October 3-7, 2024
April 16-20, 2025
and Nature Photography
• 5 Days
• Focus on Long Exposure
• Only 4-8 Guests
• Photographer | Guide
• 4 & 5-Star Hotels
• Breakfasts
• 2 Dinners
• Local Transportation
CHARLESTON
Historic Charleston, Plantations, Cypress Gardens, Botany Bay
Southern hospitality, great food, and endless photographic opportunities.
Located where the Cooper and Ashley Rivers come together to join the Atlantic ocean lies the beautiful historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. Known for its richly preserved buildings and hospitality, you’ll no doubt walk away charmed from our 5-day Charleston Photo Tour and Cultural Adventure.
The city is nestled on a peninsula on Charleston Harbor and dates back to 1670. It was originally named Charles Towne, in honor of King Charles II of England, and later named Charleston in 1783. At the height of the Antebellum period, cotton and rice plantations rose in abundance due to the booming slave trade. Cobblestone streets can still be found downtown, and plantations remain in excellent condition causing you to feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Today, while standing on the Battery in downtown Charleston, you can see Fort Sumter where the famous first shot of the Civil War was fired.
Charleston has become a mecca for world-renowned cuisine and has received recognition as the No. 1 Travel Destination in 2012, 2013 & 2014 by Conde Nast Traveler. Southern Living called Charleston “the most polite and hospitable city in America”
This adventure is designed to thrill your taste buds, provide you with opportunities to feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, and most importantly, you’ll experience photographic opportunities that will be hard to rival. Time of day, tide charts, and weather all come into play when we hand pick our locations. You’ll enjoy a relaxed, laid-back southern style in this beautiful city, and leave enriched with new photographic techniques.
From composition to making the most out of your camera settings, you’ll work at a level that best fits with your experience and desires. You will learn the art of scouting a location prior to photographing, providing depth and telling the story and making the most out of every opportunity. Our adventure leaders are committed to providing a casual and individually focused adventure so that you walk away having grown as both a traveler and photographer. If you love history and have a passion for photography this is absolutely the adventure for you.
Charleston has become a mecca for world-renowned cuisine and has received recognition as the No. 1 Travel Destination in 2012, 2013 & 2014 by Conde Nast Traveler. Southern Living called Charleston “the most polite and hospitable city in America”.
Beaufort is the second oldest city in South Carolina. Located on the Port Royal Island in the heart of the Sea Islands, the city is surrounded by historic plantations, pristine beaches, and is the home to many loggerhead sea turtles. Beaufort has been named “Best Small Southern Town” by Southern Living and a “Top 50 Adventure Town” by National Geographic Adventure. Originally settled by the British in 1711, the city grew slowly due to the attacks by Native American tribes and threats of the Spanish invasion. The city began to thrive with shipbuilding and later when the colony was established as a slave society, as the elite center for the Lowcountry planters through the Civil War.
This adventure is designed to thrill your taste buds, provide you with opportunities to feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, and most importantly, you’ll experience photographic opportunities that will be hard to rival. Time of day, tide charts, and weather all come into play when we hand pick our locations. You’ll enjoy a relaxed, laid back southern style in this beautiful city, and leave enriched with new photographic techniques.
From composition to making the most out of your camera settings, you’ll work at a level that best fits with your experience and desires. You will learn the art of scouting a location prior to photographing, providing depth and telling the story and making the most out of every opportunity. Our adventure leaders are committed to providing a casual and individually focused adventure so that you walk away having grown as both a traveler and photographer. If you love history and have a passion for photography this is absolutely the adventure for you.
Group Size
4-8 Guests
Experience | Difficulty
- Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
- DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
- Easy schedule
- Travel by car or minivan
- Minimal elevation changes and moderate walking and hiking
- (non-photographers also welcome)
Weather | Sun
April – Temps 73/59 F 23/15 C Sunrise 6:48 | Sunset 7:51 (19:51)
October – Temps 75/62 F 24/16 C Sunrise 7:25 | Sunset 6:46 (18:46)
Includes
- 5 Days
- Travel, landscape, seascape and nature photography
- Focus on “long exposure” photography
- Professional photographer | guide
- Photo walks, hikes & discussions
- Small group size (4-8 guests)
- 4 or 5-star hotels
- Breakfasts
- 2 Dinners
- Local transportation
Travel Information
Arrival & Departure Airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS) – Transfer time to hotel 20min
Our adventure begins at 11 AM on the first day and ends at noon on the last day.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality. Go to Visa Map to find out.
