Charleston & Savannah Photography Workshop

About the Charleston & Savannah photography workshop

This small-group workshop photographs two historic cities of the American South, where architecture, landscape, and atmosphere shape the way scenes are seen and captured. Charleston and Savannah each offer a distinct visual rhythm. Together, they offer two complementary ways of working, one rooted in structure and design and the other shaped by atmosphere and space. By visiting both, participants gain access to a wider range of photographic possibilities than either city alone. Andy will help you refine decisions that lead to stronger, more visually compelling photographs.

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. We prioritize locations that reward patience, where small shifts in position, timing, and framing make a meaningful difference.

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 focus on slowing down and simplifying by choosing where to stand, managing perspective, and deciding what not to include. The goal is to keep the structure of the scene clear, allowing color to support the composition instead of becoming the subject.

Finding structure and rhythm in designed landscapes

At a historic plantation and garden, we work with intentional design. Paths, plantings, and architectural elements create rhythm and order within the frame. The emphasis is on light, alignment between elements, and subtle framing choices that keep images cohesive and inviting to the eye.

Adapting to texture, space, and changing conditions

At a coastal boneyard beach, weathered trees and open space replace architecture and color as the primary visual elements. These scenes reward patience and thinking carefully about framing. We use texture and negative space, adjusting compositions as light, wind, and water change.

Savannah

Working with space and restraint

Savannah offers a very different sense of space than Charleston. Locations such as Bonaventure Cemetery, Forsyth Park, and Wormsloe provide openness and natural separation between elements, which can make it tempting to include too much in a single frame. We simplify these scenes by choosing fewer elements, paying attention to spacing and balance, and deciding when a composition is complete rather than continuing to add more.

Using repetition and depth to guide the eye

Savannah's oak-lined avenues naturally create rhythm and flow. We 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

Many of Savannah's strongest scenes reveal themselves in early morning. Transitional light allows subtle relationships to emerge between paths, trees, and open space. We pay close attention to timing, observation, and small refinements that turn simple scenes into well thought out photographs.

Why this workshop?

The workshop allows participants to slow down and refine ideas, and explore independently when conditions are right.

Photographing Charleston and Savannah calls for a different kind of attention. Instead of reacting to big moments, you learn to notice small ones, including how light moves across a facade, how repetition shapes a frame, and how a scene settles when you stop trying to improve it. That's the pace of the week. You'll learn solid technique and workflow, but just as importantly, you'll learn how 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.

Registration

Join us in spring to experience the timeless beauty of Charleston and Savannah.

→ Register for the Charleston & Savannah workshop

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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. During 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.

More workshop information