What You’ll Do in this Columbia, SC Documentary Photography Workshop

This documentary photography workshop is for photographers who like working in the field and capturing real moments. It’s a personalized one-on-one experience, which accommodates beginners and experienced photographers.

This isn’t a “photo tour” — and it’s not a workshop where everyone takes turns making the same Instagram photo over and over. This is for photographers who want to pursue meaningful storytelling about real life.

 How is it personalized for each photographer?

Prior to the workshop, during a discovery call, we identify your goals and develop a project outline for your personalized workshop. The big question to answer: how narrow would you like to go?

For example, do you want to have a learning experience photographing a variety of things that Columbia has to offer — or do you want to explore a story about the city’s strange relationship with Pimento Cheese?

I’ll help you find, refine, and/or execute a documentary photography project in the city where I’ve worked as a photojournalist for more than 25 years.

What might a workshop experience look like?

Let’s pretend you’re also into fishing.

I’d suggest a project on the Saluda River, which meets the Broad in Columbia to form the Congaree. We’d find an angle to approach your project. For example, The Lower Saluda is fed by cold water from the bottom of Lake Murray and creates a unique ecosystem where folks can fish for cold water species, while standing on river banks lined with Spanish Moss.

And depending on how narrow you want to go, maybe we identify challenges faced by people and the resources— and hone in on how people rely and impact this environment.

I’d pull my resources and contacts from the fishing guide story I shot 15 years ago. I’d talk to my friend Chris, who was in a punk band called The Fishing Journal — because he loves fishing. I’d ask my friend Bill, the Congaree Riverkeeper, for leads and advice. I’d treat your project like I was going at my own.

We’d start at first light on the Lower Saluda, probably the most beautiful area of the South Carolina Midlands. If we haven’t arranged to meet people fishing, we’ll tackle approaching people in public. A very real scenario.

If you want to take things to the next level (for an additional fee) I can find a boat and a river guide.

After this morning session, we’d visit bait shops and local outfitters where you could photograph — and meet more local fishermen in different visual backdrops. We’d use the middle of the day to tackle these types of photos while looking for more leads for the afternoon and evening in the field.

By the time the light gets nicer after midday, hopefully, we’ve got a few people lined up, who will have us along for their adventures. This probably puts us where other folks are fishing.

Or maybe you’d like to photograph a project about a music scene? In that case, we will skip sunrise on the Saluda, unless a musician starts their day here.

In our discovery call, I’ll find out what music you’re into and what’s available here. In one scenario, I’d help you hook up with a local musician who is willing to let us tag along during their day.

This might include photographing a day job, a trip to the coffee shop or a last minute dash to find new strings. We’d end the day at their show. You’d be there to photograph load-in and load-out.

What You’ll Learn

If you want to tighten your storytelling skills, we find the challenges faced by the people in the scene. No matter the subjects you choose, I can help you plan, organize and execute a project that you can be proud of — and learn from.

You’ll walk away with new skills and a fresh body of work to add to your portfolio (if that’s what you are looking for). And most importantly — I want you feeling energized about your future with photography and life.

You’ll learn the nuances of successful projects and storytelling — graduating with more confidence in your approach. I’ve created these workshops based on what I’ve wanted as a younger photographer and what I’d look for now.

Why Columbia, SC is a Great Place to Tell Stories

Columbia’s a small southern state capital city with a wealth of historical, cultural and natural resources. It’s home to the largest Army training base in the nation and The University of South Carolina.

It sits at the confluence of two very different rivers and next to a gigantic man-made lake. It’s home to the #1 Farmers Market in the country, according to USA Today and where multiple James Beard nominees operate restaurants.

The area population is diverse. The arts scene is vibrant and if you like barbecue, we won’t let you down.

Our most famous export was once the most popular band in the world — Hootie in the Blowfish. At the same time, Columbia claims responsibility for the sounds of internationally acclaimed hardcore band, Stretch Arm Strong, chill-wave pioneer Toro y Moi, and Grammy nominee singers in the Metal and R&B categories (August Burns Red Vocalist Jake Luhrs and Angie Stone).

There’s a critically acclaimed zoo, several museums, boutique hotels, First Thursdays art crawls and a vibrant city life surrounded by the South Carolina midlands. It’s also where I’ve lived and worked as a photojournalist for decades.

Columbia offers what bigger cities and tourist traps can’t — real people operating at a slower pace of life with a blend of influences and contradictions that haven’t been over-exposed. And because of its size, its easier to navigate.

And in the south, hospitality opens doors. People have time for you. We live at a slower pace and that means more opportunities to connect. That said, Columbia is not a place you come for street photography. People will rearrange their whole day to avoid walking into your photo of a street corner.

If you’re curious I publish a monthly curated list of events in Columbia, SC here on my website.

Ready to explore your own story in Columbia? Schedule a phone call to get the ball rolling.