by hankinslawrenceimages | Dec 4, 2015 | Workshops
Bill and I often get asked – why do we teach our Winter’s Beauty at Chincoteague and Assateauge workshop in the winter? After all – we’re going to a beach – wouldn’t it be better to go in the summer?
Not really – winter is actually my favorite time of year to head to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assasteague National Seashore. And here are my top 5 reasons why
5. NO BUGS! Chincoteague and Assateague are famous for all the mosquitos and horse-flies in the summer. Kind of what you’d expect when you’re visiting a marsh and a beach – lots of annoying biting insects. I have never gotten bitten by bugs in the winter at Chincoteague and I’ve never had to cover myself with Deep Woods OFF!
Snow Geese at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge © 2013 Patty Hankins
4. LOTS OF BIRDS! Located along the Atlantic Flyway, thousands of migrating birds visit Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in the winter. Several of the marshes, ponds and waterways are located near the refuge roads, so I’ve been able to photograph many birds without needed a super long lens (I usually use either my 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens when photographing birds at Chincoteague
3. CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: Most of the places we’ll be photographing are within 100 feet of where we’ll be parking our cars. So if you get cold, you can jump back into the car to warm up before continuing to photograph.
Chincoteague Sunset © 2013 Patty Hankins
2. SHORT DAYS: In early February, the sun comes up at 7 AM and sets at 5:30 PM. In June, sunrise is at 5:40 AM and sunset isn’t until 8:30 PM. So in the winter, you can sleep in a bit, grab a cup of coffee and still photograph a wonderful sunrise. And in the evening, you can photograph sunset and still have ordered dinner and drinks at my favorite local restaurant Bill’s by 7 PM.
Sign at the Visitor Center at Chincoteague NWR
1. NO CROWDS! Most people visit Chincoteague and Assateague in the summer, so crowded beaches and long lines at the park entrance are the norm. We’ve never had to wait in a line in the winter and it’s not uncommon to see less than 20 other people in the entire park in the winter. Even the National Wildlife Refuge System recognizes that while summer is peak tourist migration season, winter is peak waterfowl migration season.
Bill and I still have a few spaces left in our Winter’s Beauty at Chincoteague and Assateague workshop. We’d love to have you join us on Feb 5-7.
Early Bird Registration of $ 397 ends on January 1.
If you have any questions about the workshop or if it’s right for you, drop me a note and we’ll find a time to talk.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Oct 30, 2015 | Workshops
When people see my photos on the web or at a show, they often say they’d love to come along on my photo trips – sometimes even offering to carry my bags (little do they know how much camera gear I travel with!)
In the past, my response has usually been sorry – I travel by myself. And while I’ll continue to take many of my photo trips alone – I am offering three photo trips in the spring of 2016 when you can come photograph with me!
In February, I’ll be leading my Winter’s Beauty workshop at Chincoteague and Assateague Virginia. We’ll spend the weekend photographing along the beach and in the marshes of the Assateague National Seashore and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. I’m hoping we’ll see another spectacular sunset like we did last year.
Sunset at Chincoteague NWR © 2015 Patty Hankins
My Winter’s Beauty Workshop runs from February 5-7. Early Bird Registration is only $ 397.
All the details about this workshop are at http://beautifulflowerpictures.com/winters-beauty-at-chincoteague-and-assateague/
In March, I’ll be leading my Springtime in the South Photo Tour (yes a tour is different from a workshop – more relaxed, less classroom time, lots of fun) exploring Savannah, Charleston and the South Carolina Low Country. We’ll be photographing every day – including trying for a few sunrises and sunsets. But we’ll also take to time to explore historic districts, and experience the culture and the food of the region.
Live Oak Alley © 2015 Patty Hankins
My Springtime in the South Photo Tour runs from March 20 – 26. Early Bird Registration is only $ 1199.
All the details about this photo tour are at http://beautifulflowerpictures.com/springtime-in-the-south-savannah-charleston-and-the-south-carolina-low-country/
And finally, in April I’ll be leading my Spring in the Smokies Workshop. April in the Smokies means peak wildflower season, wonderful streams and waterfalls surrounding by bright green foliage and hopefully beautiful sunrises. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is my favorite national park – and April is my favorite time of year to visit.
