Experience the Blue Ridge Mountains in Autumn
During Peak Fall Foliage SEason
There are five spots available each weekend for the 2026 Blue Ridge Photography Workshop. Led by 25 year veteran photojournalist Sean Rayford, during the peak of fall foliage season in western North Carolina.
Oct 2-4, 2026
Oct 9-11, 2026
Oct 16-18, 2026
Oct 23-25, 2026
The Blue Ridge Youtube Creators Workshop is for creators looking for life changing experiences with visual storytelling in the mountains of southern Appalachia during peak fall foliage season.
And it’s for creators looking for a unique experience on a spiritual level.
As a South Carolina based photojournalist covering the biggest storms in North America I’ve come to the mountains of my neighbor state each fall to use the challenging landscape as training grounds for my work — as seen in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine and beyond.
This workshop is for beginner and intermediate YouTube creators. As career photojournalist who recently launched and monetized their first Youtube channel in 13 months — with zero camera gear reviews, I’ll combine what I know from a career in visual storytelling and my niche success on YouTube — into a weekend program to elevate your journey as a creative.
There will be an official group campsite that will serve as our field classroom. You don’t have to stay here, but if you want easier access to me, workshop resources and the exchange of valuable information with other campers —we’ll be here.
The campsite will also be located for good access to spots to start your morning. Since you’ll probably be getting up early to catch sunrise, this is one of our first logistical challenges. But as a photojournalist, logistics are my specialty — and it’s here where I help you take things to the next level.
What about bad weather?
I’ve covered more than a dozen of the biggest storms in the US during the last decade. Weather is challenging but it’s beautiful and damn interesting on this landscape.
As a career photojournalist, using a micro camper van covering extreme weather — logistics are my specialty. I’ll use that expertise and my 2,000+ miles of experience on the Blue Ridge Parkway during the peak of fall foliage season to help you make best use of your time in the mountains.
I’ll also help you take your channel to the next level by identifying your personal and specific goals for the workshop. Are you looking to sell a product, service, find partnerships or for ad revenue?
What is realistic and how can you get there?
Students can partner or form groups or go their own way in the field. I’ll facilitate that.
What about power and communications at the campsite?
You are in luck, this is also my specialty and communications technology with an array of solar and portable battery solutions will be available at the field campsite. I’ll make sure they are topped off for your charging needs.
What about food?
Each morning at the campsite I’ll have fresh fruit, nuts and trail mix for students, depending on their preference. At lunch I’ll have a grill, burgers, dogs, salads, and the fruit and nuts and a veggie tray. For dinner, I’ll grab you a personal togo item or meal. I’ll be able to keep it refrigerated. This will maximize your time in the field.
Breakfast and dinner expenses are covered by the worksop but students will pay for their dinners.
What about restrooms?
We will stay at a campsite that has restroom facilities of some type — or in an extreme scenario you will be given a shovel and a brand new personal folding toilet and directions.
Where is the campsite?
The first two weeks of the workshop we will be south of Asheville near Waynesville, Slyva or Maggie Valley and the third week, north of Asheville near Linnville.
Students will be responsible for booking their own campsite or lodging.
What if a hurricane comes?
I’m a working photojournalist and spend all year preparing for hurricanes. Fall foliage season in western North Carolina overlaps with hurricane season. There’s small chance that I’d have to deploy for this type of work — but this workshop is a lot about logistics and how prepare you before the workshop and my contingency plan that is in place. Each student will get 2 hours of video chat or phone time prior to the workshop.
You’s get a full refund on the workshop but I will have prepared an outline for your trip and you are more than welcome to follow through on you own. All students also get 1 hour of follow-up video chat or phone conversation — which you’ll also still receive.
Hurricane altered workshop students will receive any workshop in 2027 at 50% off. I know you’ll take advantage of this because of how good your experience was in 2026 because of our planing.
Some people talk about luck, like it sits next to a pot of gold in the near Rough Butt Bald at milepost 425 on the The Blue Ridge Parkway. This workshop is about how luck sits at the intersection of preparation and opportunity.
For your chance to secure one of 15 truly unique experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall of 2026, sign up with your email to receive announcements when I open reservations.
During your weekend, you may share the field classroom and campsite with photography students attending a parallel workshop. The total group size is limited to five students across both programs, ensuring small-group guidance and plenty of one-on-one time.
We will do all of this by respecting the land, wildlife and other people we encounter while visitors to this land. This is home to some of our greatest natural resources and Cherokee tribal land.