, you’ll learn in an environment of other photographers just as passionate as you, who want to take their image-making and business skills to the next level. The atmosphere is casual, comfortable and friendly, allowing everyone to feel unintimidated to ask questions. And making new friends is easy. Students come from all over the country, and each person brings their interests and backgrounds to create an eclectic group of like-minded individuals. The knowledge gained at MARS will inspire you, and allow you to take the concepts, techniques and ideas you’ve learned and implement into your own practices.
What's Our Goal?
Our goal is to provide students with an outstanding experience in education and friendship, where small class size provides relatively personal instruction. Proceeds go towards supporting MARS’ mission of providing a quality educational environment to professional and aspiring photographers in a facility within the Mid-Atlantic region. So when you attend and/or contribute to a MARS event, you make a direct impact in our goal!
Lodging
MARS convenes at the HYATT PLACE, in Dewey Beach, DE. This seaside resort hotel is your ‘home away from home’ for the week. Classes and all school functions are held in and around the hotel. Fabulous food is included in the tuition. Dine in style in the sun-drenched, open-air dining room, or take it outside to enjoy the fantastic views overlooking the bay. Join in the fun with parties on the beach, or just enjoy laid back conversation relaxing in an Adirondack chair while under an umbrella on the expansive deck. Take laps in the heated, indoor saltwater pool or work out in the fitness room. It’s all included.
Double occupancy is included with your registration and regular tuition. Private single occupancy rooms are available for an additional fee.
So why not bring your spouse or significant other to enjoy the locale while you take classes? They could relax on the deck and bask in the sun, sit on the beach, literally steps from the hotel, and watch the sunset, take a walk on the Boardwalk in Rehoboth (only minutes from the hotel). Or, they can take in the extraordinary shopping experience at the ‘mile of style’ Tangier Designer Fashion Outlets. Hundreds of name-brands and only minutes away! Then, catch up together during meals.
See the current additional rates.
Be advised MARS has no control over rooms outside of our week-long block, and the school will not be responsible, nor coordinate, any stay before Sunday, or past Thursday night (Friday morning).
HOWEVER
If you’re interested in coming in the day before the event so you are prepared for first thing on Sunday, or if you’re thinking about making an ‘extended vacation’ by arriving early (Friday Saturday) and/or staying later (Friday, Saturday), MARS has worked with our hotel to offer you a special group rate for Friday or Saturday night of only $239 / night (+ tx).
You can book your own “shoulder dates” directly by clicking BOOK MY EXTENDED STAY to access “our area” on their website (your discount will be factored in at checkout).
BOOKING NOTES –
- There are a limited number of “shoulder date” rooms available to MARS at a discounted rate.
- The cut-off date to book these “extra stay” rooms is April 10, 2026. After that date, the group rate is not guaranteed.
Book EARLY for best chance at getting a room.
Be advised, rooms for shoulder dates, before or after our event, are based on availability at the time of booking, are at the sole discretion of the hotel, and may not be available.
If you are lucky enough to score a room, it is at the hotel’s discretion of placement, and, as mentioned, may not be the same room you are assigned during the MARS week.
Our Location
Students and instructors will stay at the full-service Hyatt Place. This modern and new property is located right on Rehoboth Bay, and only steps from the Atlantic Ocean. The area boasts miles of beautiful beaches, and other local photo-ops just waiting to happen. To add to the adventure, Rehoboth Beach and Boardwalk, historic Lewes, and the 5000 acre Cape Henlopen State Park, are only minutes away. And for the ultimate adventure, an hour excursion south provides the rare opportunity to photograph the wild horses of Assateague Island!
And lastly, since Dewey Beach is on a barrier island only 2 blocks wide, you get the rare opportunity to photograph both sunrise and sunset (conditions permitting) without having to go far!
Transportation
If you are traveling by air, you will fly in to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). You can rent a car at the airport and make the approximate 2 hour drive yourself,
OR
you can sit back and relax, and take advantage of the MARS airport limo transportation. The cost is only $375 pp round trip and INCLUDES all tolls, gas, luggage fees and gratuities! To take advantage of this offer, complete the FLIGHT INFORMATION and PAYMENT page. Payment in full for shuttle service must be completed online NO LATER THAN APRIL 7.
PLEASE NOTE
Pickups at airport will be on Sunday starting at around 1 PM, so schedule your flight accordingly. We suggest getting a flight that arrives in Philly between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. Depending upon your arrival time, you may have to wait while the shuttle picks up other guests. The shuttle will pick up at around 1 pm.
Please be at your respective flight’s baggage claim ride-share area, where your driver will have a sign for MARS.
Transportation will be on the road to the hotel no later than 2:00 PM to arrive at the hotel around 4 pm.
Return trip to the airport from the hotel begins at noon on Friday. DO NOT schedule a return flight sooner than 4 PM.
If you have any questions regarding transportation, contact transportation@marsschool.com
If you are driving yourself, your destination is easily accessible from I-95, I-295, or the NJ Parkway. And if your location dictates, you can access the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. A gorgeous 1 1/2 hour ride across the Delaware Bay that costs roughly $50 RT. Lewes termial is only minutes from the hotel.