Gibbs Gardens in Springtime

Join award-winning Colorado-based flower and garden photographer, Charles Needle, for a 1 ½ day mini-workshop at Gibbs Gardens, a 300-acre world-class garden located about an hour north of downtown Atlanta.

Treat your lenses to a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the gardens, from among thousands of annuals and perennials in springtime bloom — including tulips, cherry blossoms and the largest display of daffodils in the nation (more than 20 million daffodil blossoms representing more than 200 varieties covering 50 acres of hillsides and valley).

Charles will guide you through the technical craft of flower and garden photography, and you’ll receive lots of personalized hands-on instruction from him, both in the classroom and in the field. Learn tips and techniques for capturing unique close-ups and intimate garden landscapes. Topics covered will include: Impressionistic flower and garden photography, creative macro, in-camera multiple-exposures, soft-glow montage and creative smartphone photography. There will also be field demos and supportive group image evaluations.

All skill levels and camera formats welcome, including smartphone cameras. Students should also have basic proficiency in post-capture image editing software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop or Snapseed.

INCLUDES

1 ½ days of photography instruction in both the classroom and in the field, including field demos, classroom lectures, stimulating assignments, and supportive group image evaluations.  Also includes 1-day entrance fee into Gibbs Gardens.

DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare, airport transfers, transportation, lodging, meals and snacks, optional trip insurance, COVID testing, and other incidentals such as laundry, phone calls, tips & gratuities, etc.

LODGING

We have secured a discounted hotel room rate of $102/night + tax in Alpharetta, GA (just north of Atlanta).  

GETTING THERE 

Daily flights are available into Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), a 45-minute drive to our hotel in Alpharetta.  You’ll need to rent a car or take Uber/Lyft to get to Gibbs Gardens, which is about a 35-min drive from the hotel.

ITINERARY

• Thursday, March 17

9 am to 5 pm at Gibbs Gardens (with a lunch break).  Field demos and lots of 1-on-1 personalized help from Charles.

• Friday, March 18

8 am to 12 noon: Brief classroom demonstration on how to post-process Impressionistic images.  Supportive group image evaluations.

PROFICIENCY LEVEL

All skill levels and camera formats welcome, including smartphone cameras. Students should also have a basic understanding of exposure and proficiency in post-capture image editing software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop or Snapseed.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY

No strenuous activity will be involved during the workshop.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All workshop withdrawal requests must be in writing and received either by US mail or e-mail and acknowledged by Charles Needle Photography. There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, even for medical or family emergencies. Unless otherwise noted, based on cancellation date, the following apply:

• Greater than 91 days before the workshop start date: refund, minus a $95 administrative fee.

• Within 90 days of the start of the program: no refund.

Regardless of when you cancel, if you or we are able to fill your space, we will provide a refund of any payments made minus a $95 processing fee.

We encourage you to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend trip insurance to protect you in the event of an unexpected situation that prevents you from attending the workshop. We recommend Travelguard or Travelex Insurance Services.

We reserve the right to cancel any workshop if the minimum student enrollment is not met, or due to any COVID-19 or other health concerns. In the event we cancel a workshop, you’ll be notified as soon as possible and be given the option to receive a full refund or apply your payment toward any future workshop within one calendar year from the date of cancellation.  

We are not, however, liable for expenses incurred such as airfare or accommodations, and for this reason we also recommend the purchase of trip insurance. The financial liability of Charles Needle Photography shall be limited to the amount paid to Charles Needle Photography for the tour/workshop only and shall not be extended to cover any other associated travel costs incurred (e.g. non-refundable air tickets, visa fees if applicable, clothing, equipment, miscellaneous transportation costs, lodging costs, medical expenses, travel insurance premiums, etc.).  For this reason, we highly recommend trip cancellation insurance.

COVID-19 POLICY

My workshops are an intimate experience; we share classroom space, carpooling, group meals, and I like to be up-close and personal in the field to give you the best learning experience.

Above all else, my primary goal is to ensure everyone feels safe to relax and have a fun time. None of us want the threat of COVID lingering in the back of our minds while trying to be creative and have a good time. Based on this, along with current CDC guidelines, proof of vaccine, with the last dose at least 14 days before the workshop, is required to attend all my workshops.

As you know, this is an ever-evolving situation, and I will follow current CDC and local health department regulations and inform you before the workshop. For the health and safety of everyone, masks and face coverings may be required at certain times during the workshop.  In addition, periodic COVID testing during the workshop might need to occur.  Myself and my workshop assistants are fully vaccinated for your safety as well. Thank you for your understanding during these unprecedented times, I want my workshops to be a fun, safe experience for everyone!