South Carolina Plantations

Mar 15-19, 2025 - Spots Available

Mar 19-23, 2025 - Sold Out!

Book Now - Mar 15

Spring in the South Carolina plantations is a delight for the senses where you'll experience Southern hospitality and a little old-world charm. Colorful flowers, such as azaleas, magnolias, camellias, and wisterias, paint the pastoral landscape with their vibrant hues. Dazzling spring greenery fills the lush gardens around the stately mansions. Graceful Spanish moss drapes from oak branches and sways in the light breeze. Our group will be granted special access outside of business hours to various plantations to allow for the best photo opportunities. And on top of that, we will photograph the tranquile coastline with stark driftwood trees and photogenic piers. Image critique and post-processing sessions will be scheduled throughout workshop. 

Tuition

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • 8 Students Max

Instructor(s)

  • Kevin McNeal
  • Shane McDermott

Physical Intensity

South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop

Highlights

  • Experience prime spring conditions in the pastoral plantations of South Carolina. Colorful flowers, dazzling greens, and majestic oak trees will transport you to a bygone era.
  • Special access outside of business hours is granted to our group at some plantations for the best photo opportunities.
  • Capture the beautiful South Carolina Coast with ghostly driftwood trees and photogenic piers.
  • Small group size of 8 students and 2 pro instructors will ensure plenty of individual attention.
  • Ground transportation provided.
  • Post-processing instruction and image critique sessions will be scheduled throughout the workshop.
Book Now - Mar 15

Itinerary

The exact itinerary will be flexible based on the weather and current conditions.  Our job is to get you to the best places at the best times.  The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.  On cloudy days, we will be able to photograph longer than on days when it is sunny.

  • Day 1: We meet at 1PM at the hotel in Charleston for an orientation session where we'll cover the specialized photo techniques you'll be using and discuss the itinerary in more detail. That afternoon we visit a grand estate adorned by beautiful grounds.  For sunset we'll get our feet wet and photograph the mysterious driftwood trees against the backdrop of South Carolina's coastline.
  • Day 2: We are up early to visit a couple different plantations with their unique characteristics. With special access outside of business hours, we can photograph without the crowds and with better light.  There are many compositions with the gardens, flowers, and mossy oak trees.
  • Day 3: Today we photograph one of our favorite plantations both in the morning before they open and again in the evening after they close to the public. You'll be able to fully indulge in the beauty and romantic allure of the flowering gardens, arching oaks, and Spanish moss.  During the midday hours we hold a group image critique session to help you improve your photographic eye.
  • Day 4: We return to the coast to shoot sunrise, concentrating on some of the beautiful piers. We return to town and hold a classroom session where you'll learn many useful post-processing techniques to take your images to the next level.  That afternoon we return to the plantations and focus on macro images of the beautiful flowers.
  • Day 5: Today is our final sunrise shoot and we decide to go back to the coast.  We even get some great photo ops with some of the seabirds! We return to town and the workshop will conclude no later than noon.
Book Now - Mar 15
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop

Logistics

This workshop is rated Easy for all activity levels.  Short walks around the different plantations are required for the best photos.  Depending on light levels, shots can be taken either handheld or with a tripod.  A tripod and macro lens are recommended for close-up photography.

We will be based in Charleston, South Carolina (airport code CHS).  Lodging is not included in the workshop fee.  After booking, we will send you the hotel which we will be using as the central meeting point. We have a block of rooms on hold there at a discounted rate. You are welcome to stay wherever you like in Charleston - you'll just need to come to the central meeting point each day for the workshop outings.

Ground transportation will be provided for all photo outings. Please note that transportation will not be available during workshop downtime.  Having your own rental car will provide more flexibility in dining and shopping options.

We will send out much more detailed information to help you plan for the workshop as we get closer to the dates. We will also hold a pre-workshop Zoom Meeting to ensure you are setup for success.

