Rhode Island Photo Workshop
July 16-20, 2026
Steve Medgyesy and Clamcake at Walrus and Carpenter Oysters in Point Judith, Rhode Island. (Photo by Sean Rayford)
"This dog's name is Clamcake, you don't get more Rhode Island than that," explains Steve Medgyesy, who handles marketing and quality control for Walrus and Carpenter Oysters at Point Judith on the Rhode Island coast. It's the biggest fishing port in the state and is home to the Block Island Ferry. Surrounded by blue collar sea hands in the number one squid port in the nation, the seven year-old sustainable sea farm feels at times a little out of place. When I walk up to their operation I'm surprised to hear Weezer's "Say it Aint So" cranking away on the shop speakers. "We're the kooks here," says Medgyesy "This place, Rhode Island engine is pretty fucking crazy," he says of their next door neighbors, ”Wicked blue collar dudes who smoke a ton of cigs and fix massive engines."
My name is Sean, a photojournalist from South Carolina, and this was my introduction to Narragansett in 2016. On a road trip to escape the pollen in The South, I was wandering and meandering with my camera on a dedicated photo road trip. As I made my way back south, the folks at Warlus and Carpenter sent me away with an inviation to return and Point Judith has been quietly calling my name for more than a decade.
So, I’m headed back for Rhode Island in July and offering custom and private workshops. These documentary style photography workshops are available as one, two or three day experiences.
I’ll be your instructor, teacher, leader and mentor for this experience on the Rhode Island coast where we explore Point Judith and other gems along the Atlantic shore. If you’d like, and what I’d recommend, is spending a whole day or more at Point Judith. But this is your workshop and I’ll customize it to your needs.
I’ll show you how I approach photo road trips and help you get access to subjects. You won’t be handed resources on a platter because the workshop is about developing your skills — so you can repeat this on your own. My goal is help you, help yourself.
WHAT DOES OUR DAY LOOK LIKE?
You’ll get a pre workshop consultation zoom call where we plan out the details and itinerary and help you start reaching out for access and contacts in advance. When you arrive for the workshop, you’ll already have some relationships to build on. Having these initial points of contact and knowing how to secure them, is what separates most documentary photographers from the pack.
We start early in the morning at the working port. You’ll shoot and build relationships for a few hours and then we'll do brunch. Here, we review the photos you made and adjust for the rest of the day based on what you accomplished in the morning. At brunch we will also schedule 60-90 minutes worth of break time to help us stay energized for for the remainder of the shooting day. Y
Magnificent homes fill the coastline near Newport, Rhode Island. Photo by Sean Rayford
You’ll have at least 6 hours each day of 1-on-1 hands on instruction in the field.
As a photojournalist for more than 25 years, freelancing with the New York Times, Getty Images, the Associated Press for more than a decade, most of my vacations are photo road trips. In this workshop I teach you my photo road trip approach.
All of my photo workshops are built on two main principles. The first — I want to help you to take your understanding of and relationship with photography to new heights. Second — I want you to have an amazing experience with your camera(s). And I want you walking away with new tools, to do those things more often on your own. One of my students recently told me she'd never felt more focused behind a camera. That's the type of result I build every workshop around.
This is not a group photo tour. You won’t get lost in the mix or have to slow down for others. We do this at your pace, planned around your interests.
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
“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
MY DIAGNOSIS and WORKSHOP FRAMEWORK
During a free consultation call, we discuss your short and long term goals as a photographer. Then we identify how we can use South Florida to achieve them. Then I build you a highly personalized photo workshop proposal from scratch. The call and proposal is free.
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PHOTO WORKSHOPS in Rhode Island
1. Do I need to be a professional photographer to attend?
No. Because it’s a private and personalized workshop, you can be anywhere in your journey with photography.
2. What kind of photography will we focus on?
Documentary photography that aligns with your personal interests.
3. What gear should I bring?
Camera gear, computer, phone, weather appropriate clothing.
4. Will we be walking a lot?
If you want an active experience, I can provide that. If you don’t want to or can’t — I’ve got a million ideas that don’t require much physical activity.
5. Do you give feedback or critique?
Yes.
6. Can you help me with a personal project or photo zine?
Yes.
7. Can I choose my own dates?
Yes. But dates and workshops are limited.
8. Are travel, lodging, or meals included?
No
9. Can two people attend together?
Yes, please inquire further.
10. What happens during the discovery call?
We figure out where your interests and curiosities intersect with the workshop location so I can plan an experience that you can’t get anywhere else.
11. Can I focus on a specific subject, project or theme?
Yes. I would encourage this.
12. Can you help me get access to people or places to photograph?
Yes. I’ll walk you through my process and help connect you when appropriate.
13. Do you help with editing and sequencing after the workshop?
Yes. We can spend part of the workshop reviewing and sequencing your images so you leave with a cohesive body of work, not just a folder of files.
14. Do you offer any student discounts or scholarships?
Yes. 20% to students who prove recent enrollment
15. What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
Cancellation: Full refund if workshop is at least 90 days in advance. Full refund within 15 days of booking, provided workshop is at least 30 days in advance. 75% refund provided workshop is 30 days in advance. 50% with 15 days notice. 25% refund with 7 days notice.
Rescheduling: No fee if more than 45 days in advance. 10% fee with 30 days notice. 30% fee with 15 days notice. 50% fee with 5 days notice. Less than 5 days, 75% fee.
16. Do I need to be in good shape or active to do this?
No. We will cater the personal workshop to your interests and abilities.
17. How much does a private photography workshop in Miami cost?"
Photo workshops in Rhode Island start at $850 a day.
Photos by workshop instructor Sean Rayford
I also offer online portfolio reviews