Pineapples, Plantations, and Pristine Gardens in Charm-led Charleston. 

Our 5-day Charleston Photo Tour and Cultural Adventure will take you to the heart of the American South, where time seems to slow down and history is woven through every cobblestone street and every ancient oak tree. At the peak of the Antebellum period, cotton and rice plantations rose in abundance due to the booming slave trade. We will visit elegant fountains, idyllic vistas of Waterfront Park, immaculate gardens, and perfectly preserved plantations. 

Located where the Cooper and Ashley Rivers come together to join the Atlantic Ocean lies the beautiful historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. First, we will head to Downtown City Markets, where we will find local artisans showcasing their craftsmanship. Most notable, are the hand-woven baskets, where we will photograph the weavers nimbly crafting these artisan goods, capturing the intricate details of their technique.

A recurring motif our cameras will spy throughout the city is the pineapple, a symbol of the hospitality which Charleston is famous for. Waterfront Park has an iconic gilded pineapple fountain, basked in a glistening glow at sunset and lit up spectacularly at night. Street photography will come in many forms, from the pastel-hued Georgian townhouses of Rainbow Road to the stately antebellum mansions that line the Battery. This promenade was once a defensive seawall during the Civil War and we will be shooting it at sunrise. On the tip of the Battery lies the elegant White Point Garden, whose centuries-old oak trees have twisted their branches together to form shaded canopies leading to a picturesque bandstand, a focal point of interest for our lenses that exudes Southern charm. 

We will also visit another, very different, type of garden just outside of Charleston: Cypress Gardens, a hidden fairytale location nestled within a swamp, ideal for nature enthusiasts and photographers. A labyrinth of tall cypress trees draped with Spanish moss sticks out from the surface of the calm blackwaters that we will glide along in small boats. 

Another integral part of the photo tour will be visiting the various plantations that surround the wider Charleston area, including Middleton, Magnolia, and Boone Hall. As we wander through the lush and landscaped grounds and grand plantation houses, we will capture Charleston’s antebellum and colonial past. Although charming on the surface these sites also tell stories of their darker legacy of slavery. 

With our appetites satisfied, we will head to the coast to Botany Bay, a former plantation and now wildlife reserve. Maritime forests house doves and deer, and loggerhead sea turtles and crabs live along windswept beaches with bleached driftwood scattered along the sand. Likewise, we will enjoy a sunrise shoot at Folly Beach, a postcard-perfect seaside destination with a 1000-foot pier that stretches out into the sea, ideal for long-exposure photography. 

This 5-day photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it’s an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you’ll refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You’ll also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. 

Join us for spirited discussions, enriching camaraderie, and moments of unforgettable inspiration. Charleston will leave you with a portfolio of beautiful and whimsical images exuding laid-back Southern charm and fairytale dreaminess. Your visual odyssey starts here!  

Located where the Cooper and Ashley Rivers come together to join the Atlantic Ocean lies the beautiful historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. First, we will head to Downtown City Markets, where we will find local artisans showcasing their craftsmanship. Most notable, are the hand-woven baskets, where we will photograph the weavers nimbly crafting these artisan goods, capturing the intricate details of their technique.

A recurring motif our cameras will spy throughout the city is the pineapple, a symbol of the hospitality which Charleston is famous for. Waterfront Park has an iconic gilded pineapple fountain, basked in a glistening glow at sunset and lit up spectacularly at night. Street photography will come in many forms, from the pastel-hued Georgian townhouses of Rainbow Road to the stately antebellum mansions that line the Battery. This promenade was once a defensive seawall during the Civil War and we will be shooting it at sunrise. On the tip of the Battery lies the elegant White Point Garden, whose centuries-old oak trees have twisted their branches together to form shaded canopies leading to a picturesque bandstand, a focal point of interest for our lenses that exudes Southern charm. 

We will also visit another, very different, type of garden just outside of Charleston: Cypress Gardens, a hidden fairytale location nestled within a swamp, ideal for nature enthusiasts and photographers. A labyrinth of tall cypress trees draped with Spanish moss sticks out from the surface of the calm blackwaters that we will glide along in small boats. 

Another integral part of the photo tour will be visiting the various plantations that surround the wider Charleston area, including Middleton, Magnolia, and Boone Hall. As we wander through the lush and landscaped grounds and grand plantation houses, we will capture Charleston’s antebellum and colonial past. Although charming on the surface these sites also tell stories of their darker legacy of slavery. 

With our appetites satisfied, we will head to the coast to Botany Bay, a former plantation and now wildlife reserve. Maritime forests house doves and deer, and loggerhead sea turtles and crabs live along windswept beaches with bleached driftwood scattered along the sand. Likewise, we will enjoy a sunrise shoot at Folly Beach, a postcard-perfect seaside destination with a 1000-foot pier that stretches out into the sea, ideal for long-exposure photography. 

This 5-day photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it’s an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you’ll refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You’ll also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. 

Join us for spirited discussions, enriching camaraderie, and moments of unforgettable inspiration. Charleston will leave you with a portfolio of beautiful and whimsical images exuding laid-back Southern charm and fairytale dreaminess. Your visual odyssey starts here!  

*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.