Myrtle Beach Photography Workshop
July 3-5, 2026
1 Day $799 / 2 Days $1299
Photos by Sean Rayford for Getty Images
In this photo workshop I help you identify your goals and challenges as a photographer during a pre-field day zoom session and you’ll get a custom workshop outline. During the workshop, I walk you through where I’d go at what time if I was on an assignment for a wire service covering the big holiday weekend Myrtle Beach. Here, we tackle the pain points we found in the diagnosis process.
My name is Sean and I’ll be your instructor. Ive been a photojournalist and I kinda love Myrtle Beach. Of course I do. I am a photographer.
On assignment for Getty Images during a Memorial Day weekend, I ran into Bruce Gilden. So, if you’re curious about the visual value of Dirty Myrtle, it’s Gilden approved.
I first came to Myrtle Beach almost forty years ago, on vacation with the family from Maryland. Now, as a photojournalist based in South Carolina, working for the New York Times, Getty Images, the Associated Press and others — I consistently find myself on assignment here. It’s fun and it’s kinda trashy at times. But it’s always visually engaging for me. In Myrtle Beach I’ve covered snow, fires, hurricanes, holidays, politics and sports. The wire service summer tourism assignments are my favorite and on this workshop, I’ll take you through my process as s photojournalist covering Fourth of July weekend.
What photographers say about Sean’s Instruction
“If you don't know where you want to go, you can't set your GPS. This [workshop] reeled me in and I feel like I have a trajectory. I can set my GPS now. I think it gave me chills.”
-Elisa
“Hearing directly from someone actively working at a high level shortens the learning curve and gives clear direction on how to carve out space for yourself. Sean doesn’t sugarcoat challenges, but provides guidance to make the work sustainable and approachable. I feel more prepared to focus, stay ethical, and continue producing meaningful work without getting lost in the noise.”
-Katherine Beard
“Sean has WAY more experience in the documentary photography/photojournalism and he was able to help me figure out a path to what I see as success.
-Jim Conyers
“As someone trying to break into the industry it was really helpful to finally speak with someone who has so much experience. I found Sean's ability to provide advice on a one on one basis really beneficial. Sean listened to where I was in my career, gave me realistic expectations about the industry, and encouraged me to start my own site to host photo essays.”
-Thomas Hunter
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
"Imagine Indiana Jones with a camera and a mini camper, half world-changing photographer and half adventurer." -The Free Times (Columbia, SC)
As a photojournalist based in Columbia, South Carolina, I’ve covered the Palmetto State since 1997. In 1983, Princess Diana read to my classmates and me when I was living in Alice Springs, Australia.
A 2001 grad from the University of South Carolina, I’ve photographed thousands of assignments and tackled more than a hundred personal projects. In 2021, one of my photos was published in Time Magazine’s “Best Photos of the Year” and my photographs have been exhibited at The Columbia Museum of Art on multiple occasions. I’ve self published three photo books and more than a dozen photo zines. During the months of January and February I snowbird in Florida. My folks live near Daytona.
Photography has been an integral part of my life and career for nearly 30 years and I love sharing these types of experiences with others.
Before becoming a full-time photographer, I tended bar at a historic indie music venue for more than a decade. Before the music club, I was an assistant manager at a record store and an on-air DJ at WUSC 90.FM. Music has played a very significant role in my life and most of my friends are probably musicians.
I like the outdoors, rivers and boats. My everyday driver is a micro camper-van.
