For photographers looking to dust off their skills, or build some new ones, summer photography workshops are a great way to score a learning vacation that can also be a tax write-off.

Sure, the programs can be a lot of work, but the beautiful settings, celebrity instructors and social collaboration are often stronger draws than the actual training.

We've compiled a list of our favorite summer and fall photography-workshop programs. If you work for a company that has a budget for vocational instruction, these are some of the best ways you could spend it. (Did we miss any? Please let us know in the comments.)

Maine Media Workshops
Location: Rockport, Maine
Enrollment: Class-dependent
Dates: All year
Description: We recommend checking out Bob Krist's "A Sense of Place: Digital Photography Workshop" in July. Krist’s work has been seen regularly in National Geographic Traveler and Smithsonian, and he's known for being a knowledgeable and giving instructor. What better way to spend a week of vacation than geeking out with a photographer who has been just about everywhere?

Photo: Bob Krist