PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOE GARZA PHOTOGRAPHY
Outer Banks Photography Workshop
Lighthouses • Milky Way • Coastal Landscapes
Join photographers Sarah Zepnick and Joe Garza for five unforgettable days exploring North Carolina's Outer Banks. Drawing on Joe's more than 20 years of photographing America's iconic lighthouses and Sarah's passion for creating unforgettable travel experiences and personalized instruction, this small-group workshop will help you capture dramatic coastal landscapes, historic lighthouses, and the Milky Way. You’ll come home with more than great photographs—you'll leave with unforgettable memories and the confidence to keep exploring.
September 11–15, 2026 · Outer Banks, North Carolina
DATES
September 11-15, 2026
LOCATION
Outer Banks, North Carolina
GROUP SIZE
Max 7 Guests
ACTIVITY
Light Hiking
STARTING FROM (LODGING INCLUDED)
$3,950 / person
Photograph Outer Banks Lighthouses, Coastline, and Night Sky in North Carolina
THE OUTER BANKS
The Outer Banks has been on photographers' radar for decades — and for good reason. Barrier island light, wide open skies, lighthouses that have been standing since the 1800s. It's one of those places that rewards the photographer who knows how to slow down and read it.
There's a version of the Outer Banks most people see — and then there's this. We'll be in position before the sun clears the horizon, working lighthouse reflections in the marsh at first light, and back out after dark when the Milky Way rises over the Atlantic. Five days built entirely around the light.
All levels of skill and equipment are welcome. We’ll have two instructors and seven photographers comin’ in hot for a beautiful 5 days.
THE ITINERARY
5-Day Outer Banks Photography Workshop Itinerary
Each day is built around the light — sunrise sessions, midday editing and instruction, golden-hour shooting, and clear-night Milky Way opportunities. We adjust daily based on conditions and what we're seeing in your images.
Day 1 | Sept 11 — Arrive & Orientation
Check in after 4:00 PM and get settled. We'll meet in the hotel lobby at 5:30 PM for introductions, a brief overview of the week, and a chance to answer any questions — then head straight out for our first sunset session along the Atlantic coast.
Days 2–4 | Sept 12-14 — Full Days in the Field — Built Around Light, Tides & Conditions
Expect full but rewarding days shaped entirely by what the Outer Banks is giving us. In mid-September, sunrise is around 6:40 AM and sunset near 7:15 PM — we'll be out the door well before first light to be in position as it hits, and evening sessions will often run through blue hour and into night when conditions are right.
Weather on the OBX shifts fast. Some mornings bring calm pastel skies, others dramatic clouds and wind. Each day's plan will be built around those conditions — moving between lighthouse locations, piers, marshes, and coastline to be exactly where the light is best. Clear evenings open the door for Milky Way photography over the ocean and lighthouses.
Locations on the table: Bodie Island Lighthouse and boardwalk marsh. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and surrounding dunes and coastline. Oregon Inlet Lifesaving Station. Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Roanoke Marshes. Atlantic-facing piers. We'll make the call each day based on light, tides, and what the sky is doing.
There will be moderate driving and easy-to-moderate walking on sand, boardwalks, and paved paths. Plan to bring light breakfast items or snacks for early mornings in the field — depending on shooting conditions, we may pause for a mid-morning break. There will be ample time for lunch and dinner throughout the week.
Day 5 — Final Sunrise Session & Departure
One more sunrise before the week wraps — location chosen based on what we haven't fully explored and where conditions look best. The workshop concludes by 10:00 AM. Hotel checkout is at 11:00 AM.
This is not a rigid itinerary — it's a framework for chasing great light. The Outer Banks is a barrier island and conditions change fast. We have a deep location list and zero attachment to a fixed plan that ignores what the sky is doing. That flexibility is the point.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Everything Included in Your OBX Photography Workshop
4 nights lodging (check-in Thursday, check-out Monday)
In-field instruction at every session — composition, exposure, light reading, Lightroom workflow
Park entrance and any permit fees required
Milky Way and night photography instruction (clear skies permitting)
Transportation to shooting locations each day
Small group attention — maximum 7 participants
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare · Airport transfers · Meals · Gratuities · Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Where We’ll Be Staying
LODGING, TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION | 2026 OBX PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Lodging is included in the workshop price. Our lodging is currently planned for the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront in Nags Head, North Carolina.
Rooms will be secured and reserved in your name. You do not need to make a hotel reservation. A confirmation number will be sent to you prior to the workshop.
You will want to check in after 4:00 PM on September 11th.
Amenities typically include:
Oceanfront access
Free parking
Free WiFi
Indoor pool
Continental breakfast
Your room will be booked for check-in on September 11 and check-out on September 15. If you plan to arrive earlier or stay later, please coordinate directly with the hotel to extend your accommodations. Any additional nights outside the workshop dates will be your responsibility.
