Mystic Seaport – 1-Day Photography Workshop

Led by Joe Reardon, Copley Master — Copley Society of Art, Boston
📅 June 28, 2026
📍 Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut
Limited to 10 Participants

Cost: $295 per person

Mystic Seaport offers a rare opportunity to photograph New England’s maritime heritage in one of the world’s most significant maritime museums. This immersive one-day workshop is designed to slow the photographic process and deepen how participants observe history, craft, and place.

The workshop is open to photographers and non-photographers of all experience levels. No technical background is required—only curiosity and an interest in maritime history, texture, and storytelling.

What This Experience Is About

Mystic Seaport is a living historical environment—where tall ships, working shipyards, and a recreated 19th-century village come together along the Mystic River. This workshop focuses on seeing history through form, light, and atmosphere, rather than documenting objects.

We begin in the early morning as light moves across the harbor, working deliberately with shadow, reflection, and structure. Throughout the day, we explore how to create images that convey time, craftsmanship, and narrative.

I do not photograph during workshop sessions, allowing my full attention to remain on participants—guiding composition, refining visual decisions, and encouraging intentional seeing.

Key Locations & Subjects

• The Charles W. Morgan — the world’s last wooden whaleship, rich with texture, scale, and maritime legacy

• Historic Tall Ships — studies in repetition, rigging, and nautical detail

• The Amistad — line, craftsmanship, and historical significance

• 19th-Century Village Streets & Workshops — cobblestones, wooden structures, and period architecture

• Skilled Artisans at Work — environmental portrait opportunities with shipwrights and craftspeople

• River Views & Architectural Elements — drawbridges, piers, boathouses, and waterfront reflections

What We Are After

This workshop is not about collecting images—it is about interpreting maritime history visually.

We focus on:

• Texture and material

• Light interacting with wood, rope, and water

• Composition that suggests story and time

• Environmental context rather than isolated subjects

• Images that feel grounded, intentional, and authentic

What’s Included

• Full-day admission to Mystic Seaport Museum

• Full day of on-location instruction and guidance

• Personalized feedback and individual attention

• Small-group format (limited to 10 participants)

Not Included

Travel to and from Mystic, meals, and personal expenses.

Workshop Details

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Mystic Seaport Museum, Connecticut

• Duration: 1 Day

• Group Size: Limited to 10 participants

• Cost: $295 per person

• Experience Level: Open to all

The closest major airport is Hartford in Hartford Ct..

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