One Day Workshop with Joe McNally

Ellis Island is a magical, historical place. It prompts reverie, spirits, and ghosts, much of it communicated to your head and your heart via the hallways, the peeling paint, the dusty artifacts, and the light at different times of the day. We’ve been blessed for the last couple of years to visit the still mostly deserted, off-limits section of the island via the auspices of the Save Ellis Foundation. We form a small class and shoot all day, taking a break for a bit to practice some lighting, in the old morgue, which believe it or not, is a perfect place to run a lighting demo. It is a unique day of opportunity, to see and freely photograph that which has been largely hidden for years. Ellis is truly a place filled with memories. The abandoned rooms stand as testament to the bravery, fortitude and daring of all those who came, seeking freedom, and a new world. At the camera, it is up to us to evoke those poignant memories, and to use the mechanisms of composition, lens use, exposure, and an acute observance of the eloquence of light to make the place speak powerfully, even now, after all the years of disuse. The workshop day will be a special day indeed. Historically, this adventure has filled quickly, so best to act if you want to reserve a spot. Joe wrote a terrific blog about one of our days there which you can read here.

This workshop is limited to 25 people. Full payment is required to book your spot. Please note that the meeting time for this workshop is 6am. We will be meeting in Lower Manhattan.

Photography Workshop

DATES | ONE DAY WORKSHOP: May 3, 2024 SOLD OUT!

September 13, 2024

This workshop starts at 6am and ends at 3pm.
PRICE: Participant Rate: $775
WHAT'S INCLUDED?: Breakfast snacks, juice and coffee provided, mid-morning.

Lunch: Box lunch and beverages provided

Access to off limits areas of the historically significant hospital wing of Ellis Island, abandoned for many years.

Round trip ferry transportation provided on the early morning staff ferry (6am) from Manhattan-

Access to main Ellis Island Museum available at end of day.

Participants have free rein to roam in most rooms. Tripods encouraged.

Brief slide show of historic images of Ellis Island and a flash lighting (portraiture) demo included.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?: This workshop is TUITION ONLY. Accommodations are NOT included. Please note we will be boarding the staff ferry in Lower Manhattan to Ellis Island very early in the morning. Here is a list of hotels (at various price points) that are in the area.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?: Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio

Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures

Photographers interested in working with professional performers and models

DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Tripod

Flash and light shapers
HOW DO I REGISTER?: You can sign up for a workshop using the links below.

Please contact us with any questions at liza@lizapoliti.com

WEATHER | SUNRISE/SUNSET: May - Temps 75/55 F

Sunrise 5:43 am | Sunset 8:02 pm

September – Temps 74/59 F

Sunrise 6:43 am | Sunset 6:53 pm
TRAVEL INFO: Closest airports: JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia

Closest subways: 4/5 Bowling Green, 1 South Ferry, 2/3 Wall St
FUN FACTS: Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990.

France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886 for its centennial celebration. The statue was shipped as 350 pieces in 214 crates and took 4 months to assemble at its current home on Liberty Island.

MORE INFO & FAQ's

About Joe McNally

Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in 70 countries. McNally won the first Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Journalistic Impact for a LIFE coverage titled, “The Panorama of War.” He has been honored numerous times by Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, American Photo, POY, and The World Press Photo Foundation. A contributor to National Geographic magazine for more than two decades, Joe has published numerous cover stories, including "The Future of Flying" (December 2003). His assignments have taken him from the heart of India's Diwali celebrations to the deserts of the Middle East to China's Great Wall. He regularly writes a popular, occasionally irreverent blog (joemcnally.com/blog) about the travails, tribulations, oddities and high moments of being a photographer. On social media: @joemcnallyphoto.

*All photos on this webpage courtesy of Joe McNally.