Accommodations
Charleston – Restoration on King, Charleston Place, Harbour View Inn or similar
Helpful Links
> 10 Trees Worth Traveling For – by Erika Suban
Charleston Prices & Dates
| Adventure | Price | REGISTER |
|---|---|---|
From: $6,595 | ||
From: $6,995 |
Photographer Leader
Chase Guttman
October 3-7, 2024
April 16-20, 2025
*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
CHARLESTON 5 DAYS
Day 1 | Downtown and Historic Charleston
We meet at our hotel in the morning, where we will discuss PWA’s “10 Guiding Principles of Photography” as well as our “THE ART OF SEEING” photographic technique. During lunch, we will have informal discussions on what our guests are trying to achieve in their photography, subject matters, styles, and techniques.
After lunch, we set out to photograph Charleston’s Downtown City Markets & Basket Weavers. Afterward, we celebrate our adventure with a wonderful Welcome Dinner at one of Charleston’s famous restaurants. In the evening we will shoot the famous fountains of Pineapple & Waterfront Park, as well as turn our focus to the Historic Streets of Downtown Charleston. (D)
Day 2 | Middleton & Magnolia Plantations - Shem Creek
We’re up early for breakfast and then a sunrise shoot of the beautiful Middletown Plantation. Later, we will head for lunch at the plantation. In the afternoon we will photograph the Magnolia Plantation or the Boone Hall Plantation, depending on the time of year. A late dinner at Mount Pleasant – Vickeries on Shem Creek.
After breakfast, we head to Middleton Place, a plantation just northwest of Charleston. Built in several phases during the 18th and 19th centuries, the plantation was the primary residence of several generations of the Middleton family, many of whom played prominent roles in the colonial and antebellum history of South Carolina. The plantation, now a National Historic Landmark District, is used as a museum and is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. John Williams, an early South Carolina planter, probably began building Middleton Place in the late 1730s. His son-in-law Henry Middleton (1717–1784), who later served as President of the First Continental Congress, completed the house’s main section and its north and south flankers, and began work on the elaborate gardens. Middleton’s son, Arthur Middleton (1742– 1787), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born at Middleton Place and lived at the plantation in the last years of his life. Afterward, lunch at the plantation.
In the afternoon we will photograph the neighboring Magnolia Plantation or the Boone Hall Plantation, depending on the time of year. Magnolia has been selected as one of “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens” (Travel + Leisure Magazine), and is the only garden honored with this distinction in the State of South Carolina! Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public tourist site in the low country, and the oldest public garden in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens. So join us here at Magnolia Plantation to experience the beauty of its gardens and its rich history today.
Sunset shoot on Shem Creek and then a late dinner at The Wreck in Mount Pleasant. (B)
Day 3 | Folly Beach - Cypress Gardens - Ravenel Bridge
On day three we’re up early for a sunrise shoot at Folly Beach, followed by breakfast, and a visit to the famous Angel Oak Tree. Folly Beach is home to Folly Beach Pier, stretching more than 1,000 feet into the ocean, making it a perfect location for a long exposure image. Center Street is lined with surf and souvenir shops. After lunch we will focus our cameras on the beauty of Cypress Gardens. Cypress Gardens is a 170-acre (69 ha) preserve and gardens. The centerpiece of the garden is the 80 acres (32 ha) blackwater bald cypress/tupelo swamp, surrounded with both boat and foot trails.
We’ll enjoy an early dinner in downtown Charleston and then a sunset shoot of the famous Ravenel Bridge. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Cooper River connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. The eight lane bridge satisfied the capacity of U.S. Route 17 when it opened in 2005 to replace two obsolete cantilever truss bridges. The bridge has a main span of 1,546 feet (471 m), the third longest among cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere. It was built using the design-build method and was designed by Parsons Brinckerhoff. (B)
Day 4 | Botany Bay - Charleston - Shem Creek
On day four, we are up early to begin our 1.5-hour journey to Botany Bay Plantation where we will arrive just in time for sunrise. The Plantation offers many unique photo opportunities of its Boneyard Beach, pristine shells, ancient live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and marshlands. We’ll get breakfast on the road and then head back to Charleston.