Smoky Mountain Sunrise © 2008 Patty Hankins
My Spring in the Smokies Workshop runs from April 17-22. Early Bird Registration is only $ 999.
All the details about this workshop are at http://beautifulflowerpictures.com/spring-in-the-smokies-2016/
All of my workshops are limited to 6 participants to ensure that I’m able to give each of you the personalized attention you should get in a photography workshop.
I’d love to have you join me for one of my workshops or photo tours. Drop me a note if you have any questions about any of my workshops or photo tours.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Sep 30, 2015 | South Carolina, Workshops
I’m back home from a wonderful trip to the Charleston, South Carolina area. I made my first visit to Charleston and the South Carolina Low Country in March and fell in love with the area. I came back from the trip with some ideas for a workshop that I’d like to teach in Savannah, Georgia and Charleston next spring. Over the summer, I realized I needed to spend a few more days getting to know the area before I’d be comfortable leading a group photographing in the area. So I went back for a few days last week – these are quick edits of some photos I took as I checked out possible locations for the workshop. I’ll be sharing more photos from the trips in the coming weeks – but wanted to share these with you now to give you a taste of where we’ll be visiting during my March 20-26, 2016 workshop.
Boneyard at Botany Bay – I’d hoped to photograph a sunrise at Boneyard Beach but it was closed most of the week for hunting season. I did get there mid-day – and even then in the harsh mid-day sun – it was spectacular.
Boneyard Beach at Botany Bay, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
I found another spectacular Oak Alley to photograph – this time at Botany Bay. So between Botany Bay and Wormsloe Historical Site in Georgia, we’ll have a chance to photograph more than one Oak Alley.
Oak Alley at Botany Bay, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
Oak Alley at Botany Bay, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
I spent some time in Folly Beach photographing a sunrise at the pier and then some fun scenes around town.
Sunrise Reflections at Folly Beach, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
Folly Beach, SC Street Art © 2015 Patty Hankins
Another Day in Paradise, Folly Beach, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
The South Carolina Low Country is full of old churches and graveyards. I spent some time exploring a few including the Sheldon Church Ruins and Trinity Episcopal Church.
Sheldon Church Ruins, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
Grave at Trinity Episcopal Church, Edisto, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
I finally made it to Angel Oak in Charleston when there weren’t busloads of tourists (there were still plenty of people around – but at least not the two busloads that were unloading when I arrived in the spring).
Angel Oak, Charleston, SC © 2015 Patty Hankins
I spent several wonderful hours photographing at Magnolia Plantation – was surprised to see so many rhododendrons in blooms. I tend to think of them as a spring blooming flower.
Rhododendron © 2015 Patty Hankins
And finally – a photo of a grits and corn meal display at a country store – hey I was in South Carolina – of course there were lots of grits on the menu . . .
Grits and Corn Meal © 2015 Patty Hankins
I’m still finalizing the plans for my 2016 workshops including my one in Charleston and Savannah. Drop me a note if you’re interested in attending any of my workshops – I’ll be sending out info in October to people who have contacted me before announcing registration to the public. All my workshops are limited to 6 participants.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Sep 11, 2015 | Workshops
I’m busy planning my photography workshops for Spring 2016. I don’t have all the details in place yet – so haven’t opened registration yet – but did want to let you know the dates and locations where I’ll be teaching next year.
February 19 – 21, 2016 – Chincoteague, Virginia
Join me for a weekend of photographing at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. We’ll be photographing in the marshes and along the Atlantic shore – and we may even get to photograph some of Chincoteague’s famous ponies.
March 20 – 26, 2016 – Savannah, Charleston and the South Carolina Low Country
Join me for a week of photographing in some of the most beautiful cities in the South. Known for their stately homes in historic districts, magnificent gardens, and lush spanish moss-filled landscapes, Savannah, Charleston and the South Carolina Low Country are a photographer’s paradise in the spring.
