Photography Workshops in South Carolina

Learn photography and experience the American South with a private workshop led by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Do you want to do something more meaningful with your camera, while learning about photography? Maybe you’ve faced challenges approaching subjects or following through on personal projects? Maybe, you’ve found difficulty editing, culling and sequencing? Maybe you want to do some street photography in Charleston or see the mountains of Southern Appalachia? Maybe you want to self-publish in physical format with a photo zine or photo book?

Or maybe, you just want to have an awesome experience with your camera in the American South.

My name is Sean and I know that alligators won’t swim into the Lower Saluda. I know where to find boiled peanuts and where a Lt. Governor assassinated the first editor of the capital city daily newspaper — and I offer documentary photography workshops in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Asheville (NC).

As a photojournalist based in Columbia, South Carolina, I’ve covered the Palmetto State since 1997. A 2001 University of South Carolina alumnus, I’ve photographed thousands of assignments and tackled more than a hundred personal projects in the Carolinas.

In 2021, I contributed a photo to Time Magazine’s Best Photos of the Year while multiple photos appeared in the Hindsight 20/20 exhibit the same year at The Columbia Museum of Art.

I’ve self published three photo books and more than a dozen photo zines.

Before becoming a full-time photographer, I tended bar at a historic indie music venue for more than a decade. And the last ten years, I’ve regularly worked with the New York Times, Getty Images, The Associated Press and others.

Prior to working at the music club, I was an assistant manager at a record store and a DJ at a college radio station. Music has played a very significant role in my life and a large percentage of my friends are musicians.

I like to run and have been a runner most of my life. I like bicycles too. I’m pretty curious and am addicted to adventures.

I like the outdoors, rivers and boats. I roll in a micro camper-van.

And Princess Diana read to my classmates and me when I was living in Alice Springs, Australia.

My photography workshops are private sessions that include two 30-minute discovery calls, so I can cater the workshop to your needs and interests — and a 60-minute follow-up for final feedback. I addition, multi-day workshops will have in-person feedback scheduled for the final day.

Neither lodging, travel nor dining are included in the price but I’d be happy to recommend places. Workshops are available each year, November-July. You’ll have in-person access to me for at least eight hours each day. But if you don’t want someone over your shoulder, I can also just help with the leg work and on the back-end, for a project you’d like to pursue.

What might our day look like? In Charleston? In Columbia? In Myrtle Beach? In Western North Carolina?

Frequently Asked Questions for Photography Workshops

Charleston, SC Photography Workshop

1 Day / $1000

3 Days / $2200

5 Days / $3000

Columbia, SC Photography Workshop

1 Day / $500

3 Days / $1000

5 Days / $1800

Myrtle Beach, SC Photography Workshop

1 Day / $1000

3 Days / $2200

5 Days / $3000

Asheville / Western NC Photography Workshop

1 Day / $1100

3 Days / $2200

5 Days / $3000

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