We’ll take a break in the afternoon since we were up so early in the morning. We’ll return to the lovely village of Mount Pleasant at Shem Creek. Here the shrimp boat trawlers dock for the night and provide an excellent photo opportunity.
In the evening we celebrate with a Farewell Dinner, Charleston style . (B) (D)
Day 5 | Downtown Charleston
On on final day, we will concentrate on photographing the details of downtown Charleston, but we will wake early to experience Charleston kissed by the early light of dawn on the battery. After we have photographed the battery, rainbow row, and the White Point Gardens, we will head back for our breakfast, review our past week’s photos, check out of our hotel, and bid you farewell. (B)
(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion
May all who come as guests... leave as friends®
OPTIONS AND BENEFITS
Pricing
All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in boutique hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels which offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. Breakfast is included only if included in our room rates.
Private Guided Adventures
We offer amazing private guided photo adventures, cultural tours and vacations for individuals, couples, families and groups. We can customize any of our published adventures, as well as others, to meet your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests. This may include the finest 5-star accommodations, business-class travel, and private guides and fixers who are able to make the impossible possible. If you are not interested in a photo-centric vacation, but you love our approach to private travel, we will be happy to design and deliver an amazing adventure focused on travel, culture and cuisine. Click here to request a quote. Feel free to call us at 1-888-834-0288 or contact us for more information.
Travel Insurance
We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry.
The cost for travel insurance can be as low as 4% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating. Click here to learn more about why you should consider travel insurance.
Rewards Program
Start earning points today and SAVE $200 - $900 off future trips!
Simply register for one of our amazing photo adventures and begin earning points today!
How The Program Works
For every adventure reservation you make with Photo Workshop Adventures, you earn valuable points which you can redeem on your next trip. This is a great way to save up to 8% off future trips. Our Rewards Program is designed with three tiers: Orange, Gold and VIP Members. Points may be applied towards balance payments on your next trip, or you may choose to accumulate points for a free trip in the future.
ORANGE REWARDS
All guests begin with our Orange Rewards Program (Level 1), which earns 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately after your first trip. A $5,900 spend earns 23,600 points with a value of $236 USD.
GOLD REWARDS
With our Gold Rewards Program (Level 2), you earn 6 points for every dollar you spend. Orange Members who reach 120,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 4-6 trips), automatically move up to Gold Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 35,400 points with a value of $354 USD.
Additional Gold Benefits:
- Earn up to double points during promotional events
- Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
VIP REWARDS
With our VIP Rewards Program (Level 3), you earn 8 points for every dollar you spend. Gold Members who reach 350,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 8-12 trips) move up to VIP Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 47,200 points with a value of $472 USD, (8+/-% discount).
Additional VIP Benefits:
- Earn up to double points during promotional events
- Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
- Ability to Gift or Transfer points to others
- Receive complimentary airport transfers at the destination location*
Redeeming Your Points
Redeeming your points couldn’t be easier. You can always log in to your account to check your points balance. When you are ready to book your next trip, register and pay your deposit. When you go to pay your balance you will be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.
THINK ORANGE Magazine
Subscribe to our Think Orange Magazine and eNews. THINK ORANGE is a wonderful mix of stories and tips related to travel, photography, adventure, culture, art, technology, cuisine, lifestyle, people and more. Our objective is to immerse you in a world you may only fantasize about. Raise your awareness and inspire your creativity. Perhaps even help make you a better photographer. We deliver similar experiential experiences that our guests enjoy on our photo adventures. Like all of our adventures, our blog is “photo-centric”, while also allowing you to experience all the nuances and cultural aspects of travel and adventure. Welcome to our world. We hope you enjoy. Our eNews is a great way to receive information about upcoming photo adventures, exciting new destinations, photography tips, special offers and more. Subscribe today!
Gift Cards
Give someone you know a Gift Card, good toward any of our Photo Adventures, Photo Tours, Private Guided Tours, Online Courses, Prints or Merchandize. Our beautifully personalized eGift Cards and Certificates are delivered to you electronically. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. They are available in any amount from $100 to $5000. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves photography, travel or adventure. Order now, or email for more information.