April 17-22 – Spring in the Smokies
Join me for a week of photographing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (my favorite park) at my favorite time of year. The wildflowers will be blooming and water will be flowing in the stream beds and down the hillsides. There’s no place like the Smokies in the Spring.
All workshops include
- At least one photography session per day (most days will include two)
- Classroom discussions of the art & craft of photography
- One-on-one help with your photography
- A maximum of 6 participants in the workshop
I am taking names at this time of people who are interested in attending any (or all) of my spring 2016 workshops. Registration is limited to 6 participants per workshop. If you let me know now you are interested in one of my workshops, I’ll put you on the list of people who will be the first to receive the registration info for the workshops.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Apr 17, 2015 | Workshops
Have you ever stood breathless in front of a flower that you wanted to remember forever?
Lotus Blossom Pair © 2011 Patty Hankins
I imagine you were lucky to have your camera with you, so you go through this series of steps: point, focus and click. Check the photo on the back of the camera.
No, that’s not what it looks like. Repeat. Point, Focus, Click. Check it again on the back of the camera.
Damn it! Still not right
The photos you’re taking don’t capture the flower’s beauty that you’re seeing. And you don’t know why.
Is it your camera? You’re tempted to go buy newer and better (aka “more expensive) equipment.
Stop! Don’t buy any more gear!
I want to help you keep your money in your pocket and create the beautiful photographs you want to be taking. I would love to have you join me for a weekend of photographing flowers this July.
Not only will we spend time photographing in gardens in the DC area, but we’ll also talk about how to create the photographs that let you share the beauty you are seeing in nature.
During the workshop, we’ll visit at least two local gardens or parks to photograph flowers. We will head to the gardens that have the best displays that weekend. We will gather at my home in Bethesda for discussions of “What Caught Your Eye” and “Capturing What You See”. In other words – we’ll be talking about both the technical and artistic aspects of creating wonderful photographs of flowers.
Indian Summer Black Eyed Susans © 2014 Patty Hankins
The workshop is limited to 6 participants to ensure that I’m able to give each of you the personalized attention you should get in a photography workshop.
July 10-12, 2015
A Hands-on Workshop with Flower Photographer Patty Hankins
Register before May 31 and save $ 50 off the regular registration fee of $ 247
Only $ 197
More information about the workshop and the link to register for the workshop are on my website. I’d love to have you join me for a weekend of photographing flowers this July.
Not sure if this workshop is right for you? Drop me an email and we can find a time to talk.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Feb 27, 2015 | Virginia, Workshops
Bill and I taught our landscape photography workshop earlier this month at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. We had wonderful weather, fantastic students and incredible photographic opportunities. In addition to Saturday night’s amazing sunset – we also had a chance to photograph two sunrises and some reflections in the marsh.
The first sunrise we photographed was on Saturday morning. We photographed the marsh from the side of the main road in the refuge. One of the great things about Chincoteague NWR is that so many of the wonderful landscape photo spots are very close to the roads. 🙂
I’ve photographed from this spot several times before so tried to do something a little different this time. I spent much of my time working with the grasses in the marsh.
Marsh Grass at Sunrise, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge © 2015 Patty Hankins
Marsh Grass at Sunrise, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge © 2015 Patty Hankins
On Saturday afternoon we stopped at one of the scenic spots along Wildlife Loop to photograph reflections of the trees and the grasses in the water.
Reflections at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge © 2015 Patty Hankins
Reflections at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge © 2015 Patty Hankins
Our final field session of the workshop was on Sunday morning when we photographed sunrise on the beach at Assateague National Seashore and then the golden light in the dunes.
Sunrise at Assategue National Seashore © 2015 Patty Hankins
Morning Light on the Dunes at Assateague National Seashore © 2015 Patty Hankins
Tracks in the Sand, Assateague National Seashore © 2015 Patty Hankins
We had a wonderful time at Chincoteague NWR earlier this month teaching our workshop. We haven’t set the dates for our Chincoteague 2016 workshop – but chances are it will be in early February. If you’d like to be among the first to hear about our other workshops this year – and our 2016 workshop at Chincoteague – just sign up for my newsletter. I can’t promise you we’ll have light like we did this year – but you never know 
