Charleston & Savannah Photography Workshop
Spring color, historic architecture, moss-draped oaks, and coastal textures—two cities, a week of field photography.
Workshop overview
Workshop video
About the Charleston & Savannah photography workshop
This small-group workshop focuses on photographing two historic Southern cities—each with a very different visual rhythm. In Charleston, we work carefully with architectural lines, perspective, and color to create intentional compositions. In Savannah, the emphasis shifts toward atmosphere, repetition, and softer light. Together, they give you two different ways of working, and enough varity to expand how you make decisions in the field.
Spring is an ideal season here. Mornings are cool and quiet. Foliage is fresh without being overwhelming. The pace of both cities allows us to work deliberately rather than reactively. We prioritize locations that reward patience—places where small shifts in position, timing, and framing matter more than covering ground.
Charleston
Simplifying architectural scenes with structure and color
Charleston's historic district presents dense visual information—layered facades, narrow streets, strong verticals, frequent distractions, and seasonal color. We'll focus on slowing down and simplifying: choosing where to stand, managing perspective, and deciding what not to include so the structure of the scene stays clear, with color used selectively to support the composition rather than compete with it.
Finding structure and rhythm in designed landscapes
At a historic plantation and garden, we'll work with intentional design—paths, plantings, and architectural elements that create rhythm and order. The emphasis is on light, alignment, and subtle framing choices that keep images cohesive and inviting to the eye.
Working with texture, space, and changing conditions
At a coastal boneyard beach, weathered trees and open space replace architecture and color. These scenes reward patience and careful framing. We'll work with texture, negative space, and shifting conditions, adapting compositions as light, wind, and water change.
Savannah
Photographing atmosphere without overcomplication
Bonaventure Cemetery offers mood and texture, but it's easy to overwork a scene here. We'll focus on restraint—using light, gesture, and spacing to suggest atmosphere without forcing it, and learning when a photograph is finished before adding more.
Using repetition and depth to guide the eye
Savannah's oak-lined avenues naturally create rhythm and flow. We'll study how repetition, layering, and depth work together, using position and focal length to guide the viewer through the frame without relying on dramatic light.
Photographing in soft, transitional light
Forsyth Park is best in morning. Early and transitional light allows subtle relationships to emerge between paths, trees, and open space. We'll focus on timing, observation, and small refinements that turn simple scenes into thoughtful photographs.
Workshop itinerary and schedule
Lodging
Courtyard Marriott, Savannah/Midtown6703 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31405
Lodging website · 912-354-7878 Comfort Suites West of the Ashley (Charleston)
2080 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
Lodging website · 843-769-9850
Daily outline
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Day 1 (Monday, March 23)
- — Meet in the hotel lobby for introductions and a brief overview of the week ahead.
- — Afternoon and golden-hour photography at Bonaventure Cemetery, followed by dinner.
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Day 2 (Tuesday, March 24)
Sunrise session featuring countryside ruins; breakfast in Savannah. Midday image review/processing time. Afternoon/evening photography featuring an oak lined lane and dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 3 (Wednesday, March 25)
Sunrise session in a Savannah city park; breakfast. Midday check-out and relocate to Charleston. Evening: early dinner, then a preview/practice session photographing driftwood at a boneyard beach until sunset.
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Day 4 (Thursday, March 26)
Morning: driftwood beach session; breakfast. Midday review/processing time. Afternoon: plantation and garden photography; dinner.
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Day 5 (Friday, March 27)
Morning: Charleston historic district. Midday review/processing time. Evening: dinner, then sunset behind the iconic Charleston bridge.
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Day 6 (Saturday, March 28)
Final morning session in Charleston's historic district. The workshop concludes after the morning shoot. If your schedule allows, consider extending your stay to explore additional locations on your own.
What to expect
- Morning: Early photography at a primary location, arriving before first light so there's time to work deliberately as the scene comes together. Sunrise is around 7:20 AM during this workshop.
- Midday: Slower hours for rest, image review, and discussion. On select days, post-processing help is available for participants who bring a laptop with Photoshop installed.
