Documentary Photography Workshop: SEC Tailgate
Columbia, SC
November 6-8, 2026
The Mighty Sound of the South, The University of South Carolina Marching Band. (Photo by Sean Rayford)
In this workshop, we replicate my Saturdays working on my self published photo book, Great to be a Gamecock. Using an SEC matchup between South Carolina and Texas A&M, you’ll document a storied tradition of the American South, the SEC tailgate.
My name is Sean and I’ll be your instructor and mentor during this weekend workshop. I’ve been a photojournalist for more than 25 years and I currently freelance with Getty Images, The New York Time and The Associated Press. I no longer cover college football and instead chase hurricanes in September and October.
More than a decade ago I self-published a photography book about Gamecock football fans tailgating on Saturdays in the South. Each home game I treated the scene outside the 80,000 capacity stadium like a street photography scene and as the season progressed I developed more strategy with my visual storytelling. I had so much fun with that project that I took it to Clemson the following year.
Friday night we meet for dinner as a group, cover logistics and answer questions. Then you’ll photograph the Aggie pre-game yell practice. This Aggie tradition typically takes place on the statehouse steps. If you want to photograph the nightlife pregame or postgame, I’ve got advice but I will be going to bed.
On Saturday, we’ll meet a discussion, park near the stadium and share golf carts to get into the mix. I’ll use my book project to tell folks what different areas of the tailgating experience offer — and important info like where and when the teams normally enter the stadium. You’ll get a physical map of the stadium area and a time slot for one-on-one instruction.
The morning following the game, we meet for brunch where I review your raw take, giving feedback on culling and sequencing. Students will then participate in a round table where we talk about one thing we learned. You can anticipate an 11am-1pm slot for the brunch review.
If you have tickets and want to go the game, you will not be able to bring any medium or telephoto lenses inside. This workshop is not about the game.
If you end up at the game, be prepared for a long weekend. A noon game makes it more manageable. Which brings up our primary variable, time of kickoff, which we won’t know until October.
There are three main goals for this workshop:
Skills and strategies that you can take with you where and whenever you travel in the future
A great experience at an SEC tailgate
A photo story that you can add to your portfolio or pass to future generations
None of the meals, nor tickets to the game are included in this workshop. Lodging is the responsibility of the student. The workshop tuition covers my time and knowledge. We will share golf cart transportation fees based on how much you use them.
$30 should cover the round trip. Plan to pay $25 for parking but I’ll probably secure spots at no cost. You can also walk more, bring or rent a bicycle. Just ask about the latter and I can point you in the right direction.
If you’ve ever been to an SEC tailgate you know that it’s one of a kind, with each school adding their twists and traditions. Williams Brice Stadium regularly sells out with more than 80,000 seats.
This photo workshop is for intermediate and advanced photographers. If the weather gives us some rain, we will address how to work through wet conditions with gear. If it’s a washout, I’ll hold an in person workshop that day and offer a 50% credit on my other photo workshops.
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
Photos by Sean Rayford