GETTING THERE | 2026 OUTER BANKS LIGHTHOUSE & MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Traveling to OBX
Participants should plan to fly into:
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Nags Head
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) – approximately 3.5 hours from Nags Head
You will need to rent a car or arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel. Please allow enough time after your flight to arrive and check in before our 5:30 PM meeting on September 11th.
You will not need a car during the workshop as we will be providing transportation each day to shooting locations for all participants.
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR 2026 OBX PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Most locations are accessible via boardwalks, sandy paths, and short walks from parking areas. Expect walking on sand, dunes, and uneven coastal terrain.
Given we will be leaving early for sunrise and may stay out through sunset or into the night for Milky Way photography, we recommend dressing in layers. September weather in the Outer Banks can range from cool mornings to warm afternoons, with coastal winds adding additional chill near the water.
Please make sure you have water, snacks, and any personal items you may need for the session in your camera bag before we head out. At many locations, especially on beaches or dune systems, we may not be able to easily return to vehicles.
There will be some walking required to access lighthouses, piers, dunes, and shoreline compositions. Most terrain is manageable, but sand can be soft and uneven. Sturdy footwear with good traction is strongly recommended. A small towel for sand and salt spray can also be helpful.
Camera Gear & What to Pack
Mirrorless or DSLR camera with manual controls
Wide-angle lens (16–35mm) for lighthouses, dunes, and Milky Way photography
Mid-range zoom (24–70mm) for versatile coastal compositions
Telephoto (70–200mm) for compressed landscapes and details
Longer telephoto (100–600mm) for birds and distant subjects
Solid tripod with ball head
Extra batteries for long days + night sessions
Memory cards
Lens cloths and rocket blower
Rain hood for camera and lens
Filters: Circular Polarizer, Graduated ND, and Solid ND for long exposures
Headlamp for early mornings and night sky sessions
CAMERA GEAR RECOMMENDED
Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking shoes with good grip
Light rain jacket or windbreaker
Lightweight layers for fluctuating temperatures
Headlamp (for sunrise setups and night sky sessions)
Small pack for snacks and water (if they won’t fit in your camera bag)
Microfiber cloth for lens cleaning (salt spray is common)
WHAT TO PACK
YOUR INSTRUCTORS | SARAH ZEPNICK & JOE GARZA PHOTOGRAPHY
Learn from Two Passionate Photographers
Sarah Zepnick
ADVENTURER · PHOTOGRAPHER · OCEAN ADDICTSarah Zepnick combines her love of photography, travel, and teaching to create workshops that are both inspiring and approachable. She works alongside Joe throughout the trip, providing individualized guidance, answering questions, and helping photographers of all experience levels build confidence behind the camera.
Now she shoots with a Nikon Z8 and brings a wide range of experience to the field — from coastal landscapes and night sky photography to underwater work with her Ikelite housing.
In the field Sarah is your hands-on guide, technical support, and the person making sure you fully enjoy every minute of it. She's been known to make people laugh at 5am when they'd rather be sleeping.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER · WORKSHOP LEADER Joe Garza
Joe Garza has spent more than two decades photographing America's most iconic lighthouses and coastlines. His fine art prints hang in homes and businesses across the country, and his deep understanding of light, weather, and composition has been shaped by countless sunrises, sunsets, and nights under the stars.
He shoots across the country — lighthouses, mountains, canyons, deserts, and open ocean — and his work reflects someone who genuinely loves being out there.
In the field Joe is patient, technical, and encouraging. He'll make sure you understand not just what to do but why.
PRICING & BOOKING | 2026 OUTER BANKS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Reserve Your Spot
Five days chasing the best light on the East Coast. Lighthouses at sunrise, Milky Way over the Atlantic, and coastal landscapes that reward the photographer who knows how to read them. Small group. Two instructors. Lodging included.
A 50% deposit is required to hold your spot with the remaining 50% due 60 days prior to the beginning of the trip.
Cancellations prior to 60 days may be refunded or transferred to another workshop if the spot can be filled.
We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance to cover such costs.
$3,950 Single Occupancy
What Clients Say
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All skill levels are welcome. You should be comfortable shooting in manual mode, but beyond that we work with photographers at every level. With two instructors and a maximum of 7 participants, you'll get personalized attention regardless of your experience.
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Locations include Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, and Oregon Inlet Lifesaving Station, along with Atlantic-facing piers and coastal marshes. Daily locations are chosen based on conditions and light.
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Yes. Lodging is included in the $3,950 workshop fee. You'll be staying at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Nags Head Oceanfront in Nags Head, NC. Rooms are reserved in your name — no hotel reservation needed.
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Yes, Milky Way photography is planned for clear evenings. The Outer Banks has some of the darkest accessible skies on the East Coast. Night sky sessions are subject to weather and cloud cover.
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Fly into Norfolk International Airport (ORF), approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Nags Head, or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), approximately 3.5 hours away. You'll need to rent a car or arrange transportation to the hotel. All transportation during the workshop is provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
