** a Zoom meeting for those who are interested in this workshop will be held next Sunday afternoon, October 15th, at 4pm. This is by invitation only, and is a meet-and-greet, Q&A kind of hour. If you’d like to join us please drop a line to Nancy (nancy@sxsemagazine.com) and she’ll get back with you.
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And now for the information!
The Georgia Coast in November is a lovely place to be. With hurricane season behind us, the salt air is cool with the temperatures ranging from highs in the low 70’s to lows around 60 degrees. Perfect for all the photo adventures we have planned!
OUR INSTRUCTOR:
Tom Fahey will lead this workshop. Below is his letter to you.
Hello friends,
My name is Tom, and I’ve been a professional commercial and editorial photographer for 30 years.
I’m from an Irish American family who traveled from the West Coast of Ireland to America in the mid 19th century to escape famine and imperialism. We have been proud Americans for five generations.
I grew up in the mid-west, in Oklahoma City. And my college major was visual art. After college I moved to Atlanta Georgia where I worked in fine art photo finishing with photographers such as Harry Callahan, Kenny Rogers, and Eddie Adams. Additionally, I oversaw technical orders and projects for the finest of the Atlanta professional photography community. One of my clients, Ed Wolkis, hired me to be coordinator and studio supervisor for his thriving advertising photography studio in midtown Atlanta.
Thomas Fahey Photography, Inc. began shortly afterwards and has been my livelihood for more than 30 years. My clients have taken me all over our world. I’ve enjoyed different aspects of this business – from technique, theory, equipment, and lighting to the business end and anticipation / accommodation of client needs. Commercial clients of Thomas Fahey Photograhy, Inc. include Tommy Hilfiger, Men’s Warehouse, Entertainment Weekly, Atlanta Magazine, Varsity Spirit Brands, among many others.
My photography has been my economic cornerstone but my heart remains where I started with fine art, photojournalism and street photography. Which brings me to workshops.
My two primary goals in leading workshops are:
… to find out where your photographic interests lie and where my experience and expertise can help grow and refine those interests.
… for you to have a great time on our workshops and leave with information, perspectives, and experience that will help you continue to sharpen your skills and your portfolio as a photographer and artist.
Whether your work involves color landscapes, the tonal moods of black and white, iPhone captures, or the processes of film photography my goal is for you to receive an amazing return on your investment.
I want to work with people who are brand new to photography, emerging photographers who have a bit of experience, established photographers looking to hone a particular skill, tourists who want to take better pictures with their phones, people looking to get to know others with similar interests. Equipment is secondary to an enthusiastic outlook. As an art professor told me once – as an artist and creator, if you honor and focus on the unique way that you alone view the world – and we who inhabit it – you will always generate compelling material.
Let’s go! Assignment: location photography. Where in the world will the next photoshop take us, what new friends will we make, and how will our experiences help refine who we are and how we capture the world around. Let’s find out!
My websites with portfolios:
ITINERARY:
Wednesday, November 8th:
The House is a home on Jekyll Island near the beach where we’ll have afternoon social hours as well as group meals. This is where we’ll start the workshop at 4 pm with a “meet and greet”. At 5pm Tom Fahey, our instructor, will give a slide presentation of his career and work, and we’ll discuss the coming days itinerary and answer last-minute questions. This will be followed by our Welcome Supper served at the house. We’ll turn in early this evening in preparation for the early morning, and full day, on Thursday!
Thursday, November 9th:
Sunrise on the Marshes.
The Lady Jane will be our private mode of transportation for today’s sunrise, and sunset! We’ll arrive at the dock in Brunswick by 6:45a for a 7:15 cast-off and sunrise over the marshes. Breakfast biscuits, coffee, water, and juice will be brought onboard!
A United States Coast Guard certified passenger vessel, the Lady Jane was once a commercial steel hull shrimping trawler. She has been retired after years of loyal service to the shrimping industry. Captain Cameron will steer the ship while certified Master Naturalist Jeffrey works the trawls. From small bottom dwelling species to apex predators, each draw of the trawl has new species to offer. Once we’ve identified and photographed the catch in each trawl they’ll return it all back to the sea. Jeffrey will also identify birds, dolphins, and all other manner of flora and fauna along the way. We can stop whenever we see something interesting.
If you’re worried about bad weather, relax! Each cruise will be in protected waters through the picturesque Marshes of Glynn County and its tributaries. The Lady Jane provides an enclosed cabin, restroom, large covered deck with ample seating, and room for you to walk from bow to stern while enjoying the views.
Historic Brunswick:
Once we disembark back at the docks we’ll be picked up by Bruce and his 15-person van. Bruce will be our driver and guide on Thursday and Friday. And our first stop will be downtown historic Brunswick, Ga. Both businesses and residential homes reflect a Victorian architectural character. With the diversity of population, the different styles of the period reflect Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Richardson Romanesque, Folk Victorian, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Italian Renaissance, Prairie, Stick, and Craftsman. An emporium of architectural styles, Brunswick is a town in which to stroll under magnificent oaks and enjoy the splendor of these early homes.
There is also the Mary Ross Waterfront Park where all the shrimpers dock their boats.
©Thomas Fahey
Fort King George:
We’ll stay in historic Brunswick through lunch before heading out of town to Fort King George in the neighboring town of Darien, Ga. This is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast. From 1721 until 1736, Fort King George was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. A cypress blockhouse, barracks and palisaded earthen fort were constructed in 1721 by scoutmen led by Colonel John “Tuscarora Jack” Barnwell. For the next seven years, His Majesty’s Independent Company garrisoned the fort.