- Evening: Dinner is arranged either before or after photography. Sunset opportunities are limited, so we focus on locations that work well in late-day and early-evening light.
Note: Flower blooms, foliage, and beach conditions vary year to year. Rather than relying on any single element, we plan around light, composition, and subjects that photograph well in a range of conditions.
Registration
Join us in spring to experience the timeless beauty of Charleston and Savannah.
→ Register for the Charleston & Savannah workshop
On the next page, you'll find secure PayPal buttons. You can check out as a guest using your credit or debit card—no PayPal account required.
Workshop details
- Experience level
- Comfortable with camera basics — suitable for developing to advanced photographers.
- Group size
- Small group (target of 8 participants) for individualized help.
- Effort
- Low — most locations are a short, easy walk from parking; a few sites involve a 10–15 minute walk.
- Conditions
- Variable spring weather; mornings can be chilly, so dress in layers. Beach photography may involve getting calves and feet wet.
Getting to the workshop
Air travel
The most convenient airports are Charleston International Airport (CHS) and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV).
Driving and carpooling
Expect mostly paved roads throughout the workshop. We encourage participants to carpool when possible to reduce impact and build camaraderie. A standard rental car is sufficient.
Drive time between Charleston and Savannah: ~2 hours
Recommended gear
Lenses
Bring lenses ranging from at least 18mm to 200mm (full frame; consider crop factor if applicable) to cover architecture, parks, gardens, and coastal scenes.
Polarizing filter
A polarizer is essential for reducing glare and enhancing color—especially helpful for spring foliage, wet surfaces, and coastal conditions.
Workshop community
Why this workshop?
Photographing Charleston and Savannah calls for a different kind of attention. Instead of reacting to big moments, you learn to notice small ones—how light moves across a facade, how repetition shapes a frame, how a scene settles when you stop trying to improve it. That's the pace we work at during the week. You'll learn solid technique and workflow, but just as importantly, you'll learn how to slow down enough to make clearer decisions in the field.
Andy's role during the workshop is straightforward: help you make stronger photographs. He doesn't use workshop time to build his own portfolio. He's there with you—talking through composition, troubleshooting exposure, and helping you see what's working and what can be simplified. Instruction is practical, patient, and adapted to where you are, whether this is your first workshop or part of a longer photographic path.
Just as important as the photography is the atmosphere. Small groups, shared meals, early mornings, and unhurried conversations create a supportive environment where learning happens naturally.
FAQ
- How much time is spent learning versus photographing?
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Most of the learning happens while we're photographing. Instruction is woven into the field sessions through conversation, demonstration, and one-on-one feedback. You'll have time to work independently, but guidance is always available if you want it. The goal is to help you make better decisions while you're actually standing in front of a scene, not to interrupt the experience with constant teaching.
- Is this workshop appropriate if I'm still developing my skills?
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Yes. This workshop works well for photographers who understand the basics and want to improve how their images come together. You don't need advanced technical knowledge, but you should be comfortable using your camera without relying on automatic modes. Instruction is adapted to where you are—newer photographers build stronger foundations, while experienced photographers refine subtle choices.
- How much post-processing instruction is included?
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Post-processing support is available on select days, primarily through image review and optional Photoshop help. The emphasis is on understanding what a photograph needs to be finished well—not on complex techniques. You're welcome to participate as much or as little as you like. This workshop remains field-focused, with processing used to reinforce decision-making.
- What kind of conditions should I expect in spring?
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Spring conditions vary, which is part of the learning experience. Mornings can be cool, afternoons mild, and weather can change quickly. Flower blooms, foliage, and coastal conditions are never guaranteed. Rather than planning around specific elements, we focus on light, structure, and subjects that photograph well across a range of conditions.
- How physically demanding is the workshop?
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This is a low-effort workshop. Most locations are close to parking, with easy walking on flat ground. A few sites involve short walks of ten to fifteen minutes. Coastal sessions may involve sand and shallow water. You don't need to be highly athletic, but you should be comfortable standing and walking for moderate periods.