Pricing

$2795/Person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

  • Ground transportation once you arrive at the gateway hotel.
  • Entrance fees to all plantations and parks we visit.
  • Special access outside of business hours to several plantations
  • Photography guiding and instruction
  • Post-processing and image critique
  • Pre-workshop zoom meeting.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Hotel accommodations in Charleston.
  • Flights from your home to Charleston.
  • Meals, beverages and snacks.
  • Instructor Gratuities.

 

When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit.  If you pay the deposit, the remaining amount will be charged 120 days prior to the credit card we have on file.  See our full Terms and Conditions.

Book Now - Mar 15
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop
South Carolina Plantations Photo Workshop

Recommended Camera Gear

  • Digital SLR or mirrorless camera body.
  • Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Telephoto lens in the 70-200mm range.  A 100-400mm may give more flexibility if we have any wildlife encounters.
  • Macro lens if you want to do close-up photography.
  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead.
  • An L-bracket is highly recommended for your camera!
  • Circular polarizers are recommended and ND filters can come in handy for longer exposures on the coast.  If you like shooting with grads, bring them along.
  • A monopod can be useful for quickly shooting at the plantations.
  • Backpack to carry your gear.
  • Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
  • Laptop if you wish to backup your photos.

Personal Gear List

  • Sturdy footwear and long pants.
  • Warm jacket for cool mornings
  • Waterproof shell or rain jacket.
  • Sandals or water shoes for shooting on the coast
  • Headlamp
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat.
  • Water bottle.
Book Now - Mar 15

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Kevin Profile

Kevin McNeal

Photography Instructor

Kevin McNeal is a Washington-State photographer who is passionate about photographing grand landscapes that reflect the most unique places on earth. Capturing moments of magic light and transferring this to print is the ultimate goal. His images hold a combination of perseverance, patience, and dedication to capture landscapes in fresh ways. The stories of how these images are rendered come across in the feelings the images convey. He has traveled all over North America, shooting diverse landscapes and finding remote places with the hope that we can convey to the public that this earth is worth caring for. His award winning images can be seen in galleries and showings across the United States.  He was recently invited to the Art Wolfe Art Gallery for the Environmental Photography Invitational. Kevin was the grand winner of the Landscape category for the Natures Best Magazine and was selected for the Smithsonian National Museum of History in Washington D.C..  He is a regular contributor to publications like Outdoor Photographer.

Artist’s Statement

“I believe that the Earth shares secrets with us that only can be discovered by trying to understand our position on this planet. We are never fully intimate with the planet but are given brief moments that make our souls want more. These glimpses of nature’s power are fleeting and never the same twice. I also believe it is important to share with those who want it. The treasures that await us given the patience that is out there. What I try to do is bring some of that magic to my images to share with the rest of the world. Each of my images tells a story that everyone can relate to in some way whether it is success, fear, or challenging oneself to overcome obstacles

View Kevin's Portfolio.

Shane McDermott

Shane McDermott

Photography Instructor

Artist's Statement: Through all of my wanderings, photography has remained a constant, providing the creative link between my passion for adventure and the outdoors. I will never get enough of that “Wow!” feeling when I see a stunning image rendered on my camera’s LCD and helping guide others to that same experience is the bacon in the beans for me. I am excited to start working with Action Photo Tours. Everything about their instructors, locations, deep research, proficiency and stop-at-nothing vibe shows me that I have found the company where we can all grow and have countless “wow” moments together.

From the inseparable experience of unity, the camera is not something I “look at” the world through it is an opportunity to see something in myself. Photographs are no longer lost extractions of time; they become holographic reflections of the precious whole in every part. I love to guide those passionate about photography and those wanting to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of nature. If you seek a deeper connection with yourself and the astonishing beauty of our planet, I invite you to embark on this journey of creative discovery. I seamlessly weave together the technical and artistic dimensions of photography and help students learn to cultivate a greater level of presence, perception, and perspective. I have endless patience for those who genuinely seek to unlock their unique creative brilliance and transform their passion into pixels.

Photography has been a transformative experience of Self-discovery more than it has been about great image-making. The interior landscapes of my Soul have been the primary territory of my exploration. From a place within, the landscapes and creatures of our great planet have provided amazing opportunities to learn about myself and my connection to the world.