Marshes at Sunset:
Heading back to Brunswick, we’ll arrive at The Lady Jane @3pm for a sunset ride through marshes. This trip is photo-centric, and we’ll stop along the way for dolphins, sunset views, birds, and anything else we deem photographable!
At 5:30 we’ll return to the dock where we’ll watch the actual sunset from the vantage point of the park beside the Sydney Lanier Bridge.
©Thomas Fahey
Friday, November 10th:
Bruce will pick us up at The House at 10 am and take us touring on St. Simons Island for the day. Breakfast biscuits, coffee, tea, and juice will be waiting at The House when you arrive in the morning.
Christ Church and Cemetery
Still an active Episcopal Church, the historic sanctuary is the focal point of a parish that dates back to 1808, making it the second
oldest in Georgia. Christ Church also serves as a reminder, however, of the much earlier labors of the noted ministers John and
Charles Wesley. Just across the road from the church are the Wesley Gardens, where beautiful native plants frame a stunning memorial to John and Charles Wesley for their efforts in Georgia and on St. Simons Island.
Old Coast Guard Station at East Beach
The Historic Coast Guard Station is now home to the World War II Home Front Museum, preserving the story of how the Golden Isles played an important part of our nation’s WWII effort, protecting our coast from German submarines, building Liberty Ships to supply our troops overseas, and much more.
Lunch:
We’ll stop along the way for an hour or so of lunch and respite before heading to …
Avenue of the Oaks
1760 until the outbreak of the Civil War, cotton and rice plantations flourished in this area. The Sea Island cotton grown here became famous the world over for its outstanding quality. Retreat Plantation was one of the most prosperous plantations and was located on the southern tip of St. Simons Island. Anna Page King, who inherited the land in 1826, planted the famous Avenue of the Oaks. It is said that Anna grew such an abundance of flowers at Retreat Plantation that sailors nearing St. Simons Island could smell the flowers’ fragrance before they saw the Island shores. Once the entrance to Retreat Plantation, the Avenue of the Oaks is now the grand entrance to the Sea Island Golf Club. Follow the drive around the magnificent double row of 160 year old live oak trees which create the Avenue of the Oaks.
Fort Frederica
Fort Frederica National Monument, on St. Simons Island, Georgia, preserves the archaeological remnants of a fort and town built by James Oglethorpe between 1736 and 1748 to protect the southern boundary of the British colony of Georgia from Spanish raids. About 630 British troops were stationed at the fort.
Evening on the Pier
Bruce will drop us off at the pier in downtown St. Simons where we’ll shoot sunset and evening shots. Anyone wanting to go up to the top of the lighthouse may do so, also. From here we’ll uber back to our accommodations for the rest of the evening.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH:
Jekyll Island
We’re turning you loose on Jekyll today! Well, almost loose…:) We’re renting 4-seater electric open-air cars that can be driven (by some of you!) on any road on Jekyll, and providing an itinerary you can follow – or not. The cars will be delivered to The House on Friday Afternoon and will be ours to use til 3pm Saturday. More on that later.
NOTE: You must have 4 images from the workshop sent to Tom by 1pm so that he can load everything up for the Group Review at The House beginning at 4pm.
The day starts….
Driftwood Beach at the north end of the island is a wonderful place to be for Sunrise at 6:45am.
Followed by breakfast biscuits, tea, coffee, juice at The House on your way over to Horton House Ruins. Horton House is a historic site on Riverview Drive in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The tabby house was originally constructed in 1743 by Major William Horton, a top military aide to General James Oglethorpe. Horton also brewed beer in Georgia’s first brewery.
©Thomas Fahey
The entire Historical area is worthy of a 2-3 hour deep dive. Maybe find a good lunch spot while you’re there, also. Or, pick something up and head over to Clam Creek Picnic Area on the beach. If nature photography is your thing this is a great location.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility. The Center offers the public a chance to learn about sea turtles and see rehabilitation in action with a host of interactive exhibits and experiences. Year-round indoor and outdoor programs are also available for guests of all ages. NOTE: As of 8/19/23 the Center is operating on time-entry admissions. If you’d like to go please let Nancy know when you register so she can take care of the tickets for you.Maybe stop back by Driftwood Beach for a few shots with later-day lighting ,….on your way back to The House for the review
The Group Review:
4:00p on Saturday we’ll all gather at The House for nosh and beverages and The Group Review. Tom will take us through 4 images from each of the participants and we’ll all have a chance to remark, ask questions, etc.
Post- review we’ll have the Farewell Dinner at The House before heading for a night walk on the beach and some stargazing.
Sunday Morning, November 12th
IMPORTANT INFO:
What’s Included:
Welcome Dinner
Farewell Dinner
Breakfast Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Social hour nosh and beverages Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
The Lady Jane Shrimp Boat Thursday sunrise, and Thursday sunset
Bruce and The Van Thursday and Friday to take us wherever our heart’s desire
Electric 4-seater open-air mini-cars for Jekyll from sunrise to 3pm Saturday
The House for hanging out, dining, walking to the beach, nosh and beverages, every day
All fees to historic and tourist locations
Tom’s undivided attention and guidance, as well as review
What’s Not Included:
Transportation to The Golden Isles (note: The House will be on Jekyll Island)
Lunch and Dinner Thursday and Friday
Lunch on Saturday
We carpool to The Lady Jane on Thursday, and you’ll need to get to the house on Friday and Saturday
Your overnight accommodations while on the Golden Isles
Fee:
Note:This workshop is limited to 12 students.
$2900 by check. e nancy@sxsemagazine.com for more info
$3010 by PayPal. Click Here.
Partner Rate:
$850 by check, e nancy@sxsemagazine.com for more info
$883 by PayPal. Click Here.
Questions? e nancy@sxsemagazine.com with those.
Hope to see you on the Coast this Fall!
