Sports Photography Workshops
Learn how to capture celebration shots and more in Columbia, SC with photojournalist Sean Rayford (Photo by Sean Rayford for The State Newspaper)
Photos and words by Sean Rayford
You can learn about sports photography many different ways. One route includes photography workshops where professionals bring their experience, skills and knowledge to help you tackle your challenges. A workshop can be a life changing experience and a great return on an investment. A workshop can also be disappointing.
Avoid the latter by making sure the workshop has clearly stated goals and that they align with yours. Do some research on the instructor. Have they walked the walk?
Key items to consider: How many students? Who is the instructor? How much? What sport(s)? Where? When?
Hopefully one of these sports photography workshops aligns with your needs an goals. Most of these workshops are in the United States with a few in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. I’ll update this page throughout the year. If you don’t see what your looking for, there’s a form at the bottom. Let me know what you’re looking for and maybe I’ll fill that gap myself.
Unique Photo - Temple Owls Football (Philadelphia / $100 / Autumn)
Photograph college football from lower-level seats in the North Endzone at Lincoln Financial Field. Available Sept 5 vs. Rhode Island, Sept. 26 vs Army, October 17 vs. Charlotte and Nov. 19 vs Rice. Workshop size limited to 15 students. (Sold Out)
Eclipse Sportswire Charles Town Classic Workshop (Aug. 28, 2026 / Ranson, West Virginia / $350)
Horse Racing Photojournalism Workshop at the Charles Town Races on August 28, 2026 in Ranson, West Virginia. Taught by Rob Carr, Director of Content for The Americas for Getty Images and Eclipse Sportswire founder and chief photographer Scott Serio. Limited to 15 students.
Brad Deel Sports Portraiture Workshop (July 11-12, Aug. 11 / South Carolina + Indiana / $999-$1750)
Learn about studio sports portraiture with Brad Deel and associates. Covering lighting, composition and how to work with athletes.
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Southern California’s London Jones #3 is fouled by Mia Moore, left, of the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter of a first round NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game at Colonial Life Arena on March 21, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Sean Rayford’s Sports Photography Workshop (Columbia, SC / Nov. 28, 2026 / $349)
Join NYT/Getty/AP freelance photojournalist in South Carolina learning about sports photography. Split between classroom and field experiences this photo workshop is limited to four students.
Documentary Photo Workshop: SEC Tailgate (Columbia, SC / Nov 6-8 / $699)
Spend the weekend learning about documentary photography and college football culture in the American South as the South Carolina Gamecocks face the Aggies of Texas A&M. Led by Getty/NYT/AP photojournalist Sean Rayford. Workshop limited to four students.
Matt Cohen Rodeo Photo Workshops (California / Aug. 27-27, Sept 20, Oct 2-3 / $399-$1499)
On-location sports and rodeo photography workshops since 2017 with a California focus.
Summit Workshops (San Francisco, New York, Denver / $2595)
Founded by sports photographer Rich Clarkson, Summit offers many different photography workshops across the United States, including a variety of sports photo workshops. Some workshops are sold out.
Patrick Murphy-Racey Sports Photography Workshop
The fourth annual Smoky Mountain Sports Photography Workshop recently took place in April of 2026. Taught by a former Sports Illustrated photographer, check back for updates on 2027.
Reed Hoffmann Sports Photography Workshop at Hartford Nationals (Hartford, CT / July 11-16, 2026 /Sold Out)
Limited to three students and built around the Hartford Nationals, this a week-long workshop at the disabled sports competition includes track and field, swimming, archery, tennis, shooting, paratriathlon, powerlifting and more.
NCAA Final Four Photography Workshops (April - Free)
Annual tuition-free workshop at the mens and women’s Final Fours. Applications typically due Dec. 31 the previous year.
Sports photography is about much more than capturing the action on the field, court, track or pitch. (Photo by Sean Rayford)
Cowboys & Wild Horses - (Yellowstone - Sept 15-21 / $5,495)
Spend a week in the American West photographing cowboys and wild horses with Jess Lee. Start in Cody, Wyoming Cody and head for the high country of the Beartooth Mountains
Equine Photographers Network (UK, Wyoming, Seville - May/Oct)
Photograph wild horses across the globe from the Switzerland Alps, Andalusia and the western U.S)
Paul David Smith Surf Photography Workshops
A bespoke 1-on-1 surf photography workshop in Cornwall, UK.
Mark Pain Sports Photography Workshops (UK)
UK based with multiple offerings of sports photography workshops
Jessops Academy Motorsports Workshops (August 15 - Snetterton, UK)
Motorsports Photography Workshop at a British GT Auto Race led by Pete Walker in coordination with Jessop Camera in New South Wales, Australia.
Sony Australia Action Sports Workshops - (North South Wales, Australia)
Live football action between Norhwest FC vs Wonston Hills Bears. (Sold Out)
Surfgirlnz Surf Photography Workshops (Raglan, New Zealand - Noosa, Australia)
Group workshops for women who love photography and surfing. Learn to use your camera and water housing, pose subjects with business advice in New Zealand and Australia.
South Carolina vs. Auburn / NCAA / Photo by Sean Rayford for AP