Join us on Alabama’s Gulf Coast!
Historic Mobile,
the secluded, enchanting village of Fairhope,
and Rural Monroeville,
home of author Harper Lee
and the courthouse made famous in her novel To Kill A Mockingbird.
Beginning in 1702, Mobile spent decades as French, then British, then Spanish, then American forming a melting pot that includes the descendants of each with their individual culture, architecture, and beliefs. Mobile holds something for every photographer, no matter your level of expertise or your specific area of interest. Beginning with the French influence of Mardi Gras we have the Carnival Museum, and Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Fort Condé was built by the French but taken over by the British and, for a time, renamed Fort Charlotte, the site of the famous Battle of Fort Charlotte in the Revolutionary War. The British contribution of Antebellum architecture can still be seen in homes downtown, along with the architectural contributions of the French and Spanish. There’s just so much more, and we hope you’ll join us.
And then there’s Monroeville. For the literary hounds in our group, Monroeville, Alabama is on par with Milledgeville, Georgia. Harper Lee spent her whole life here and so it is where she wrote her one iconic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. The courthouse from the trial scene in the movie version of the book starring Gregory Peck was a replica of the one in Monroeville where Harper often watched her father argue cases. And there’s always the possibility of lunch at Harper’s favorite restaurant, David’s Catfish House, after the courthouse photo-op.
Every SxSE Workshop has a Headquarters House. This time it’s on Mobile Bay near the secluded, enchanting village of Fairhope. Fairhope is a small bayside town with their own French Quarter, a quaint and artsy downtown area, and a long municipal pier perfect for people-watching and late night water shots.
We’ve arranged group rates at the Hampton Inn Fairhope. More detailed information will be given upon reservation.
JENNIFER SHAW
Jennifer Shaw is a fine art photographer whose work is based on both a world observed and a world constructed, often focusing on the fleeting and personal within the sphere of her immediate surroundings. Her photographs have been featured in Oxford American, Shots, Black + White Photography (UK), NPR, Lenscratch, and PDN, and are included in two recent monographs: Hurricane Story (Chin Music Press, 2011), and Nature/Nurture (North Light Press, 2012).
Shaw grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, studied photography at the Rhode Island School of Design, and then moved to New Orleans in pursuit of the artist’s life. She currently teaches the disappearing art of darkroom photography at the Louise S. McGehee School and directs the annual PhotoNOLA Festival, in addition to chasing after two young sons.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND:
SxSEPhotoMagazine’s interview with Jennifer by Judy Sherrod in the November/December 2014 issue
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Headquarters House is where Jennifer and the staff will reside, meals will be served, and where everyone gathers to kick off their shoes, walk along the beach, crack open a beer and enjoy this great workshop. The Mobile + Monroeville + Fairhope Workshop will include shooting in the field in downtown Fairhope and Mobile, the Mobile Carnival Museum, lots of piers and water shots, a private sunset boat ride/eco-tour, a day trip to Monroeville, classroom and portfolio reviews, and plenty of time to scout on your own. Classroom time will be held at the Headquarters House and will be scheduled by Jennifer in the near future. There will be projections and critiques of your work during and/or at the Farewell Supper. Fees include Supper on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Nosh food and drink will be at the Headquarters House for your enjoyment, also. Further descriptions and instructions will follow upon reservation.
BASIC SCHEDULE
Wednesday:
Arrive mid-to-late afternoon at the Headquarters House to meet the other photographers, staff, and Jennifer. Our Welcome Supper is held that evening, and Jennifer will give a presentation of her work and career. We ask that everyone attend this function as it sets the tone for the next 3 days, and allows us to start on Thursday already acquainted with each other and with a good idea of what everyone wants to see and do.
Thursday:
Morning shooting in the field getting to know Fairhope, a little classroom time with Jennifer, maybe book in for a portfolio review to start off the workshops – ?! Early afternoon we head to Spanish Fort, Alabama, to Five Rivers Delta Center, an 81-acre wildlife and land stewardship facility with multiple hiking trails through cypress woods, wildlife areas, and bayside views. At 5:30 we leave from Five Rivers on our 40′ private boat for a tour of the lower Bay, the USS Alabama, and tributaries of the five rivers. We’ll enjoy a full picnic supper while photographing last light at 7:30.
Friday:
Mobile and Monroeville. The Carnival Museum, antebellum homes, street photography, downtown water shots, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception – whatever your photography desires are we can fill ’em. Also, if you’d like, tag along to Monroeville for a tour of the courthouse made famous in To Kill A Mockingbird, and have some lunch at David’s Catfish House, Harper Lee’s favorite restaurant, feel free to join us. Catch a few views of rural Alabama along the way there and back. Sunset on Friday will be from the porch of the Headquarters House with cocktails, supper, and photography talk long into the night while overlooking the Bay.
Saturday:
A free-for-all day. Want a portfolio review with Jennifer? Maybe show your images from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday? Skip back into Fairhope, or Mobile, or one of the many wildlife preserves. It’s up to you. We all gather at 4 pm to review our work, talk about our experiences, and toast our good times at the Farewell Supper.
MATERIALS
Flash drive for downloading the images you would like to project for review and critique with the instructor, or the group.
NOTE:
This workshop is limited to 12 students.
PRICE: $800 per person
To register CLICK HERE
Looking forward to seeing you on the Gulf in September!
